The waiter nodded and disappeared.
“Do you believe me?”
Ryo shrugged. “It doesn’t matter if I do or don’t. It’s your life.”
I clenched my jaw. I wanted it to matter to him.Iwanted to matter.
“It does,” I told him softly as I shifted the fork on the table and then kept my gaze there as I went on. “I’m around so many fuckin’ people. Some who fear me. Some who want to use me. Many who want something from me, but it’s all unimportant shit. I have many in my life, but I haven’twantedto know any of them.” I lifted my gaze and met his semi-wide one. “The only person I’ve wanted to get to know, in a damn long time, is you. I haven’t slept with anyone in a few weeks, and I won’t sleep with anyone else while we get to know each other.Ifyou’ll giveme time to get to know you.” I took a breath and watched him swallow.
The waiter walked over with our drinks.
“Are we ready to order?”
The ball was in Ryo’s court. Did he want to stay and have dinner with me, which would take more than half an hour?
I cocked a brow as he studied me.
“Steak. Medium. With vegetables.”
My body hummed as I grinned wide, which he rolled his eyes at.
“And you, sir?”
“Seafood platter,” I said, not taking my gaze from the man who still stared me down. He seemed annoyed, while I was over-the-fucking-moon joyful and hopeful.
The waiter left, and I took a sip of my drink.
“Do you want something else other than water now?”
“No. I don’t drink.”
“Okay. Do you mind if I do?” I’d throw the whiskey over my shoulder if he had a problem with it.
“It doesn’t bother me.”
“Cool. Tell me something about you, Ryo.”
“I work, sleep, and eat. There is nothing else. I’m not interesting.”
I smirked. “If this is you trying to discourage me, it won’t work. I’ll take all your boring days off when you’re not working just to spend time with you.”
He sniffed and picked up the napkin to place over his lap. “Wolf takes up most of my time.”
“I’m sure now that he’s with Ruin, you’ll have more time on your hands.”
“I am not only his personal guard, but also his assistant. I’m very busy.”
“That’s okay. We can work around it. When are you free next?”
“In four weeks.”
“It might kill me to wait to see you again, but book me in for your time, baby.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Snookums?”
“That either.” Ryo pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. It was cute how he did that a lot around me. He dropped his hand. “I’m sure you have many interested parties to fill your time. Don’t feel you have to wait for me.”
