Page 54

“You claimed it was a killer pepperoni pie,” I remind him. “If I recall correctly, you made it seem as though your pizza is better than Franzini’s pizza.”

“Is that so?” he asks.

I nod. “Yes.”

“That’s because it is.”

The statement is bold and delivered with such conviction that I can’t help but grin. “Your confidence game is strong, William.”

“So is my pizza game,” he claims. “Not to mention my T-shirt game.”

Confused, I shake my head. “You lost me there. You’re not wearing a T-shirt.”

He glances at the sweater he’s wearing before his gaze shifts to my dress. “You will be. You’ll be wearing one of my T-shirts before the night ends.”

It’s a bold assertion, even though we just finished a roundabout discussion about having sex tonight. I dart my hands into the air. “I’m still lost.”

He looks down at what he’s holding in his hand. “This is part of my pizza experience. As I said, I expect to see it on you.”

With a few quick flips of the fabric in his hands, he unfolds the item revealing what it is.

My hand jumps to my mouth as I let out a laugh. “You’re not serious?”

“Dead serious,” he says with a slight grin playing on his lips.

I stare at the black T-shirt he’s holding. Printed clearly across the front of it is one word: Knight’s.

The font is purple and closely resembles the style of the logo that Franzini’s uses on their merchandise, including the T-shirt Posey gave me.

He pushes it toward me. “It’s yours, Opal. Consider it a gift to thank you for the gift of your presence here tonight.”

I take it from him, all while keeping my gaze pinned to his eyes. “Thank you. How will I ever repay you for this?”

He leans closer. “I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”

“I know I will,” I whisper.

“It’s time for me to feed you.” He gestures toward the kitchen. “I’ll pour you a glass of the wine you brought, and you can watch me work my magic.”

I’m more than willing to skip food for a tour of his bedroom that ends with us in his bed, but this is his home, and he gets to set the pace, so I nod. “Lead the way.”

* * *

William takesthe pepperoni pizza he masterfully made out of the oven. “Looks good, don’t you think?”

I nod as his gaze catches mine. “It smells divine.”

“That’s because it is.” The corners of his lips rise into a half smile. “You’re going to tell me it’s the best you’ve ever had after you’ve eaten your half.”

I steal a glance at the pizza. “I can’t eat half of that.”

“You’ll eat some now,” he says, pausing to step closer to where I’m sitting on a stool next to his kitchen island. “You’ll finish your half later tonight.”

The inference that I’ll be working up an appetite after dinner is there, but still, I press for clarification because I want to hear him tell me what awaits me down the hallway where his bedroom must be. “Why later tonight?”

He steps even closer so he’s within touching distance. “I’ve wanted you for weeks, Opal. That’s a hell of a lot of pent-up need, so be prepared to be worn out when I’m done with you.”

“When you’re done with me?” I repeat the last words in a whisper because they hold as much disappointment as hope.