LikeGQhot with a dash ofGodfather. Dark hair, dark eyes, lush mouth, and built for riding. He’s totally my dream man, minus the fact that we could never be together and his cocky attitude leaves something to be desired…most of the time.
“I want one date, and then I’ll leave you alone.”
“That’s all?”
Going on a date with Leo Conti wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I’d done crazier shit for men who were not at the same freakishly hot level as Leo. I take that back. They were all hot, but some weren’t too bright. Those were the ones I had put up with long enough to go one round, or sometimes two, in the sack before pushing them away, which was pretty easy and comical.
“If you never want to see me again after that, I promise to go away forever.”
“One date,” I whisper as my belly flutters. “But how? If we’re being watched, that would be damn near impossible.”
“You let me worry about that, sweetheart.”
I have a few triggers, and men calling me by pet names when they don’t even know me is one. Most women would think it’s charming, but not me.
“Let’s get one thing straight. I’m not your sweetheart, your baby, your doll, or your anything. Got it?”
Leo smirks. “I got it,bella.”
I’m about to reply and tell him off, but before I can, Leo leans forward. My breath hitches as his lips come near mine. I’m staring into his eyes, unable to breathe, waiting for the moment his soft lips touch mine. Wanting it more than anything.
“I’ll text you the details,” he says and releases me.
My mouth hangs open, and I can’t even form words. My skin is still tingling, waiting for him to kiss me, but he’s already heading toward the door.
I’m never the girl at a loss for words.
Never.
But I’m standing in my bedroom, unable to move like a moron. I hate the way Leo Conti plays with my emotions and how my body betrays me every time he’s around.
Tomorrow night, I will not be a pawn.
* * *
“Why doyou keep looking at your phone?” Angelo asks.
I look up, not even realizing how often I’ve come back to the counter just to see if Leo texted me about our date.
“No reason,” I say and smile, hoping he’ll drop the subject.
“You never look at your phone at work,” he tells me, pointing out the obvious and never letting anyone’s bullshit slide. “And that smile—” he points at me and drops his chin “—is bullshit.”
“Fine. If you must know, I’m waiting for a call.”
“Must be pretty important.”
“It’s not, Betty,” I tease him.
He’s being nosy as fuck, just like our mom. Angelo’s usually the one to mind his own business, but tonight he’s a little too interested for my liking.
He pushes five beers in front of me. “Take these to table five.” When I don’t move right away, he says, “Please.”
“Only because you asked nicely.” I quickly glance down at the blank phone screen before grabbing the beers and hustling toward table five.
“Sweetheart, settle a bet,” one of the men says as I set the beers down at their table. I let the little nickname slide because one, he’s a paying customer, and two, I’ve been called worse.
I tilt my head and place my hands on my hips. They’re so intoxicated, I’m sure their pressing question is going to be a doozy. “Shoot,” I tell him with a quick nod.
