“That’s saying something coming from a lingerie designer.” I flipped my hair and walked past him.
He slapped his hand against my ass then snatched me, yanking me against his chest as he dug his hand into my hair. He immediately moved in for a kiss.
It was the first time I denied him. “No.”
“No?” His eyes narrowed in surprise since he never heard that word.
“Later.”
“Later?” he asked incredulously.
“Yes. Later.” I pulled my arm out of his grasp. “I want you to stare at me all night until you can’t stand it anymore. Then when we get home, I’ll reward you for your good behavior…if you can manage it.”
All I got in return was a quiet groan. But when there was no argument, I knew he was cooperating. We got inside his blacked-out SUV and hit the road.
I pulled out my phone and saw a message from Vanessa.
We’re heading to Club Bellissima. Do you know how to get there?
I typed back. Yeah, I’m sure I can find it.
Great! See you soon. I put my phone back in my clutch.
“What did she say?” He drove with one hand and kept his eyes on the road. It was eight in the evening, so we would be there by nine.
“They’re at Club Bellissima.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No. Why?”
He shook his head slightly. “No reason.”
We drove the rest of the way in silence. Conway didn’t hide his underlying annoyance. He was still pissed about this excursion altogether. But this was the only compromise we could reach. I was going out whether he liked it or not. His only option was to come with me.
We arrived in Milan forty minutes later and parked in a lot behind a building. There were no other cars there.
“Where are we?”
“I own this building.”
“Oh…” I looked around the empty parking lot. It looked like an apartment complex, but no one else seemed to live there.
“This is where I stay when I’m in Milan. I bought the building because I don’t like neighbors.”
“An expensive solution. How far away is the club?”
“Just around the block.”
We got out of the car then walked toward the sidewalk. My heels were five inches tall, so I couldn’t keep up with the stride of a six-foot-three man. Thankfully, Conway slowed his pace so I wouldn’t have to work so hard to keep up.
He didn’t hold my hand.
Not that I expected him to.
We arrived at the club and saw the line down the sidewalk and all the way around the building.
“Popular place, huh?” I asked.
“A bit.” Conway walked past the end of the line and moved to the front.
I trailed behind him. “What are you doing?”
“Getting inside.”
“Line is back there, Conway.”
“Not for me.” He reached the front of the line where the four bouncers were. All they did was look at him before they opened the door and allowed him inside.
They didn’t exchange a single word.
I followed behind him and entered the dark club. There were several bars positioned throughout the two floors, and all the booths were made of dark blue leather with black tables. Pretty women were everywhere, and all the men were staring at them. Music blared from the speakers, and we were surrounded by the loud volume of shouted conversations.
Conway parted the crowd everywhere he went, either because people were intimidated or because they recognized his face. He didn’t hold my hand or pull me close to him, hardly touching me at all.
It seemed like he was doing it on purpose.
I looked up to the second floor and saw Vanessa sitting with two other women. “I see them.”
“Alright. I’ll be over here.”
“You won’t be joining us?” I asked.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on you.” He slid one hand into his pocket and walked away, heading to the bar.
I didn’t want him there to begin with, so that worked out in my favor. I took the stairs to the second floor and spotted the girls chatting away, their drinks sitting in front of them. One was blond, another was brunette. Vanessa had dark hair like mine, nearly black.
Vanessa was in a tight black dress, her hair curled and pulled over one shoulder. She had toned arms and rounded shoulders. A gold necklace hung around her throat.
“Sorry I’m late.” I sat at the end of the curved leather booth.
“Hey!” Vanessa smiled then grabbed my wrist. “You look so hot. These are some of my friends.” She introduced us, and we got to talking. “Sapphire is dating my brother. Well, not dating. She’s living with him.”
“Conway?” Stephanie, the blonde, asked.
“Yep,” Vanessa said. “And she’s got him wrapped around her finger.”
Couldn’t be further from the truth, but I smiled anyway. “He’s a good man. I know I’m lucky.”
Laura, the brunette, took a long drink of her cosmo. “I’ve been in love with him for years.”
“Everyone has been in love with him for years,” Stephanie said. “Including me.”