"Enjoying your meal?" he asks me after a few moments. I attempt to slow myself down and try to eat as cleanly as possible; the last thing I want to do is look like a pig in front of him.
"It's incredible, thank you." My answer pleases him. He smiles softly as he cuts into his own steak.
"How often do you have to travel for work?" I ask him before I eat another mouthful. Fuck, this pasta is good.
"At least once a fortnight. I like to fix most of the issues that come up myself. I'm a very hands-on kind of man. My employees hate me," he grins mischievously as he eats his steak. I let out a soft laugh and cover my mouth with my hand.
"That, of course, means that my schedule is very hectic. I would be hoping that you could make your schedule more accommodating in turn to fit with mine." Rhodes's voice has switched to one of business mode. I hadn't really expected to start talking terms yet, but I'm quite happy that he is. From the way this dinner is going, I'd like for this to work out.
I take a sip of my wine. "Well, I don't work nights; it's just the days that may be a little more tricky with both work and school."
He pauses for a moment. "You won't need to work. I would be covering all of your expenses plus extra so that you can actually enjoy yourself." Oh god, the money part. I dread talking about money in every single way imaginable. I even have difficulty when talking to my boss; she sometimes forgets to pay me on time, and I feel like the world's biggest asshole when I ask her for the money, even though I've earned it.
"I would like for you to make yourself available to me whenever you can," he curtly says. Translation: I would like to own you, but in a nice way. The thought makes my stomach flip slightly—being at his beck and call for what, sex? Dinner dates? Hotel events? This is all so overwhelming and confusing. But of course, due to my people-pleaser nature, I find myself nodding my head softly.