“I know you don’t trust easily. Hell, I don’t either,” he chuckled. “However, I hope that one day I can gain your trust, Giselle.”
“It’s going to sound weird but…” I took a deep breath. “Something tells me I can trust you.”
“Is that so?” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed the top of it.
“Yes.”
“Good.” He kissed my hand again. “Cheesy as hell, but deep down I know I can trust you whole-heartedly, too. Maybe that’s why I took the chance and brought you home?”
“Maybe,” I shrugged slightly. “Whatever the reason, I’m thankful, Kian.”
“Me, too, Beautiful. Me, too.” Kian stroked the top of my hand a few times before setting it back on the table and releasing it. “Eat up then let’s go do something. I’ve cleared my schedule so I can spend the day with you.”
“Aw. You didn’t have to do that. I know work is important to you.”
“It’s okay. I wanted to take the day off. Will give us a chance to get to know each other. If you’re okay with that. I didn’t even think to ask if you had somewhere to be today.”
“No. I’m free today.”
Come to think of it, what was I going to do about work? Like Kian had said before, after I paid my mother’s medical bills and made sure my brother and sister were taken care of, I’d have some money left over. Stripping and becoming an escort had never been my lifelong dream. They were just things to make fast cash.
“So what is it you want to do for work then?” Kian asked, making my eyes widen and my stomach knot.
“Oh, God,” I clapped my hand over my mouth. I had thought out loud. My cheeks burned from embarrassment. I had just openly told Kian about the money going to my mother and siblings, and that I was a stripper.
“Why are you embarrassed?” He took a bite of his toast.
“I… I…” The words were lodged in my throat.
“Don’t be embarrassed. You can tell me anything. As far as you being a stripper or used to be a stripper, that’s sexy. And you’re right, those are jobs to make a quick buck without slaving for hours. Your choices were wise.”
At first I thought he was being sarcastic, but his eyes told me he was being serious.
“You’re not joking are you?” I asked, moving my hand away from my mouth.
“Not even a little bit,” he shook his head. “I’m guessing your mom is sick so you stepped up to the plate for your family. I respect that. Shows you are family oriented and have the drive to make shit happen. Hold your head up, beautiful.”
“So, you don’t think differently of me?”
“Not at all.” He took another bite of toast. “You did what you felt you had to do. Life doesn’t come easy for some.”
“Isn’t that the truth,” I chuckled weakly and stared down at my plate.
“Let’s change that.” His words had my gaze shooting up to him.
“What?”
“Well,” he cleared his throat. “When I was first told about the auction, I thought it was to get a wife.”
My heart skipped several beats. I sucked in a sharp breath and held it as he continued talking.
“A man in my position is expected to produce an heir so that the business stays in the family. After a lot of consideration, I realized that’s what I want. Well, not the only reason I want a kid but anyway. I have a proposition for you, Giselle.”
“Which is?” I whispered.
“Let’s spend some time together. If you think I’m tolerable,” he winked at me, making me giggle, “then we get married. We have a kid together. You, the baby, and your family will never want for anything. Ever.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
