“Well, Sloane.” He presses a kiss to the back of her hand. A visible shiver goes through her body. “Seems I’m in need of a friend tonight since my brother forced me to use my auction bid for him. Can I buy you a drink?”
“Why not.” Sloane leans in to whisper in my ear. “God save me from Italian charm. Call me tomorrow and good luck.” She squeezes me in a hug. Then she shoots Sandro a warning glare,takes Rocco’s arm, and lets him lead her around the crowd and out the door.
Chapter 24
Alessandro
With my brother and Sloane finally gone, I turn my attention to Lennon.
She’s staring down at the floor, worrying her full bottom lip with her teeth. I’d give anything to know what she’s thinking right now. Is she going to refuse to leave with me? I’m not above throwing her over my shoulder at this point.
Her chest rises with a deep breath, and I can’t stop myself from feasting on the swell of her breasts cradled by soft layers of emerald silk, the tiny gold cross nestled in her cleavage.
“I saw the photo. Of you and Giada after I left The Eclipse.” Her voice is vulnerable with an underlying thread of pain.
I stiffen, and not in a good way as my gaze meets hers. I hope she can see how sorry I am she had to see that. I could tell her it was a setup but what would be the point? The fact is Giada will be my wife.
I get how fucked up this is. How I should leave Lennon alone. If only I was a better man. A less selfish man. All I can do is wait for her decision.
She tilts her head and really looks at me. My hands are clasped in front of me, and I’m squeezing them to keep from reaching out and pulling her into me. Then the most beautiful thing happens.
She smiles softly, and it reaches her striking green eyes. “So where are we going for our date?”
Am I floating? I feel like I’m fucking floating. Like some boulder just got lifted off my lungs, and I’m light as a fucking feather. And then I forget why I’m not touching her and grab her hand. I pull her into my chest and cradle her head.
When she wraps her arms around me, I close my eyes and press my mouth against her hair. It’s silky soft and she smells like cherries and vanilla. Her body is molded to me perfectly and my dick notices, hardening against her stomach.
“Let’s get out of here, Angel.” Before someone snaps another picture and sends it to my cunt of a fiancé.
Reluctantly I let her go, but keep a tight grip on her hand as I lead her through the doors into the muggy night air. The physical contact with her is intoxicating.
The promise of a whole evening together stretched out before us stirs something unfamiliar in me. Something I haven’t felt in a long time.
Joy.
Big Tony is waiting for us at the curb. I help her into the back of the Range Rover, and then go around to slide in beside her.
He gives us a nod in the mirror, and I swear he’s holding back a smile. “Where to boss?”
I had an idea driving here and called ahead to arrange it. I want Lennon to remember the good times we had. “Club Paradiso.” I feel Lennon’s stare on the side of my face, but she doesn’t say anything.
“You got it.” Big Tony pulls away from the curb and out to the main road.
There’s only a sliver of moonlight poking through the clouds tonight, so it’s dark in the cab. The green lights of the dash display are dimmed. Big Tony has classical music piping through the speakers and the air-conditioning on high.
I turn and meet Lennon’s gaze. My breath catches in my throat.
Fuck, she’s stunning.
Before I can stop myself, I grab her hips and drag her onto my lap. I’m not wasting a second of my time with her.
A sexy little squeak falls from her lips as I tighten my arm around her waist. I hold her stare, daring her to resist, to lie to me and herself because her green eyes are sparkling with desire. Her mouth is so close to mine, I can feel her warm breath on my lips. I reach up and run my hand through her thick auburn waves, down her collar bone and circle her neck with my hand.
The contrast between her milky white skin and my rough, tatted hand is sexy as fuck. My cock is like concrete under her round ass. I’m not going to go too far right now because I don’t want BigTony hearing my angel come, but I am going to enjoy the hell out of her mouth.
Her breathing has picked up and her eyes grow hooded as I slide my palm from the front of her throat to the back of her neck, then slip my fingers into her hair and grip it hard enough to keep her where I want her.
When I see her glazed eyes focus on my mouth, satisfaction roars through me. I lean in and run my tongue over her bottom lip, leaving it glistening with my saliva. A moan climbs up her throat and hits me in the groin like a lightning bolt. I lift my hips, press my cock into her ass as I slip my tongue into her hot mouth. She tastes like champagne.
