Start a War (Saint View Psychos #1)(53)

I blinked. “Uh…that’s a little presumptuous of you…”

“What do you mean?”

Great. It wasn’t presumptuous at all. Perhaps he just hadn’t wanted to take me out in public. I cringed at the unwanted, ugly thought. “I just meant that normally guys only take you back to their place if they want…sex.”

“Is that what you want me to want?”

Oh my God. I was suddenly really glad we weren’t looking at each other because I was contemplating drowning myself. How did I answer that? If I said no, that would be horribly insulting. And a lie. If I said yes, though…I couldn’t say yes. That was too forward.

Rebel would have said yes. I’d spent my whole week watching her flirt with guys at the bar. I envied the ease she had with everyone, while I fumbled over my words and hoped to be a ghost. I wanted people to see right through me, like I wasn’t even there.

Most men did.

Vincent didn’t.

“That’s a really forward question for a first date,” I whispered.

“Is it? I apologize then. I didn’t intend to make you uncomfortable.”

“You don’t,” I rushed. “You just took me by surprise.”

“I make most people uncomfortable.”

I frowned at that. I’d never felt uncomfortable with him. Curious by the odd things he said perhaps, but never uncomfortable. In fact, I clearly felt too comfortable if I was willing to get in a bath with him still in the room. Vincent had been nothing but polite and kind. He was good with kids. And he’d gone above and beyond with Caleb. Sure, maybe he’d been a little over the top with the graphic death threats, but I’d needed someone to say those things. Caleb had already proved himself willing to hurt me. And he wasn’t the only one. I hadn’t forgotten my midnight visitor’s threats and demands.

I moved a few bubbles around strategically. “Not me.”

He didn’t say anything.

I wondered if he were smiling. “How was your week of unemployment?”

“Dull. Yours?”

“Busy. I kind of inherited a bar. So now I work there.”

“You inherited it? It was a family business?”

“My brother owned it. He was killed recently. Now it’s mine.”

Vincent stiffened. “What was his name?”

“Axel Fuller.”

“You have different surnames.”

“Different fathers.”

“How did he die?”

I sighed.

“I made you uncomfortable, didn’t I?”

“It’s just new. And still hard for me to talk about. I haven’t even had the guts to really say it out loud to anyone. Except you.”

“I remember you said he was murdered.”

“Gunshot to the head. The cops say it was a gang-related thing.”

“You don’t believe that?”

“I don’t know. It might have something to do with the business. Or his personal life. It’s good Josie fired me really. It gives me the chance to dig around. See if there were other things going on. Even if it was gang-related, I want to see someone put away for his murder.”

Vincent smoothed his palms over his thighs. “I have a family business too.”

“Doing what?’

“Nothing I want to be involved in.”

I paused, not pushing at that when I had plenty of my own family things I didn’t want to be involved in. “Do you want to go to your place now?”

“For sex? Or for the dinner I prepared? Just so I know.”

I wanted to laugh but I had a feeling he was being serious, and I didn’t want to laugh at him. “How about dinner, and we’ll see where the night takes us?”





20





VINCENT





“Would you like the heater on? I have an outdoor one if you’re chilly.”

Bliss shook her head and smiled over at me. “No. I’m fine. Thank you.”

“What about a glass of water? Or wine? Apple juice? Soft drink?”

She held up the one already in her hand. It was still three-quarters full. “Nope. Still good on that front too.”

I nodded, wiping my palms on my pants. “Right. Good. Just sit right here. I’ll go get the food.”

“Okay. I can’t wait to see what you’ve made. Thank you, Vincent. This is really lovely. Your home is gorgeous.”

I glanced around my outdoor area critically. I’d spent the entire day scrubbing down the Mediterranean-style space that overlooked the large inground swimming pool. I’d set the table carefully with a white cloth and shining silverware. Fairy lights overhead reflected in Bliss’s hair, turning it a fiery red.

I wanted her to like my house. I wanted her to have a good time.

I didn’t know how to make sure that happened.

I scurried to the kitchen, pulling out all the appetizers I’d prepared earlier. A huge tray of cheeses and meats and specialty breads. I carried it back outside, where Bliss stared thoughtfully over the pool with her drink in her hand.

I placed the tray in front of her and then stood back to watch her face carefully.

“Oh wow. This is gorgeous.” She smiled up at me.