“Have dinner with me tonight.” He tilted his head and the tip of his tongue darted out ever so slightly. Oh Jesus, he remembered how to tease me and get me hot and bothered.
“No,” I replied.
“What time do you get off work?”
“That’s none of your business.” I sipped my drink indignantly.
“I’m sorry.”
I choked on my water; not sure I heard him correctly. Ciro rarely apologized.
He reached across the table and took my left hand. His thumb rubbed over my bare ring finger. It was odd. Why would he do that? I told myself it didn’t matter because his soft touch threatened to thwart my resolve of never seeing him again.Get a freaking grip, Isla!
“Have dinner with me,” he said again.
“No. One minute.”
“I’ll wear you down. You know I will.” He smiled, a determined glint in his eye that I knew all too well. “It will be easier the second time around.”
Arrogant as always.
I pulled my hand out of his as electric sparks shot straight down into my panties. It was like my pussy woke from its dormant sleep. For so long, I’d felt numb, dead even. Keri and my boss, Falina, told me dozens of times I just needed a good lay. They were probably right.
I shifted in the chair, clenching my thighs and cursing myself for dampening my cotton briefs. Yes, briefs. Afterhaving a baby, nobody saw me naked except my OBGYN. I wanted to be comfortable, not sexy.
“How charmingandarrogant as always. It’s good to know you haven’t changed since I last saw you.”
“I’m determined. Sue me.” He looked at the table and the surrounding area. “I’ll wait for you… Here.”
My lust vanished and my blood boiled at his bossiness. “If you don’t leave right this second, I’ll call the police and tell them you’re stalking me,” I threatened through gritted teeth. Not that I wanted Ciro arrested. But it would buy me time to get away.
“You wouldn’t be wrong about the stalking.” He smiled coyly.
Oh, my stupid, stupid,stupidheart. Why did he have to be so damn irresistible and disgustingly handsome? I wished he was repulsive, then it would be easier to reject him. Maybe dinner wouldn’t be so…
My timer rang and slapped me back to reality. Nothing good would ever come from being with Ciro Remotti. He would only destroy me again.
“Time’s up,” I announced as if he hadn’t heard the bell. “I have no interest in talking to you, much less having dinner with you.” My heart rapped in my chest and my hands were clammy. I was a horrible liar, but I had to stand firm against Ciro no matter what.
“You don’t mean that.”
“Oh, but I do.” Dammit, I wished he didn’t know me so well. I didn’t mean it, but it was what it was. My life changed drastically in the last year. I wasn’t the same woman he once knew. I could resist him,maybe. Rising from my chair, I pointed at the door. “Please leave.”
“As you wish.” Ciro nodded as if accepting defeat. He stood and stalked out of the building, not looking back at me. His right-hand man, Paolo, appeared out of nowhere. I should have known his bodyguard was lurking outside.
A shiver worked its way down my spine. That was too freaking easy.
“So, who’s the rich hottie?” Keri inquired not two seconds after the entrance door swung shut.
I glanced at her. There might have been drool on her chin. It was hard to tell because I walked away disregarding her nosy question.
“Oh, come on. That man was too much.”
He was, and I’d had enough of him.
“I need to make the salads. Finish getting the dining room ready.” I shot her a pointed look. “Do not follow me.”
Keri was twenty-one, only a couple years younger than me. Still, I was her elder and had clout here at the bistro.
