Lucia gave a helpless shrug. “Tell him? That’s usually step one.”
I sighed dramatically and flopped onto the bed next to her, our knees bumping. “Can we start with just looking incredibly hot for tonight?”
“NowthatI can do,” she said, already reaching for my makeup bag like it was a mission.
We grinned at each other, that comfortable kind of best-friend quiet.
22
MATTEO
My sister walked down first, doing a little spin before Alexander literally clapped and pulled her in for a kiss while she swatted him away because of her lip gloss or whatever. I was about to ask where Nicola was when I swore the room stilled and went silent, lights glowing only for her.
I was in so much trouble.
She stunned in a bright red dress that hugged her curves and silver heels. Her signature red lip was in place as usual, and her hair was down, making her look like a literal goddess.
Fuck me.
How was I supposed to be normal around her? Not act like a drooling dog following her around all night? There was no hope. I was in free fall for this woman, just waiting for her to jump. So I turned on the charm, the one she loved to hate.
“Hey gorgeous,” I greeted.
“Hey yourself.” She gave me a very unbelievable glare, but she took the arm I held out, wrapping her perfectly manicured nails around my bicep. She squeezed, and it sent a chill throughme. I wanted those nails on me more, wanted them scraping down my back and that dress on the floor.
I cleared my throat trying to get a hold of myself.
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and Theo bailed on his team’s party,” Alexander grumbled.
“He’s such a tool,” Nicola agreed. I tensed. Had he said something to her? Did one of his barbs get thrown her way? Did he hit on her?
“Relax, caveman,” she leaned in, whispering. I tried to. But seriously, Theo was an asshole. Especially to women. He was a playboy of the worst kind: didn’t give a single fuck about anything but winning. And unfortunately, he was a damn good driver.
My mind went back to being obsessed with the touch of the woman next to me in the car. Her legs pushed up against mine. There was plenty of room, but she was sitting next to me, leaving the gap to her left side. She waschoosingto be this close. When the car lurched into a break for some crazy Vegas traffic, her hand reached out and gripped my thigh, making blood rush straight through me.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, pulling her hand back. I grabbed it and put it back with a little force. I saw her eyes heat. Then she bit her lip, making me want to pull over and call a cab right back to the hotel. Going out was overrated. Who needed to celebrate anyway?
“We’re here!” Lucia announced, opening the door, the lights and noise of the Strip invading our quiet space. “Let’s go!” She reached out, tugging Nicola with her. They linked arms and walked a pace ahead of us. Cameras flashed everywhere. Paparazzi shouted.
“Matteo! Alex!”
“Matteo, go get your girlfriend! We want a picture!”
The crowd grew rowdy, people pushing, a barrier falling and crashing to the ground. The small walkway was flooded. A security guard came out and led us through the sea. Inside the lobby door stood Nicola and Lucia, looking a little overwhelmed.
“Um…that was extra crazy,” Lucia commented as Alexander came up and tugged her into his arms.
“Sorry, Angel. I’m glad you stayed ahead with Nicola though.” He kissed her forehead and took her hand in his. Nicola fell into step beside me, brushing her shoulder against mine.
“You okay?” she asked, voice low, nudging me gently.
My head was spinning from what the crowd outside had shouted. I’d learned to tune them out over the years—to block out the camera flashes and the chaos. But one line had slipped through the cracks like a needle to the ribs.
“Are you sleeping with Nicola to get ahead?”
What the actual fuck?
I shook my head, trying to clear the noise. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m good,” I lied, flashing her a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just—the paps were saying weird shit.”
