“Sometimes.”
I purse my lips, considering. “I never expected you to be so open-minded. Of the four of you guys, you seem the most… strict, I guess.”
Eli’s hands slide down my waist. “That’s because I am. The things I can control, I take great pleasure in controlling. And I meant what I said to you when you were in my cage. You need a father figure.”
“Are you going to marry my stepmom?” I joke.
Eli’s full upper lip jerks to reveal a pointed tooth. “I told you not to speak of that whore.”
A chill goes down my spine. “Sorry.”
He turns my chin so I’m looking back at him. “You need a man to belong to. Someone to care for you and allow you to be the delightfully naïve woman you are. I believe that man is me. Do you agree?”
I stare into the warm depths of his eyes. Part of me does. The rest sees Doc, hovering in emerald water. ‘He’s cheated on every girlfriend he’s ever had.’
“I… I’m not sure,” I say. “I guess it’s hard to know what our long-term relationship would look like.”
“I’m not going to lie to you, January, I work a lot. And when I’m not working, I source gems for my mother’s family and do Muay Thai several times a week…”
That explains the abs.
“…so, I would be away from you for most of the working day, but I would eat dinner with you every night and take you to shows and parties on weekends and you would come with me if I traveled anywhere. And when it’s time for us to have children, I’ll take a sabbatical to help you care for them.”
Cold, heartless Eli Morelli staying at home and helping with the babies? The idea kind of blows my mind. He stares at me, waiting for my response.
“What about the mistress thing?” I blurt. “I don’t think I could… I mean I definitely don’t want to share, even if that makes me a hypocrite.”
“That is not an issue,” Eli says calmly. “You alone interest me,bella. There will be no one else.”
“But what about your parents’ marriage and the whole ‘let’s be realistic’ thing?’”
“I think it’s realistic to say I’ll turn you over my knee and spank you every night until I’m dead.”
I smile but refuse to be side-tracked. “Doc, um, says you’ve cheated on all your girlfriends…?”
Eli stiffens. “Hewhat?”
“Please don’t be angry.”
“That fuckingcafone.” Eli lets out a hard breath. “Tell me, do you think he had an ulterior motive in talking to you about my relationships?”
“I know he’s not… honorable—”
“Honorable? He’d spit on an old woman for cigarettes. He’s bitter about your escape and he wants your virginity for himself so he’s corrupting your perception of me. I should slap him in his disrespectful face.”
I don’t say anything. Doc telling me about Eli’s relationship history doesn’t change the fact that it might be true.
“Bella,” Eli cups my cheek. “Surely you don’t believe Domenico Valente’s lies?”
“I don’t know,” I say slowly. “You’ve all told me a lot of things. Now you’re telling me that you’re comfortable sharing me among the four of you and being exclusive… It’s just a lot to believe.”
He shifts beneath me. “I won’t lie and say I haven’t made mistakes in the past. When I was a young man, I did stupid things. But I’m not interested in childish relationships. When I say I will be faithful to you, I’m giving you my word.”
“I want to believe you, it’s just…”
He gives another belabored sigh. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”
“Say what?”
