My skepticism was hard to hide. “Don’t most guys like you want a silent woman? Someone who doesn’t ask questions.”
Seth moved forward, his knees touching mine. “That’s how most women are raised in the other mafia families. But it’s not what I want.”
I was mesmerized by him, by the way he looked at me. It was too dangerous to want a guy like him, but he made it so hard to resist.
“What doyouwant?” I said, my voice just above a whisper.
Seth smirked. “Lots of things. And I’m the type of guy who, when he wants something, he gets it.”
He moved closer and I stood, the water sloshing back and forth like a raging sea between us.
“Good luck with that,” I said, climbing quickly out of the hot tub. I had a feeling I knew what he wanted, and I had to get away before I gave it to him.
CHAPTER14
WREN
The house had been quieter than a graveyard all day, and each time I walked past Seth’s study door, I could hear him talking on the phone. Who knew what kind of dealings his family was caught up in, but I knew it couldn’t be anything good.
Ripp and I started our workout right after breakfast, first hitting the heavy bags before moving onto the weight machines. After a break for lunch, we went back into the gym to spar for hours until I was drenched in sweat and breathing like a racehorse. I would’ve stayed in the gym longer, but I had to get ready for dinner with Seth and his mother. We were going to K&B’s Bistro, which Kase’s mother owned. It was ranked the number one restaurant in the state.
My stomach fluttered with nerves as I made my way to the bedroom. You’d think I was nervous about leaving the house and being vulnerable for Nikolai to attack, but that wasn’t it at all. Never in my life had I been flustered because of a man, but Seth had accomplished it; I hated him for it, too. There was no more getting in the hot tub with him. Hell, I didn’t need to be alone with him at all.
When I walked into my bedroom, a black dress was spread out on the bed, a shoebox containing black heels beside it. To the side, there was a note:For tonight.
The dress was A-line and flowy. It wasn’t something I would particularly wear, but it was beautiful.
After a quick shower, I rummaged through the makeup bag Kali gave me and used whatever I could find. Time started to tick by, and I wanted to be ready before Seth’s mother arrived. I slid into the dress and looked at myself in the mirror. There were times I didn’t even recognize myself, and this was one of those times. I’d felt lost ever since Parker was taken from me. A change was about to happen, but I didn’t know if it would be good or bad.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then stepped into the heels; they were a perfect fit. I walked out into the hall, the clanking of my heels echoing through the house. When I got downstairs, Seth was waiting for me in the living room with a bottle of wine. And, of course, he had to be dressed in one of his expensive dark gray suits, looking sexy as hell. He poured me a glass of wine and handed it to me as his eyes wandered appreciatively down my body.
“You look exquisite, Wren. I’m glad the dress fit. I had it delivered this morning.”
I took a sip of the wine; it felt cool and refreshing against my throat.
“Thank you,” I replied truthfully. “You look handsome as well.” I raked my gaze over him. “Do you ever wear normal clothes?” I asked, waving a hand at his attire. “Like jeans, or T-shirts, or boxers?”
All his guys that patrolled around the house wore suits as well. They had to be miserable in the heat.
Seth glanced down at his suit and smiled at me. “Do you not like it?”
He lifted his brows amusingly, searching my eyes as if he could read my mind. I was never a good liar, so I always told the truth. And in my mind, I was thinking how hot it would be to see him out of the suit. I gulped down the whole glass of wine and sighed as I set the glass on the table.
“Okay, Mr. Fancy Pants, it’s obvious I find you attractive and like how you look in your suits. So, there’s no need to ask me questions about what I like and don’t like when it comes to you. You’re seriously going to start making me want to lie.”
He tilted his head to the side, his golden-hazel eyes twinkling mischievously. “I’m surprised you didn’t. I wonder what your friends would say if they knew you wanted to be with me.”
His glass of wine was still full, so I took it from him and gulped it down as he watched me hungrily. I had to look away to keep him from seeing the need in my eyes.
“Yeah, well, I said I found you attractive, not that I wanted you. And besides, wanting and doing are two different things. I don’t plan on acting on any of it.”
My heart pounded in my chest, but luckily, I was saved from having to meet Seth’s gaze when Benny strolled into the room.
“Your mother just arrived,” he announced, waiting for us to follow him.
We stood, and Seth moved closer to me, his deep voice by my ear. “We’ll continue this conversation later.” His warm breath tickled my earlobe, sending a pleasant shiver through me.
“I’ll pass,” I said as Benny opened the front door for us to walk out.
