Page 75 of Better Left Unsaid

“Ever?” Bianca yelled.

I waved her off. “Shhh! You’re going to wake Isabella.”

Bianca cringed and mimed zipping her lips. “Sorry.”

“Oh, you’re no fun,” Jade booed, her lips turning down into a pout.

I swallowed. “Relax, I meant not on the first date.”

Allie snapped her fingers and pointed at me. “Smart. Make him wait for it.” Then she winked. “Lay off Maria, you guys. She doesn’t need an active sex life.”

My eyes grew wide, and I placed a hand on my forehead.Allie is something else.

“As much as I’d love to sit around and talk about Maria’s lack of a sex life, this is serious business,” Bianca said, opening my closet and walking in like she owned the place.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Maria

Paolo Gicchio wasn’tlike other men I’d dated. For one thing, he was the oldest man I’d gone to dinner with having the intention of becoming more than a business connection. It wasn’t a bad thing, either, I’d just never been interested in older men. I’d certainly admired them from afar once or twice before, but that was it.

There was something about Paolo, though, that caught my attention and held it. He had dark hair with the hairs around his temples silver—not gray, like Bianca had said. They made him look distinguished. Not that he needed any help in that department. He dressed impeccably and had an air of sophistication. He was wearing dark pants that fit snuggly and made it clear he was blessed with a large package. He left the first three buttons open on his white shirt that put his chest hair on full display. He didn’t have too much chest hair, either. It was just enough that made me want to place my hand there and play with it while I cuddled up against him in bed.

Would he hold you the way Dom holds you, though, like he’s willing to take a bullet for you? To protect you at all costs?

I shook my head, clearing those thoughts from my mind. I couldn’t be thinking these things. I didn’t even know why I was. I was out on a date with Paolo. Not Dom.

“My new collection has a slip dress named after you, Maria,” Paolo said, his fingers circling the rim of his glass as he studied my expression.

Paolo was intent on me, his eyes never leaving mine once. You could say he was intense with his admiration. It definitely made me feel important, like I was the only thing that mattered in this exact moment. I supposed I wasn’t used to all the attention he gave me, though. Especially not on a date.

The only other person who had ever given me this much attention was—

I heaved a sigh, getting pissed with myself for letting my mind wander to Dom again. This was outrageous. I needed to go out on a date and not think about him. I’d never done it before, so why now? I had to tell you, I wasn’t sure if it was rational or not, but I was blaming the orgasms. Frankly, I was starting to wish I’d never had the damn things. They were causing me more stress and confusion than they were worth.

“The Maria,” I replied, letting the name fall from my lips in a whisper. “I like that.”

Paolo sat erect, his shoulders never slouching or slumping as he grew serious. “You would look beautiful in it. I must show you the new line and have you try your namesake on. Would you like that?”

I nodded, reaching for my glass of red wine. “Very much. It’s a date.” Oh, shit. Was it too soon to say that? We hadn’t even finished this one. “I mean, it’s a plan. A solid plan that we should definitely set aside time for and do.” Ugh, I sounded like a buffoon.

He chuckled, the noise was boisterous in the otherwise intimate and quiet restaurant. The lighting was dim and there weren’t many people around. But that was probably credited to the quaint two-person table he’d gotten for us right next to the fireplace. “Have I told you tonight how ravenous you look?”

Ravenous? I nearly choked on the sip of wine I had dancing on my tongue. I set my glass down safely back on the table where it belonged, lest I spill it when he shocked me with his words again. This man was suave, to say the least. I didn’t need to go on a date with him to know that because it was simply his personality, but it didn’t make it any less intimidating. “Beautiful, yes. Ravenous, no,” I finally replied.

He placed his arm on the table casually, his eyes never once leaving mine. They were glued to me, like if he stared long enough he could see straight through to my soul. It was making me want to reach for my drink again. “Tell me about the magazine. You’re coming out with a new issue soon?”

I nodded and decided to make the most of the night, so I placed my hand in his, allowing his fingers to curl in my hand, his thumb gently caressing circles over it. My body broke out in goose bumps, and I knew between the way he spoke, the things he said, and his touch, I was a goner. “Can you keep a secret?” I asked, my lips curling upward as I spoke with excitement. “I’m the acting editor-in-chief for this one. It’s my trial run, but if all goes well, then I’ve got the position.” I smiled, pretty happy to be able to tell someone outside of my family about my promotion. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I felt comfortable with Paolo, and he knew my family, so it made it easier.

His eyes widened. “That’s wonderful, Maria. In that case, we’ll call this a celebration, as well. You deserve to be celebrated doubly.”

I licked my lips and shook my head. “No, I don’t. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s my family’s publication, so I feel like it was only a matter of time before—”

He shushed me so softly, so delicately, my heart practically melted into a puddle. “It’s not good to cut yourself down like that. My family, we celebrate all of our successes. Even if they’re not really successes.” He laughed, this time a deep roar sounding from his throat. “You mustn’t overlook these things. They come but once in a lifetime, and we’re only given this one life to live.”

“So you must live it,” I finished, playing with the necklace I was wearing with my other hand, my eyes darting off to the side.

“Exactly,” he exclaimed, enthusiastically. “You know it, too.”

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