However big the difference between the two of us, I was increasingly interested in her company, and it seemed worth taking a risk to see how far we would go.

Chapter twenty-three

He was so comfortable in that restaurant that it became increasingly obvious that we weren't there just to impress me.

I had no ambitions of getting a boyfriend like that, to be honest, a boyfriend wasn't in my short-term plans. But my biggest fear was getting hurt. As much as he seemed to be being honest with me, and the twins' opinion influenced me a lot, he was a ruthless lawyer who used to win everything.

Would my heart be just another one of your prizes?

“I don't want to be just a challenge for a man who is used to having everything,” I said honestly, crossing my cutlery over my plate as I finished my meal.

It was very tasty, but I didn't know if it was worth what they charged for it.

“And I don't want to lose someone I care about again.”

“We seem to have reached an impasse.”

“I already see it as a common interest.” He leaned over the table, and I couldn't escape his gaze.

“Which one?”

“None of us wants to get hurt.”

“You're right. I don't want to.”

“Me neither.”

“So what do we do?”

“We try to stay true to that.”

I remained silent, looking at him and reflecting on everything we had talked about. The cards were on the table, and now it was up to us to decide what we would do next.

“Dessert?”

I said no.

“I'm pleased.”

“Then I'll ask for the check.”

“Okay.”

Thomas paid for dinner, and we headed for the restaurant entrance where the valet was already waiting with the car.

“Do you want me to take you somewhere?”

I didn't know exactly what he was expecting, but I answered the obvious:

“Home.”

“Okay.”

We got into the car, and I fastened the seat belt across my chest. It was tight, and I doubted it was because of the protection. Dinner was great, the food was good, and I ended up relaxing after a lot of chatting, but something was missing that made me uneasy. I tried with all my might to push that feeling away, but it came back with all its might, bothering me even more.

When he finally stopped at the entrance to my building, I unbuckled my seatbelt and grabbed the door handle to open it.

“The dinner was great, thank you very much.” I leaned over to leave, but he reached out and took my hand, preventing me from pushing the door open.