Chapter 44: Desire

Ronny Point of View

"Christian really knew how to live," I thought as we entered the attic in Rome. The window overlooked the coliseum and the Roman ruins. The rooftop terrace had a spectacular view and also had an infinity pool that Katy immediately wanted to get into. The excitement and amazement that was in her eyes when she saw the city and its services was intoxicating. There were many things my money could buy that I took for granted. Seeing the world through her eyes made me realize not only how lucky I was, but also how much I was missing and didn't appreciate what I had.

“I want to swim while it's sunny,” she said, her eyes bright and smiling broadly as she looked at the pool and then at the view of the city. Then her smile faltered. Oh wait, I didn't bring a swimsuit.

I was about to suggest that she bathe naked. No one would see her except me, and maybe a member of her staff, but the terrace was private. Of course, seeing her naked was a big no, even though my crotch jumped at the thought. Instead, I used my brain. I may not enjoy my money as much as Christian, but I still knew what it could buy.

"Why don't you come in and settle in? " “I'll take care of the necessary items and bring us some wine," I suggested.

She looked at me for a moment as if she didn't quite understand what I was telling her. Then she shrugged.

"OK.”

The attic had a couple of rooms, and I gave him the one with the best view of the city. While she was getting settled in, I called Christian to find out the best place to arrange shipping for the swimwear. He gave me the name of a personal shooper who spoke English. I called the buyer, who luckily was available to take care of our needs. In addition to a bikini for Katy, I ordered more underwear for both of us, since we had only packed for a couple of days and were now going to spend a week, and some new clothes. Once I placed my order, I grabbed a bottle of wine, poured myself a couple glasses, and went to find Katy.

She was standing by her window overlooking the city.

"I have wine," I told him. She turned to me with a wistful smile as she took the glass I offered her. A swimsuit should be here shortly along with some other items we may need since our stay has been extended.

"Thank you. " She," she sighed as she looked out the window again. It must be nice to be rich.

I shrugged, knowing again that I wasn't very good at appreciating what she had.

"I guess it is." To be honest, I'm so into work that I don't spend as much as Christian does. "I sat down in one of the chairs in the living area of the bedroom. From there, he could watch Katy as she enjoyed the splendor of Rome.

"Because? “ She turned to me, leaning against the window as she sipped her wine.

"Why don't I spend my money or why do I work so hard?”

"Both. Her gray eyes looked at me and I wondered if she thought she was wasting opportunities to experience life by hiding in my office. Or maybe it was my own subconscious”.

"I like to work. She raised an eyebrow, as if she wasn't sure that was true. I tilted my head a little. I feel obligated to work.” "She nodded her head as if she agreed with my assessment". But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy it. And I don't do it for all this.

She waved her hand at the opulent room. Sure I liked what my wealth could buy, but I didn't like the luxurious lifestyle. I wanted to be comfortable, but I didn't need to be pampered or pampered.

"It's clear," she said, laughing. I looked down at my wine.

"I guess I do it because my father doesn't. " I looked up wondering what she thought about it. Her brow furrowed as if she was considering my statement. My grandmother built this company and wanted him to take it over, but it's clear he's never going to do it. Since I'm the eldest, it's up to me," I clarified.

She took a sip of her wine, still studying me over the rim.

"Your brothers are involved. Well, Hamilton and Carter, at least. I nodded.”

"Yes, but that doesn't change my opinion that, as the eldest, it is my responsibility”

She seemed to think of something as she walked over to sit in the other chair.

"Does it bother you that your grandmother didn't make you CEO?”

I had to think about her question. She was hoping that she would make me CEO, since I was the one who usually oversaw everything, but she couldn't say that I was disappointed that she didn't plan to make me CEO.

"No. As they say, two heads are better than one, or in this case three. The advantage my brothers and I have over my grandmother is that we have more hands and minds working to build the company.”

"That means you also have to commit more.”

"It's true, but we agree in most things. " I remembered talking to them about this fake marriage. Only Carter seemed to have a negative problem with him. I realized we were talking a lot about me. Tell me about yourself, Katy.

