Page 77 of Masked Hearts

It’swarmandtheair feels festive withPremioand Whylde winning, along with Natalia’s birthday. Antonio’s expression, however, is stoic as we arrive at the restaurant and he hands his keys to the valet.

“Are you okay?” I ask as I wrap my hand around his upper arm to help stabilise myself as we head up the stairs.

“Hmm,” he answers without even looking at me.

“Hmm? That’s not an answer. What’s wrong?” I pout, and that catches his attention.

“It’s nothing, Theresa.”

“Now I know there’s definitely something wrong.” I chuckle, but it’s without humour as I stop in my tracks.

“What are you doing? We’re going to be late?”

“I’m not moving until you tell me what’s wrong.”

His eyes meet mine, and for the first time, I notice they aren’t as bright as they have been the last few days.

“It’s nothing important, Theá. It’s stupid, actually.”

“If it’s making you feel upset, then it’s not stupid. Did I do something wrong?” I take a step back.

“No. God no.” He moves closer, cupping my face. That’s when I see it, in this close proximity, the pink tinge to his cheeks is unmissable. He’s embarrassed. “I’m just being selfish. I’ve had you all to myself since the wedding, so I’m not used to sharing you with other people or having to fight for your attention.”

A small smile pulls on my lips.

“See? I told you it was stupid.” He lifts his glasses and runs a hand over his face. He looks so sheepish and nervous that I’m in disbelief.

Antonio Vitale, one of Europe’s youngest billionaires, is worried about fighting for my attention. This 6’5, absolute god of a man, is upset because he thinks I’m not paying attention to him. If only he knew.

I grab both his hands. “It’s not stupid, and you never have to fight for my attention, Nino. You’ve had my attention since the first day we met.”

“You…You called me Nino.”

I bite my lip, the nickname slipped past my lips without me intending it. I’ve been wanting to call him that since I heard Augustus and Adriano call him that, but it seemed too personal. “Is that okay?”

“More than okay.” His hand cups my jaw and he pulls me in for a kiss. It steals my breath and for a split second, my world is frozen. Nothing else in this world matters more than Antonio’s lips against mine.

“Keep it in your pants, Nino,” a female voice exclaims, and it shatters through my little fantasy, sending reality right back through me.

Antonio and I pull apart to find Valerie and Ambrose standing a few steps below. I smile brightly as I slip out of Antonio’s grasp and walk over to greet her.

“You look absolutely stunning,” I say, meaning every syllable. She’s wearing a gorgeous off-the-shoulder, floor-length, black dress. A change of colour to her usual pink

“Says you! This is 100% your colour!” she exclaims, pulling me into a hug. My cheeks heat because I know the reason I started wearing yellow was because it is a certain someone’s favourite colour. “It makes you look like you’re glowing,” she continues her praise as she steps back.

“Because she is,” Antonio says as he steps up behind me. Ambrose offers me his standard head nod of acknowledgement before guiding Valerie inside the restaurant.

“I can’t tell if your brother likes me or not,” I say as Antonio guides me to do the same.

“He doesn’t like anyone but Valerie.” He shrugs. “Don’t take it personally.”

The server guides us to a room just off the main dining hall, and it’s decorated to the nines in gold, red, and black. A truly luxe scene as I take in everyone in the room. Celebrities from all over the world, ones I’ve fangirled over for years, are standing here in front of me.

“Wow,” I whisper.

“Starstruck?” Antonio asks, his mouth next to my ear.

“Just a little, this is crazy.”

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