Thirst (The Calvettis of New York 1)

I laugh, scratching my upper lip. “It’s good to meet you, Sophia.”

She turns her attention to Dexie. “Let’s go up to your place, Dex.”

“I know you came back for this.” Dexie shoves the sketchpad she’s holding at Sophia. “I’m tired and it’s way past your bedtime.”

“I came back because I tried calling you six times and you didn’t pick up.”

Dexie rests her hand on Sophia’s shoulder. “I’m sorry if I worried you, but I’m fine. It’s late. We can talk about this tomorrow.”

I’ve been leaning against the inside of the lobby door since we got here. No one has asked me to leave, so I’ve stayed in place.

“We should talk tonight,” Sophia huffs.

“Tomorrow,” Dexie insists, moving her hand from her hip to the handle on the lobby door.

I step aside.

“That’s your car waiting by the curb isn’t it?” Dexie nods toward the street and a black sedan that’s been idling since we left my building.

“It’s Nicholas’s driver.” She exhales. “I called him to bring me here.”

“Go home.” Dexie reaches for her friend’s hand. “Go to bed. I promise we’ll talk about this after we both get some sleep.”

Sophia’s shoulders soften. “Fine. I only came back because I was worried and I love you. I hope you know that.”

“I love you too.” Dexie takes her friend in an embrace. “Good night, Soph.”

“Good night,” she says to Dexie before she tosses me a look. “It’s nice to put a name to the face, Rocco.”

“It’s been good to meet you, Sophia.” I hold open the door as she passes through.

“Don’t hurt her,” she whispers under her breath when she breezes past me.

I watch her walk to the car. I’d stop her to say that I have no intention of hurting Dexie, but it’s a promise I can’t keep.

***

I follow Dexie into the lobby and watch as she presses the elevator call button. We haven’t said a word to each other since Sophia took off, but I’m going on instinct here and assuming the silence is an invitation to join her in her apartment.

“I think I’ll go up alone.”

Apparently, my instinct doesn’t know fuck all.

Disappointment rolls over me.

I don’t know what the hell would have happened in my apartment if Dexie hadn’t caught sight of her friend.

Judging by Sophia’s parting words, my guess is that she would have hauled ass over to my building and knocked on every door on my floor until she found us.

She’s fiercely protective of Dexie. I get it. I feel the same way and I barely know the woman.

“You’re sure?” I ask because I’m selfish and I want to kiss her again.

Hell, I want more, but that’s for another time.

Her head bows as a long exhale escapes her. “I’m sure.”

I reach for her chin, tilting it up so I can look into her eyes before the elevator arrives and steals her away from me. “I’m glad you locked yourself out tonight.”