Gregory looked like he was puffing his chest out.
“You’re really good for my ego, Diane. I should have you gushing about my books more often.”
“You’re serious that it’s you?”
“I’m dead serious. I can show you my computer with the drafts if you like.”
“But why Talbot?” Diane frowned. “Why have a different name?”
“Talbot is my mother’s maiden name. Also, I want it to be separate from what I do for a living.” Gregory shrugged. “Everyone knows my name, and while that would bring in millions in sales, it would also be attached to the family business, and I wanted to have something different from the real estate business. They don’t exactly match.”
“That’s a fair point,” Diane sipped her drink. She was feeling a lot more relaxed than she had been earlier. “So why the real estate?”
“It’s a family business. I wanted to be a writer and have a job researching at the university I went to. But my dad said I was to take over the business eventually, and the only leeway he was giving me was studying my chosen degree.
I had no say in it, despite my protests.” Gregory sighed. “It’s been three years since he died. I’ve been in charge since.”
“Is that why you behave a little bit like a rebel?” Diane teased. “Because you weren’t allowed to do what you wanted?”
“If you mean do I act like a heathen because I had restrictions when I was younger?”
“Not in so many words…”
“I know what you meant,” Gregory didn’t look the least bit upset as he sat back, shifting until his arm was around her shoulders, “maybe. I had a bit more freedom once he passed, and I took advantage of it. I don’t get myself into trouble, and I’m fulfilling what I want to do, so why shouldn’t I do it?”
Diane had to concede that. Even with the billions to his name and a successful business in the family, he had his own dreams. Why couldn’t he follow them? If anything, he was following his desires far better than Diane ever could. She was not brave enough to do that. And she wished that she was.
“What do you want to do with your life, Diane?” Gregory asked.
“Hmm?” Diane was getting a little distracted by his arm. He was stroking her shoulder, and the heat from his hand was going through the thick wool of her sweater. “Sorry?”
“What do you want to do with yourself? You can’t be wanting to do what you’re doing right now all your life.”
“Why not? At least I know I’ve got some security.”
“But do you actually enjoy it?” Gregory pressed. “Is it really your fulfilled life, or is there something missing?”
Diane frowned.
“Why do you want to know?”
“Because I’m curious. And I want to know what makes you tick.”
He was certainly good at making her body tick, that much Diane was certain about. His touch was caressing her everywhere, even though his hand hadn’t gone any further than her shoulder.
Diane was seconds away from telling him to touch her somewhere else. That wasn’t good. She was meant to be keeping her composure, and Gregory was throwing it off-kilter. He had promised to go at her speed, but he seemed to be working at switching gears on her.
She just needed to focus. It was a nice meal, and the company was better than she expected. Just a little longer…
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, you bastard?”