Confused, I turn my gaze to his profile. “What?”
“You said you didn’t know me, so I’m telling you about myself. I like dogs, not cats.”
I struggle to suppress the smile tugging at my lips, and just to screw with him, I say, “Such a pity. I love cats.”
“Tsk…” Tristan’s intense gaze grips mine for a second before his attention is back on the road. “Yet you can’t have any because you’re allergic to them.”
Shoot.
Wait, how did he know?
“That’s not common knowledge,” I say.
“Your mother told me when I asked whether you have any allergies,” he explains.
Damn, give Mom five seconds with Tristan, and she’s ready to marry me off.
I turn my eyes to the scenery passing us by.
“The ocean. Black. Can’t help falling in love, the Kina Grannis version –”
“What are you talking about?” I stop him.
“The list of answers for the common questions asked on a first date,” he explains.
I let out a burst of laughter. “This isn’t a date, and those answers tell me nothing about who you are. Also,” I laugh again, “Why that song?”
Tristan grins as he pushes a button on the steering wheel, and then the song begins to play. “Listen to the words. Tell me how they make you feel.”
I stare at him as music fills the car. The words creep around us, causing goosebumps to spread out over my body. While the song continues, the goosebumps grow into a thrilling sensation. My heartbeat speeds up, and my breaths begin to come faster.
He’s in love with me?
Tristan brings the car to a stop, then he turns to stare at me. The longer he stares, the faster my heart beats.
I get a feeling no matter what I say, Tristan won’t give up.
When the music ends, Tristan turns off the radio, and I’m spared giving him my thoughts as he gets out and walks around the front of the car. I notice we stopped by the entrance to a dark alley.
When he opens the door, I mutter, “Is this where you’ll kill me?”
It earns me a chuckle as he holds his hand out to me. “To trust or not to trust.”
TRISTAN
Hana takes a deep breath, and giving me a look of warning, she places her hand in mine.
She can be glad I didn’t go with the Tommee Proffit version of the song. Then again, it would probably send her running, so I settled for the more romantic one.
I help Hana out of the car and link our fingers before I shut the door. She feels breakable in my grip, and it makes me brush my thumb over her soft skin. I lead her down the alley until we reach a wooden door, and I only knock once.
Chef Anand opens, and with a broad smile, he gestures for us to come in. “Mr. Hayes. Always a pleasure to serve you. Welcome.” He turns his gaze to Hana. “Miss Cutler.”
I lead her to a table that’s been set up for us.
Once we’re seated, my gaze settles on Hana, who’s glancing around.
“Will it just be us?” she asks.
I nod, then explain, “I love my privacy.” Her eyes dart to mine. “Chef Anand used to work at Trinity. He’s known for Korean cuisine.”
A look of concentration flutters over Hana’s features. “Chef Anand helped my mother feel welcome when she first arrived in the states.”
“I know.”
Hana leans back in her chair, her gaze lowering to the table. “Thank you, Tristan.”
Knowing how much this must mean to her, I murmur, “You’re welcome.”
Unbuttoning my jacket, I pull it off and lean it over a nearby chair. I unfasten my cuffs and roll up my sleeves to beneath my elbows. Chef Anand brings me a bourbon and sparkling water for Hana, and then my gaze locks on her. “Your thoughts on the song?”
She lets out a chuckle and takes a sip before she replies, “You have no intention of giving up.”
My lips curve as I take hold of the tumbler. “Your thoughts, Hana.”
“Why me? And don’t say it’s because I said no. Give me the real reason,” she demands.
“You’re unique,” I answer her honestly. “And I’m drawn to you.” Her lips part from my directness. The restaurant fades as we stare at each other. “You’ll make me work my ass off. It’s an exhilarating feeling.”
Hana takes a deep breath and another sip of her water. “I’ll admit the attraction is there,” she murmurs, lowering her eyes to the candle on the table. I watch the flame’s reflection play in her eyes, and then her gaze snaps back to mine. “Have you killed anyone?”
A frown forms on my forehead, wondering just how much she knows about me.
“No.” Not yet.
“Any other illegal activities I should know about?” Her eyes sharpen on me.
“No.” That’s why I have close business ties with the Monarchs. They take care of the… dirty side of things.
Hana’s gaze burns on me. “There has to be something. I can feel danger coming off of you in waves.”
The corner of my mouth lifts again. “I just don’t take shit from anyone. It’s as simple as that.” Part truth.
“You’re aware I’ll be working with my father when I graduate from Trinity?” she asks.
That gives me five years before she has access to anything regarding me.
“Yes. You’ll be working alongside Ryker.” For added benefit, I say, “My best friend. But I’m sure you know that, seeing as you’re friends with his sister.”
Hana nods, and our conversation is paused when Chef Anand brings out a tray of side dishes. He sets them down on the side of the table, and with a slight bow of his head, he heads back to the kitchen.
Hana opens her mouth to say something, but I lift a finger to show her to wait.
Chef Anand comes back with the main course and then says, “I’ll leave you to enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you, Chef.” I give him a grateful smile before he walks away. I turn my attention back to Hana. “You were going to say?”
“You get bonus points for being friends with Ryker.”
I begin to chuckle as I pick up the chopsticks. Taking a steamed dumpling, I set it down on Hana’s plate. “I hope I’ve set your mind at ease. Let’s enjoy the meal.”
“For now,” she murmurs before she dips the dumpling in soy sauce.
I watch her savor a bite, and the expression of enjoyment on her face makes me instantly harden.
Christ. If watching her eat is a turn on, getting her in my bed might just kill me.
The thought makes a burst of excitement rush through my body.
Hana’s eyes flit to my face, and then she stops eating to ask, “Doesn’t it get tiring being so intense all the time?”
Shaking my head slowly, I murmur, “No.”
She reaches for the deep-fried pancake, and breaking off a piece with her chopsticks, she places it on my plate. “Eat, Tristan.”
Hana’s so calm it helps take the edge off the guard I always have up. It’s soothing just being around her.
Needing more of the peacefulness she exudes, I say, “Don’t say no.”
Hana takes a sip of her water before she asks, “What will I be saying yes to?”