Page 27 of The Billionaire's Pact

Rocco took my hands and placed them on his broad shoulders, then put his on my waist. I lifted my head. His gaze bore in and fused. We swayed together in a circle, and it surprised me how easy it was to dance so close to him.

He turned me around, wrapped his arms around my waist, and held me from behind. I trembled and tensed, but he kept me close, swaying with me, just as the music called for. The next song was also by The Platters, “The Great Pretender,” and we stayed close together in a slow dance. Every muscle began to loosen, and warmth filled my body as he kept a tight hold on me. It was unusually sensual. His restraint didn’t feel like a trap, but it made me feel less lonely. A lump lodged in my throat. I hugged, but no one ever held me, not even Mama. For the most part, I wouldn’t allow it. But it was a comfort I never knew I missed until I had it. I wasn’t sure how I’d gone so long without it.

The song ended, and I broke Rocco’s hold, adding a laugh as I bounced away to Mable. “Thank you so much for the lesson.”

“It was my pleasure. You two sure make a lovely couple.”

My eyes couldn’t resist returning to Rocco. His gaze was concentrated on me, but he spoke to Mable. “Thank you. I very much enjoyed it.”

We said our goodbyes and thanks to Mable, then headed down the stairs to exit the studio. I was floating on air and I could have pinched myself thinking Cassidy would never believe I swing danced with Rocco Marini.

I glanced at him as he held the door open, and to my surprise, he didn’t retake my hand, but walked next to me. Did I do something wrong? I wondered. But there was still a soft smile on his lips. He had a confident stride that made people on the sidewalk part as if not to interrupt his flow. My own pace was shorter. I finally fell back, and Rocco reached back and placed his hand on my back. A tingle went through me from the contact. Not only that, but also a happiness rose inside of me when he did it. I liked that he cared to keep me next to him. It’s no more than being a gentleman. I had to remind myself. Even feeling that way made me feel like a schoolgirl getting attention from a boy I had a crush on. My annoyance at myself was my only defense, as he flashed me a luminous smile, yet again, and placed his hand on my back as I climbed back inside the car. Did he feel me tremble from just his mere touch?

The car door closed, and I put on my seatbelt.

“The Greenwich Hotel, Rick,” Rocco told his driver.

“Why are we going there?” I asked, my voice rising octaves.

“I’ll explain, but first, tell me why you’re nervous?” His gaze flicked down to my hands, and I switched from keeping them folded to unfolding them on my lap.

“Uhm, I don’t know,” I mumbled.

“I believe you do,” he said in a light tone. “Listen, Adelina, you can relax. I’ll never force you into my bed. I arranged the hotel before I picked you up because the press hang around my building. A film I produced is coming out soon and is getting a lot of buzz. I didn’t want to put that pressure on you.”

A flutter went through my stomach. Rocco was considerate, and I appreciated it. “Okay.” I nodded and blew out my breath.

Traffic horns blared, and the car turned a corner. Gazing out the window, I could see the sign for the hotel ahead. Minutes later, the car pulled to the curb and stopped.

“Is there someone you’d like to invite to the wedding or to be your maid of honor?”

“Cassidy Cosgrove. She’s my best friend,” I said cheerily. “I hadn’t thought I’d have much input.”

He smiled. “You do. Give Isla her information. She’ll be inside waiting for you to go over a few things. I travel a lot and have commitments abroad, and I thought it would be good for you to experience it early.” He lowered his head and sighed. “It seems unfair to throw you into the deep end right away, but I’ll try to make it enjoyable.”

“I’m excited about the travel.” I beamed.

He stared for a few moments at me and while I was captivated by his devastatingly handsome profile, my brows lifted questioningly.

“You have a radiant smile, Adelina.”

I blinked. “I do?”

“Yes, you do. You’re very beautiful.” His voice was strong, and his expression serious.

The skin on my face burned. Me? Beautiful? I’d been flirted with by boys and college guys before. But no one as gorgeous as Rocco Marini. He was one of the rare, beautiful people. Cassidy had merely typed in his name and thousands of images came up on the search. Heck, he was photographed and swooned over daily. But did he really think that about me? He dated starlets, he’s merely being polite. My eyes darted away, but then he clasped the side of my face and turned me back to him. “Did I say something wrong?”

My heart pounded harder and faster. I lowered my eyelids, my bottom lip trembled. “I…I don’t know what to say to that; I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me.”

“That’s hard to believe. I’m sure many have thought it. I know I did the second I saw you again. You are beautiful. Very much so,” he said. There was conviction in his tone and an intensity in his gaze that had me struggling to refill the air in my lungs. “Th-thank you.” I glanced at him and he was smiling.

He moved a few strands of hair that had fallen into my face. The brush of his fingers brought a tingling to my skin. “I know it’s different marrying a stranger with whom you’d share a bed. But I believe we’ll be like lovers one day.”

I shuddered and touched my warm face. “Lovers?” I whispered.

“Lovers,” he repeated. “We can have passion for each other. How do you feel about that?” He waited until I raised my head, then pierced me with a gaze that was filled with pure lust. Heady. I shifted on the seat as heat surged through my body. I could feel my clit swell. I didn’t trust myself to say anything or even breathe. I licked my lips and my heart pounded. His fingers slid down my face, and tucked my hair behind my ear. He had to feel the tremor and heat on my skin. My heart pounded hard enough that I could feel it in my ears.

“What are you thinking, Adelina? Surely, I haven’t scared you,” he mused, his tone light.

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