Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100605 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
I gnawed on my lip, staring a while longer, lifting my hair in different ways and deciding that putting it up made the entire getup even sexier. Before I knew it, it was eleven o’clock, and I still hadn’t decided for sure. Eventually, I let out a huff. “Screw it. I’m wearing it.”
Maybe I’d pick up a guy tonight and use him. Lord knows it had been too long since I’d had sex. I could take out my frustrations on a one-night stand—no strings, no expectations, just something to quiet the restless energy buzzing under my skin. And maybe, if I was lucky, it would help me forget about the temptation living right next door.
My nerves almost got the best of me as I made my way over there. While I waited for someone to answer the door, I halfheartedly considered running back to change. Though, when the door swung open and Matteo got a look at me, it was clear I’d made the right decision.
His beautiful light blue eyes darkened as they trailed slowly up from my feet. Heat rippled through me with every inch his gaze traveled—lingering over my breasts, pausing at my collarbone, and stopping far too long on my lips before finally locking with mine.
He swallowed. “You look…”
He didn’t get the chance to finish before the door swung open the rest of the way. Luciana appeared, her eyes moving from me to her brother, then back again, before a wide smile curved across her face.
“I bet you’re second-guessing your decision not to come tonight, aren’t you, brother?”
Matteo still hadn’t moved, so Luciana stepped around him and opened the screen door. “Come in. I need to change my bag and put on lipstick. You look… Sei una bomba.” You’re a bomb. She glanced once again at her brother, who still hadn’t moved, and chuckled. “I think quite literally, since Matteo’s head looks like it might explode.”
I followed Luciana into the kitchen where she pointed to a bottle on the table. “Have a glass of vino. I’ll be done in un minuto. Perhaps my brother can entertain you while I’m gone…if he can figure out how to speak again.”
Matteo shook his head and met my eyes. “You look bellissima. Maybe I can give you a sweatshirt to put on, in case you get cold.”
“Are you saying you think I should cover up?”
“Right now? Absolutely not. Once you get to da club and two hundred men are drooling over you, maybe.” He nodded toward the table. “Wine?”
“I’d love some.”
Matteo took out a glass and poured, passing it to me.
“Aren’t you going to join me?” I asked.
“I had one with dinner. That’s enough when I’m driving.”
I nodded and took a slow sip, aware of Matteo’s gaze again sweeping over me. When his eyes returned to mine, I arched a brow.
“Sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t help myself.”
I smiled, shaking my head. “I don’t mind. In fact, I think I might owe you some free ogles.”
Luciana emerged with her lips painted bright red and plucked the wine glass from my hand. Downing it in one swallow, she announced, “I’m ready now.”
The ride to the club took almost half an hour. Luciana had insisted I sit up front, and Matteo had barely spoken the entire way. Still, I saw his eyes falling to my legs on more than one occasion. When we finally pulled up, the bass from inside thumped so loud that it vibrated the car windows. Luciana leaned up from the backseat. “You sure you don’t want to come with us?”
He shook his head. “I don’t go to clubs.”
“Shame.” Luciana winked at me. “Allegra could use a bodyguard in dat outfit.”
Matteo’s jaw ticked, his eyes cutting to mine before shifting back to the steering wheel. “She’s from New York. She’ll manage.”
Luciana kissed her brother’s cheek and reached for the door handle. “Suit yourself.”
We got out of the car, and Luciana linked her arm with mine, already laughing. When we made it to the door, I glanced back and found Matteo still watching.
Chapter 16
Allegra
LUCIANA WAS LIKE royalty at the club. When she walked through, the crowd seemed to part, and everyone said hello. She approached a giant of a man with an earpiece, who I was pretty sure was a bouncer. They spoke for a minute, Luciana tossed her thick locks around, and then he showed us to a roped-off area. I felt the house music pulsing inside my chest and tried to yell over it. “You’re like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.”
Her face scrunched up. “Who?”
I laughed. “No one.”
A waitress brought over a bottle of something in an iced bucket and told us to let her know what we needed. “How did they know what to bring you?” I yelled. “You didn’t even order.”
“I’m here all the time.” She leaned closer to me. “I’m also banging da owner.”