I shot Loren and Dom a look that saidput an end to this conversation now. Mostly because we didn’t know who was listening, and Mike’s place had already been ambushed once and raided again. It had gotten so bad that Russo had to start shipping our shit to the morgue. That’s another story for another day. Lorenzo’s eyes widened back at me, and I had to bite back a laugh. He wantedmeto say something to his wife? Pussy. These men were feared in the streets, but at home, their wives inspired the fear.
“We agreed you wouldn’t talk about the alcohol ring in public, remember?” he said, bringing his hand up to her face. “It’s for your protection.”
Cat laughed. “This isn’t the Prohibition Era, Lorenzo. Running rum from Brooklyn to lower Manhattan is not illegal.”
“You two know better than anyone that you shouldn’t talk about our business publicly,” Dom said.
“We’ll stop talking about ‘your business,’” Rosie started, air quoting the words, “when you two stay out of ours.”
Loren frowned deeply. “We don’t get in your business.”
“So you don’t go over every freaking contract I sign?” Cat asked.
He chuckled. “I’m a lawyer, babe. I can’t help it.”
“Right. And you two magically show up at night when we’re rehearsing with ourmale partners?” Rosie raised an eyebrow.
“Or female. We don’t discriminate,” Dom said with a smile that vanished quickly when Rosie glared at him. “You stay too late and take ages to text us back.”
“Because we’re working,” Rosie said. “Besides, we have bodyguards with us at all times.”
Dom sighed heavily, throwing his head back. Loren shut his eyes and held the bridge of his nose. This was the part of relationships that I was not envious of. I felt a hand on my forearm that warmed my entire body, and I looked over at Lenora. What the fuck was that?
She dropped her arm quickly, eyes widening as if she felt it too. “Do you have special drinks planned for the soft opening?”
“Nope. The bar is yours for the night. You can do what you want.”
“Thank you.” Her smile widened even more, if possible, and I felt the warmth travel to my chest.
Heartburn, probably. I needed to leave. I looked around for Dean and spotted him speaking to Giuseppe and Angelo. All the big bosses were here except for Joe, who was waiting until the last minute to fly in since the IRS was looking at him for tax evasion. Funny how our country works. He’d killed and had people killed, burned down businesses, and imported and exported weapons, but they only wanted to get him because of his taxes.
“Well, this has been a blast but I’m going.” I set my empty glass on the nearest empty surface and looked at my watch.
“Where are you off to? A strip club with Nico?” Dom asked. Lenora huffed and looked away. She fucking huffed. Hopefully, I was the only one who heard it. Maybe so, since Dominic didn’t react.
“The night is young,” I said. I was going to work. I had no fucking intention of going back to the strip club, but I needed to become an asshole for Lenora. It would be the only way to create distance.
“You’re not going to stay for the big announcement?” Rosie asked.
“Idon’t even want to stay for that announcement.” Lenora groaned, looking around. At least I don't have to entertain him, " she muttered when she spotted Adriano talking to a group of women who looked like they’d drop everything and go home with him. “At least I don’t have to entertainhim.”
“I’ll be at Scarab. Call me if you want to come by for a cigar later,” I said to the guys and waved a big goodbye to everyone. I smiled at Lenora. A friendly smile, nothing more. “See you tomorrow, Principessa.”
I walked away quickly. I needed to get out of there before the engagement announcement was made. It was awkward enough that I had a constant hard-on for the bride-to-be. It would be fine, though. Tomorrow, she’d get to Scarab at 8, I’d get some work done while she came up with cocktails, and then it would be over. Maybe I should tell Veronica to come over at 8. She lived close enough and her wife was out of town for work anyway.
“Rocco.” Lenora’s voice rang through the hotel lobby, bringing back my indigestion. I stopped walking and shut my eyes. This was not happening right now.
“Yeah?” I turned around. Fuck. Even the way she walked was turning me on. I needed to put an end to this. I stepped aside to let a family walk to the elevator and stood behind two marble columns.
“I just wanted to say thank you,” she said, stopping in front of me.
Too close to me. She smelled like rose petals. I wanted to inhale her. My eyes dropped and I could see her pert nipples. Jesus, I needed to leave. Why was she cornering me? She tilted her head to look me in the eyes, and I fought the urge to lean over and lick the spot where her pulse beat.
“You don’t have to thank me.” I plastered on a friendly smile. “Anything for you, Principessa.”
I saw her face shift from politeness to something else. She seemed flustered, aroused. She took a step closer to me. My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. What was she doing? Didn’t she know she was playing with fire? Hadn’t she been warned to stay away from men like me? She flattened her hands on my chest and I felt them gliding up until they reached the lapels of my blazer. There was no way I could deny the attraction between us. I kept my gaze fixed on her deep brown eyes, waiting to see what would happen next. And then something I could never have predicted happened: she grabbed the lapels of my jacket in both hands, stood on tiptoes, and kissed me. Her lips were soft and full, and even without tongue, the sensation of them on mine made me groan with pleasure.
I didn’t kiss her back. As difficult as it was to restrain myself, I wouldn’t. But I couldn’t resist biting her lower lip. Her responding moan traveled straight to my cock. I almost lost it, then, almost gave in. I didn’t, though. I didn’t let her deepen the kiss even though I wanted to grab a fistful of her hair and accost her mouth. I wanted to pin her against the column, lift that dress to her waist, and fuck her until her throat was strained from screaming my name. But she wasn’t for me. She was meant for the man inside the doors behind her. I wasn’t sure what the marriage agreement entailed, but knowing how men in the old country operated, I assumed she was still a virgin and was to remain one until marriage. Instead of giving in to my desire, I remained still. I didn’t even trust myself to bite her lip again. If I did, I wouldn’t stop.
