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I blink up at him, completely thrown off guard by his continued gentlemanly behaviour and the wonder of such a place. It’s a far cry from what I’ve grown up used to. Tales is a fight club filled with sweaty, testosterone fuelled men, and on most weekends, blood and spilt booze. This place oozes sophistication. It’s classy, reeks of money and refinery. I love everything about it.
“This place is amazing,” I exclaim, my head filling with so many ideas for the future of Tales, and the Davidsons’ family business. Imagine a fight club that’s just as sophisticated as this place? We could have the rawness and grit of a bloody fight between two worthy opponents set against a backdrop that reeks of elegance and finesse. Perhaps we could even provide similar entertainment like this between fights?
“It is, isn’t it? The Ricci family know their shit. Good food, fine wines, great entertainment and a club to be envious of.”
“Do you know her well?” I ask, wondering how friendly he is with Nina Ricci. She’s married, and if I know Beast as well as I think I do, he doesn’t go after married women, especially women married to acquaintances of his. That’s a whole mess I think he’s got the smarts not to get embroiled in.
“I’ve never met her formally, though we’ve been in the same room on occasion over the years. Her husband Alfonso keeps her to himself mostly. She only sings here when he’s in London on business, and never mingles with the guests. I didn’t know she’d be singing here tonight. We got lucky, I guess.”
I nod, smiling up at Romeo who’s returned with a bottle of wine.
“Would you like to taste it first?” he asks, uncorking the bottle and pouring a drop into my glass, not Beast’s. That small token of respect makes me like him even more than I already do from first impressions. I’m so used to everyone speaking over me to Carter, or any other man that I might be accompanying, including Beast, that him not offering the first taste to Beast is a good sign. This man is respectful of women. I like that.
“No, I’m sure it’s delicious,” I reply, feeling my cheeks heat from his attention. He’s a good looking man, but far too clean-cut for my tastes. I like my men a little rough around the edges.
“Very well,” he replies, pouring us both a glass then sets the bottle on the table between us. “Tonight we are serving a selection of antipasti to start, including tender grilled octopus with zesty salmoriglio sauce. For primi we have a creamy mushroom risotto with truffle and for secondi, a beef brisket with red wine sauce on a layer of fluffy potato.”
I flick my gaze at Beast whose expression remains deadpan. When he asked if I wanted dinner, I thought we’d swing by the local chip shop. I wasn’t expecting a fine dining experience.
“Wow, that’s a lot of food.”
“I’ve not finished yet, bella,” he continues with a wink.
“There’s more?”
“Sì, we have formaggi e frutta and dolce.”
“Whatever you serve, I’m sure it’ll be banging,” Beast says.
“Perfecto,” Romeo responds, taking that as his cue to leave. “I shall return with the antipasti shortly.”
“Thank you,” I reply, watching him as he strides across the room, stopping to talk briefly to other couples as he makes his way to the kitchen to place our order. “He’s very attentive.”
“He’s a very astute businessman,” Beast says, picking up his glass of wine and taking a sip. “A Good looking fucker too.”
I tip my head to the side. Is that a thread of jealousy I detect in his voice? Deciding that I need to have some fun with Beast, I bite my bottom lip, sucking it into my mouth before letting it go with a slight smile. “You’re right, he is. I didn’t see a wedding ring…” I muse, allowing my gaze to find Romeo in the room.
“Absolutely fucking not,” Beast replies, taking the bait just like I knew he would. “He’s old enough to be your dad!”
“What can I say, I’m partial to an older man… Besides I’d say he’s more in the age bracket of an older brother, rather than a dad, wouldn’t you say?”
“I don’t much give a fuck either way. He’s not for you.”
“What’s the matter, Beast? Jealous?” I ask, returning my attention to him. “I’m betting with a name like that he’s outstanding in bed too.”
Beast clamps his mouth shut as Romeo returns with the antipasti, laying the dishes out on the table. My stomach rumbles, and I give him a sheepish smile. “It smells so good, thank you, Romeo,” I say, giving him my most flirtatious smile.
Out of the corner of my eye Beast’s fingers curl into fists and I suppress my glee. You can’t tell me that there’s nothing between us when he gives me cues like that. Either he’s playing games with me or he’s fooling himself. Maybe it’s a bit of both?
“You’re welcome. Matteo, my head waiter, will serve the rest of your dinner. I need to speak with Nina for a moment. If you’ll excuse me?”
“Of course, thank you for your hospitality,” I say, smiling up at him as he rests his hand briefly on my shoulder in a very platonic way before striding over to Nina who’s currently lingering by the bar nestled in the corner of the room. Piano music still plays, but without her voice harmonising it’s just not the same.
“Romeo is a fair man, but he can be ruthless. You might want to remember that when you give him fuck-me eyes,” Beast says evenly, and even though his voice is level, calm, his shoulders are stiff as he leans forward and helps himself to a forkful of octopus.
I wait for him to put the food in his mouth and chew before commenting. “And you might want to remember that you’renotmy dad. You’re just my bodyguard, right?”
He chews slowly, his jaw working as he stares at me. Watching him eat shouldn’t be a turn on, but it is. God help me, it is. My eyes track to his tattooed throat, watching as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he swallows. Why am I so obsessed with his throat and the intricate tattoos that darken his skin there? Why am I so obsessed with him full-stop?
