Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Gorgio Mitchell’s eyes lock on the jewelry, gaze narrowing as if assessing the strength of the claim, and most definitely judging the size of it. Or lack thereof.
Instinctively, my right hand comes up to cover it, my fingers overlaying the others.
Enzo’s fingertips dig into my side as a clipped “Lead the way” leaves his lips.
We follow behind, but after a few steps, his free palm presses at my stomach, halting me, and his lips find my ear.
“Do not hide what makes you mine or I will mark you in a way you could never conceal, no matter how hard you tried.”
“What are you going to do, Enzo, tattoo my face?”
Those dark eyes find mine, the hazel within them a little more present under the low lights above us. “If that’s what it takes, then yes.”
My mouth gapes because I think I believe him. “And what about you?” I spit back. “You get to walk around like the bachelor you are?”
“I am no bachelor.”
“Sorry, like the bachelor you pretend you are.”
He faces me fully then, taking my hips in his hands and tugging me close.
“What would you like, hmm? Name it and it’s done. A ring on my finger? Your prints on my skin?” He tips his head, exposing his neck as he gazes down at me through his lower lashes. “Go on then,” he invites. “Mark me. Show everyone in this room what’s yours.”
I’m not sure if he’s goading me or calling my bluff, but what I do know is, whether he truly wants me to do as he’s asking or not, he doesn’t expect me to accept his offer right here in the center of the cocktail room when more than a few eyes pretend they’re not staring this way. But Enzo doesn’t know me, and I never did like the prim and proper way I was expected to behave in the public eye—be a badass no one will fuck with but smile and wave, and gag me. My father’s rules were at odds with themselves. It’s no wonder I had a hard time listening.
So, I shove my wine glass into his chest, forcing him to remove one of his hands from my body to take it, and lift my hands. I press one to the right side of his neck, the other gripping his shoulder as I haul myself onto the very tips of my toes, pointe shoes be damned. I give his head a little tug, and his eyes flash, but he obliges, dipping the slightest bit so I can reach.
My tongue wets the spot I’ve zeroed in on, right beneath the shell of his ear, and I let my warm breath beat across his skin a moment before shifting and pressing my lips against his neck.
His groan has my nipples sharpening in my top, but it’s nothing a good bra can’t hide.
I don’t suck like he insinuated, but I do leave a mark. A perfectly-shaped, full-lipped kiss mark the color of red velvet.
When I lower back to my feet, Enzo’s eyes snag mine with such intensity my skin heats, and only when I feel the flush spreading up my neck do they leave mine, but they don’t leave me. No, they lower in favor of witnessing the reaction this moment together has caused—an unmistakable flush sweeping up my chest.
Someone laughs loudly, and the spell is broken. My hands fly from him in a flash, retaking my wineglass, and Enzo grips my free one, all but dragging me through the room.
We head down a dimly lit hall, making our way toward a set of double doors, sealed shut and blocked off by two guards. One man with a familiar, black bandana hiding the lower half of his face, the other with his identity exposed.
“One of ours and one of theirs,” Enzo confirms the obvious once they’ve moved aside, but it’s the easy way he said ours I seem to latch onto.
He’s even trying to sell this whole we’re a unit thing when we’re alone. Must be a head game he has to play with himself.
To my surprise, I’m the only female in the room, outside of the girl currently pouring water from a crystal vase, a fact that does not go unnoticed as we approach.
Gorgio is careful not to glare, but I can spot a fought frown from a mile away. He’s not happy I’m here, and when Enzo pulls a chair out, directing me to sit, he makes it known.
His eyes find mine and a snakelike smile pulls at his lips. “Why don’t you join the girls in the music room, sweetheart? Play a key or two.”
“If you dare to speak to her, you will use her name and her name only.” Enzo doesn’t bother looking at the man as he says this, focused solely on my face as I lower into the seat.