I nod. “Thank you,” I say, but the words are hollow.
I feel numb as I leave the office. Six more months with Nero?
That feels impossible—and not because I can’t stand to be around him.
It’s the opposite.
He’s already making me fall back in love with him, despite myself. I can’t stop it from happening, and I know that it’s only a matter of time before he doesn’t just claim my body, but my heart, too.
And if he does…Could I bring myself to walk away?
My phone buzzes with a new message as I leave the building. It’s Nero. I glance around out of instinct. Has he been watching?
But no. That chapter of animosity is over.
I read the message.
Meet me at Amelia’s at six.
Amelia’s is a swanky restaurant, one of the hottest spots around according to gossip at the party. Another fancy event, I’m sure. And I’ll be needed to play the perfect wife.
I sigh. Just another reminder that there’s always an ulterior motive with Nero. It’s hard to tell where the performance ends and our real feelings begin. Even though we’re not trying to get close to the McKennas anymore, Nero’s ambitions know no limits.
So what’s his new game now?
I dress carefullyfor the evening, expecting to be on display. I take a long shower, and blow dry my hair into loose waves, then select a navy blue silk dress with a scoop neck, and fabric gathering at my hips. I pause over my lingerie, before picking out a sexy matching set in black lace. These won’t be on display to anyone except Nero.
Will he finally make another move?
Or, will I?
I gulp. The sexual tension has been building between us for days, and I know how explosively delicious it would be to finally give in to the passion. Maybe it’s crazy of me to be thinking about him sliding, thick and hard between my thighs, while a part of me is still considering the divorce lawyer’s advice, but that’s par for the course with Nero.
A part of me will always want him, while another part still looks for a way to escape this confusing mess we’re in.
Push and pull. Love and hate. The line blurs a dozen times over, every single day.
Is it any wonder it’s so intoxicating?
When I arriveat the restaurant, I’m surprised to see that Nero is waiting out front. He’s dressed to impress too, in a dark suit with his hair slicked back. Clean-shaven, piercing eyes…
I feel a shiver of lust as he meets the car and opens my door.
“Hi,” I greet him shyly, as his gaze drinks me in. I feel a stab of pride that I picked the right outfit. Right enough to bring that possessive gleam to his expression, anyway. “So, what’s the deal tonight?” I ask, as he leads me to the restaurant.
“The deal?”
“Who are we impressing, and why?”
Nero holds the door open, and I follow him inside. Then I pause. I want expecting a big private event, but instead, the restaurant looks normal: couples and groups dining at lavish tables, and a hostess meeting us right away.
“Mr Barretti, I have your table,” she says, and leads us through the dining room to a table in the back.
It’s a table for two.
I look around, confused. “I thought this was another event,” I admit. “You know, more people to charm-slash-impress.”
Nero gives me a distracted smile, then turns back to the hostess. “This won’t work,” he says firmly.