“You want something,” I didn’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
“Is that the boyfriend?” I could’ve sworn I detected a hint of annoyance in his tone.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” I retorted.
“Well, if you’re fucking my cousin on the side, it is.”
Was that jealousy? I rolled my lips between my teeth to keep from smiling. “A little spice never hurt anyone.” I heard his sharp intake of breath as I turned away, trying hard not to laugh. “You can join us if you want to.” I glanced over my shoulder. “We can have a threesome.”
His jaw dropped. This time I had to bite my tongue as laughter tickled my throat. Nessa walked in, stalling his response. Without a word, he turned and disappeared down the passage in a quick stride.
“When have you become so cheeky?” Nessa grinned. At my raised brow, she added. “I heard the convo.”
I laughed. “Since that ass made an appearance.”
“You have to admit, he’s gorgeous, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, he’s good looking. I’ll give him that, just his attitude that needs a little fine-tuning.”
Nessa snorted out a laugh. “I see right through you, girl. You want him.”
“I never said I didn’t.”
She shook her head at my answer. “Maybe he can be your someone special?”
“I don’t know about the someone special title, a quickie maybe,” I joked.
“God, girl, you’re too much.” Her shoulders quaked. “He doesn’t strike as the quickie type, though.”
“We’ll see.” I shrugged.
Later that evening, I scanned the restaurant. From where I stood at the bar, I had a good view of the floor, including the door. While Pappa’s served good old-fashioned Italian food, the setup was a touch of modernity and romanticism, complete with red booths separating the tables. The atmosphere was a mix of soft music and loud chatter, yet no one minded. As my gaze shifted to the door, I choked on my drink. Rayden entered the restaurant. Camilla made an appearance at his side when he turned to look behind him, her red lips wide in an engaging smile. Admittedly, they made a beautiful couple. He chose that moment to look up, and our eyes clashed. Hoping he’d ignore me, I grinned when he headed in my direction.
“Fancy meeting you here,” I mocked.
He cocked a brow, yet the corner of his mouth twitched. “Thought we’d try this place out,” he replied, his tone bland.
The woman next to him stood tall and gave me a disinterested smile. I almost wavered at how gorgeous she was. She screamed money in her white slacks and red silk blouse. For a moment, I couldn’t decide whether I was jealous of her confidence or her possessiveness over Rayden. My gaze dropped to the hand she had wrapped around his arm. I was abruptly conscious of my peacock blue cocktail dress with its strapless bodice, tucked in waist, and flared skirt just above the knee. When I glanced away, it was to find Rayden’s eyes on me. Did I imagine the flagrant heat there? Warmth spread from my nape down to settle low in my belly.
Shaking my head, I shifted my attention to my cousin. By the look Ruvash gave me, I figured he hadn’t missed the underlying tension between us. “Rayden, meet the love of my life, my cousin, Ruvash.”
His face registered a brief flicker of shock. I bit my lip to keep from laughing. The man’s audacity amazed me. Was he really checking up on me?
“Well, hello there, aren’t you a gorgeous piece of meat.” Ruvash raked a gaze over Rayden’s build before winking at me. I’d mentioned Rayden to my cousin, what had transpired, and quite clearly, he approved.
Rayden dragged his teeth over his bottom lip, his laugh genuine. However, I couldn’t dissect what he found funny because my focus remained locked on his lips. He cleared his throat, bringing my attention back up to his eyes. I grinned. Guess he didn’t think his cousin had anything to worry about after all. I had to agree with Ruvash. In faded blue jeans, a white button-down, and a black suit jacket, Rayden tied formal and casual together with a neat little bow that not many people could carry off. Even the long hair now brushed into a small ponytail at his nape added to the appeal.
“My friend, Camilla,” he said.
“Just a friend?” Ruvash asked yet made no move to greet the other woman.
As if she didn’t care, I caught Camilla’s look of bored annoyance. Either she hadn’t gotten into Rayden’s pants yet, or she had and would’ve preferred he’d spent more time with her between the sheets than this dinner.
“Hello, Camilla,” I greeted.
“Seems like we meet, again,” her response was cold and dismissive, inciting my inner bitch.
“Yeah, don’t worry. I know that feeling. I’d rather be eating him too than here.” I turned away not before snagging Camilla’s gasp and Rayden’s mischief grin, the one I’d woken to in his bedroom.
