I smile politely.“Good evening.I’m Lily.”
He takes my hand to lift it toward his lips, but doesn’t quite make it.Damiano jerks my hand back, holding it against his chest with a scowl.
I raise an eyebrow at him, then turn a syrupy smile back to Gian.“It’s a pleasure.”He wants to play the jealous caveman?Two can play this game.
“Gian Mancini,” the man says smoothly.“Call me Gian, please.I don’t believe we’ve met before.”
Ihaveheard of him—he’s been the head of the Mancini family since his father retired last year.
“I don’t go to many events like this,” I say lightly.
“Well, that’s a shame.A face like yours should be seen.”
Damiano tightens his hold on my waist, his whole body rigid.
Gian cocks his head.“So you and Damiano…” He lets the question hang in the air, suggestive and loaded.
Before Damiano can cut in, I offer a sweet, practiced smile and slide my hand lazily down Damiano’s arm.“I keep him entertained,” I say.“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
Gian’s eyebrows lift a fraction.I watch the flicker of recognition, then interest, spark in his gaze.
Beside me, Damiano goes stone-still.I can feel the tension in his body coil tight, like a wire pulled too far.There’s a beat of silence, then Gian throws his head back with a low, predatory laugh.“Ah, I like her,” he says, eyes still locked on mine.“Sharp tongue.Dangerous smile.”He casts a glance at Damiano.“You always did know how to pick them.”
He leans in, his voice dipping.“If he ever forgets your worth,bella, come find me.I’ll make sure you never feel like just…an arrangement.”He sends a slow, shameless wink and saunters off without waiting for a response.I can’t help but inwardly cringe at his crass proposition.Guess I had that coming for me.
The second he’s gone, I realize how dangerous that little moment of rebellion was.Damiano hasn’t moved.His grip is tight enough to bruise.His eyes are burning a hole through the side of my face.I am in trouble if I don’t quickly find an escape plan.
“I-I will get us something to drink,” I say breezily, trying to untangle myself from his hold.But he tightens his arm around me, his hand resting almost painfully under my breasts.His mouth brushes the shell of my ear, deceptively soft, and his menacing voice sends a thrill down my spine.“You’re not going anywhere, sweetheart.”
My breath catches.
“You want to play the part?”he murmurs.“Fine.Then you’ll stay by my side, looking pretty, smiling when I tell you to and keeping me…entertained.And if you pull a stunt like that again, I will rip that dress off of you and spank you in front of everyone.Is that clear?”
Holy shit.My mouth goes dry.Heat floods me.
“I…yes,” I stammer.
“Good girl,” he purrs, pressing a kiss below my ear.
Aaand my panties just combusted.
For more than an hour, Damiano drags me through the room, all the while keeping my side flush against his.When he introduces me, it’s a clipped, disinterested “Lily,” as though that’s all they need, or deserve to know.No explanation, no title, no context.Only my name tossed out like a bone to a pack of wolves.Not a single person asks for clarification.They are probably too polite or terrified of him to ask further.
By the time we finish making the rounds, I’m mentally drained, my cheeks aching from polite smiles, my nerves shot from balancing stilettos, champagne and the electric tension buzzing under my skin every time Damiano’s fingers graze my bare skin.And still no sign of Chiara.
“I’m going to the restroom,” I murmur as we finally come to a pause near the edge of the room, trying to hide my exhaustion.
Damiano turns his head slowly, eyes narrowing.“Be quick.”
I force a saccharine smile, solely to irritate him.“Of course,darling.”He grabs my arm in a sudden grip of steel and yanks me a fraction closer.I can feel the heat of his breath when he leans in, his voice dropping to that low, dangerous register that makes my spine both stiffen and melt.
“And stay away from Gian Mancini.”
I jerk back to glare at him.“Are you seriously jealous right now?”
His jaw tightens.“That man doesn’t look at women—he sizes them up like assets.He’s not interested in conversation.”
“Oh, and you brought me here for stimulating debate?”I shoot back.“You’ve hardly said a word all night that wasn’t an order.”He leans in again, the corner of his mouth lifting, but there’s no humor in it.Only control and hunger.
