Book 1 - Page 49 (1/2)

His burning sincerity, his longing, is reflected in his eyes. This is fundamentally what I don't grasp. Why me Why not one of the fifteenOh no... Will that be me - a number?

Sixteen of many?

”What happened to the fifteen?” I blurt.

He raises his eyebrows in surprise, then looks resigned, shaking his head.

”Various things, but it boils down to,” he pauses, struggling to find the words I think.

”Incompatibility.” He shrugs.

”And you think that I might be compatible with you?”

”Yes.”

”So you're not seeing any of them anymore?”

”No, Anastasia, I'm not. I am monogamous in my relations.h.i.+ps.”

Oh... this is news.

”I see.”

”Do the research, Anastasia.”

I put my knife and fork down. I cannot eat any more.

”That's itThat's all you're going to eat?”

I nod. He scowls at me but chooses not to say anything. I breathe a small sigh of relief.

My stomach is churning with all this new information, and I'm feeling a little lightheaded from the wine. I watch as he devours everything on his plate. He eats like a horse. He must work out to stay in such great shape. The memory of the way his PJ's hung from his hips comes unbidden to my mind. The image is totally distracting. I squirm uncomfortably. He glances up at me, and I blush.

”I'd give anything to know what you're thinking right at this moment,” he murmurs.

I blush further.

He smiles a wicked smile at me.

”I can guess,” he teases softly.

”I'm glad you can't read my mind.”

”Your mind, no, Anastasia, but your body - that I've got to know quite well since yesterday.” His voice is suggestive. How does he switch so quickly from one mood to the nextHe's so mercurial... It's hard to keep up.

He motions for the waitress and asks for the check. Once he's paid, he stands and holds out his hand.

”Come.” Taking my hand in his, he leads me back to the car. This contact, flesh to flesh, it's what is so unexpected from him, normal, intimate. I can't reconcile this ordinary, tender gesture with what he wants to do in that room... The Red Room of Pain.

We are quiet on the drive from Olympia to Vancouver, both lost in our own thoughts.

When he parks outside my apartment, it's five in the evening. The lights are on - Kate is at home. Packing, no doubt, unless Elliot is still there. He switches off the engine, and I realize I'm going to have to leave him.

”Do you want to come in?” I ask. I don't want him to go. I want to prolong our time together.