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There’s another knock on the door. “There’s no time,” Zoe coos. “Don’t worry, girls. I’m not intending to nab Ella’s man… the other two, though…” She lets the rest of the sentence hang in the air.
Rhia and I grimace. “I guess that’s his first test. He’d better pass,” she mutters as we walk to the door of my hotel room.
I take a deep breath and, with a reassuring nod to the girls, I turn the handle to open it.... and oh my lord.
Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome is here in triple force. I’m stunned for a moment, and I’m sure my mouth is hanging open. Even Zoe gasps behind me.
Have we died and gone to hot men heaven?
All three men look like they stepped out of the front cover of some fashion magazine.
I immediately recognize Mateo, the family resemblance hard to miss. And yes, the smoldering looks definitely run in the family.
The three men are dressed in crisp, dark gray suits, with only the dress shirts being different colors. Their friend’s is cream, while Mateo chose a blue dress shirt. Tiero’s shirt is dark green, which complements his warm, hazel-brown eyes to perfection.
Wowsers.
They’re like god’s gift to women, and we’re unashamedly appreciating the visual feast.
The men, too, run appreciative glances over us. I needn’t have worried about Tiero’s attention. While he briefly glanced at Zoe, his focus went straight back to me.
“Wow. Ella,” Tiero says in a deep, throaty voice, gesturing at me. “You’re… breathtaking.”
“Thank you,” I reply, sounding equally husky. “You too,” I murmur as I step aside to let them into the room before closing the door. While still having my back turned to them, I let out a silent long breath, willing myself to calm down. The sight of Tiero in all his handsomeness has sent my pheromones into overdrive.
Opposite Ella. Opposite Ella.I chant to myself.
I straighten my back and turn with a brave smile plastered on my face. Right away, my gaze lands on Tiero, who steps closer, taking my hand. My breath hitches at his touch and a jolt immediately ripples through me, leaving me tingling all over.
Oh no, there we go again.
My pulse speeds up, the blood roaring in my ears.
Tiero smiles warmly at me as he points at his brother, “This is Mateo, my younger brother by two years. He’s also my right-hand man in all my business dealings. He’s the person I trust the most.” Tiero's gaze is unwaveringly fixed on me. “I really wanted you to meet him.”
“Oh, umm…” I stumble over my words, taken aback by this introduction.
Why the heck is he telling me all this about his brother straight up? Is this an Italian thing?
Why does he want me to meet him? I thought Mateo was only here to make up numbers. Does he want Mateo’s opinion about me? But why would that matter?
Puzzled by all the questions running through my head, it takes me a moment to find my manners. Pulling my hand from Tiero’s firm grip, I hold it out to Mateo. “It’s nice to meet you,” I finally say.
Mateo reaches for my hand and pulls me closer to kiss my cheeks, making Tiero scowl at him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ella. My brother has been singing your praises, and he hasn’t exaggerated your beauty. You’re gorgeous,” he says with his hot as hell Italian accent and a panty dropping smile.
Oh my…
My face heats and an embarrassed giggle leaves my throat.
Jeez, channeling Opposite Ella is harder than I thought. Italian men are known for their charm, but this is next level.
Mateo’s expression turns more serious when he adds, “Thank you for what you did for my brother yesterday. Both of us are eternally grateful you stepped in to pull him out of harm’s way.”
Still blushing and feeling rather hot, I manage a somewhat intelligible reply. “Umm… I’m just glad I was there at the right time.”
Daring a brief glance at Tiero, I add, “And I’m glad he didn’t get injured too badly.”
“His shoulder is a little banged up, but all will be forgotten in a few days,” Mateo says.
