Page 65 of The Colour of Revenge
"È un linguaggio sensuale, non credi?2"she purrs, tracing a featherlight line over my bicep with her nail.
I don't know what she just said. Hell, I don't need to know. My brain short-circuits anyway, a dozen scenarios flickering behind my eyes—none of which involve finishing dinner.
Yeah. Maybe she's got a point about Italian being a seductive language.
"You've seduced many men with it, then?" I ask lightly, though there's a sharpness I can't quite hide.
She tilts her head, eyes glinting. "No. Never."
A slow exhale leaves me before I even realise I am holding my breath.
"You little minx." I grin, poking her side.
She squeaks, jumping in her seat with a giggle. But before she can retaliate, the waitress reappears.
"Can I take your food order?"
We both pause, glancing at each other. Neither of us has even opened the menu.
I wave the waitress off with a polite smile. "Give us a minute."
Carina finally flips open her menu, scanning it with exaggerated seriousness. "Well, since I'm on a date with a rich man, I think I'll get the lobster linguini," she muses, shutting the menu with a little smirk.
I lean back, unfazed. "Go for it, Princess. I'm paying."
Her brow arches slightly, the teasing amusement in her eyes shifting into something more appraising. "Nate," she intones, "I just ordered a two-hundred-pound bottle of wine. You are not paying."
I shrug, closing my menu. "I can afford it."
She studies me for a beat longer, then folds her arms on the table, tilting her head. "What is it you do, exactly?"
The curiosity in her voice isn't casual. It's edged with something else—something sharper.
I smirk. "You haven't done any online stalking?"
"No," she retorts, her tone firm. "Unlike you, I prefer to get to know someone organically."
"Boring." I flash her a grin, but she doesn't let me dodge.
"Answer the question."
I hold her gaze, letting the moment stretch before I say, "I'm the CEO of a charity for human trafficking victims."
The words leave me easily, but the impact lands hard.
Her breath catches, her entire posture shifting as she stares at me, something unreadable flickering behind her eyes.
“Nate…” Her voice is quieter now, softer.
"Is it really so shocking?" I ask, tilting my head.
She doesn't answer right away. I can see her piecing things together, her mind working lightning.
"Well… no," she says finally, her voice measured. "But it's… interesting."
I give a short laugh, aiming to lighten the weight between us. "Crazy coincidence, huh?"
Her gaze sharpens. "Very."
