Page 174 of Tempting All The Way

“Okay, my lips are sealed.”

“Ellie, I didn’t know you’d be here,” a deep voice says from behind me.

“Gio, this is my friend Dani. Dani, Gio, my…”

“Boyfriend,” the guy says, finishing her sentence while offering me his hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Dani. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Hi. Wish I could say the same, but I haven’t heard a thing about you.” I smile politely and return the greeting.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Gio says before leaning down and kissing Eloise like no one else is watching. I clear my throat when I don’t think the two are going to stop anytime soon. Gio straightens and walks away. I watch as he exits through the door that’s labelledstaff only.

“You failed to mention he was hotter than the devil himself, El. That’s what you should have led with. God, I almost combusted on the spot just watching you two kiss,” I tell her.

“That’s 'cause you get off on watching.” She smirks.

I shrug. She’s not wrong. “Are you sure this is what you want?” I ask her.

“I want him,” she says.

“Okay.”

“Thank you for not judging me.”

“I’d never judge you, El. Ever. I will always be here for you,” I tell her.

My mind hasn’t been able to focus on work again since I left Eloise at the café. She seems fine. Sheisfine. I keep telling myself that she’s smart. She wouldn’t have blindly fallen into something she wasn’t willing to do.

Still, my best friend is dating a mob boss.

This is the kind of stuff that only happens in books or movies. Why on earth would the mob even be in Melbourne? I mean, it’sMelbourne. I’ve never once thought that the mafia could be around here.

“What has you so lost in thought?” Alistair asks.

I jump. I didn’t even notice him come in. “Holy shit, how long have you been standing there like a creeper?” I question him.

“Long enough to know it’s not me on your mind,” he says.

“How do you know that?”

“Because if it were me, your nipples would be hard, your skin would be flushed, your chest would be rising faster… You’d be turned on,” he explains as though it’s fact.

Well, shit, if I weren’t turned on before, I am now. Bloody lady Viagra, I tell you. All this man has to do is breathe in my direction.

“See? You’re thinking about how good it would feel if I bent you over the desk and fucked you with the blinds open for everyone to see.”

“I wasn’t, but I am now,” I admit.

“Come on. I have plans tonight. We can’t be late.”

“Oh, right, the show.” I shut down my computer and pack everything into my bag. “Where was it again?” I ask him.

“Nice try.” He laughs.

“It was worth a shot.” I shake my head and pout.

“I can’t believe this is the show you were talking about,” I whisper to Alistair.

“This is where I first saw you. What could be better?” he says.

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