“Let’s just say it’s difficult to disrespect someone when you’re missing a tongue.”
I choke on my melted chocolate, trying my best not to cause a scene as the fucker calmly taps my back like he hasn’t just admitted to cutting some guy’s tongue out. Although, technically, he couldn’t have done it since he’s been here the whole time.
Enzo returns a few minutes later—no visible blood on his hands—and immediately disappears again, following Lina to wherever she’s going. After our discussion earlier, she explained the whole bodyguard thing as something she could do without, but considering how hot Enzo is, she’s coping… with orgasms that her brother must absolutely never find out about.
I jump in my seat at a sudden intrusion inside my panties and slowly turn my head to find Marco facing straight ahead as if nothing is going on underneath the table. He’s observing the room, at least that’s how it looks. After a few slides up and down my wet slit, he pulls his hand away, bringing it up to his mouth. That’s when I notice one of the chocolates in his hand, glistening. Turning his head, his steel-gray eyes bore into mine and the smirk on his face makes me want to smack it off him and sit on it all at the same time. He slowly opens his mouth and places his plump lips around his own fingers, devouring the chocolate with one bite and sucking his fingers clean.
My chest is literally heaving at the filthy act and I want more.
“On that note…” Marco stands, tapping a small spoon against his Champagne glass to get everyone’s attention again after the low rumbles of conversation started back up once Eric left. “Thank you, everyone, for joining us this evening at our annual Christmas Eve party. Any and all business will be concluded after the holidays, because as you know, the Mancini’s believe in famiglia, and this is a time for us all to be with our loved ones. Speaking of, we have an addition to our famiglia this year. I’d like to introduce you all to my fiancé.” He looks down at me, holding out his hand for me to stand with him. Fuck sake. I take it, standing as gracefully as I can with a mouth full of penis chocolate—Eric and his goons just left theirs behind, someone had to eat it. “I present to you, River Fox, soon to be River Mancini. She has earned my respect, my trust…” He pauses to bring my left hand to his mouth and kisses the knuckle just above my engagement ring. “And my love. I expect you to welcome her into our world like the queen she is about to become.”
There’s a round of applause as we sit down, like we’re in a fucking theatre, and while I’m good with all the attention usually, I probably shouldn’t have drunk as many of Stefano’s amazing cocktails as I have. He just appears, as if by magic, every time my glass is empty. Drinking on the job has never been something I’ve really done—I like to keep a clear head—but with everything that’s gone on with my life lately, I’ve let those walls down. My heart is surely locked up, while my inhibitions are running wild.
A song starts playing through the speakers, one I know well as it sits at the top of my most played on my Spotify. Gavin Mikhail’s version of Demons. Not exactly what I thought would be played at this event, I expected all Christmas themed music, but color me surprised. I close my eyes and listen to the words and the beautiful piano.
“Dance with me, Dolcezza.” It’s not a question. I open my eyes as I’m pulled back to standing by Marco and he leads me to the area cleared for dancing.
“What if I don’t wanna dance?” I challenge him, looking him in the eyes as he brings me into him, keeping one hand in mine at my chest, and the other grazing the top of my ass as I wrap my spare arm around his neck.
“Just enjoy the moment.”
I want to bite back, but I really fucking love this song. It speaks to me on so many levels, which is the only reason I relent.
Pulling me onto the dance floor, he makes a big show of twirling me around before pulling me back into him. Our clasped hands are pressed between our chests as his free hand rests possessively on the small of my back.
“I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re a good dancer, should I?” I mean, he’s a control freak so obviously he’s mastered the art of seduction on a dance floor.
“No, you shouldn’t. I’m good at everything I do.” My gaze darts up to his, ready to roll my eyes at his conceited attitude only to find a devilish grin on his beautiful lips. It’s so rare and sincere that it knocks the air from my lungs with how sexy he looks.
“You’re an ass.” Spinning us around, he brings his mouth to my ear, his vanilla scent wafting around me, making my knees weak.
“Speaking of…” His pinky discreetly rubs just above the crack of my ass.
“For someone who smells like vanilla, you sure as hell have spicier tastes.” I freeze at the sound of his laughter. It’s the first time I’ve heard the deep rumble, and coupled with his head thrown back, his Adam’s apple bobbing with every movement of his vocal chords, I’m completely and utterly mesmerized.
“Jesus, the things that come out of your mouth. And for your information, Lina and I were forced to take music and dance lessons.” Our bodies resume the gentle swaying, the song nearing its end when he pulls me impossibly closer. “Besides, vanilla has a bad reputation. In fact, to create the scent, you need layers upon layers.” We’re staring at each other, contemplating the other’s next move. I’m certain that from the vantage point of the guests in the room, all they see is two people deeply in love.
“Hmm, just like you?” Every day, I discover another thing about this man that intrigues me.
“No, Dolcezza, just like you.”
Dancing with Marco is like having slow, sensual sex standing up. His breath against my neck, like barely-there kisses against my skin, the way his thumb presses against the top of my ass like a dark promise, the way his hold is tight and possessive, owning me, all the while letting me move freely…
For a few moments, I forget the world around me and just dance.
With a gentle tap on my ass, Marco spins me again before we head back to the table.
“Rose?”
Fuuuuck.
“Tyler? What are you doing here?”
Marco is schmoozing with some people at the next table over, and here in front of me is the one and only, Tyler fucking Walker.
“One of my companies is aligned with Mancini Hotels. Marco and I go way back.”
Fuck. How could I forget where my referral to Marco came from?