by Penelope Sky
“Carmen?” Samuel stared at me with concern on his face, like he’d just said something important.
“Sorry, what?” Thoughts of Bosco had made me drift away somewhere else. We sat in a quiet restaurant where some of the tables were occupied by other couples. We were right next to the window, the basket of bread untouched but our wineglasses empty. I knew this date wasn’t going to go anywhere, so I was tempted to just walk out and forget it ever happened. Why was he wasting his time and mine?
“I asked if you were enjoying your food,” he said, his voice quiet with disappointment. My disinterest was probably obvious to him.
“Oh,” I said quickly. “Yes, it’s great.” I kept swirling my fork in the pasta without actually taking a bite.
“Well…it looks like you haven’t eaten much of it.”
“I’m just a slow eater.” And it was hard to eat when I was thinking about screwing another guy.
His phone rang in his pocket, so he fished it out. “Sorry, I have to take this. You never know if it’ll be a claim…”
“You’re fine.” I would rather sit quietly than keep talking to him anyway.
He put the phone against his ear. “This is Samuel.” He turned quiet as he listened. His serious expression suddenly turned chalk-white, like he was listening to some terribly bad news. He didn’t say a single word and continued to listen.
I couldn’t hear the voice on the other line, so I had no idea what was going on.
Two men in black suits walked past our table and approached the other couples in the restaurant. One by one, the couples abandoned their tables along with the food and wine they were enjoying. They were escorted away in silence, the suits both muscular and intimidating.
There was definitely something wrong.
I looked out the window and saw a blacked-out car sitting at the curb. The windows were tinted pitch-black, and two more men in suits stood along the sidewalk, earpieces secured in their ears.
Oh shit.
Samuel finally said something into the phone. “Okay…” He hung up and put his phone in his pocket.
“Everything alright?”
Samuel didn’t make eye contact with me again as he rose from the table. He didn’t even push his chair in before he darted out of the restaurant, leaving his jacket behind.
Two men in suits immediately cleared the table, taking away the plates and glasses Samuel left behind. They placed a white candle in the center of the table alone with a new bottle of champagne. They poured two fresh glasses, and when the bottle was set on the tablecloth, I recognized the name.
It was a two-thousand-euro bottle of champagne.
Without any explanation, the men walked away.
I knew exactly who was behind this. Only one man in this city could clear out a restaurant and shut it down within two minutes. His guard escorted random patrons out of the restaurant without argument, which told me he paid them off just to keep them happy. I didn’t have a clue what was said to Samuel, but judging by the paleness of his face, it was probably a threat.
I didn’t try to leave because I knew Bosco’s men would just push me back into the chair. With my legs crossed and my fingers wrapped around the expensive glass of champagne, I waited for the ruthless man to join me.
The back door to the car opened, and he emerged, over six feet of pure handsomeness. In a three-piece black suit with shiny shoes and a flashy watch, he looked like the rich man Bones rumored him to be. With hair perfectly styled and that damned lopsided grin, he looked right at me like this was some kind of game.
I faced forward and ignored him.
He entered the restaurant, and his footsteps sounded behind me. Heavy with a slow pace, he took his time as he approached my table. Before he even arrived, I could smell his scent, his pure masculinity that vibrated in the air around us.
He pulled out the chair and sat down, replacing Samuel like he’d never been there at all. His broad shoulders covered the chair behind him, and he made himself comfortable with his perfect posture. His hands rested in his lap, and he looked at me with an intense expression that mirrored the coldness of the Arctic. Twelve men took their places around the restaurant, securing each corner as well as the sidewalk outside. All armed and terrifying, they covered the perimeter with the effectiveness of an intelligence agency.
He didn’t make a word of introduction before he sipped his wine.
“What are you doing here, Bosco?” Any other woman would be impressed with his stealthy entrance, but I refused to be. Any man who had bodyguards like that was someone I should stay away from. The fact that I was on his radar at all told me it was probably too late—I was already his prisoner.
“Our date. Remember?”
“Our date?” I asked, still surprised by his arrogance. “I said no.”
“You must have misunderstood me, sweetheart. I never asked. I’m the kind of man that never asks.” He brought his glass to his lips again and took another drink. Even that simple action was sexy. He licked his lips at the end, tasting every single drop of the bubbles and fruit blended together to provide a crisp and clean taste.
“That was pretty rude.”
“Let’s not pretend I didn’t just rescue you from the most boring date of all time. It didn’t seem like you were even listening to him most of the time. Now, that’s pretty rude.”
I shook my head slightly. “This asshole thing might work on the others, but it doesn’t work on me.”
“No, this asshole thing is just me. No stunt. And I think it does work on you. Not once did you try to leave.”
“Like you would have let me.”
“When have I ever not let you?” He cocked his head slightly, his eyes narrowing on me. “You’ve had every right to walk away whenever you want. To say no. To slap me even if you wanted to. But no, you want me as much as I want you.”
“You’re so arrogant.”
“Maybe,” he said with a shrug. “But I’m also right.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Then leave.” He challenged me with more than just his words. “Get up and walk out.”
