“Okay,” he agreed gruffly. “But if I had to, I would have had someone do you a favor and steal that damn truck. It was dangerous. And you needed a new vehicle, dammit.”
Okay . . . maybe he wasn’t all that remorseful. Mara had a hard time biting back a smile. Jared was incorrigible and so honest that he could get himself in trouble very easily. The problem was, she could see his concern for her. He wasn’t doing this for any other reason. “You’re lucky you gave me that fabulous orgasm. I’m too sated to argue with you.”
“So that’s how I can get whatever I want? Make you come?” A slow grin formed on his lips and spread to his eyes as he looked at her hungrily.
She couldn’t help herself. She teased him back. “It certainly wouldn’t hurt, I’m sure.”
“If you want something from me, all you have to do is smile at me like you are right now. I’ll give you anything you want,” he told her bluntly, genuinely.
“You know it’s almost impossible to get angry with you for very long.” Mara moved forward and stroked his sexy, stubbled jaw. “What if I want you to stop buying things for me?” She beamed at him to make her point.
“Everything except that,” he grumbled, leaning down to kiss her tenderly. “If you’re in need of something, I want to be the one to provide it.”
“Thank you for the vehicle. It’s beautiful. But since when is a car part of a business contract?”
His grin grew broader. “Since I asked the attorney to put it in there and hoped you wouldn’t notice.”
She lifted her eyebrow at him. “So you were actually hoping I wouldn’t read the fine print?”
“Yep,” he admitted shamelessly.
Sweet Jesus. Jared was breathtakingly gorgeous even when he was being an arrogant ass. “You win. This time.”
“Is it really so hard? Letting me get you what you need? I want to know you’re safe.” His tone was hesitant and confused.
“Yes.” She sighed, knowing Jared had gone through the trauma of losing people he loved, and she did understand that he wanted anyone he cared about to be safe. “Every woman in your life has used you because of your money. I want you to trust that I’m not after your money.”
“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.