Page 398 of Valentino

“Figures,” I reply dryly. I imagine all the hot women he must have here and insecurity creeps in. What could he ever see in me?

Damn it, maybe I do need this liquid bravery. I take a huge gulp, and it burns all the way down.

Ugh…. Oh, hell.

Perhaps tonight’s stripper may be throwing up after drinking this, but whatever. He asked for it.

“Sit.” He points to a stool at the bar and without thinking I do as he says and drop to the seat. He sits down beside me; his eyes linger on my lips as he takes a slow sip of his drink.

He’s imagining something, God knows what, but it’s perverted, I know.

I glance over to the sunken lounge and the pole; I imagine him sitting there watching a naked girl writhe and dance for him, it’s too much to bear, and I snap my eyes away.

Seriously…. what am I doing here? He isn’t in my league. We aren’t even in the same stratosphere.

This is going to break me.

“What is it?” He asks.

“Nothing,” I say softly.

He puts his finger under my chin and lifts my face to his, “Gracie?”

My stupid eyes well with tears, betraying my bravado act.

His face falls, “What is it?”

I put my drink down onto the bar. “I should…. I’m going to get going.” I stand. “Have a merry Christmas.” I force a smile, “It was really,” I pause as I try to get a hold of my emotions, “nice working for you.”

He stands abruptly. “Gracie, the night is young. Don’t go.”

“I’m not a stripper, Gabriel. I’m not even a player. The last time I had sex was over a year ago and this is….” I gesture to the room. “Isn’t……” I shrug, embarrassed that I’m not the bad girl I want to be, that my heart is already broken after one cheap fuck on his desk. “It’s not who I am. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.” I rush back out to the living room with him hot on my heels.

“Grace.”

I keep walking.

“Grace.”

“Don’t.”

“Grace.” He grabs my hand and spins me toward him, “Forgive me.” He pauses as he searches for the right words. “I shouldn’t have taken you in there….. it’s been a long time since.” He pauses.

“Since what?”

“Since I’ve been with someone like you.”

Someone who stupidly loves you?

I stare at him, hating myself that I can’t forget tomorrow and be lost in the moment tonight.

He cups my face in his hands and kisses me softly, his lips linger across mine, “Don’t go.” He kisses me again, “Please?”

His demeanor has changed, somehow, he’s gone from hunter to something softer, more in tune.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”

His lips linger over mine and my feet start to float from the floor.