Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111537 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 558(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 372(@300wpm)
I wonder what I’m doing. I’m falling for her. That much is clear. I’ve been so careful to keep my feelings professional when it comes to women. Having sex is one thing, but getting attached is dangerous. If any of my rivals were to see us here tonight, they might get the wrong idea. I realize I might be in over my head, but I don’t care. There are ways of handling things.
I feel the tension slowly begin to abate from Marlena’s body. She’s allowing herself to respond to the music, to relax against me. I feel a stirring down below and do my best to contain it. She’s so close, she must feel it too, but she doesn’t say anything.
We sway with the music, enjoying each other’s company. It’s been forever since I’ve allowed myself to enjoy this kind of intimate contact with another person. I don’t know what it is about Marlena that makes me want to shower her with affection. I have a desperate desire to appeal to her. I want her to see past my rough exterior and recognize that I’m a man. I want her to ignore the wealth and privilege this party represents, to understand that I’m offering something more. But am I? Do I really want a romantic relationship? I’m not sure.
When the song ends, I’m torn. Should we keep dancing, reveling in the closeness it affords us? Or should we go our separate ways and pretend that nothing is happening between us? I look to her for guidance. If she’s not into it, then I can walk away. I am nothing if not capable of controlling myself. I’ve made an empire out of ignoring my baser instincts, playing the game the way it’s meant to be played, and greasing all the right palms.
I don’t know what I’m expecting when I reach up to tilt her chin up to look at me, but the raw emotion in her gaze takes my breath away. Not only is she not afraid, but she seems on the verge of saying something important.
I fight the urge to kiss her right there on the dance floor, pulling her close once again. We continue moving to the rhythm, losing ourselves in the delicate pattern of notes. I let myself enjoy the moment, not knowing what will come next. I have a few ideas, but I’m not sure if it’s the right time.
She looks so beautiful, but also a little intimidated. I have to admit that I would find myself out of sorts if I were the one walking into the Corello family den. I’m sure she knows what’s going on. She might not have pegged me for any of the specific crimes I’ve committed, but she’s aware that I’m in charge. With her chest pressed to mine, I feel her little heart beating like a hummingbird’s wings.
I want to soothe her, to make her understand that I’m not a threat to her. But how? My only experience with women has been composed of one serious relationship, and the rest consisted of the professional variety. I’m unsure how to approach someone I genuinely care for.
I put my feelings aside for the time being and just hold her. She feels so good pressed against me. I imagine all kinds of dirty things I’d like to do with her, but there’s an equal number of sweet activities I’d like to engage in, like walking hand in hand and visiting the Italian countryside.
Maybe someday I’ll get my wish. But for the moment, this dance is enough. I press my palm to the back of her head and revel in the silky smoothness of her hair. She’s an angel who’s walked into my life, and there’s no way I’m going to let her go.
CHAPTER 13
MARLENA
My heart’s beating out of control, and I’m having a hard time holding onto my sanity. Francisco is so close. I can smell his aftershave like it’s a living thing, snaking in through my nostrils and down into my soul. It’s the perfect combination of recklessness and wealth.
The fabric of his jacket is butter soft, and the sheer wealth that radiates from him is heart-stopping. Good God, what in the hell am I doing? I didn’t want to come to this party in the first place. I allowed myself to be swayed by the exorbitant amount Francisco spent on my dress. And now I’m falling in lust with him over his cologne and his suit jacket. I have to stop.
There’s only one place we can go from here, and that’s not somewhere I want to visit. I try to tell myself that he’s too old. He’s clearly dangerous, and he’s the father of my client. All good reasons for me to make my escape. But I cling to his muscular form like a woman drowning.