I kept my fingers resting against the stem of the glass, my eyes looking at the intimidating man across the table. His suit fit him better than his own skin. The fabric hugged the muscles of his arms so perfectly. The cords in his neck were lickable. He’d shaved sometime that day because his jaw was completely clean. Somehow that made his eyes stand out even more.
“That’s what I thought.” He finished his glass then refilled it. “Let’s cut the bullshit, sweetheart. You aren’t the kind of woman that does something she doesn’t want to do. So be a man about it—and say that you want me.”
I stayed silent and refused to give him what he wanted. “Samuel may have been boring, but at least he was nice.”
Bosco released a faint chuckle, like I’d made some kind of joke. “Sweetheart, I am being nice. Trust me…”
I glanced around once more at all the men who surrounded us. They were there for protection, but they made me uneasy. Why would a man need to be escorted to dinner like this? Just to spend time with a woman? “What now, Bosco?”
“We have dinner together.” Without taking his eyes off me, he lifted his hand slightly and got the attention of one of his men. He ordered what he wanted then handed my plate to him. “Warm this up. Let’s not waste food.”
The man disappeared and left us alone again.
This was an interesting dining experience. “Is this how all your dates go?”
“No. I don’t do dates.”
“So I’m your first date?” I asked, slightly surprised.
“I guess so.”
“No wonder why it’s so strange.” I drank from my glass, letting the insult sink in.
It didn’t seem to affect him at all. “Why would you go out with a guy like Samuel in the first place?”
“He’s nice.”
“You don’t want a nice guy. You want a guy who makes you come. Trust me, he doesn’t
fit the bill.”
“You check out men often?” I teased.
He drank from his glass again. When he returned it to the table, he wore a slight smile. “I know how to read people. He’s not your type.”
“And what’s my type?” I’d never had a serious relationship, so I really didn’t know what I preferred.
He held my gaze for a long time, so confident that he could touch me with his presence without lifting a finger. “Me.”
“You?” I asked incredulously. “The only things I ever hear about you are negative.”
“Your point?”
Since he lived in a different reality, that probably didn’t matter to him at all. A villain always thought he was a hero in his version of the story. “I don’t want to get involved with a criminal.”
“Yet, Bones is your brother-in-law.”
“I didn’t marry him.”
“You still see him as family. At least, I know that’s how he sees you. He’s protective of you.”
I knew Bones would do anything for me since Vanessa was his whole world.
“And I’m glad you didn’t mention any of this to him—for his sake.”
I was constantly teetering on the edge of hatred. Bosco’s arrogance was suffocating, but the second he flashed that handsome smile, I wanted to kiss him again. I hated his menacing presence, but it didn’t dull my attraction to him. “I don’t need a man to defend me. I can take care of myself.”
He took a drink of his wine and didn’t say anything in response.
My legs were crossed under the table, and I squeezed my thighs together, attracted to that hard jawline of his. I wanted to sprinkle kisses across it, to feel those soft lips once more. But I also despised him at the same time. I’d never been more conflicted than I was now.
“The Barsettis are a well-respected family. Your uncle and father have quite a reputation.”
“Which is why this dinner of yours is a stupid idea.”
He propped both of his arms on the table, his hands resting right in the center. His watch reflected the light, and he leaned forward slightly, getting closer to me. “Regardless of what you think of my character, I don’t enjoy mindlessly killing people. So if you want to protect your family, I would suggest you keep your mouth shut. I have no intention of hurting you, so you aren’t in danger.”
“Doesn’t seem that way.”
His eyes narrowed even farther, slightly terrifying. “If you were, you would know.”
This man was an enigma. He seemed to be a criminal with morals.
“You can walk away from me at any time, as I’ve already said.”
“You made me kiss you for my freedom.”
He grinned. “Sweetheart, I would have let you walk away if you’d put up a better fight. But we both know you didn’t want to put up a fight. Just like the last two times our lips touched, you want it to happen. You’re trying to fight it, but I’m not sure why. I’m a decent guy if you get to know me.”
“Bones told me to stay away from you.”
“Of course he did. I don’t disagree with that.”
I grabbed the glass and took a long drink, depleting all the liquid and sending it into my stomach. “Then maybe I should listen to his advice.”
He nodded behind me, indicating the exit. “There’s the door.” He kept calling my bluff, knowing I was attracted to him the second we kissed in that alleyway. We were both seduced by the same spell, unable to fight the epic passion our bodies ignited. “Tell me about yourself.”
“I suspect you already know everything…considering you showed up to my work and my date.”
“Tell me something that I wouldn’t be able to figure out.” He drank from his glass again, and just when he returned it to the table, the waiter arrived with our entrees. The plates were set in front of us, along with the new silverware and a fresh basket of bread. Bosco held my gaze the entire time, indifferent to everything going on around us.
When we were alone again, I spoke. “I want to fall in love and sleep beside the same man every single night for the rest of my life. I want four children and a place here in Florence, so I can walk to work every day. When I’m meant to meet that man, I will. In the meantime, I’m having fun until that moment arrives.”
