She’s wearing a loose, white t-shirt and a red flared skirt that stops a couple of inches above her knees. Her hair is loose and flowing down her back. She’s as stunning as she was the night I met her, and the butterflies in my stomach double in number as they continue racing around in there. She stares at me, and Cooper turns to look at her as well.
Lita’s expression turns dark, and I know enough Italian women to know this isn’t a good sign, which is confirmed when she asks, “What the fuck is Cooper doing here?”
I can’t stop myself from laughing because I did warn him about this. “I told you she wouldn’t appreciate it, Coop.”
Cooper seems totally unfazed by Lita’s obvious anger and says, “Come sit down with us, Miss Ciccone; we have some things to discuss.”
“And I have already told you I do not wish to discuss this with you.”
I laugh again because this is fucking hilarious. I think I like Lita more because she’s giving Cooper shit.
“I insist you sit down and talk to us,” Cooper says, sounding annoyed.
“No, thank you. It was good to see you again, Sebastian.” She nods at me before turning to walk back out of the room.
Shit. I can’t let her go. We do need to talk. I spring into action and stride quickly across the room. She’s almost reached the door when I reach out and grab her hand to stop her from leaving.
I link her hand with mine and beg her, “Per favore, principessa.”
She looks up at me and says coolly, “I didn’t sign up for this, Sebastian.”
I feel bad for springing Cooper on her, and it occurs to me that I should probably have told her I was bringing him with me. I didn’t even think to mention it. In my mind, we’d have the discussion we need to have, then we’d be left alone to…do whatever we want to do.
“I know. We need to talk, and Cooper just wants to be kept in the loop with what’s happening. Then we can, I don’t know, go to dinner or something.”
Her eyes widen slightly, and her lips part a little at my suggestion. I’m pretty damn sure that she’s thinking about having sex with me, and I hope I’m right, because I’m definitely thinking about having sex with her.
Lita blows out a breath of air, then nods. “Sure.”
Relief washes over me, and I smile, grateful that she’s agreed to stay.
“Daryl, if you want to take off, that’s fine. I’ll call you if I need you,” I say, not intending to leave this suite tonight at all because I’d rather spend the night in a bed with Lita than go anywhere.
Daryl nods and leaves through the door that I just prevented Lita from using. I walk back to the sofa with Lita, but I don’t let go of her hand. I’m reminded of our night together, and I stroke her soft skin with my thumb. Amidst everything, I had somehow managed to forget just how amazing this woman is.
I let go of her hand, and Lita sits on the sofa away from Cooper but facing him. I choose not to sit in the spare seat between them. Instead, I position myself behind her in the gap between her and the edge of the sofa. I catch a whiff of her flowery scent and smile as I resist the urge to touch her.
“Miss Ciccone, we need to know what you’re planning to do about this situation you’ve gotten yourself into?” Cooper says.
“Are you fucking for real, dude?” Lita asks, sounding incredulous.
“What?” Cooper asks.
“This situationI’vegotten myself into? Well, sure, but equally, it’s a position Sebastian has put me in. I’m not sure if you know this, but it takes two to tango.” Cooper looks completely stunned by her railing into him, and when I can’t help but laugh, Lita growls, “Shut it, Sebastian.”
“Fine,” Cooper concedes, and I stop laughing, but I smirk at him, and he frowns deeply at us both. “What are you planning to do about this situation you’ve both gotten yourselves into?”
“That’s what I’m here to discuss with Sebastian, not you,” Lita shrugs.
“Right, well, I’d like to offer a proposal. We will pay you fifty thousand dollars and cover the cost of your abortion. In return, you will sign a non-disclosure agreement, which prevents you from selling your story to the tabloids.”
My blood turns to fire in my veins as Cooper is talking. I feel as though I should’ve known he would do something like this. I don’t know who I’m angrier at, him or me. I expected he was going to talk about how we would handle any media attention, but this…the thought of it makes me sick.
“Are you fucking serious?” Lita snaps.
“It’s a very attractive offer, Miss Ciccone. It would solve your problems entirely.”
Herproblems?! I’m about five seconds from punching him in the face.