Page 21 of Forgotten Desires

“We can go wherever you want. I know this great Sushi place. Or if you want steak, we can do that. I’ll find anything.”

She smiles, tucking her red hair behind her ear. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Why? Do you not eat?” I tease.

“Stop. You know why I’m saying that.”

I raise my hand. “I vow to be on my best behavior. I just really don’t want to go back to my home and be alone. Also, I have no idea if we’ll ever see each other again, so I’d like to have dinner and say a proper goodbye.”

Brynn glances at her watch and sighs. “Well, I missed the train anyway, I guess dinner will work.”

I fight back smiling. “What are you in the mood for?”

“This is going to be so cliché, but my area seriously lacks good Italian food. Any recommendations?”

The city is brimming with fantastic food, and we have no shortage of good, authentic Italian food. It’s one of my favorite things about living here.

“I have several, but there’s one that’s really lowkey and close to where I live. It has the best burrata I’ve ever had, and I swear the owner will treat you like family.”

Brynlee smiles. “That sounds perfect.”

“Let me get the car.”

I reach into my pocket, grab my phone, and text my location to my driver.

“Does your car drive itself here?” she asks playfully.

“Not the car, but the driver does.”

“You have a driver?”

“I do. His name is Cliff and he’s been with me for years.”

She shakes her head in what looks like dismay. “I can’t wrap my head around it. You were so normal when we met. You weren’t flashy and didn’t act like you were some rich asshole from New York. You were just . . . Crew.”

“I’m still just Crew,” I say, wanting her to believe that.

“You’re Carson Knight. You’re a CEO and a billionaire who has his own driver and plane and pilot on standby. I can’t even begin to imagine your house or the cars you probably have.”

I’m sure it can feel overwhelming to her, but I’m the same guy she met. I have more money, and yes, I have nice things, but at the heart of it, I just want the same shit every other person does.

“Those are all external, Bee. You might be the only person in the world who knows what lies beneath.”

Her brown eyes find mine. “Is that true?”

“Every word.”

Her lids lower and she tucks her hair behind her ear. “Well, that’s a sweet thought.”

Cliff pulls up in front of where we’re standing and gets out of the car to open the door, but I raise my hand to stop him. “I got it, Cliff.”

My hand rests on the small of her back as I lead Brynn into the back seat and follow, wishing I could find a way to keep touching her.

Cliff turns in his seat. “Where to, sir?”

I give him the address and we head out.

“Sir, there seems to be an accident up ahead, I’m going to take an alternate route.”

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