Bosco’s face didn’t show a hint of reaction to my statement. “Four kids?”
“Four.”
“Wow. Ambitious.”
“I’m up for the challenge.”
He gave me a half smile in response. “You have the right hips for birthing babies—and making babies.”
Every time he complimented me, my heart skipped a beat. He was transparent in his desire, and his masculinity made me feel deeply feminine. His narrow hips would fit perfectly between my thighs. His broad shoulders would cover my body as he lay on top of me, his weight sinking me deep into the sheets as he thrust inside me. “How many children do you want to have?”
The corner of his mouth rose in a smile. “You know how many.”
I’d met guys like him before, smug and good-looking. They would never settle down until their beautiful looks started to fade and their promiscuity started to become pathetic. Bosco had nothing but symmetrical features, a perfect jawline, cheekbone structure, and eyes so cold they were actually hot. As he aged, he would probably be even better-looking, like a fine painting.
“Tell me about your flower shop.”
“I’ve been running it for three years. I always knew I wanted to be a florist—and now I am.”
“Impressive.”
“It’s not that impressive. My father bought the shop for me—but I’m paying him back.”
“Not any different from getting a loan from a bank. Still impressive.”
“My job doesn’t feel like work. I create beautiful things all day long. I design arrangements for weddings and showers. I make the perfect displays for funerals. It’s very fulfilling. I hope I can do it for the rest of my life.”
Unlike Samuel, Bosco seemed genuinely interested in what I was saying. His eyes were glued to mine as he listened, never straying to my chest or my hair. His gaze on my eyes, he listened attentively. “I’m sure you will.”
“My cousin Vanessa owns her own gallery a few blocks away. It seems like we both inherited the creative gene.”
“I agree.”
“She’s the one who married Bones.”
“Which means he’s your cousin-in-law, not your brother-in-law.”
I shrugged. “Vanessa feels like a sister, and that’s how I see her. And Bones treats me like a brother would, being protective even when I ask him not to be.”
“You should be grateful you have someone like that in your corner. A lot of women would give anything to feel protected like that.”
That was one of the reasons Vanessa fell in love with him. She said she never felt safer than she did when she was with him. I never wanted him to walk me home because I wasn’t his responsibility. “One day, I’ll meet a man for the job. But for now, I can handle myself.”
He didn’t tell me otherwise, even though he was the one who’d saved me. “I noticed you’ve been taking a taxi everywhere you go.”
I wasn’t surprised that he was spying on me, judging by the way he infiltrated the restaurant so easily.
“Smart.”
“Bones requested it.”
“You have a lot of respect for him.”
“I do. But he’s also family…and you do things for family.”
He picked up his fork and started to eat, not having a reaction to my comment about family. He managed to keep his gaze on me as he ate, having control of everything in his vicinity.
My food was warm again and much more delicious than it’d been before. “What did you do with Samuel?”
“Told him I was your husband.”
I almost spat out my food. “You did what?”
“And threatened to kill him if he ever came near you again.” He said it nonchalantly, like it was no big deal.
“Wow. So you made me look like a cheater. And then you threatened a man whose only crime was asking me out?”
“You didn’t like him anyway, so what does it matter?” He took a break from his food and sipped his wine.
“I’m starting not to like you.” I set my fork down and grabbed my clutch from the table. I liked a confident man, but I didn’t like a controlling psychopath. “Good night, Bosco.” I rose to my feet, the backs of my knees pushing the chair out.
Bosco was on his feet instantly. “Sweetheart—”
“One.” I held up my forefinger. “A man doesn’t call me sweetheart unless he’s earned it. You definitely haven’t earned it, Bosco.” I held up a second finger. “Two. You said I could leave, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
He slowly slid his hands into his pockets, a quiet sigh sounding under his breath. His jaw tightened, the muscles in his cheek shifting slightly. Disappointment burned in his eyes as he fought the helpless feeling.
“Yes, I think you’re hot. But I also think you’re a psychopath who’s overstepped his boundaries. I don’t give a damn if you’ve got the entire city on your payroll and you can move mountains and claim restaurants. Your money and power don’t impress me. I’m not like the women you’re used to—stupid, submissive, and superficial. So don’t waste another moment of your time on me—because I don’t want it.” I turned around and marched off, and to my relief, none of his men tried to stop me. I made the long walk to the front of the empty restaurant and finally out into the cool nighttime air. There was so much adrenaline in my veins that I didn’t need my coat—even though it was my favorite.
I turned the corner and searched for a taxi, but the street was empty of cars. I didn’t want to stand around and have Bosco stare at me through the window so I kept walking.
“Carmen.” His powerful voice sounded behind me, echoing against the buildings even though he didn’t raise his voice.
I should just keep walking, but for some idiotic reason, I stopped. I ground my teeth together in self-loathing as I stood in my boots, the freezing air hurting my lungs. I closed my eyes and willed myself to keep walking. Instead, I turned around.
