Page 20 of Wrapped in Perfection

"What's that about?"

"Tell that to my wrinkles."

I peer closer at her face, which seems to make her nervous. "Where?"

She scrunches her face and points to several spots.

"Everyone has lines when they do that."

"I didn't use to," she says and looks out the window.

I pull her chin back toward me. "You're a beautiful woman. I'm not sure what kind of crap your boyfriend or ex-boyfriend, whatever he is, has said to you, but he's a moron and full of shit."

She blinks hard and turns away again.

What has he done to you, my kotik?

"How old are you?" she murmurs.

"Forty-three."

She gapes at me. "Really?"

"Yep."

"I thought you weren't past thirty-eight."

"It's my lack of gray hair," I tease.

She glances at my head. "Shaved looks good on you."

It's the first time she's mentioned anything that could mean she's attracted to me, so I do a victory pump in my head. She's not told me to stop my advances toward her, but I wish I knew for sure if she was interested or not.

"How long have you been with your ex?" She hasn't confirmed it, but I'm going to call him that so she can start getting used to the term.

"Five years."

"He's around thirty-five?"

Her eyes widen. "How did you know his age?"

I shrug. "Guessed it. So before him, who did you date? Anyone serious?"

"Not really."

"And they were all close to your age?"

"Yes. Why are you asking?"

I tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I wanted to know if you've been with a real man before. I figured you haven't."

Her face reddens. I've lost track of how many times she's made my dick twitch with her sexy little blush. She quietly asks, "What made you assume that?"

"Because if you had been with a real man, you wouldn't have stayed five years with your ex. And you wouldn't be grappling with whatever it is that is confusing you about him, right now."

She bites on her lip, and her eyes fill with tears. She turns and wipes her face.

What did that piece of shit do to her?

---