“That’s very generous,” I say. “But not necessary.” I don’t want to take anything from this man. He strikes me as the type who never gives anything away for free. There will be a price, and it won’t be the usual currency.
“You can call me Saverio.” He snatches my hand uninvited. “Miss?”
“Lawson,” I croak, working hard to contain the shivers of disgust tiptoeing up my spine as he brings my hand to his mouth, kissing it. His eyes never leave mine as his lips linger on my skin. His gaze devours me, and he is unashamedly forward, shielding nothing. I can tell he’s a man who is used to getting what he wants, and I’m fucking terrified at how much he seems to want me.
I am going to kill Esme for this.
“So, are you here on business or pleasure?” Esme asks, strategically propping her elbows up on the high table and leaning forward, granting him a clear view of her ample cleavage. She flashes him a seductive smile that normally has men falling at her feet.
He drags his gaze from mine, releasing my fingers, and I release the breath I was holding. The smile he gives Esme is downright scary. Pleasant at first glance. Until you see the irritation behind the tight pull of his mouth and the lethal glint in his eye. I don’t think he’s used to being interrupted, and he most certainly doesn’t like it.
Esme’s smile falters as she cowers under his intimidating gaze.
“Business,” he says in a clipped tone. “Although meeting the beautiful birthday girl is definitely all pleasure,” he adds, returning his focus to me.
Esme’s shoulders droop for a split second before she shrugs, plastering a smile on her face again. It’s not like her to give up so easy, but she’s a pragmatist too. She knows a lost cause when she sees it. We also have a rule about never falling out over a guy. Although, I’m sure she can tell by my reaction that I have zero interest in this man.
I glance at her again, not surprised to discover she’s now eye-fucking the man standing behind Scarface Salerno, oblivious to the mess she’s caused. Saverio is ogling me with blatant desire, and I’m regretting my decision to drug Tony. For once, I actually wish my bodyguard was here. Underneath the table, Pen grabs hold of my other hand, squeezing it in support. I can’t recall a time when Pen was ever this quiet, and it’s telling.
“You are the most breathtaking creature, Ms. Lawson. Truly exquisite.”
Creature. Really?
Panic returns when he raises his hand to my head, his thumb and forefinger rubbing a few strands of my hair like he has a God-given right to touch me without permission. If he was any other guy, I’d shove him away and tell him to take a hike, but this man is no ordinary guy—he’s a predator of the worst kind—and only an idiot would risk his wrath, so I zip my lips and pray I can hide my fear.
“I have never seen blonde hair that’s so golden, so pure, so mesmerizing.”
“Thank you.” I fake a smile. He continues rubbing my hair, and I bite down hard on the inside of my mouth, sitting on my hands to stop myself from slapping his hands away. A shudder works its way through me, and while I’m trying to keep my cool, it’s hard to restrain the anxiety infiltrating my veins, creeping into every part of me the longer he continues staring at me.
He is freaking me the fuck out, and no one is calling him out on his batshit behavior either, so I’m guessing this is the norm. The more he ravishes me with his eyes, the more terrorized I become.
How the hell could Esme even consider hooking up with a man like this?
He is legit scary, and I find nothing attractive about him. Briefly, I wonder how he got those scars before pushing those thoughts aside because I’m freaked out enough as it is without adding my overactive imagination into the mix.
The guy is still staring at me, rubbing my hair, and salivating as his gaze rakes me from head to toe. Pen presses her body up against mine, offering silent support. Her body trembles, and I know she’s scared too. I want to yell at him to stop undressing me with his eyes, but my vocal cords are paralyzed with fear, and I’ve resorted to praying for divine intervention.
Saverio looks like the kind of guy who would crush me with the slightest touch and the type of man who likes to rough it up in the bedroom. I know some women get off on being manhandled, but I’m not one of them.
“Boss.” The man Esme has turned her attention to steps up close to Saverio’s side, whispering something in his ear.
Saverio nods, dropping my hair and stepping aside as the waiter reappears with our champagne. “I must go. I have business to attend to.”
Thank fuck. “It was nice meeting you,” I lie, placing my hands on my lap. “And thank you for the champagne. It’s very generous.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Ms. Lawson.” He clicks his fingers, and another man scurries over. His name tag says he’s the manager in charge. “Mr. Landers. Please escort Ms. Lawson and her friends to the Givenchy booth, and get them whatever they want.”
I open my mouth to protest when Esme kicks me under the table. She drills me with a look that begs me not to refuse. She clearly doesn’t know me very well if she thinks I am accepting any more “freebies” from this man.
“Until we meet again.” Saverio casts one last salacious glance my way before departing with his companions in tow.
I slump against the table, expelling my breath in spurts, relieved he’s gone.
“If you would follow me,” Mr. Landers says, sweeping his arm out wide and ushering me forward.
“We need to wait for the rest of our party,” Esme replies, looking nonchalant as she swipes the bottle of expensive champagne from the ice bucket and proceeds to pour it into glasses. “They are on the way.”
“Very well. I will return to escort you in a few minutes,” he says before walking off.
