“Let’s dance,” I told her, taking her hand, not giving room to object. I didn’t think she would, not by the signals she was giving.
Was it to annoy her dad? Not sure.
Did I honestly care? Nope, not really.
For once, I wasn’t thinking about a benefit or pissing someone off. For the moment, I wanted to enjoy the company of a beautiful woman while I twirled her around the dance floor.
“You assumed I knew how to dance,” she muttered as I wrapped my arm around her waist and swept her off her feet.
“I do. Because you were brought up in this world, like I was, and I’m going to go out on a limb that your grandparents were as old fashioned as mine and made you learn.”
“My mom.”
“Even worse. Was she always horrible?”
“Yes, but loving in her own way. What about your parents?”
“My mom is still around. Actually lives back in her village in Ireland. She’s happy there. When my dad passed away a few years back, she didn’t want to be in the States anymore, even though she lived most of her life here. Believe it or not, my parents had an arranged marriage. They loved each other, though. Even in this dark world, it showed me how I wanted marriage to be.”
“Oh, thought about marriage? Surprised as the head of a family you hadn’t been suited off.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, pulling her a little closer to my body.
Damn, she fit so perfectly against me. In fact, with her body there, it was close to feeling like a second skin. One I wasn’t sure I wanted to let go of.
“Many have tried. But it takes a strong woman to hold their own in my family and my life.”
“As it would in any mafia family, I’m sure.”
I paused in the middle of the dance floor as I stared at her.
Lucia
My words weren’t profound, but they held understanding. My dad had sworn he wouldn’t marry any of us off, that we would be free to find love on our own. But the compromise was that he would have to approve.
Not just for the overall sake of the family and the business. After all, he couldn’t just allow anyone with our hearts and our lives.
So, I wasn’t sure why Trevor staring at me caused the flapping in my stomach to go even faster. Or why was he even staring to begin with.
Which led to the one thing slipping from my mouth. “What?”
“In all my years, I don’t think I’ve had a woman who understood just what it takes to be in my world. You’re right, it’s the same in any family. But few very rarely understand.”
I ducked my head, trying to hide the red tinge on my cheeks.
I wasn’t looking for praise, but it did feel good.
“You see and understand things, Lucia, that others don’t.”
“I try, Trevor.”
“I think I like that.”
I watched as his tongue traced his lower lip while his gaze landed on my own lips.
Holy Sweet Jezebel!
What did this man do to me? He wasn’t playing fair.