Page 48 of Forged

He huffs a quiet laugh and turns back to the stove. My gaze lingers on him. The sight of this tall, unfairly handsome man cooking is turning me on.

I sit in one of the chairs at the island. “You paint your nails.”

He glances down at his hands, then back at me. “I do.”

“It suits you,” I reply.

Something shifts in his expression. “I like it,” he says simply. “Always have. When I was a teenager, I used to ask my Aunt Vi to paint my nails when she did hers.”

I tilt my head, studying him. “I know about your profession…is there any other important information I should know?”

He turns to the stove. “I’m bisexual.”

“Oh,” I say. I search for the words, wanting to be sensitive but needing confirmation. “Will being married to me be an issue?”

He shakes his head. “Men aren’t a necessity, but I’ve been with both sexes in the past. I guess I’ve never denied myself an experience based on what gender a person identifies with.”

“That makes sense.” I shrug. “If I’m being honest, I think women are beautiful. I’ve never been with one, but I don’t know that I would turn the opportunity down if it landed in front of me.”

The scent of food fills the space—garlic, heat, something rich. It’s comforting.

Lars taps the wooden spoon on the rim of the pan, then turns to me, leaning over the island, taking my hand in his.

“Look at me, Bella.”

I do.

“You,” he says quietly, “are everything I need.” Then a grin breaks through. “But if you ever want to explore anything…I’m open.”

I stare at him. “You’re unhinged.”

“I prefer the term honest.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good.” He pushed off the marble and goes back to the pan. “Food is almost ready. We’ll eat and then I need to go to a meeting. Will you be okay here by yourself?”

“Sure.”

When he plates the food and sets it in front of me, it’s steak and broccolini. It’s plated more beautifully than some high-end restaurants I’ve dined in.

“You took this meal seriously.”

He takes my hand in his. “It’s our first proper meal as a married couple. It needed to be good.”

His hand leaves mine as he picks up his silverware and begins to eat. I take a moment to catch up because I’m thinking about how easily I could fall for my husband.

I’m rinsingthe last plate when my phone vibrates on the counter. I don’t need to look at the screen to know who it is.

Neomi glances at me and I raise my index finger to my lips, telling her to be quiet.

I answer the call, “Hi, Aunt Vi.”

“I didn’t get to tell you happy birthday, Caro Mio. Enzo said you took a trip. How was Las Vegas?”

Her tone is sweet, but I know she’s digging for information.

“It was great. I only have a couple of minutes to talk, have a meeting with the Saints.”