Page 51 of Forbidden Vows

He moves toward me, dress shoes snapping against the floor until he reaches me. “I want you to know,” he says, “The Beauties had no hand in this purchase.” He traces his finger down the low, silky neckline, over the curve of my breast. “This one was all mine.”

We’re interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing at the door. “S’cuse me then. Didn’t know I was walking up on Fifty Shades of Grey in real life. Damn, Christian, you lookin’ good. Let me see my Anastasia.”

He steps away from me, letting Seraphina get a good look at me. She stands in the doorway, one hand on her hip, pinching the velvet of her lime green dress to her waist. “Dang girl! You clean up real good.”

“Hi, Seraphina!” I move across the room, teetering on my shoes till I get the hang of them, to embrace her in a tight hug.

She gives me a brief squeeze, then holds me at arm’s length. “You truly look amazing. Like, seriously. Drop dead gorgeous.”

Now there are two of them to make me blush. “Thanks, friend. You look incredible. As always.”

She gives a little twirl. “Thanks. After my shoot, my bodyguard took me shopping. All this is courtesy of your man’s Black Amex, princess.” She leans over, giving Blaze a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks again, Blaze. You’re a very generous man.”

I don’t bother correcting her about the ‘my man’ comment; instead, I ask, " Did you have fun with your bodyguard?”

“Yep. Two hundred pounds of muscle.” She runs the tip of her tongue over her lips. “Yummy. And he carries a Bachman Black Amex, too.”

“Your dream man,” I laugh.

The three of us head downstairs. I’m grateful Seraphina’s with me for multiple reasons, but tonight it’s me, Blaze, Liam, the head of the Villa, and his curly-haired blonde wife, Emilia, Sharon’s dad, and we’re going to meet Haze and his wife Ophelia for the first time.

All couples.

Blaze and I are NOT a couple. Just stepsiblings enjoying a flirty forced vacation with one another on their parents’ honeymoon.

Blaze tells us, “I’m going to run up to the West Wing and get the parents.”

“Take your time,” Seraphina calls, ready to grill me. The moment he’s out of earshot, she turns to me. “You two look cozy.”

“Stop fishing.”

“Don’t have to. I can already tell you hooked the big one.”

“It’s not like that.”

“What’s it like then?” She eyes my chest. “Your boobies are on full display tonight for somebody. This is the first time I’ve seen you with cleavage.”

“I didn’t pick it out. He bought this dress for me.”

“Exactly. You’re wearing a dress he bought you. I don’t think that’s a dressmybrother would buymeif I had one…” Her lips curve up into a knowing smile. “You’ve proved my point.”

Luckily, Sharon, Blaze, and Dad arrive at the top of the stairs. They meet us in the foyer, and we go around with greetings, complimenting each other’s black tie, glamorous outfits.

We step out into the cool Mediterranean breeze. It’s a short walk to the main house where we’ll be dining.

Shron hooks arms with her son, stealing him from me, which is good because I don’t want Seraphina to feel like a third wheel tonight. I hook my arm with my best friend.

She gives me a grin. “Need help on those stilettos, friend?”

“Kinda,” I laugh.

I overhear Sharon asking Blaze. “Did you ever give Gianna a call? I was talking to Emilia this afternoon. She said she knew the two of you would hit it off. Gianna ’s currently renovating a condo in Milan.”

Walking behind him, I can’t see the reaction on his face, but he does reach back, rubbing the back of his neck in what I decide looks like an uncomfortable manner. “Ah, no. Not yet,” he says.

Not yet. Or not ever?

I’m not a jealous person. He waited for me to see his house first. I hold on to that fact, gripping it tight in my pink manicured fingers. And I’m theonlywoman to be invited to the mafia lair.

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