Page 15 of Filthy Commitments
She smiled. “I love it rare. It’s as if you already knew me when you ordered this meal, Jett.”
“To be honest, I ordered what I like, the same way I’ve done with all my subs. It’s just a coincidence you like your steak the same.” I smiled. It was nice that we were on the same wavelength.
“Lucky me.” She looked a bit disturbed by what I’d said. I didn’t like that look on her face.
“I’m sorry. I can be self-absorbed and crass. I’ll try to curtail that as much as I can. So, what other things do you like? That I know what to say when people ask.” I gave the steward a frown as he finally came back with the wine. He filled our glasses then left us without saying a word of apology. The guy was earning a spot on my shit-list.
“My favorite meal is boring, spaghetti.”
“What’s boring about that? I love it too. Especially when it’s served with…”
She laughed as she broke in to add, “Homemade meatballs!”
“And don’t forget the garlic bread.”
We laughed, and I thought things were going so well. Too well. It couldn’t be this way for long. Then it occurred to me that she might be acting.
“And for dessert?” she asked then put a bit of meat into her little mouth.
I went out on a limb and said something I didn’t like to see how she’d react. “Lemon pie.”
“No,” she said as she shook her head. “Apple pie.”
“Alamode?” I asked with surprise.
“Is there any other way?”
She’d hit on my favorite desert. We were well-matched. She wasn’t acting at all. And that scared me. Asia Jones was perfect for me. Not just as my sub or fake wife. As a real-life partner. And I wasn’t ready for that at all! As we finished lunch, I sat there, secretly hoping there was something about her I’d find unattractive or unlikeable. Something that would make it easier to let her go when the three months were up.
The steward came back to pick up our empty plates, and Asia looked at him, asking with a smile, “You don’t happen to have any coconut rum and sprite back there, do you? I’m not a huge fan of wine.”
He looked down his nose at her, instantly pissing me off. “We only have the finest wines on board. Nothing of poor taste is served on this plane.”
And that was it. I got up, towering over the little son of a bitch. “A simple, no ma’am would’ve sufficed, you little screw off…”
Asia’s hand on my arm stopped me. “It’s okay, Jett.”
I turned to look at her. “You won’t be disrespected in front of me, Asia.” I looked back at the man who was foolish enough to talk that way to the woman I was with. “Apologize now.”
His face went pale, and his Adam’s apple bobbed in his scrawny throat. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”
“It’s okay.” Asia went back to take a seat by the window. Her face had fallen a bit. And that made me want to ring the little shit of a man’s throat.
“I’m going to report you, you know.” I turned and went to sit down next to her as the man took our things and scurried away. I took Asia’s hand and kissed it. “I’m sorry about that.”
She cut her eyes at me. “Really, you don’t have to be. I was stupid for asking for something so low class in the first place.”
“What’s low class about some sprite and rum? They serve that at all the expensive beach resorts. That guy’s just an ass. Our home will be filled with anything and everything you want, Asia. And I’ll let you go see your sister’s baby when the time comes too.”
“You will?” She looked surprised. “You mean it?”
I nodded. “It’s a special time in your life. Of course, I mean it.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” She closed her eyes and laid her head down on my shoulder. “You’re very nice, Jett. That meal made me sleepy.”
“Perhaps a nap in the bedroom is in order.” I got up and took her hand, leading her to the bedroom, aware her eyes were as big as saucers.
Was she afraid to be alone in a bedroom with me?
