Page 36 of Vicious Redemption

“No? Come on, Tia. I want to hear what these beautiful fingers can do,” I urge, lightly running the pad of my thumb over her knuckles.

Tia smiles bashfully, tucking her chin as she shakes her head. “I don’t play in front of crowds.” Her eyes scan the busy restaurant, her cheeks growing an impossible shade of red.

Chuckling, I let her off the hook. “Fine. But you’ll play for me at home?”

She nods, her shoulders relaxing as her dark eyes meet mine.

A moment later, our food arrives, and as we dig into the appetizers, Tia moans with appreciation.

“This is so good,” she groans, around a mouthful of salmon croquette.

“Keep making those noises, and I might have to make a different kind of meal out of this evening,” I warn playfully, letting my eyes trail appreciatively down the low cut of her dress to her breasts.

“You are incorrigible,” she says, making me smile when her scolding tone is punctuated with a grin.

It’s fun to tease her and nice to keep things light between us after the conflict and tension of the past few days. With enemies on all sides and my father in the hospital, I need a break from the suspicion and stress. And Tia brings a sense of comfort I seek.

“Your entrees,” our server says, breaking the moment between us.

Tia and I lean back, allowing our table to be filled with the beautifully plated food.

“Enjoy.” Our server departs with a polite bow, and I watch as Tia picks up her fresh set of silverware to cut a delicate bite of the lamb.

“Mmm,” she groans, her body crumpling as her eyes sink closed with pleasure.

“That good, is it?” I tease. “You’re starting to make me jealous.”

“You want a bite?” she offers, her innocent gaze finding mine.

“I’m not jealous of the meal,” I murmur darkly, finding her knee beneath the table and slowly working my way up her thigh.

Tia gasps and bites her lip as her eyes sink closed once again. “Leo,” she breathes. But I can tell she likes it by the way she squirms beneath my palm.

Chuckling softly, I creep slightly higher. “What? You’re enjoying your meal. Why shouldn’t I?”

The heat in her gaze when she opens her eyes makes my body ache with need. And when I smile wickedly, she releases a quivering breath. Removing my hand, I focus my attention back on my untouched lobster.

“I just wanted to make sure the lamb wasn’t the only thing at the table that could make you moan.”

Tia laughs, though the fire lingers in her eyes. “You didn’t already know?”

I just wink and pop a bite of claw meat in my mouth.

“Well, if it isn’t Leonardo Moretti.” The sultry voice to my left sets my teeth on edge in an instant, and I turn my head to find Elena Pacenti standing beside me, her faithful sidekick, Monica, just a stride behind her.

“Elena, what a pleasure,” I say, though my tone would suggest it’s anything but.

I should have known we might run into her. As a spoiled little princess, she frequents this restaurant because her uncle used to own it, which in her mind means she’s halfway to owning it herself. But clearly, she doesn’t understand the rules. Don Fiore might have laid claim to this restaurant before me, but now that he’s under my authority, I own the Sky Lounge.

“It’s been too long, Leo,” Elena purrs. Her manicured hand rests on my shoulder like a claw as she unleashes a flirtatious giggle.

“Have you met my wife, Tia Moretti?” I ask pointedly, gesturing to Tia. Of course, she hasn’t. I didn’t invite Elena to the wedding because I would have much preferred never to have to see her again.

“Charmed, I’m sure.” Elena hardly spares a glance over her shoulder at Tia before turning her eyes back to me.

Same old Elena, as promiscuous and blatantly flirtatious as ever. It was a mistake sleeping with her for the short time I did several years ago—and not just because she’s the niece of that sleazeball Don Fiore. She clearly hasn’t put our time together behind her, but I know better than to think she’s just after sex. It seems her intent tonight is either to make Tia jealous or land a place as my mistress.

Hell would have to freeze over before I’d consider that.

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