Page 49 of The Deal

“Oh, there you are,” Chloe says, exiting the function room to find me sitting on the low brick wall that lines the entry. “I was looking for you everywhere.”

“I just needed some air,” I reply, standing and rebuttoning my suit jacket. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I was wondering if you wanted to dance with me?”

I arch an eyebrow. “You want to dance … with me?”

“I just asked that, didn’t I?”

Here we go with those damn questions again.

“I don’t dance,” I say, a little more abrupt than intended.

“Right. My bad.” And I don’t miss the hurt that flashes in her eyes as she turns to reenter the party.

“Bella,” I say, reaching out to grab hold of her wrist. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.” It’s not her fault I’ve been acting like a jealous arsehole from the moment we left the house.

“All good,” she replies, shaking her hand from my hold. “I’m sure I can find someone inside to dance with me. A guy on the table next to ours just winked at me when I made eye contact with him.”

Fucking Vinny!The guy must have a death wish.

“Let me guess, the fucker in the blue shirt?”

She glances at me over her shoulder, frowning. “How did you know that?”

“Because he’s been staring at you all night.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “He has?”

“Yes, and if he lays one filthy finger on you, he’ll die.”

“You’d kill someone if they touched me?”

“People have died for less in my world, Chloe.” Not by my hand, but she doesn’t need to know that.

“That’s ludicrous.”

“To the layperson, maybe.”

She turns her head forward and takes another step away from me, but I’m quick to reach for her again. This time, I slide my arm around her slender waist and pull her back against my front, pressing her body flush to mine.

“Everyone’s been watching you tonight,tesoruccio. Men and women alike.” I lift my free hand, brushing her long hair aside. “Including me,” I murmur as my lips graze against her warm skin.

When she gasps and a soft whimper passes through her lips, I suck her earlobe into my mouth, lightly nibbling on the fleshy part.

I’m so fucking hard for this woman. I’ve never ached for someone as much as I do her.

I’m a goner.

Chapter 18

Alexander

“Let’s get out of here,” I whisper as my hand slides under the hem of her top, splaying out across her abdomen. Her skin is so damn soft.

I want to lick this woman from head to toe.

I sweep my thumb out, gazing it along the underside of her bra. Jesus Christ, she’s wearing lace. That knowledge has pre-cum leaking from my cock.

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