Page 23 of Ravish

Her acceptance of their relationship warmed him. “Much like your café. I always have trouble choosing.”

“But you pick the same thing. Every day.”

“Because it’s easier that way.” He looked at her over his menu. “Would you like me to order for you?”

Lara was silent for a moment, then she closed her menu and set it down in front of her, folding her hands on top of it. Colby prepared himself for a tongue lashing. What was he thinking? She knew food and was an independent woman. “Thank you for asking. I actually like that idea. Less for me to think about right now.”

Colby’s Dom side preened at her words. He wasn’t an expert in the lifestyle, not by a long shot. But Max had once told him he had good instincts, and tonight, he was going with those instincts.

When their waiter arrived, Colby gave their dinner order, and ordered a beer for himself. He looked over at Lara, and she grinned and told the waiter she’d have a beer also.

“So, how do we go about this?” she asked.

Colby stretched his arm out and rested it behind her on her chair. “We get to know each other. I know a little bit about you already.”

“And what do you know?” Her brows came together, not exactly in a frown, but as if she was concentrating hard on something.

“You have a close relationship with your aunt. You love your business. And you’re interested in the lifestyle.”

She shook her head. “There’s a lot more to me.”

“I know there is. So, tell me, Lara, how does one who grows up with a rich family end up owning a café and living next door to her aunt?”

* * * *

Well, damn. It wasn’t like Lara had hidden that part of her life, but she didn’t talk about it. A lot of people treated her differently when they found out she came from money. But Colby seemed different. Guess she’d find out. “How long have you known?” Her heart clenched.

“Since the beginning.”

She looked up as the waiter brought their beers and then disappeared. “Does it bother you?” She hadn’t realized that Colby knew about the family name. It wasn’t like Meyer was all that different, but growing up in Pleasant Valley, most people were aware of her family’s money. Theirs. Not hers.

“Does it bother you that I grew up on the poor side of town?”

“Of course not. Why would it?” Where he grew up had no bearing on their relationship.

“Why should your upbringing bother me?”

Lara stared at him. “Some men are intimidated by the money my family has. Others just see me as a meal ticket.” Walter had seen her as that and more. Well, he’d gotten his wish, but not the way he thought.

Colby took a sip of his beer and set the mug down. “Is that what your ex did? He saw you as a get-rich-quick scheme?”

“Pretty much.” She wasn’t going to lie to Colby.

“So how did you meet him?”

“At Berkeley.” Lara took a drink of her own beer. “I met Walter when I was a junior. We got along, and he was fun to be with.” That was the truth, at least in the beginning.

“What did you study at Berkeley?”

“I studied how to be an entrepreneur. Are you sure you want to hear this?” Her life wasn’t that exciting.

Colby shifted in his chair, his fingers dancing over her shoulder. “I do. This is a part of you. To make this work, I need to know.”

Lara sat there a bit stunned. “Before we get into my life, explain a little bit more to me about the lifestyle.”

“From what you told me Saturday night, you played a little bit while you were at Cal Berkeley. Were you ever in a long-term relationship with someone in the lifestyle?”

“No. I attended some parties and visited a club a few times. But it was always with friends, and there was never anything romantic between us.”

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