“Please put me down,” my skirt rode up, and I could feel my butt cheeks were exposed.
“You can’t drive. Stay the night, and I’ll get you a ride in the morning.”
Walking into his bedroom, he removes the covers and flops me onto the bed. Rather than lay beside me, he leaves. He shut the door as he left the bedroom, leaving me in the dark. My heart felt heavy as I turned onto my side and cried myself to sleep.
As I opened my eyes, they were puffy. I forgot where I was for a second until taking a deep breath into the pillow, and the scent of eucalyptus and mint reminded me. It almost had me crying again. Rolling off the bed, my ankle was doing a lot better, and I could walk on it for the most part. One of the dressers had a mirror over it, and I took in my appearance. Looking a mess, I try to fix myself up best. My purse was in the kitchen, and I hadno idea what time it was or if Emilio was awake. He never came into the room last night.
Slowly and quietly, I open the door and tip-toe down the hall. The lights were all out except in the bathroom, where the sound of the showerhead ran. I breathed a sigh of relief that I could sneak out without seeing Emilio. Making my way to the kitchen, I pick up my heels, scattered on the floor with my purse and phone, then dash to the door, exiting quietly. I’ve never driven home so fast, skipping the 4thof July holiday traffic before it got out of hand.
Walking through my front door, I toss off my shoes and head for the shower. The plan was to take a nap before Tiffany’s pool party. I was going to need the energy to get through. Fresh out of the shower, I went to grab a bottle of water when my phone pinged from receiving a message. Grabbing it, I was confused by the name on the screen. Giovanni Pancelli. Why did that name sound familiar? Why was he calling me? Or maybe the question was, how did his number get saved onto my phone?
Entering the passcode, the phone wouldn’t unlock. Getting annoyed, I begin to examine the phone. The back had one of those wallet inserts, and I pulled out the driver's license to see that it wasn’t my phone. It was Emilio’s. Confused, I looked into my purse and saw my phone was there. I had several missed calls from Alfie. A smirk crossed my face. Emilio must be in hysterics, needing his phone returned, and since he can’t contact me directly, he would need to be discreet. It felt like I somehow had the upper hand and wouldn’t disappoint.
If Emilio wants his phone, he will need to get it himself… but first, I was going to have some fun with it. Tiffany’s parties were full of attractive men, and I plan to use it to my advantage. These butterflies for Emilio need to die and fast. I’m catching feels for a man who just has me on his roster—another notch on his belt to wear out.
Emilio can’t be the only one to have all the fun, and I wanted him to know it.
Chapter 28
It was hot and the perfect day to have a pool party. Tiffany outdid herself this year, and the guest list was pretty big, with even bigger guests. Natasha and I scan the deck for any potential hotties to hit on. My baby pink rhinestone bikini left little to the imagination. With my hair tied up so my body was in full view at every angle, I was on a mission and wasn’t leaving until I was successful.
“Let’s grab a drink and head toward the pool.”
We walk toward two lounge chairs reserved just for us—perks of being good friends with the host. Tiffany would be running around greeting and mingling with all the guests before she could enjoy her party, so we let her be. Lounging while sipping our drinks, Natasha and I people-watch through our dark sunglasses.
“There are a lot of important people here,” Natasha commented.
“Chicago’s elite,” I replied. “I guess her party has become a summer highlight.”
Daughters and sons of the city’s wealthiest families scattered throughout the rooftop, leaving their prim and proper manners at the door. It was Las Vegas brought to Chicago.
“See that guy by the other end of the pool? Brown hair and American flag trunks with the sunglasses that match his trunks?” Natasha pointed out.
Checking him out, I reply, “He’s cute.”
He was of average build, with blonde hair and skin tanned by the sun. He would have blended into the crowd if it weren’t for his patriotic swim trunks.
“He’s the D.A.’s son.”
“I didn’t know the D.A. had a son.”
“He recently graduated from Dartmouth Law School,” Natasha replied.
“How do you know all this?”
“He entered the bar one night like some big shot. So I had to know the scoop. He came in with four girls, and they told me all about him. He’s going to follow in Daddy’s footsteps. How cute, right?” she laughed.
I roll my eyes. “These elite girlies are going to be all over that.”
Natasha nudged me, “Maybe… but it looks like he has his eyes set on someone in particular right now.”
I roll my eyes as I catch him looking at me. He shoots me a wink. “Politicians aren’t my thing.”
“Well, he isn’t one yet.”
“Legal authority,” I nod in his direction, “DeCarlo,” I point to myself.
“Point taken.” Natasha laughed. “Looks like he’s headed our way.”
