Page 81 of The Sweetest Devotion

He was closer. Near my ear. “If I don’t lie to you, you don’t lie to me.”

It sounded like an order, one that sent me bobbing my head in agreement.

“So,” I began, desperately trying to start a conversation that wouldn’t go south. “What’s your favorite movie?”

“Scarface,” Cain answered matter-of-factly as he settled away from me.

“Really?” I hadn’t seen it, but I knew of its iconic film poster. “Isn’t there a gangster movie calledCasino?”

Cain appeared thoughtful. “That’s top five. A close second would beMenace II Society.”

I knew the movie in title only through Jadyn. I made a mental note to sit and watch it for further reference.

Cain reached out, moving a lock of hair out of my face. His finger grazed my cheek and the softness of the action took me by surprise. “And you?”

“Crazy Rich Asians. It’s so gorgeous cinematically and I love the story,” I confessed.If I had to think of a close second, it would’ve beenComing to America. It had always comforted me with its humor and tone. At a time, it was a favorite movie I’d shared with my parents.

“I’ll have to find time to watch it. Or maybe we can do it together,” Cain suggested.

I didn’t want to, but I agreed for the sake of moving this arrangement along. “Okay.”

Vino arrived and joined Beans at their table. I almost felt tempted to wave them over to ours so I could disappear while the men talked about whatever they usually did when I wasn’t around. Anything but sit and talk with Cain.

But, for the sake of trying, I put in an effort to get to know him a little more. He was uncapping his bottle of wine, that tattoo of his directly in my line of vision.

“Is that your only tattoo?” I asked.

Cain poured his wine. “Yes.”

I liked the color of his skin and didn’t mind at all suddenly that he bore no more ink. “Why no more?”

“In my world, it’s best to blend in,” Cain told me. “To go unseen or unnoticed.”

I supposed he was right, in some ways. At least, for the corporate business world it made sense.

“Do you want children?” I asked next.

Cain arched a brow and really thought about his answer as he sat back in his seat. “No.”

Considering his previous threat, I wasn’t expecting that answer. “No?”

Cain thumbed at his lip. “No.”

He wasn’t going to expand on his reasoning and I didn’t want to upset him. Something told me his wrath wasn’t something I would ever be ready to face. His cool, collected, and calm façade when he was saying something menacing alluded to so much.

“Kennedy!” Screeching drew my attention across the roof toward the balcony exit.

Stephanie and Elyse were here. Elyse was waving spiritedly while Stephanie was busy ogling Cain.

“Go,” Cain said. “Have a quick chat before the food comes. I’ll text you when it’s ready.”

The enclosed roof was surrounded by glass, leaving no room for privacy when out on the balcony. The roof was crowded, but I just knew no matter where I went, Cain would still see me.

Still, it was an escape I welcomed.

I stood and removed his jacket, passing it back to him as he let me by. “Be right back.”

Stephanie and Elyse weren’t my favorite people, but I couldn’t have made it over to them any faster than I had.

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