Those moistened lips smiled and leaned closer to her. “If you want a taste, all you have to do is ask.”
Before she could register what he’d said, those lips made contact and sent little electric shocks rippling through her. It lasted only a moment and then he sat back down and resumed eating.
“We’ll continue that later,” he said, his eyes full of heat and promise. “Eat,” he commanded again.
She rolled her eyes and tried to get a few bites down but it was disconcerting knowing people were watching them, and not just the ones with the cameras outside the windows. People in the restaurant stared as well. A few even snapped some pictures with their phones, not even bothering to try and hide what they were doing. Thank God the girls were home with Mrs. Ballas for the night. People taking pictures of them eating would have freaked them out, and he had to deal with it every time he left his house.
She sighed. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not making this any easier.”
Luca put his fork down and sat back, his eyes blinking in utter surprise.
“What?” she asked. “Am I not being a pain?”
“Oh no, you’re being a pain all right.”
Her eyes narrowed and she tried to glare at him without everyone knowing she was glaring at him. Trying to convey what she was thinking and feeling without alerting the rest of the world to it all was exhausting.
“Yeah, I get it. I signed on to do this and now all I’m doing is complaining, but I really don’t get it. Why are they so interested in me? I’m nobody.” She glanced at Luca, confused but not sure how insulting it would be to ask for enlightenment.
“What?” he asked.
She waved him off but he frowned at her. “What? Just ask.”
“I was wondering why you are so famous. Actors and professional athletes I can kind of understand. But you…well you sort of seem famous just for being famous. Like a Hilton or a Kardashian.”
“All beautiful ladies who are surprisingly intelligent and genuinely nice people if anyone bothered to get to know them.”
“Okaaay…but my point stands.” She shrugged. “Never mind. I guess it doesn’t matter. Seems odd to me, is all.”
“It always seemed odd to me as well.”
“Really?”
He took a drink of his wine. “Sure. I know people who have more money, who are better looking…”
She couldn’t hide her incredulity fast enough at that remark and Luca rewarded her with a smile, the kind that had women throwing themselves at his feet. Great. That’s all she needed to do, feed that already over-inflated ego of his.
“Anyhow, I know people a lot more worthy of all the attention than me. So how did I get so lucky?”
“Really?” she asked, not believing a word he was saying. There was no way he was really that clueless.
“What?” he asked. He seemed genuinely confused.
“You don’t think all your…escapades have had anything to do with keeping you in the papers? The cars, the houses, a different model on your arm every other week, the crazy parties even I’ve heard of? No offense, but your whole life seems to revolve around getting your name in the papers.”
He wiped his mouth and set his napkin down on his plate. A little qualm of unease turned her already-rioting stomach. She hadn’t meant to make him angry. He gestured to the waiter who hurried over with their check.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
He shook his head. “No. You’re right.” He cleared his throat and shoved his fingers through his slightly unruly hair. He was impeccably dressed, as always. Tailored suit fitted to his perfect form so well she couldn’t keep her eyes from roaming over him every few seconds. She’d taken care with her appearance as well, donning a dark blue dress she knew was particularly becoming, and a small blue butterfly necklace that matched her new ring, knowing that the cameras would be there, that people would be watching.
The sick realization that he had to do that every time he walked out of his house hit her. Who would choose that? To always be under that kind of scrutiny? She worried again for the children. It was bad enough she and Luca were hounded as they were, but they were at least adults who’d chosen the situation. The girls hadn’t. She’d have to make double sure they weren’t ambushed. No wonder Luca never wanted kids. Who’d want to subject their children to such treatment?
“You’re right,” he said again. “I do make it pretty easy for them. Habit, I guess. But then, they are there whether I make it easy for them or not. At least when I’m up to my antics, as you call them, I’m in control of the game. They see what I want them to see, most of the time.”