My heart stills as the waiter eyes the money with greed and with a quick hand pockets the money and nods. “Of course. Follow me.”
As we move away from the center toward the more private table, I am uncomfortable at the thought we have taken somebody’s place.
Once we are seated, the waiter hands us two menus, and as soon as he is out of earshot, I whisper, “What just happened?”
Julius leans forward. “The other table was too public. It was also facing away from the door and any exits. We would be an easy target if somebody is following us, and this is the perfect place to eat in peace while keeping one eye out for our enemies.”
I swear my heart stops beating and I gasp, “Enemies?”
He grasps my hand and tugs me closer so our faces meet across the table, and he injects a hint of warning in his voice as he whispers, “We are not home yet. Liam Dettori is only one of the many men hot on your tail. We can’t be complacent and must remember we are racing against the clock.”
I’m nervous, and his eyes soften as he whispers, “Remember, I’m always three steps ahead of the competition.”
“Competition?”
I figure it a strange choice of word, and he pulls away, and says as an aside. “Any man would throw his cap into the ring in the hope of claiming you, Rose. I am no exception to that, but I’m not about to force it on you.”
He turns his attention to the menu, leaving me stunned.
Julius is interested. In me or my billions. I’m shocked and stare at him open-mouthed, and he lifts his eyes and points to the menu.
“Make your choice, Rose; we don’t have long.”
I’m wrapped in confusion because is he talking about the menu or something else?
Make my choice.
I have many of those, I suppose. I am on a test after all.
The words on the page swim before my eyes as my thoughts turn to a more devastating subject. Julius has thrown something into the mix that I had never considered. Men are after me for my wealth. They want to force me into a situation I’m not happy with, and I have one year to decide what I want before I lock myself away from the world for all eternity.
My hands shake as I hold the menu as a million scenarios skit through my mind.
I don’t want to go back.
Ineedto go back.
I’m in danger.
Juliusisdanger. But not to me – never for me.
I’m fascinated by him.
He is doing a job.
He could be the answer to my prayers, or the devil in not such a great disguise.
I am attracted to him.
I want to explore that possibility.
I’m scared of being close to him.
I’m nervous about freaking everything.
I reach for the water and drain the glass in the hope that it brings clarity to my thinking.
I can’t look at him, but I want to feast my eyes on him at the same time. To memorize every angle of his face, everybeat of his heart. To run my fingers through his hair and press my face against his chest. To be loved by him and to explore what that is like.
