Page 80 of Peasants and Kings
I chuckled. “I did know that.”
“Because a boyfriend told you?”
“Boyfriend?” I looked at him in confusion. “No. I’ve been that way since I was a kid.”
“How many men have you been with, Eden?”
“Jesus, Hadrian. Can’t I have at least a cup of coffee first?” I sighed. “Just when I thought we could get through a meal without an interrogation.”
“It was a simple question.”
“One that has no bearing on us,” I pointed out. “I have a sexual past. You have a sexual past. Let’s leave it there. In the past.”
“You’re not curious about the women I’ve been with?”
“Not really, no.”
“Why not?” he demanded.
“Because it doesn’t matter.”
“I’m insanely jealous,” he clipped.
I looked at him while I took a tentative sip of my cappuccino. “Why?”
“I hate the idea of any man before me bringing you pleasure.”
Angus took that moment to return with my plate of food. “May I bring you anything else, Ms. Smith?”
“No, this looks great. Thanks, Angus.” I shot him a smile of gratitude and he beamed before leaving.
“Stop smiling at my staff,” Hadrian groused.
“I was being polite.”
He shook his head and glared at the sea.
“You’re a mysterious billionaire who can have any woman he wants. Why do you care so much about my past? You’re so Victorian, Hadrian,” I baited, picking up my fork.
“How am I Victorian?” Hadrian demanded, a bite in his tone.
“You expect me not to have had lovers, yet you were completely willing to be a one-night stand.”
“I’m possessive.”
“So I’ve noticed,” I said dryly.
He examined me. “You’re different this morning.”
“How so?”
“Last night you ran when you didn’t like the direction our conversation was going. Now you’re facing me head on. Why?”
“I have my own pride, Hadrian,” I said softly. “Everyone wants to be wanted. I knew you were possessive when I said yes to your contract.” I shrugged. “And I can’t change my past. I can’t rewrite it to make you feel better.”
“Just tell me how many men you’ve been with.”
“Why, so you can torture yourself with the knowledge? One or one hundred, it doesn’t matter. I wasn’t a virgin when we slept together.”
