"Of course. My loss," he said with a smile as he tried to smooth things over again. "Besides, I have this one to dance with." He cocked his head toward his date. "Stay here," he ordered Luna, setting his empty glass on the bar. "I'll be back in a few minutes." Then his eyes wandered over to me, and he lifted a hand to clap me on the shoulder. "Tristan here will keep you company until then, yes?"
I took an immediate step back out of his reach, my spine stiffening for a brief instant before I forced myself to relax, then glanced over at Luca, who gave me a slight nod. "It would be my honor," I told Gino.
He gave Luna a look I couldn't quite decipher. "Make sure she doesn't leave the party early," he told me without taking his eyes from her. "I promised her a good time tonight, and I intend to deliver on that promise."
The words were said lightly, but the meaning behind them was clear. She was here because he wanted her here, and she would stay until he decided they would leave. My teeth began to ache, and I unclenched my jaw and relaxed my hands, which had started to form into fists.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her take a long drink, and something twisted in my gut. "She'll be here when you return."
Luca glanced between me and Luna. I sensed his hesitation to leave me alone with her, even though he'd given his permission. Clearing his throat to get my attention, he gave me a warning look and led the old capo toward the hallway leading to his office.
Once they were gone, I gave in to my curiosity and studied the woman beside me. What was it about her that held my attention hostage?
She was stunning, with her cobalt blue eyes, dark hair, and full lips, but I was around beautiful women all the time at Luca's clubs. And they were usually naked, or nearly so. And yet, they'd never earned more than a moment of my appreciation.
But this one—Luna—she was...captivating. It made me feel uneasy.
I took a step closer and caught a whiff of an old-fashioned perfume that seemed vaguely familiar. She glanced at me from the corner of her eye and sipped her drink. Was I making her nervous? I should probably give her some space and stop staring like a goddamn creep, but I couldn't seem to drag my attention away.
After what seemed to be an eternity, she spoke to me. "So, Tristan, huh?"
The sultry notes of her voice flowed over me like warm water, relaxing my muscles and increasing the flow of blood through my veins as it rushed to my cock. I was getting hard again just hearing the sound of my name on her lips. Fascinating. "Yes."
"I'm Luna."
"I know."
She nodded and gave me an uncomfortable smile before looking away again to watch the people milling about the great room.
"What's your last name?" I asked her.
"Wilde. With an ‘e.’”
I tried to remember if I knew that name, but it wouldn't come to me.
“And yours?”
"De Stefano," I said distractedly.
"Tristan De Stefano," she repeated. "That's a nice name."
"Thank you."
With a glance and a slight lift of the corners of her lips that wasn't quite a smile, she turned her face toward the sound of the band that was drifting in through the open patio doors. Some of the guests began to drift back outside to listen to them.
I watched as Luna's chest rose and fell with a deep breath. Then she set down her drink and turned to me. "So, do you wanna dance?"
"No," I told her.
She blinked at my brusque answer, something vulnerable flashing in her eyes right before she ducked her head. But when she lifted her chin again, it was gone, replaced by calm confidence she'd pulled over herself like a shield.
There was more to this woman than a gorgeous face and body. Much more.
My eyes traveled over her face, and then followed the elegant line of her neck down to her shoulders and arms and the swell of her breasts, wondering what she looked like beneath the silky material of her dress. Perfect. I'd bet she was perfect. But it wasn't just her physical looks that drew me to her. No. There was something else. A honed strength that shone from her eyes and appeared in the set of her shoulders.
"Um...okay." Her forehead creased in confusion. "You don't know how?"
My eyes found hers. "I know how. I don't want to." Dancing required touching. I wasn't good with touching unless it was absolutely necessary.
