“What?” she gasps. “I…I…”
Lifting my hand, I take hold of her chin and nudge her face up so she’ll look at me. “You’re mine to take care of,meu amor.” I slowly lean down and press a kiss to her mouth. “Buy whatever you want.”
She looks like she’s still in shock as she whispers, “Like?”
“New clothes. Jeans are a trigger for me, so I’d appreciate it if you stop wearing them.”
“Okay,” she replies, then her eyebrows lift. “I can leave the house?”
I nod. “But you’re not to go anywhere alone. Either me or the guards…” I rethink what I was going to say and shake my head. “You go nowhere without me.”
She gapes at me as if I’m insane. “Ever?”
I move my hand to the back of her neck and lock eyes with her. “In all my thirty-seven years on this planet, I have never had anyone to call my own. If something were to happen to you…” I shake my head hard. “I don’t trust anyone to keep you safe. Maybe things will change at a later stage, but for now, humor me.”
She hesitates for a moment, then asks, “Are you going to go shopping with me? There’s a nice thrift store in Aurora where I always get my clothes. I’ll be in and out in minutes.”
“You’re done wearing second-hand clothes,” I mutter as I pull out my phone to check the time and where I can take her shopping. “From now on, you only get the best.”
Chapter 21
JENNA
This is surreal.
It feels like I’m living my own K-drama as I’m sitting in the passenger side of the SUV while Enzo drives.
I’ve given up trying to stay on top of things because just when I think I make sense of something, Enzo does something to surprise the crap out of me.
We’ve been driving for three hours, and it looks like we’re going to Minneapolis.
I’ve never been on any kind of date, and I wonder if I can classify this as one.
I sneak a look at Enzo and take in how strong his hands look as they’re gripping the steering wheel. He’s unbuttoned his jacket, and my eyes drift over the dark blue vest that has an intricate pattern along the seams.
I’ve never seen him wear a tie, and the top three buttons of his dress shirt are undone.
For the hundredth time since he walked into the store at the gas station, I think how handsome he is.
Unable to keep my curiosity at bay, I ask, “Have you dated before?”
Enzo’s eyes flick to me for a couple of seconds before returning to the road. “No.”
Surprised, I can’t stop the words from spilling over my lips, “Seriously? Never? Not even once? Why?”
He lets out a chuckle. “Dating is only something you do if you’re serious about someone. The women I’ve been with never made me want to stick around to get to know them.”
“Women you’ve been with?” Only when the question is out, do I realize I actually said it.
My cheeks flush bright red, and I quickly stare at the road ahead as well.
He removes one of his hands from the steering wheel and places it over mine in my lap as he murmurs, “This is new for me too,meu amor. Don’t worry about other women. None of them meant anything to me.”
Enzo picks up my left hand and places it on his thigh, then his thumb brushes over my skin, sending tingles rushing up my arm.
“One thing you need to know about me,” he begins to talk again, “I struggle with emotions. Feeling and showing them.”
I nod to indicate I’m listening.
