Crash into Me (Heart of Stone #1)

There was no point in fighting him on this. Jordan would be helped by what he'd done and I had a hard time finding fault with that. His behavior didn't seem to be intended to be manipulative, and as I accepted that, I accepted him.

"Turkey," I said with a smile.

"Excellent choice," he said as he pulled the platter toward him. He carved a slice of turkey off the breast and placed it on his plate. I waited for him to pass the plate to me, but instead he began cutting the slice into smaller pieces. He stabbed one piece with his fork and held it in front of my mouth.

"Eat, Nina."

The meat was perfectly cooked, juicy and tender with just a hint of seasoning I guessed was rosemary and thyme. He scooped up another forkful of meat and placed it on my tongue. Turkey had never tasted as good. I swallowed my food, and he wiped the corner of my mouth with the pad of his thumb.

"Do you do this all the time with women?" I asked, knowing I probably didn't want to know the answer but needing to ask anyway.

He shook his head slowly. "No."

As he readied another bite for me, I asked, "Aren't you planning to eat?"

He smiled and shook his head again. "No."

I ate another bite of turkey, and all the while he watched me as if my happiness was of the utmost concern to him. When I finished, he pushed the platter of turkey away and pulled the plate of shrimp scampi toward him. Scooping up a forkful of shrimp and rice, he turned toward me and brought another of my favorites to my mouth.

The scampi was just as delicious as the turkey, but all I could think of as I ate it was that my breath would stink of garlic. Looking around the table, I saw a pitcher of water and a bottle of wine. I reached for the water, but before I could grab the pitcher, Tristan was filling my glass.

"You don't have to do that. I mean, it's nice, but I can get it."

Handing me the glass, he said, "I don't have to do anything. I want to."

I drank all the water and placed my glass on the table. "This is very nice of you. Thank you for doing this."

"I just want you to be happy, Nina. Are you happy?"

He stared into my eyes as he waited for the answer to his question, and I didn't know what to say. No one had ever worked to find out exactly what my favorite foods were and as he'd fed me, I was sure it was the most erotic experience I'd ever had in my life. His gaze never left mine, and I felt like I was the most important person in the world—the center of his universe. With each forkful of food, I felt cared for.

"I am happy, Tristan. I guess I'm just not used to anyone being so attentive."

He turned away from me to pull what looked like a silver ice bucket toward him. Taking his spoon, he sunk it into the inside of the bucket and pulled out a spoonful of green ice cream. "Mint chocolate chip is your favorite, I believe?"

He'd even asked Jordan about my favorite ice cream. As I savored the sweet taste of it on my tongue, I couldn't help but smile. "Is there anything you don't think of?"

Shaking his head, he scooped out another helping of ice cream and slid the spoon between my lips. "Not if I can help it."

"Is it just with me that you do this, Tristan?" I asked, only half-joking.

"Is it just with me that you ask so many questions, Nina?" he asked in return, once again not giving me a straight answer.

"I liked the way you spoke to me this afternoon. Not only what you said but how much you said. One of these days, I hope you'll want to say that much to me about other things."

His expression quickly clouded over. "You may not like what you hear."

I reached out and squeezed his hand. "I've always asked lots of questions. I guess you think it's a personal flaw?"

Tristan placed the spoon in my mouth so I could have another bite. "No. It's part of your charm."

His attempt at making me feel good was sweet and I appreciated it. I don't think anyone had ever thought my questions were charming, but he did. By the time I'd finished eating, it wouldn't have mattered what he'd done. I'd have forgiven him.

Reaching out, I touched his hand. "This was wonderful. Thank you, Tristan."

"Nina, I have something to show you. I hope you're happy with it."

He led me from the dining room to a hallway on the opposite side of the house from the room we'd slept in the night before. Stopping, he gently backed me against the wall and kissed me. His lips were tender but insistent, taking from me what he desired and giving me that part of him that I so wanted.