“I already do know that. You’ve had to do things yourself your whole life, Mara. Let me do some things for you. I can’t cook, so I can’t make you incredible meals just because I want to, and I can’t make sure you have an extra pie just because I know you like it. Let me do what I can do. Please.”
She could hardly compare the two things, but she got his point. For him, getting her what she needed was his way of showing he cared. Throwing those gifts back in his face hurt him as much as it would hurt her if he refused to eat things that she made especially for him. “I appreciate them, Jared. I’m just not sure how to accept them. In my world, men don’t give women they’re dating a new vehicle that costs more than some people’s houses.”
Jared shrugged. “In my world, women don’t waste their time making their man homemade baked goods. I’m willing to bet you spend more time cooking for me than I spent buying this vehicle.”
Mara caved, understanding what he was trying to say. If the two of them were going to be together for however long it lasted, she was going to have to accept Jared as he was or not at all.
Fact: He was a billionaire.
Fact: For him, the money he spent on her was nothing.
Fact: He wanted to do things for her, and this was his way of showing that he cared. It was no different than when she did things for him.
“Okay,” she conceded. “I’ll get used to it. Just no more giving away my personal property without asking me first.”
“Agreed. You’re right about that. I thought I was helping, but when you put it that way, I understand why you’re upset,” he answered agreeably. “So I can get you whatever I want now?” he asked hopefully.
God, she loved this man. “I don’t need anything else right now except you, Jared. Let me get used to this before you spring anything else on me, okay? I need to work into this slowly.” She held out her hand. “Can I have the keys? I want to look at my gift.”
He dug into the pocket of his jeans and held out the keys. “It’s nothing flashy. I didn’t think you’d like that. It’s practical.”
Mara smiled at him, thinking the expensive luxury vehicle was anything but practical. It was a Mercedes, for God’s sake.
Remember Jared’s status. For him it probably is practical.
She snatched the keys and ran a reverent hand over the shiny surface of the car. “I can’t believe I screwed on a new Mercedes,” she muttered.
“We didn’t exactly fuck on it,” Jared commented, sounding disappointed that they hadn’t.
She fumbled with all of the fancy buttons until the car unlocked. Nearly gasping at the plush leather interior, she inhaled, still unable to believe that the new vehicle was really hers. “Want to take a ride?” she asked Jared, her heart hammering at the thought of actually driving a car this expensive.
Jared hopped into the passenger seat like an eager teenager as she slid into the driver’s seat.
“I love the smell of leather,” Mara mused, inhaling deeply.
“Does that mean you like it?” Jared asked anxiously. “Because if you don’t, I can get you—”
Mara pressed her hand over his mouth and met his deep green stare. “Don’t go there. I love it. But not nearly as much as I love you.” Her heart swelled as she replaced her hand with her lips, savoring the sensual feel of his mouth under hers.
“Are you sure you really want to go for a ride?” Jared asked when she pulled back reluctantly to start the vehicle.
“A short one,” she agreed, her body aching for Jared’s again. “First the new car, and later I’ll ride you.”
“Would that be before or after I get my chocolate turtle cheesecake?” he asked in a sexy, husky baritone as he nibbled at her neck, his big palm running erotically up the inside of her thigh.
Mara’s core flooded with heat, and she squeaked, “Before and after. Definitely.” She could barely think as she put the purring vehicle in gear and started turning it around. It was going to be a very short ride.
“I love the way you think,” he said with a chuckle as his hand finally landed between her thighs.
“I’m driving here,” Mara parroted his earlier words desperately.
Jared simply laughed harder.
CHAPTER 19
Dante and Sarah had wanted an informal wedding at the Amesport Youth Center, the very place where Dante had saved Sarah’s life, and the building with the biggest ballroom in town. With Grady’s wife, Emily, running the Youth Center, Grady Sinclair had been a huge donor for the refurbishing of the entire building, and what had once served as a recreation hall was now an enormous, beautiful ballroom. It was the venue for both the wedding and the reception.
It was a Sunday, and the Youth Center was closed. Guests had poured in early for the noon wedding, all of them eager to see their new felony detective for the Amesport Police Department get hitched to one of their own local physicians.