He sucked in a long breath and sat back. That perfectly impenetrable playboy billionaire mask in place. The one I thought he’d gotten rid of with me. The one that sort of stung to look at after everything that had happened betweenus.
“I’m sorry you concerned yourself. You didn’t need tocome.”
I looked around at the books, his pile of clothing nearby. Obviously something was wrong with him. Maybe this was the slowly losing his mind bit hementioned.
“Well, you’re lying.” I tried to think of what Jake would do in this situation. “Have youeaten?”
He blinked at me like I’d asked him if he had an extra hand somewhere it didn’t belong. His stomach let out a loud rumble, but his face stayed the same. It was sort of eerie,actually.
I slipped off the couch and tiptoed into the kitchen. It looked like the rest of his house. Stainless steel, beautiful granite, luxurious hardwood. Rich sophistication. I opened the refrigerator to find five items: cheese, wine, heavy cream, mayonnaise, andbutter.
Either he didn’t grocery shop, or he didn’t eat. Was that an immortalthing?
I shook the thought away. Of course not, he wasn’t avampire.
His pantry proved a little more fruitful, and I grabbed a box of pasta and began water boiling. While he was in the other room, I opened another drawer out of curiosity. Cutlery, tea bags, wine bottle opener. His kitchen reminded me of a stage kitchen. Only the props necessary to make it appear to bereal.
“Dorian, do you ever eat in here?” I called out tohim.
A few seconds passed, and he came in, rubbing the back of his neck. It was both sexy as hell and disconcerting, witnessing him walking around in hisunderwear.
“Pardon?”
I pointed to the drawers. “You have nothing in your kitchen. Do you ever eathere?”
He looked at his own kitchen like he’d never seen it before. “No, rarely. I usually order out or I have Michael bring mefood.”
Ah, the joys of money. Must benice.
“Well, tonight you are going to enjoy the culinary stylings of me. The vast majority of these revolve around microwaving, boiling water, and pouringcereal.”
The corner of his lip twitched for a second, but then his mask was back in place. “I really appreciate the effort you are going to on my part. I’ll eat, and then you can get out of here. I’m sure you haveplans.”
I hopped up on the counter and turned to face him cross-legged. He eyed me but saidnothing.
“I don’t have anything planned. And Dorian, I didn’t say we couldn’t be friends. I just don’t think it’s a good idea todate.”
He hung his head for a second and then lifted it. “I’d likethat.”
To be fair, as he sat there almost completely naked, my feelings weren’t entirely platonic. Those V cuts at his hips I’d only gotten to hold onto the other night were reallydistracting.
“Um, since we are being friendly. Do you think you could put some pantson?”
He didn’t respond but got up and went into his bedroom. Part of me wanted to see it, but I also knew there was a very real chance I wouldn’t want to leave once I got a good look. At him and thebed.
He returned a few minutes later, and I put the noodles into the boilingpot.
“I’m surprised you didn’t have plans tonight,” he offered by way of awkward conversation. I’d figured we were way past weekend plans and the weather, but I humoredhim.
“I’m more of a homebody. I’ll go for a beer every now and again but mostly I stay in waiting for my brother tocall.”
Something passed across his features, shifting, and he truly met my eyes for the first time since I arrived. “You have abrother?”
“Yes, his name isJake.”
He leaned across the counter and chuckled. “Do you believe infate?”
“Not something I’d ever really thought about before,why?”
