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“My nephew,” Valentina grumbled. “He’s being a pain in the ass, and I need some dirt on him to get him to do what I want. He doesn’t know you, so you’re helping me by being my inside man… or woman as it were.”
“And we’re going… where?” I prompted for more information.
“Shit, you can’t go in your work shirt. Here.” Ignoring my question, she proceeded to rip off the corset and hand it to me. The fact that she even got the intricate thing off was a miracle, and if she thought I was capable, she wasveryconfused.
“Uh…” I started. She rolled her eyes and unabashedly yanked up my shirt. In moments, she was tying the corset in place, with only my bra left on. I didn’t know how I’d gotten here, being manhandled by Valentina, but I was just going with the flow. She prompted me to remove my bra once I had the leather to hide my exposed boobs. Rolling my eyes, I did as she said.When in Rome and all of that.Soon, I was laced up and feeling claustrophobic.
She whistled. “Damn, you look amazing. Now, here’s the plan. We’re going to drop you off. Gino’s Place has a bar, and all you have to do is walk that sexy ass up there and order a drink and an appetizer.”
“This is a bad idea,” Zaven supplied, and I agreed with him.
“He might have a point. I’m not exactly skilled in espionage or even being subtle, really,” I told her. “But if you buy me a drink and food, well, who am I to complain?”
“See, perfect for the job,” she said with a smirk, tucking a few bills into the corset. It was a little alarming that she was so comfortable with me, but I could tell that was just her style. Her personality was boisterous and in your face, and she clearly had no issues crossing lines. There was a hint of laughter sparkling in her eyes even as she acted like a tough-as-nails badass. “Here.” She held out her phone to show me a picture of a sexy man. He was older, a bit of gray in his previously dark hair. He had a full, well-kept beard and a glower on his face. All in all, he had that sexy, broody vibe. Delicious memories of my failed masturbation flooded my mind, but I hurriedly pushed them away to make sure that the others in the car didn’t notice.Plus, I’m still commando, so I need to keep my shit together.
“And I’m watching him do what?”
“Eat,” Zaven answered. Our eyes met in the mirror, and he rolled his. I bit back a laugh and turned to Valentina, watching her tap her chin.
“See who he meets, what he does, anything strange and you tell me, got it?” she said. I nodded, not sure how I would know what was strange considering I’d never met this man before in my life. She snatched my phone from my hands and tapped away. “My number is in here. I’ll text you when it’s safe to join me.”
Moments later, I was unceremoniously shoved from the car without my backpack or my damn ID. I stumbled but caught myself on the sidewalk. The tall windows of the storefront in front of me gave me a full view of my thrown together outfit. The fishnets and corset worked, though it showed more of my body than I ever had before, and it took everything in me not to tug at it or fold in on myself.I look like a prostitute… I hope I don’t get arrested.Instead, I held my head high and walked into the restaurant.
“Oh, hello,” the waitress said, drawing out the word as her gaze slipped over me. There was amusement and a bit of judgment there, and I wanted to walk right back out, but I didn’t. Time to channel my inner bitch.
“A seat at the bar, please,” I asked sassily, raising my eyebrow when she just stared at me a few more seconds as if that would intimidate me. She nodded and grabbed a menu.
“Of course, right this way.” The staff milling around watched her lead me to the old wooden bar. They weren’t the only ones either; patrons stared just as much, including the sexy broody guy I was supposed to be watching.
“I’ll sit away from the windows,” I said like I had all the confidence in the world. She looked startled when I snatched the menu and chose a seat that gave me an easy view of him without being obvious.
“Ignore them,” the bartender said as she walked up. She had a smoky voice and a bright grin. Her wavy blond hair was pulled high into a ponytail, and she was dressed in all black. She was about ten years older than me, and the way she gave the hostess the stink eye said she’d encountered the attitude before. “She can’t stand it when someone is hotter than her, and honey, you are smoking.”
I grinned. “Thanks. Can I get a mixed drink? Something sweet and tart.”
“I”ve got the perfect one,” she promised. With a parting wink, she was gone, so I opened the menu. I made it about three items down before peeking at the man I was supposed to be watching. He was still there, but the moment I locked eyes on him, he was looking back at me.Shit.Glancing back down, I busied myself with browsing the appetizers.
After I chose one, I risked another look. This time, he didn’t notice, and I breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Here you go,” she said, sliding a tall hurricane glass over. I took a drink and hummed happily. This was a nice addition to a long night. “Any food?”
“The cheese focaccia, please,” I said as I closed the menu. My stomach rumbled at the thought of fresh bread.
“On it,” she promised before leaving me again. As I waited for my food and nursed my drink, I continued to steal glances at him. Mr. Boring over there did nothing. He ate his pasta and read a book.A fucking book.I wasn’t sure what Valentina was expecting, but he was about as fun to observe as watching paint dry. That driver, Zaven I think, was right. All I was doing was sitting here, watching him eat.
Now that I had finished my drink, I had to pee. Whether Valentina wanted it or not, I headed for the restrooms. Despite the place being older, the bathrooms were newly updated and clean.
After taking care of my business, I pushed open the door in the tiny back hallway and nearly stumbled when I came face-to-face with Mr. Boring. Before I could say anything, he had me backed into the wall, his body towering over mine as he glared down at me.
“What are you doing? Why are you watching me?” he asked. His voice was husky, and the way it washed over me had my already needy body acting up again. He breathed in, then his eyes widened. “Answer me.”
“I thought you were attractive?” He stepped back, the look on his face angry, not amused.
“Answer me honestly,” he growled. Whiskey, cinnamon, tobacco, vanilla, and cedar melded together into an earthy, manly aroma that had me lightheaded and enamored. Yet again, I was overly affected by scents. Maybe Sienna was right about me calling that clinic.
“Look, I don’t have to answer to you, asshole,” I said, putting emphasis on asshole like I was a closet badass. “I came for a drink, some food, and to avoid life for a few minutes. If I look around the room while I’m waiting, then that’s really not my fucking problem. But if you’re going to be all touchy, I’ll keep my eyes to myself, or at least off of you. Now, if you’d kindly fuck off, my appetizer is probably ready.” Stepping around him, I walked back to the bar.
My heart pounded in my chest so harshly I felt myself becoming lightheaded. Even though he had been an asshole, his scent lingered in my mind, and I felt slick dampen my inner thighs.Fuck it. If I go back to the bathroom, he’ll know, so I’m just going to ignore it and eat my free food.
