“Why, thank you.” She straightens the lace that overlays the cream silk of her short dress. “Money makes all the difference. It’s not cheap to look twenty years old at forty.”
“It sounds as if your business is doing well.”
I wait until she’s seated again before taking my chair.
“It’s a vicious circle. Beauty brings money, and money brings beauty.” She clicks her tongue. “But we’re not here to talk about me. I want to know everything about your wedding.”
The waiter arrives to take our drinks order. When he offers Ash a menu, she waves it away.
“The gentleman will order for me,” she says, batting her eyelashes. “He knows my taste.”
“That’s easy. That’ll be the most expensive dish on the menu.”
She utters a husky laugh. “I trust your judgment with the drinks too.”
I don’t have to look at the menu. I’m a frequent diner here. I order the lobster and champagne, earning an approving nod from Ash.
When the waiter is gone again, she says, “So tell me, Mr. Hart. When did you get married?”
I adjust my sleeve. “A week ago.”
“Mm.” She studies me with sly attention. “My next question would be what a newlywed man is doing on a date with a hooker, but I guess that’s what you’re about to tell me.”
“Sex worker. And it’s not a date.”
“As long as the pay is right, you can call it whatever you like.”
“I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew this time.”
“Is that so?” She rests her chin in her hand. “This is going to be interesting. Do carry on.”
“Violet—my wife—is perfect for me. I’ve never met anyone like her. To be honest, it’s a bit scary. It’s as if she was made for me.”
“Aww.” She pouts. “If I’d known you were such a romantic, I would’ve exploited the streak when I had you in my bed.”
“Can you please be serious for a moment?”
She smiles. “Go on.”
“You know who I am. What I am. When I say that Violet is perfect for me, I also mean that I may have finally met my match.”
“Don’t tell me your wife is a thief,” she whisper-exclaims.
“Not a professional one, but she did steal something from me, something I valued a lot.”
“Oh my.” Her lips part as she leans back in her chair and crosses her arms. “Ouch.” Holding up a finger she says, “Wait. Did this happen before or after the wedding?”
I shift my weight. “Before.”
“And you still married her? Wow, Leon. You’re crazy about this girl, aren’t you? After everything, she said yes?”
“I didn’t give her a choice.”
She utters a laugh. “You naughty boy. Let me guess. Now she hates you.”
“In the worst way possible.”
“Damn. You obviously enjoy a life with drama. No man in his right mind would’ve walked with open eyes into the field of landmines you just described.”
The waiter arrives with the champagne and complimentary appetizers. As Ash is careful about her calorie intake, I didn’t order starters.
She waits until he’s served the champagne before she continues. “Let me get this straight. You married her because…” She waves a hand, gesturing for me to complete the sentence.
I don’t hesitate. “Because she’s mine.”
“Right. You wanted her. Now you have her. What more do you want?”
“I don’t want to be her monster.”
“You want her to like you,” she says with surprise. When I don’t answer, her eyes flare. “You want her to love you.”
I don’t reply because I can’t argue the fact. I don’t only want her body. I want everything.
“Tsk, tsk.” Ash stares at me as if I’m an apparition. “Leon Hart does have a heart after all—pun intended. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Is that so hard to believe?”
“Some men just aren’t made for love.”