I snorted and shook my head, but even the noise that came from me sounded forced, as if I was trying too hard to push away what was right in front of me. A truth that was hard to deny.
My cell phone lit up on the coffee table, an unprogrammed number flashing across the screen. But I didn’t have to have it logged into my caller ID to know who it belonged to. I’d all but memorized that number when Enzo had given it to me.
For a moment, I just sat there staring at the phone, telling myself to let it go to voicemail. But I found myself reaching for it, hitting Accept, bringing the phone to my ear, and saying, “Hello.”
And despite weariness, and even though the truth was roaring right in front of my face, I just stared at my now closed laptop. I knew I wasn’t going to say no to Enzo.
And at the end of the day, that scared me more than anything else.
4
Bianca
It had been three days since Enzo had come to the Seeking Curves office and asked me out.
Three days of me thinking about what I’d found on the internet concerning him.
Seventy-two damn hours of this inner war I felt on what I should do but what I was actually going to do.
Because I should have declined, should have told Enzo I was sick, maybe that I’d be out of town, or given him any kind of believable excuse that would prevent me from seeing him.
Yet what I was doing was the complete opposite, and that was looking at the clock on the wall, because Enzo would be here any minute to pick me up for our date.
I exhaled and closed my eyes for a second, trying to get centered and calm so I didn’t make a total fool out of myself. I was a mess of nerves and anxiety, anticipation and worry. But underneath all of that, there were two much stronger feelings: excitement and arousal.
I opened my eyes and smoothed my hands along the outfit I’d picked out for tonight and then looked down at myself. Enzo had told me to dress casual, so I opted for a knit black dress that hugged my curves with button detailing going down the front. I accessorized it with a faux leather jacket that came to my waist. I glanced back up and stared at my reflection that stared back at me from the small round mirror that hung in the tiny foyer.
I’d left my dark-blonde hair down and straightened it, the locks hitting a little below my shoulders. I hadn’t gone heavy on the makeup, just a little blush and eyeshadow, some mascara, finishing it off with some nude lipstick.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror that hung in the small foyer where the front door was. On the outside, I felt like I looked composed and relaxed. On the inside, it was the complete opposite.
I’d never been the type of woman to be docile or submissive. I didn’t keep my thoughts to myself on most occasions. And a big part of me knew I would probably ask Enzo at dinner tonight about what I found on the internet. I was curious by nature, and this was a pretty big revelation for me just to let it slide.
Did I think he’d actually tell me the truth? No. But I felt like I was pretty good at reading people. I also wanted to believe that even if he did lie, it was for a good reason. Like to protect me. Although I could absolutely admit that thinking that was totally naïve and not using common sense.
The position of my apartment was at the back of the building, so even if I looked out the window to wait for Enzo, I wouldn’t be able to see him pulling up. Although I’d given him my apartment number, I decided to head down and just wait for him out front. It made more sense than having him trudge up three flights of stairs just to collect me, then have to go back down.
Besides, it felt more intimate and personal having him come up here to my domain, and with a man like Enzo, I preferred to have a little more control over myself than I currently felt.
I grabbed my purse, looked at my reflection as I smoothed a hand down my hair, and checked my makeup once more. I then turned and reached for the handle before opening the front door.
A small sound of surprise left me at the sight of Enzo’s big, intimidating body standing right on the other side. His hand was up as if he’d been about to knock, and I felt my cheeks heat just from the intensity of his stare.
I instantly noticed how good he looked with his crisp white button-down shirt that covered his broad chest. The material couldn’t hide his defined, powerful muscles. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up, and his thickly corded, vein-ripped forearms were on clear display.