Page 10 of Twisted Obsession

‘I can’t believe you’re both back. I’ve missed you so much.’

The three of us hugged it out for a few seconds.

‘So, come on… tell me all about anything and everything.’

‘Rome is fantastic,’ Mia revealed.

‘I’m sure Bologna would be too if only…’

I could see the sympathy etched on their faces and Mia was just about to speak again when another voice interrupted us.

‘Look at the three of you beautiful women, back together.’ Serafina’s mama Rosa walked up to us, ‘Sorry I’m going to have to break up your reunion. I need your help, Serafina.’

‘Okay, mum. We will set up a day soon—yes?’ Serafina asked.

‘Of course,’ Mia replied.

‘Yes. If your husband will let you out of his sight,’ I teased as Serafina walked away. Mia and I started to laugh at her as she looked over her shoulder and directed a “don’t go there” look at us both.

‘Now, tell me how your studies are going?’ I questioned Mia, as I looked around nearby for a quiet secluded table we could go and sit down at to chat. But it appeared that most of the tables were already full. Disappointed, I grabbed hold of her hand and turned us around, but instead of finding a table a little further away, I found the mature version of a boy I’d once known. The same one I’d done nothing but fantasise over for the pastfive years, as he made his way through the people between us, grabbing a drink on the way.

‘They’re going well,’ Mia answered me. ‘Who knew I’d be so well informed in the history and culture of Italy?’ She rolled her eyes up high into her head.

‘Well, we dolivethe culture, and the history runs through our veins,’ I managed to reply, without once breaking my gaze from staring at the beautiful man who appeared to be making his way over to us, albeit taking as much time as he could. He was taller than my brothers, Gabriel and Romeo, so I put him a few inches over six foot. He had filled out, with broad shoulders. His shirt was fitted, and it gave the indication of a well-defined, muscular frame underneath. His dark hair was short, with the top styled with longer lengths of hair.

Finally, he arrived and I felt my legs begin to tremble a little at his proximity.

At once, he took my hand in his and kissed the back of it. My skin tingled instantly, feeling as though it had been burnt. My heart started beating at a frantic rate and my stomach gave flight to at least a thousand butterflies.

‘Dante.’ I all but whispered his name and smiled at him at the same time.

At last, his beautiful blue eyes, the same ones I’d pictured in many of my dreams, lifted to mine.

Chapter Five

Dante

As far as I was concerned, my papa had insisted I attend the party at Serafina and Salvatore’s home. And I now needed a distraction from being in the company of the man I detested. So, I was going to revert to the one thing I enjoyed most in life, being around and with women.

The fact I knew it would wind my nemesis up was the icing on the cake.

As I crossed the distance between us, I could feel Salvatore’s eyes burning into me. Like me, he was attuned to knowing where the other one of us was, always. Thinking about it, as I put one foot in front of the other while making sure I had a welcoming smile plastered over my face, me sulking and staying in one place had made the party far too comfortable for him.

I intentionally found his penetrating gaze with my own and offered him a nod of my head, followed by a smirk. To onlookers I knew it would appear civil, maybe even friendly, but I knew he would understand exactly what it was—game on.

Now, it was my turn to swim the shark infested waters, and his baby sister was going to be my designated prey.

It was made so very much easier when her attention was caught by me making my way over to them, and by the fact she appeared to be watching me in her peripheral view.

I’d stopped from time to time to exchange civilities and have quick conversations as I made my way to where she was standing, talking to both of my sisters. Very deliberately, I was showing him exactly my destination point. Suddenly, I noticed that he’d stopped talking to those around him, concentrating all his senses on me. The taller he stood, the angrier he appeared to become. It didn’t have the desired effect; in fact, it only spurred me on.

Slowly, I took my time reaching her, watching as mum interrupted the threesome and escorted Sera away, no doubt for some hostess duties she needed to fulfil. Leaving just Mia and Giovanna, who was starting to blush harder with every step I took. I knew that both Salvatore and Giovanna were in their own way waiting for me to arrive, and their anticipation was enhancing my own pleasure.

When I wasn’t looking in his direction to goad him on, I’d made sure my eyes never left her tall, willowy figure. As she swept one hand through her long hair, revealing her delicate features, and her seemingly interested eyes fleetingly found my own, I understood that I’d been played at my own game.

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

I was transfixed from a distance as the blonde streaks in her waist length, perfectly curled hair caught the sunlight. Trying to break the spell, I grabbed a drink from a passing tray and exchanged small talk with a few people I knew, until feeling that I was once again in control of my own game, I managed to move close to her, just as she’d turned around properly for the first time. It was then that I witnessed full on, the grown-up version of the small girl I remembered.

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