She laughed.

"There is not much to tell. Like you, I work a lot”.

I frowned, realizing that he was probably working too hard because of me. After all, he was working now.

"Do I interfere in your personal life? " She shook her head.

"No. If she wasn't working, chances are she would be at home. I'm not one to go out to parties or go to clubs.”

"You live alone?”

She raised an eyebrow and I realized that maybe she was asking too personal questions. But she responded.

"I live with my sister. She is an artist. " I remembered that she had mentioned her sister several times.

"Do I have to worry about a boyfriend kicking my ass for getting married? " Actually, I meant by kissing her, but I thought it was safer not to bring it up with her. She smiled.

"No. " I tilted my head.

"Aren't you worried that maybe there is a woman in my life? " Then she laughed, and I couldn't help but laugh too.

"You work too much, remember?” Also, if you had a woman in your life, she would be your fake wife, not me.

"TRUE.”

She took another sip of wine, but her gray eyes studied me and I knew she had a question for me.

"Do you think you'll ever really get married?" " She," she finally asked.

"No. " Her eyes widened.

"Really?” Just like that? No.

I shrugged, feeling a little uncomfortable with the conversation, although I wasn't sure why.

"I know people think I work too much, but I like my job. A family requires time that I don't have to give now”.

She nodded, apparently accepting my explanation.

"So, do you think you'll always work like this?” I watched her, suddenly wondering if she was looking for something. Maybe she wanted to be the real Mrs. Ronny Hush. "I'm sorry," she said with a wave of her hand. I'm curious. I just think you're young and maybe one day your priorities will change. Unless there is another reason.

"What other reason? I asked, wondering how often I spent time reflecting on my love life. She shrugged her shoulders”

"Don't know. Maybe you're afraid of gold diggers. Maybe you're afraid of love. Maybe, you can't see yourself settling for just one woman.”

Yes, yes and no, I thought. I had never given much thought to my aversion to love and marriage, but there was a part of me that worried that women were more interested in my money than me. After all, I was a workaholic. He didn't have a personality that attracted women.

And love, well, it was an emotion that escaped me. I loved my family, no doubt, but I couldn't say that I had ever truly been in love with a woman. I saw what it did to my father to lose love when my mother died, and he made me realize that it was something he wanted to avoid. In fact, I could say the same about my grandmother. They both lost the love of their lives and although they chose to deal with it differently, my father focusing on his children while my grandmother focused on business, they both immersed themselves in something to help them distract themselves from their losses. A better option, in my opinion, was not to love and thus not lose.

"Or, maybe, a woman broke your heart and you've sworn never to fall in love again," Katy finished.”

"Not that”.

"Yes, I doubt your heart was broken. " I frowned.

"Why do you say that?”

"Who would break it? You are intelligent, successful, handsome…”

"Rich? " I poked her when she hesitated whether to say the last word or not.

"I was going to say that he was good at kissing, but hey, he was also good at kissing. " My crotch perked up. She thought I was a good kisser. The point is that you are a good catch. Who would leave you?

I finished the wine and picked up the bottle I had placed on the coffee table.

"Someone who thinks I work too much?”

"So, someone broke your heart?" "She," she asked.

"No. But if someone had done it, that would probably be the reason. " I poured myself another glass of wine and offered some to Katy.

“She shook her head holding her half" full glass against her chest to prevent him from pouring her more wine.

"So, if you loved someone, wouldn't you work less to be with that person more?”

I sat up straight, wondering how we had ever talked about that again.

"Let's say that I have never crotched anyone that made me change my priorities. She"she looked at me, biting her lip, as if she had a question but didn't dare ask it. That?

"No, nothing. “She,” she waved a hand in the air.”

"Nothing of what? " Now I had to know.

"It's no big deal. Really. It would be inappropriate to ask. " I leaned forward.

"Now you have to tell me. She put down her wine glass.”

"I really need to stop drinking”.

"It's a drink. What is your question?”

"It's not my question per se. It's really none of my business”