Page 65 of Lethal Infatuation

"Trust me. I've gotmorethan enough self-control." I leaned in. "But I'm just a man, after all, and that control seems to diminish whenever I'm around you."

Gabriella's lips parted, and she was about to respond when an older woman approached us, praising her for the stunning event decor. I gave them some space, but I could see the disappointed look on her face.

Despite that, she quickly regained her composure and smiled politely. I walked towards the bar, spotting Ares in the corner of my eye.

"Well, well, if it isn't lover boy." I gave him a look of boredom, tugging on my suit jacket. "If you looked into her eyes any deeper than you did, I'm afraid you'd drown in them."

"Shut the fuck up, Valiente." My tone was low, I didn't want anyone else to hear me cussing because I knew Gabriella definitely wouldn't approve. "Every time I see you and Kayden, I wonder why I'm still friends with either of you."

"Probably because we're the best friends you've ever had, and not to mention, loyal to a fault."

"Keep that same energy when Amala joins us for a drink." I looked across the room, eyeing Ares' nemesis. He supposedly hated the woman with a passion. It was fun to see him resist the hands of temptation that was so close to strangling him.

He glared at me, clenching his jaw tightly. "You're funny."

"What?" I feigned innocence. "Did I hit below the belt with that one?"

"Wait until I start hitting you below the belt with your love interest," Ares scoffed.

I narrowed my eyes at him, but my gaze drifted towards Amala who was conversing with Gabriella. They laughed and chatted animatedly. I couldn't take my eyes off Gabriella, even if I tried.

"It's okay to blink," Ares said, laughing. "She's not going to disappear." He leaned against the countertop and acted indifferent, but I knew who his eyes were fixated on. "Do you know what I findamusing, though?"

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What?"

"How you were denying the obvious and made it seem like relationships were completely off the table for you."

"Is that right?" I smirked at him. "Would you like to know what amuses me?"

"I feel like I already know what you're going to say, but sure, let me hear it."

"How it's clear as fucking day that you're attracted to Rivera, but you keep trying to fool yourself and everyone around you into thinking that you despise her."

"The termdespiseis putting it lightly, and I'm not attracted to her, you insolent prick. She's not even my type."

"Yeah?" I laughed, folding my arms across my chest. "Be sure to say that a little louder because she's coming this way." He scoffed again, turning around to order a drink.

"Ladies," I said with a smile, but my eyes were glued to Gabriella.

Amala gave me a side hug and then made eye contact with Ares. I watched the scene unfold, trying to contain my laughter.

They glared at each other, neither of them uttering a single word. I stepped away from the counter, holding my hand out for Gabriella to take.

"Do they always look at each other like that?" she asked softly as I pulled her closer.

"Like what? Like they're about to commit murder?"

She laughed softly, nodding. "Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking."

"They have a history of animosity." I interlocked our fingers. "Would you like something to drink? Vodka, perhaps?" I grinned when she pursed her lips to hide her smile.

"You remember," she murmured.

"I remember a lot of things about you." She held onto my forearm with her free hand. "What you wore at Kehlani's wedding. The length of your hair when we quite literally knocked into each other. Your drink of choice."

She stared into my eyes with those hazel eyes of hers and it was like everything else around ceased to exist. "Are you trying to make me fall for you?"

"I'm just being honest, but is it working?"

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