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Bianca
It had been three days since Enzo had come to the Seeking Curves office and asked me out.
Three days of me thinking about what I’d found on the internet concerning him.
Seventy-two damn hours of this inner war I felt on what I should do but what I was actually going to do.
Because I should have declined, should have told Enzo I was sick, maybe that I’d be out of town, or given him any kind of believable excuse that would prevent me from seeing him.
Yet what I was doing was the complete opposite, and that was looking at the clock on the wall, because Enzo would be here any minute to pick me up for our date.
I exhaled and closed my eyes for a second, trying to get centered and calm so I didn’t make a total fool out of myself. I was a mess of nerves and anxiety, anticipation and worry. But underneath all of that, there were two much stronger feelings: excitement and arousal.
I opened my eyes and smoothed my hands along the outfit I’d picked out for tonight and then looked down at myself. Enzo had told me to dress casual, so I opted for a knit black dress that hugged my curves with button detailing going down the front. I accessorized it with a faux leather jacket that came to my waist. I glanced back up and stared at my reflection that stared back at me from the small round mirror that hung in the tiny foyer.
I’d left my dark-blonde hair down and straightened it, the locks hitting a little below my shoulders. I hadn’t gone heavy on the makeup, just a little blush and eyeshadow, some mascara, finishing it off with some nude lipstick.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror that hung in the small foyer where the front door was. On the outside, I felt like I looked composed and relaxed. On the inside, it was the complete opposite.
I’d never been the type of woman to be docile or submissive. I didn’t keep my thoughts to myself on most occasions. And a big part of me knew I would probably ask Enzo at dinner tonight about what I found on the internet. I was curious by nature, and this was a pretty big revelation for me just to let it slide.
Did I think he’d actually tell me the truth? No. But I felt like I was pretty good at reading people. I also wanted to believe that even if he did lie, it was for a good reason. Like to protect me. Although I could absolutely admit that thinking that was totally naïve and not using common sense.
The position of my apartment was at the back of the building, so even if I looked out the window to wait for Enzo, I wouldn’t be able to see him pulling up. Although I’d given him my apartment number, I decided to head down and just wait for him out front. It made more sense than having him trudge up three flights of stairs just to collect me, then have to go back down.
Besides, it felt more intimate and personal having him come up here to my domain, and with a man like Enzo, I preferred to have a little more control over myself than I currently felt.
I grabbed my purse, looked at my reflection as I smoothed a hand down my hair, and checked my makeup once more. I then turned and reached for the handle before opening the front door.
A small sound of surprise left me at the sight of Enzo’s big, intimidating body standing right on the other side. His hand was up as if he’d been about to knock, and I felt my cheeks heat just from the intensity of his stare.
I instantly noticed how good he looked with his crisp white button-down shirt that covered his broad chest. The material couldn’t hide his defined, powerful muscles. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up, and his thickly corded, vein-ripped forearms were on clear display.
The hall light caught his watch, and I looked at the thick gold. A Rolex. Of course.
I shouldn’t have been checking him out, but I just couldn’t help myself, not as I noticed the black slacks he wore that didn’t hide the raw power of his body. I continued to let my gaze drop even lower until I felt my eyes widen in shock. Although it was clear he wasn’t aroused, there was a definite bulge in the crotch of his pants. Enzo was a large man overall, and so I shouldn’t have been shocked that meanteverywhere.
I snapped my gaze to his eyes and felt my face heat, because the smile on his face told me he was very aware I’d been checking him out. And he enjoyed that truth. I could practically hear him say,Do you like what you see, Bianca?
“I’m sorry,” I suddenly blurted, my words partly an apology for nearly running into him when I opened the door, and the other half because I’d been blatantly appraising his body. He said nothing, but that smile grew, and I felt a flutter in my belly… and in other parts. “I was going to meet you downstairs so you didn’t have to come all the way up to my apartment.”
His smile faltered, and his brows pulled down over his sexy, dark eyes. He lowered his hand until his arm rested loosely against his side. “Outside?” He shook his head slowly as if answering his own question. “It’s dangerous at night in the city. It’s safer to wait inside for me.”
It was my turn to feel surprised and confused by his clear concern. But I didn’t mention how I’d always lived in the city and could handle myself well enough. The pepper spray in my purse and the self-defense classes I’d taken had given me the confidence and strength to defend myself.
Then again… as I looked at Enzo, I felt pretty damn safe, and that should have scared me even more, given the knowledge—supposedly anyway—of what I knew about him.
When I didn’t respond, he said, “I’d feel much better if next time you waited in your apartment for me to come get you.”
I felt my eyebrows lift practically all the way up to my hairline, not only at his presumption that there would be another date, but also because of the clear arrogance and demand in his words. He’d phrased it gently enough, but I knew for a fact that he wasn’t asking.
I should have been pissed and offended at his cockiness, but the truth was his worry and concern over my safety made something in me flutter. Aside from my parents, no one had ever given a shit about being protective toward me one way or another.
Before I could say anything—if I even could—he stepped back and gave me one of those blindingly attractive smiles. It was strange that I felt so comfortable around him so quickly, but I didn’t think about that too hard, because then I’d just get into this whirlwind of all the confusion and desire I felt. It was safer to keep a blank mind and see how the night progressed.
I stepped into the hall and shut the door behind me. He held out his arm a little more, and I flushed as I slipped my hand through the small opening he presented between his elbow and arm.
I could feel the strength in his body just from that small touch, and I felt this uncomfortable tightness settle in my core. He looked down at me, and there was a slight curve to his lips before he led us out of the apartment building.
