Page 27 of Irreplaceable
“That’s sexist.”
“It’s realistic. She tried teaching me as a boy, and I hated it.”
I was the one laughing now. “Cooking?”
He shrugged. “Seems more like a chore, though I do enjoy it from time to time.”
“Maybe we should narrow it down more. Would you rather do something creative or athletic?”
“Both.”
I frowned. “Both?”
“Mm-hmm.” He seemed to be enjoying this game.
“Okay. Leatherworking?”
He laughed. “How obscure.”
I lifted a shoulder. “Italy is known for its leather craftmanship.”
“True, but then you could argue that I should try glassblowing.”
“Oh. I have.” I perked up, straightening in my chair. “It’s actually really hard.”
He took another bite of the curry. “Of course you have. You’ve tried everything.”
“Not everything,” I said. There were still many things I wanted to try and hadn’t.
“Okay. So if you didn’t pole dance and travel for work and whatever else, what would you do?”
“What wouldn’t I?” I asked, excitement filling me at the possibilities. “I’d love to learn about locksmithing. I’d like to try archery. BMX biking.”
“You are a true philomath.”
“Philomath,” I repeated the word.
“A lover of learning.”
“Look at you and your fancy words,” I teased.
“I’m not just a pretty face, you know.” He smirked.
“Oh, I know.” I scanned his body greedily.
Even though we’d had more sex in the past few days than I’d had in the past few years, I still wanted more. I also wanted more information. I was curious by nature, and his persistent attempts to evade my questions weren’t helping. We’d slept together. I was staying with him. And Enzo’s lack of willingness to share much if anything only inflamed my desire to know more about him.
I reached for a banana leaf packet, and I knocked over the curry with my elbow, spilling it across my lap. Ugh. I squeezed my eyes shut. Just great.
“Uh-oh,” Enzo teased as I dabbed at my dress. “Looks like someone’s had a little too much arak.”
“Says the man who keeps refilling my glass.” I glared at him. “How the heck do you expect me to get back upstairs on my crutches?”
He chuckled darkly. “I don’t.”
“Enzo.” I tossed a ball of rice at him. “You can’t carry me everywhere.”
He stared down at his shirt as if affronted. “And you can’t throw food at me.”