Page 56 of Mafioso's Muse

She was silent a moment. ‘If you’re supposed to be this dangerous thing, then why aren’t I afraid? Why do I feel safe with you?’

‘Because youaresafe with me. You’ll always be safe with me. But I can’t be at your side all the time.’ Even if he wanted to be. ‘I worry about you now. Just imagine if you belonged to me.’

Her cheeks filled with colour when he said that last part.

‘You would be an easy target for anyone who wanted to get at me,’ he added.

‘You make me sound so weak.’

‘Not weak.Free.’ He picked up the tray again and brought it to her, encouraging her to eat. ‘I don’t want you looking over your shoulder on the street. I want better for you.’

She took some apple slices from the plate. ‘Tell me something about yourself that has nothing to do with business or family. I already know you have a love of the arts, but do you paint yourself? Or play an instrument of some kind?’

He grabbed some food for himself before setting the plate back down. ‘No. I feed off others’ talent and creativity.’

They both fell silent to eat.

‘Then what do you do to let off steam or have fun?’ she asked once she’d finished, then gestured to his face. ‘Besides fighting.’

He looked out at the city. ‘I play the stock market?—’

‘Forfun?’

‘I find it fun, yes.’

She sighed. ‘What about outdoor things? Do you hike? Go to the beach?’

‘Not the beach. Can’t stand the sand. I’m still finding it days later.’ He paused ‘Sometimes I row. I used to row for Melbourne Uni back in the day.’

‘Now we’re getting somewhere.’ She sat forwards. ‘Where do you row? The Yarra?’

He nodded.

‘You know, I’ve never rowed before. Maybe you could take me out one day.’

His gaze drifted back to hers. ‘It’s like you haven’t heard a word I just said.’

‘It would be another non-date.’

Tragically, he was already picturing the two of them on the water, her pretty face bathed in morning light.

Instead of replying, he picked up a cracker, smothered it in camembert, then offered it to her.

She shook her head. ‘The crackers are for you.’

He frowned. ‘You don’t eat them?’

‘Not right now. Harrison wants me to…’ She bit the inside of her cheek. ‘I need to stay at my optimum weight in case any more solo opportunities come up this season.’

It killed him when she spoke about her weight. She could be twice her present size and still be the most enchanting dancer to ever grace a stage.

‘If you really want a solo, I could definitely remove some of the competition for you.’

Her face slackened before she realised he was joking. ‘Ah. Funny.’ She leaned over and put some pâté on a cracker. ‘Try this.’ As she lifted it to his mouth, the pâté fell off the cracker and smeared down the front of his shirt.

Willow sucked in a breath. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘It’s fine.’

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