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But business first tonight, and then we’ll talk about us.
I haven’t decided yet if there’s an us.
Sure, our hookups have been amazing, but sexual chemistry does not a good relationship make. Case in point: my ex Dominic.
Rule 4: patience is king.
I can’t help but laugh, placing my phone down and finishing every last bite of pasta.
Fabio
I’m waiting in my vehicle behind the restaurant, when I spot Katerina pull up next to me. She exits her car and walks over to me, nearly knocking the wind out of my lungs at how damn beautiful she is. She dressed up alright, wearing the sexiest red dress I’ve ever seen. It fits her like a second skin, with cutouts around the sides teasing her skin, and a short hemline guaranteed to tease me all evening.
Katerina thinks she can keep things casual between us; I can’t wait to prove her wrong. Rolling down the passenger window, I tell her, “Get in.”
She opens the door and slides into the passenger seat, smiling at me; when she does that, it makes it hard for me to form coherent thoughts, let alone complete sentences. “Sei splendida questa sera,” I say the first thing that pops into my mind.
“Um, thank you, I think?” she says confused.
My eyes land on her dress and the fabric choker hiding the love bite I gave her at the party; it makes me want to rip the material off and give her another one. She squirms ever so slightly in her seat; most wouldn’t notice, except I seem to be hyperaware of Katerina’s every move. I reach over and take a strand of her straightened hair between my fingers. “I like your hair better curly,” I murmur.
“I retract the thank you; that was a terrible back-handed compliment,” she tells me crossly.
Shit, that didn’t take long for me to stick my foot in my mouth. I playfully tug on the strand before releasing it. “Retract the claws, Kitty Kat. You’re gorgeous either way; I just like your natural hair.”
“Why?” She asks, her cheeks flushing ever so softly.
“I like to imagine wrapping those wild curls around my fist as I’m fucking you from behind.” A recurring fantasy of mine since I first laid eyes on her.
“Stop,” she tells me in a breathy tone.
“Why? I see no good reason to,” I playfully counter.
“I’ve never fucked around with a made man, and there’s a reason for that: too messy and complicated once things go south,” she tells me firmly.
“Why do you assume things will go south?” I ask, eyebrow raised.
“You’re basically in the same ‘family’ as my cousin. We’re not exactly starting on healthy ground with you coercing me to work for you. You’re sort of my boss, which makes this weird. You strike me as a player; I’m admittedly not the best with relationships. Shall I continue?”
“Please. Let’s hear all the bullshit reasons you’ve told yourself.” I wave my hand before pulling out of the parking lot.
“Not bullshit, but facts,” she tells me. “Just like in gambling: ignore the odds at your peril.”
“What if I’m willing to take my chances despite the lousy odds?” I say.
“Then I’d tell you it’s not a safe bet,” she warns me.
I snort a laugh. “If I wanted safe, I would have chosen a different profession.”
Katerina looks over at me thoughtfully. “How is it we’ve never crossed paths? I know of all the men in Darius’ old crew.”
“Who says I was in Darius’ old crew?” I deflect.
She shrugs. “Wild guess.”
“I need you to be my date for the evening.” I change the subject. “One of my poker rooms is bleeding money.”
“That’s a problem: the house should always win,” she informs me.
