Dante Salvatore drives like the world waits hand and mouth for him. It is more or less a laid-back approach than anything else but who could judge him, really? A high tech billionaire with a sharp head for calculation and a man who refuses to tell people his secrets while also avoiding interviews?
The world belongs to him. And he revels in it.
When we get to the restaurant, his movements are smooth. He doesn't speak, he doesn't need to. It's a private restaurant so we're the only ones alone in the entire building. They serve food, food I'm not interested in— And it seems nor is he.
Dante looks like he just stumbled out of a battle. His hair is scattered all over his face, his face bearing slight stubbles on it. There are rings on his finger and his eyes are a smoky gray that makes me think of a storm.
He is unsettling. He is crazy.
He is going to be my husband whether he likes it or not.
"Champagne?" I'm smiling when I start to pour some of it into two glasses.
There's so little about him that I'm practically running on hope and prayers here. I don't know what it is that he likes in a woman but I've known one man all my life. And he likes them elegant and polite.
Like Sophia.
As I take a sip from my glass, still feeling his eyes on me, my chest hurts slightly as I think of my sister but I brush her away. I cannot be like her, I know that now, but I can adjust. Hopefully. "You look—"
"You sent me a note saying if I agreed to that contract, I would be making the worst mistake of my life," He cuts in once again like he hadn't even heard me speak. It really must be a habit of his. Blocking people's voices. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
"Yes," I settle my glass back down and cross my legs before I smile brightly at him again. "I saved your life."
There's a flash in his eyes. It's almost as if for the first time since the entire conversation, he's actually looking at me. It's a relishing feeling. Being seen. God, is this what Sophia was enjoying? "Are you on drugs, Miss Cox? Or should I call you Mrs Blake? I hear a wedding is in order,"
I don't miss the disgust in his voice, like he's belittling me. I find myself feeling unsettled but it's only for a second as I say, "Ah, yes. Ours. What would you like, my love? Are you into petnames? I think 'my lion' would suit you just fine. You are very terrifying."
His eyebrow twitches. His face makes very subtle signs of life. Like he cannot believe his ears. Then suddenly, he's rising from his chair with a box in his hand. The box I'd given him. "I do not know what it is that goes on with you and that bastardo but I will not be used as a pawn—"
"Do you play chess, Mr Salvatore?"
He looks astounded. Slightly. Like no one has ever cut into a conversation with him. I can already feel myself bustling with energy at causing that emotion on his face.
I pick up a fork, suddenly hungry as I cut a slice from the steak in front of me. I can feel him waiting for me to finish my sentence but I let him stew there a bit before I turn to him and make a moving motion with my knife to his seat.
He doesn't want to. Clearly. But he's never met anyone like me in the business world. Learn that. Business 101. Always find a way to get the curiousity of a business man. They are like cats really.
Swing a ball in front of them and they cave in.
Dante Salvatore is sitting down in front of me again, the box still in his hand as if all he needs is an excuse to chuck it at my face. I don't want to push him more than necessary. "I don't play chess. I don't know a lick of it but what if… Just what if, I knew another person's moves. How they'll play. How they wouldn't. I could tell you how to outmanoeuvre their intelligence but you would not be a pawn. You would be the King, and I would be the one by your side."
He's looking at me like I am speaking nonsense but he also knows the same thing I do. Nonsense or not, I have to be making some sense. "What are you saying?"
"Blake Industries is the only company second best after yours in the market but there's only a tiny gap. So tiny to many people, it doesn't even count,"
I am exaggerating. Tech Salva rules the business world by a large margin but Blake Industries grows.
Ethan Blake might be a cheating, lying son of a bitch but he is not as useless as one would hope.
"But I know that company, more than anyone else." I finish my statement now, taking another sip of champagne before I add, "I could take them out of the race. Permanently."
I can hear the wheels in his head turning before he speaks, "You are engaged to him."
I nudge my head towards that ring while smiling very bright. "Wear that ring and I would be yours. Me and everything that I know to make sure Blake Industries burns to the ground,"
He doesn't trust me. Not even a little but he can tell I'm not lying somehow. A business man like him can easily discern the truth, I'm sure, so me trying to lie would be me putting a gun on my head. "If you can do this to your 'supposed' fiancée, why will I trust you?"
"You shouldn't," My answer shocks him but this time, the smile is gone from my face as I continue, "This is a marriage of convenience. I help you to build Tech Salva and eliminate every possible threat while you teach me more about business and investments. You can be rest assured that I would sign a prenup and an NDA so your secrets are safe with me,"
He begins to take a sip from his glass. "We don't need a marriage for that."
"I want sex."
He chokes and immediately, he's taking a handkerchief to dab all over his mouth as he stares daggers at me, "What?"
"I've read all about an orgasm and I have no idea about what it is. No, I don't have any interests in falling in love with you or having your child—"
"Why would I want to sleep with you?"
That's my turn to choke on my drink. "Oh, please. I might not be that pretty but my boobs are big."
"Questa donna pazza vuole trasformarmi in una macchina sessuale,"
"Okay I don't know what you said but I'm going to believe you're agreeing,"
"I am not a sex machine,"
"It'll be at your own time. You'll be fine," I say with a shrug before I rise up from my seat and pick up my purse. His eyes are still staring at me with an incredulous look in his eyes. "Look. I will not depend on you and this might sound insane but you will need me. If I prove not to be of any use, you can divorce me as soon as you desire,"
I don't bother to wait for a response as I start to walk away before I hear him say, "If I am King, does that make you Queen?"
I pause then slowly turn around, making sure he can see the smile on my face as I say, "Dear Husband. I am here to save you as your Knight," Then I take out my shades from my purse and put it on before adding in a whisper, "Call me," Then I walk away, smiling to myself.