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"I only drink to relax and have fun in a controlled, safe environment—with family or close friends only. Not out in a sweaty, shiny bundle of hormonal, groping bodies trying to get laid."
Roberto throws his head back in a laugh. "I'll be using that to describe dancing in a club from now on. Come on, cuti—I mean…dolcezza.”
Sweetness. Not much better, but I ignore it as he leads me to a less-crowded area. It's in a place where I'll be able to hear him better, and we won't get bumped up against by the countless other people present.
Club dancing and mosh pits are far from being my thing. But as I open my mouth to tell Roberto, the music changes into something slow and soft. The crowd around us complies, couples wrapping arms around each other to sway.
Roberto's hands slip around my waist, and I jump slightly at the jolt flying through my body. I'd hoped that being in a busier environment like this would distract me from the chemistry that practically screams between us every time we touch, but I still swallow and place my hands on his shoulders.
We're dancing more intimately this time. It's not a waltz, as my head practically rests on one of Roberto's broad shoulders, and I can feel his lips brush over my hair like a butterfly kiss. Despite not wearing the latter, he smells good—like cedar-scented aftershave and cold leather. He radiates warmth, and whenever I accidentally step in a way that makes our fronts brush, my nipples pebble a little.
His voice is quiet and rough. "Welcome to Chicago, by the way. How do you like it so far, California Girl?"
"It's windy."
"Cliché but true." He hesitates. "Gotta say, I thought about you a lot over the last few days.A lot,a lot."
He's so blunt. Then again, so am I. And I still want to draw a line there.
"You crossed my mind a time or two, but only because we're work associates. " I shrug, aloof.
"Huh." His nose traces down the side of my face, and I try to steady my breathing when our swaying slows, and he presses me tighter against him. "Tell me, do you feel up all of your work associates, or am I special? Because I recall you grabbing my cock after kissing me weak in the knees in a dark little hallway—a kiss you initiated, by the way."
Shit. He's right, but I hate how he's already affecting me so quickly standing in his arms, so I ignore the high road and shrug, meeting his warm, chocolatey gaze.
"I was just sending you a message, Giovanni. And what if I do like to feel up all my cute work associates? Who I decide to touch has nothing to do with you."
Roberto's eyes narrow, and he leans down enough to whisper close to my mouth. "Whatever you used to decide, from now on, I'm making it everything to do with me. You only fucking touch me, Giulia Russo."
I scoff, breathless from the sensation of standing so close to him when he's so…possessive, which is crazy of him because we barely knew each other and were born enemies. He really needs to get off his high horse.
"You don’t tell me what to do, remember? Just for that, I think I'll find another Mason, Craig, or whoever around here to spend the night with."
I step back, but Roberto follows, and I gasp a little at the thrill of it when he pulls me tight against his body and growls into my ear, "Don’t even fucking think about it."
So jealous. And so…fun.
I like that I can make him react like this. Of course, that probably makes me a terrible person, but I still grin impishly at him when he pulls back. Roberto's eyes immediately soften, and his own crooked smile appears.
"Like I said—cruel woman." He wags a finger at me but then trails it down the side of my neck and over my clavicle. My breathing hitches as I half-wonder, half-hope he'll dip it lower, but he just gives me another wicked smile. "You're smiling. I assume that means you're enjoying yourself, cutie."
He laughs at my haughty glare when he uses the nickname yet again.
"It's fine," I huff, even though I enjoy all this.
"You like it. Admit it. Getting away from your responsibilities and letting go of your perfectionism for a bit is nice—and you like being here with me right now, don’t you?"
Roberto's teasing words strike me. Namely, the part about letting go of my perfectionism. I blink and look around at people laughing, drinking, and dancing in clusters. This still isn't exactly my vibe, but they all seem…relaxed. They're having fun, which is something I've ignored in favor of working my ass off for as long as I can remember.
Impressing my family is vital to me. It's basically all I've worked for. And now I'm part of this big deal for the mafia, trying to change our future—I'm even here with an enemy. I don’t often rest on my laurels, but tonight?
Tonight, I feel good. I feel like I deserve to let loose for a moment and just enjoy myself, celebrating all the constant work I've done over the years.
And truthfully, the mischief-making, gorgeous Giovanni grinning down at me is just the right person to be here and let loose with. It feels sort of…perfect, actually.
Just for tonight, I just want to have fun with him.
"I do want that tequila shot."
