Page 46 of Wild Ace

“You’re being nice to me,” he says, leaning against the counter beside me as I fill a vase with water. “Did I push your nice button last night?” I side-eye him and he laughs. “There she is. I knew your sass wasn’t too far beneath the surface.”

I put my hand on my hip and glower up at him. “Do you want me to be mean to you? Is that your thing?”

“I like when you’re a little mean,” he says, reaching out to run his fingertips along the neckline of my sweater that’s slipped off my right shoulder. “But I don’t want you to always be pissed at me. So, tonight, will you be nice to me, Lexi Manzato?”

A laugh bubbles out of me at how serious he is with his request. “Yeah, I can do that.”

“Good. Let’s go, then. I have a surprise for you. Don’t forget your jacket.”

I put the bouquet in the filled vase and place it on the counter. They really are a pretty color.

Grabbing my puffy winter coat from the hook by the door, I shove my keys, phone, and wallet into the pockets instead of carrying a purse, and lock the door behind me.

“You’re not going to try and get me to tell you the surprise?”

“No.” I shrug. “I like surprises and don’t want to ruin it. But I am curious as to how you knew where I lived.”

“That’s easy.” He grins. “I can find out anything I want if I put my mind to it.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Plus, my cousin Stefano can hack anything and find out everything.”

“Does that mean you already know everything about me?”

“No. I didn’t ask him for anything other than the pertinent information I needed. Your address and phone number.”

I raise my chin defiantly. “Good.”

“Do you have secrets you’re afraid I’ll find out?”

“You already know my biggest one. I showed you my hand last night.”

He places his hand over his heart. “I’m honored. But you know I saw a lot more than just your hand last night.” He smirks. “A lot more.”

I feel my cheeks heat and I look down at the floor.

“There’s that pretty pink color again. Looks good on your face, too.”

He needs to stop the flattery before I tell him to forget the date and to take me back upstairs and strip me bare to see me flush pink all over.

Luckily, the cold evening air cools my face when we get outside. Vinny steps up to the car parked right outside my building, but I don’t think I can call it just a car. It’s sleek, shiny, and looks like it would be fun to drive. “This is your car?”

“Yes, she is.”

“She?”

“Her name is Ruby and she likes when I open her up and go fast.” He winks, and I roll my eyes.

“I’ll bet she does. But there’s something to be said about going slow and savoring the drive, too. But going fast is fun, too.”

Vinny opens the passenger door for me with a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“What kind of car is she?” I ask him when we’re both inside.

“A Mercedes AMG GT Coup.”

“In ruby red?”

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