She pulled back, took her hands off my jacket, and let out a harsh breath, brown eyes searching mine. If she apologized for what she’d done, I’d be pissed. She didn’t but the sadness was clear in her eyes. I hated myself for putting it there, but she had to know this couldn’t happen. I would have pretended I wasn’t attracted to her if I were a better man. Then again, if I were a better man, I wouldn’t want to fuck my best friend’s little sister. But I’d never claimed to be good, and certainly notbetter. At least, not where morals were concerned. I would try, though, because it wouldn’t be fair to anyone for me to break this girl’s heart, and that was exactly what would happen, because I knew if she did this again, I’d cave. She was too tempting, and I’d never been one to deny myself anything. I brought my hand up and ran my thumb underneath her lip, wiping her smeared lipstick. I cupped her chin to tilt her neck.
“Go back inside, Lenora.” I brushed my lips to her ear and heard her take a breath. I lowered my voice. “Don’t do that again, unless you want me to spread your legs and fuck the virtue out of you.”
I bit back a smile when I saw the utter shock on her face as I walked away.
7
LENORA
I couldn’t stop thinkingabout him. I tried, but it was useless. When he pulled away from the kiss I gave him, I thought he would tell me he wasn’t attracted to me or remind me that I was Dominic’s little sister. I’d lifted the armor around my heart in anticipation. I hadn’t expected him to say dirty things to me. I didn’t expect I’d be going back to my parents’ penthouse and locking myself in my room, so that I could touch myself with the image of him between my legs. I’d never done that before. I’d never touched myself with a particular person in mind. Even thinking about Rocco now brought an ache between my legs. He’d promised to fuck the virtue out of me if I kissed him again. I knew he meant it as a warning, but all it did was make my heart beat out of control at the thought of kissing him again. How many times would it take before he kissed me back?Oh my God, was I assaulting him?That thought made my heart drop. I thought about the night again, about the secret looks we gave each other, the tiny smirks he directed my way, and the hard-on I felt against me when he said the words he said. No. I may be naive about some things, but I knew when a man wanted me, and Rocco Marchetti wanted me. Whether or not he’d do something about it was a completely different story.
I needed to snap out of it before I reached Scarab. I needed to keep my head in the game. Tonight, I’d mix drinks, mingle with the New York families, and pretend everything was going well. Enrique was the only one I could speak to about tomorrow’s trip, and even though he’d probably be around tonight, I knew he wouldn’t bring it up. He may have been Lorenzo’s best friend and part of their chosen family, but my mom was paying him way too much money for him to say anything. My driver parked directly in front of the black door, and while he got out to come around and open my door, I looked at the building. I hadn’t expected the bar to be here, but seeing it made sense after Rosie said it was “hidden in plain sight.” That was precisely it. The driver opened my door and said hello to the security guards. He walked inside to ensure it was safe. As if Rocco’s bar wasn’t the safest place in New York.
“You may go,” I said as I stepped inside.
“Your father said I needed to stay put.”
“My father is on a plane,” I said. “Besides, you and I know I’ll be safe here.”
He seemed to consider that before walking out and letting the door shut between us. I turned around and looked at the place. The lights had already been dimmed. Scarab was much bigger than the unmarked front led on. It was beautiful and looked like every bachelor’s dream cave, with dark furniture and artwork in gold frames. I took another step away from the door, my heels tapping as I walked down to the bar, my eyes scanning all the bottles. Lorenzo wasn’t exaggerating when he said they had everything. He didn’t say it looked like the library from Beauty and the Beast, sliding ladder and all.
“Do you like it?” Rocco asked, his voice rumbling as he stepped out of the dark hall next to the bar.
My heart tripped over itself when I saw him. He wasn’t wearing a suit tonight but a black short-sleeved t-shirt and pants. Every single muscle in his body was on display. I licked my lips as I checked him out. I tried hard not to, but it was impossible. He was so fucking hot. I tried to snap out of it and answer his question, but when I met his eyes again, he was smoldering, and I forgot how to breathe, let alone speak.
“You need to stop looking at me like that,” he growled, turning my insides to mush.
“I can’t help it,” I said quietly. His eyes seemed to darken even more. I’d never shamelessly flirted with anyone. Maybe I should have been embarrassed, but Rocco wasn’t a stranger. And I’d always had a crush on him. “I’ve always looked at you like this.”
“Not like this.” He stepped closer but still far enough apart to avoid touching.
“Maybe my crush has developed into something more. . .lustful,” I said, my lips twisting into a smile. “And in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m all grown up now, Roc.”
“Trust me, I fucking noticed.” He let out a dark chuckle, his hooded eyes taking me in slowly, leaving fire in their wake. His eyes were on my legs when he groaned, biting his lip, a sound that hit me between the legs. “Why are you wearing that?”
“Because it looks good on me,” I said. “I can handle working in a dress and heels.”
“I’m not sureIcan handle you working in that dress and heels.” His gaze fell on my left hand. “No ring yet?”
“I left it at home.” I looked away briefly. “It’s worth more than my life, according to Adriano.”
“Hm.” His expression hardened. “I thought dukes were supposed to be romantic.”
“In fairytales, maybe.” I laughed, then saw his bandaged hand. “What happened?”
“Work hazard,” he said.
I walked toward the bar, our arms brushing as I tried to move past him. My heart skipped when I heard his sharp inhale. Was it possible that he felt this too? I couldn’t imagine. He’d practically called me a virgin last night, which wasn’t far from the truth. I never knew what my father would do if he discovered I’d had sex with someone before marriage. I walked around the bar and let out a breath as I leaned against it, pushing my tits up slightly.
“Jesus Christ,” he muttered.
“You don’t have to fight your attraction to me,” I said.
“Trust me, I do.”
“I bet you’re attracted to many women and don’t fight it with them.”
He was quiet for a long moment. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting him to say. Probably something straight out of one of the romance novels I loved to read. He could say he’d never been this attracted to any of them. He could say he wanted to have me for himself. Anything was better than his silence.
