Page 94 of Secret Seduction

“We’ve spent the past few months playing cards, so I thought it’d be cool to watch you play with people who are worthy opponents.”

She spins around and looks up at me with wide eyes, and now that I know our time is limited, I find myself trying to memorize every detail about her. The way her violet eyes sparkle when she’s happy and turn almost gray when she’s upset. Her face is damn near flawless, except for a beauty mark that rests on her cheek, which adds a touch of character.

“You didn’t have to do this,” she says.

“I know, but”—I swallow down the lump of emotion and say the words I don’t want to say, but know are necessary—“with the threat gone, I imagine you’re going to be heading back to Seattle soon, so I wanted this weekend with you.”

Several emotions flit across Vanessa’s features before she settles on a soft yet sad smile. “Yeah,” she rasps. “I’m, uh, planning to go back after Christmas … if that’s okay. It will be Nicole’s first Christmas without her dad, and even though he was a piece of shit, it’s still hard for her. And …”

Tears prick her eyes, and all I want is to pull her close and tell her not to leave, but since I can’t do that, I gently wipe away the tear that escapes.

“Sorry,” she chokes out. “I just … I’m going to really miss Leo, so I was hoping, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to spend Christmas with him.”

Fuck, this woman. Why does she have to be fifteen years younger than me and still in college? Why did I have to meet her now instead of at a different time, when we were both able to be in a relationship? This is the worst case of right person, wrong time, and it fucking sucks.

“What about me?” I joke, trying to keep the conversation light so we don’t ruin our weekend.

“What about you?” she asks, confusion laced in her tone.

“You said you’re going to miss Leo, so you want to spend Christmas with him. What about me, Wild Card?” I reach around and tug gently on her ponytail, tilting her face up. “You going to miss me?”

She chokes out a laugh, mixed with a hint of a sob, and more tears fill her eyes. “Maybe just a little.”

Unable to go another second without my mouth on hers, I cradle her head and curve my lips around hers. Tasting, coaxing, devouring. The kiss is filled with desperation. Both of us hoping to convey everything we can’t say. And when I pull back—knowing if I don’t, we’ll never make our dinner reservations—Vanessa is breathing heavily, her eyes filled with heat.

“Lorenzo,” she breathes.

“We have all weekend, baby.” I caress her lips once more. “But we have dinner plans, and then we’re going to the casino, which means you need to get dressed.”

She hits me with an adorable pout but nods.

“Fine, but if I internally combust from being so worked up, I’m blaming you.”

I chuckle. “I’ll take care of you later, I promise.”

Since I’m already dressed from work, I freshen up and brush my teeth while Vanessa gets ready, and then I check in with Matteo.

Lorenzo

Any news on the DNA?

While Matteo said the picture pretty much confirmed it was Leysa who died in the fire, he’s not taking any chances. This bitch had played us too many times. So, he sent Kaleb to Colombia to get her DNA so it can be run against the body and prove it’s her.

Matteo

Hughe said they gotta send it out, so it’s going to take a few weeks.

Lorenzo

K, thanks.

I would never admit it out loud, but there was a small part of me that was hoping it wasn’t her, and then Vanessa would be forced to stay with us longer. But Matteo said the woman he saw, as well as the picture of the burned face, matches Leysa, so the DNA is just to give everyone peace of mind. So, unless something crazy happens between now and Christmas, Vanessa said she’ll be heading back to Seattle on December 26.

The click-clack of heels against the marble floor has me pocketing my phone so I can focus on Vanessa. I glance up, and I’m damn near knocked on my ass by the sight in front of me.

“How do I look?” she asks, a hint of uncertainty in her tone. “Am I casino-worthy?”

She’s wearing a sleeveless burgundy satin dress that dips low in the center, showing off the swells of her perky breasts. It’s short and tight, highlighting every perfect curve on her body. And she’s paired it with black stilettos that accentuate her toned calves and thighs.