That brings a hint of a smile on her face. "I'm a middle child, too," she says, running her fingers through her hair before turning her chair to face mine. "Will Sofia really be okay with Matteo? I've heard some…not-so-nice things about him, and I just want my sister to be happy."
Her eyes, the prettiest green eyes I have ever seen, watch me, a stranger, with such trust. It's tempting to grab her chair and slide it closer to mine. To kiss that sexy mouth and feel it part under mine, lick that tongue until I can taste the wine on her lips before making my way down her body. I can imagine the treasure hidden underneath that lavender dress, waiting for me to explore. I'd bend her on this table and fuck her senseless… No, a jewel like her couldn't handle the beast clawing at my chest. She'd need gentle, soothing, and loving.
I want her.
I must have her under me, taking my cock into her tight pussy and sobbing for me to fuck her harder. I need her over me, back arched as she rides my cock, her small breasts in my palms, fondling and squeezing her perfect mounds, teasing her nipples. I could seduce her—get us a room at this hotel and show her pleasure she’s never imagined.
My sweet little angel should be concerned more about this Rossi.
I put on my best charming smile as I reach over and pat her hand, assuring her with my eyes as I often do when I need to close a deal. I was born to charm, seduce, and manipulate or threaten whomever I needed to achieve my goals. It’s my role in the Rossi family. In my entire life, though, I’ve never wanted to charm and seduce anyone more than Gia Marino.
“Your sister will be fine,” I assure her, something I know to be true. “Matteo will treat his bride with care and respect, I promise you that.”
She smiles and whatever worry there was before fades as she beams up at me, those pretty eyes lighting up with such trust. I should warn her away from me, but when she smiles at me and chats with me the rest of the evening, something shifts inside me. I approached this table thinking I’d charm her into my bed for one night—a beautiful distraction at an otherwise tedious wedding. But as we talk, as she laughs at my jokes and blushes at my compliments, I realize one night will never be enough. This woman, this angel, deserves more than a quick fuck and a goodbye. She deserves to be worshipped, treasured, kept. And I’m just the man to do it.
The game has changed. Rather than one night of pleasure, I’m playing for keeps. I’ll have to be patient, strategic—weave myweb carefully so when she finally realizes she’s caught, she won’t want to escape.
Chapter One
Three Months Later
Gia
I catch the subtle scent of flowers as I step into the backyard, the evening air brushing against my skin—so cool and sensual, just like the music playing. In the center, surrounded by flowers, is my sister Elena and her bodyguard-turned-husband, Roarke. Their eyes are locked on each other’s as they dance, oblivious to the loud chatter and chaos that surrounds them.
I walk to a secluded section of the garden and watch them, my heart twinging with emotions I haven’t felt in years.
Envy. Yearning…longing with a desire to be wanted.Loved.
Layered under the happiness for my sisters’ newfound love and happiness is a little sadness that I'll probably never get to have what they do. Granted, it didn't come to them easily either. My oldest sister, Sofia, was practically sold off to a mob boss in the name of bringing two powerful families together, but her husband, Matteo, turned out to be the opposite of what I expected. He has the reputation as a ruthless mafioso, but over the past three months, I’ve watched the man fall hopelessly in love with Sofia.
And then there is Elena. She was next in line to be married off by our father. to some Russian psychopath with four dead wives, except my father failed the second time. Thanks to the bodyguard Matteo hired, Elena was able to escape that arranged marriage. But the bodyguard didn't just help her escape, he married her. It was Elena’s idea, a rushed and secret court wedding that sent a clear message. Anyone who wanted Elena would have to go through her big and burly husband. I wasn’t present for their court wedding but I was there for their second and I saw it…the way they looked into each other’s eyes.
The love and adoration.
It’s there even now, as their arms stay locked around each other, twirling on the dance floor like only they exist in the world. Is it a wonder that I want that for myself too?
But I can’t have it.Not if I want to keep dancing.
I rub my arms against the chill, hating the thoughts and myself for entertaining them. It's been years since I've felt this way. The need to be wanted and loved. Emotions I tried at length to convince myself didn't matter, but it seems I wasn't completely successful.
I look around the small garden, taking in everyone who showed up to celebrate Elena and Roarke. Missing from the crowd are my parents, the ones whose attention I’ve craved my entire childhood but never quite got. Growing up in a house full of voices, you'd think it would be impossible to feel alone. But I did. I felt like wallpaper, present but unnoticed.
My sisters were close—Sofia and Elena were practically best friends, and Bella, the youngest, was often away at boarding school. And by the time our twin cousins, Matilde and Arianna, came to live with us, everyone had their own lives and routines.
Still, I never hated my sisters. I love them. God, I love them, but the little girl in me hated how easy it was for my sisters to shine. They didn’t have to try so hard to be likable like I did. Sofia was the oldest sister and Elena was the genius of the family and I…was nothing. Invisible.
Until ballet.
And even then, I worked so hard to be seen. I smiled brightest when my parents bragged about me and made me put on a show for their rich friends. I thought, finally, they see me. So I smiled and I danced so they would keep looking at me. Keep loving me.
But they never really saw me. Never loved me, not the way they should have.
“There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you!” a voice calls out from behind me, and I turn to find Sofia watching me with mischief written all over her face. “Have you been hiding here this entire time?”
“I wasn’t hiding!”
“Then what have you been doing?”
