Adam snapped his book shut. “Here’s one thing I do know about relationships. It means caring about each other’s needs and wants. If you won’t let me care about yours, I’m not going to let you care about mine. I’m not going to take your charity. If you’re just my bodyguard, then when I get back to the institute I’ll negotiate with whoever is in charge of seeing to it that I get paid for my services.”

Stuffing his book into his bag, he stood up, but he faced Alec down rather than heading toward the food court. “I know you want to date me because you said so. I want to date you. I want to kiss you. If you want to get food for yourself, I’ll have some of it. But I will not be fed like I’m your child or your pet. Okay?”