Page 34 of Captured Fantasy

The shape of a tall, broad man appeared, walking up the aisle with a confident swagger, one hand pushed in the pocket of his pants. My breath stopped in my lungs and heat moved through my stomach, sending hot tingles down between my thighs. My God, I was getting wet on this stage in front of everyone.

“How about four thousand?” Cosimo Barone said, his deep voice reverberating.

There was a stunned silence and Cosimo strode up the aisle like he’d already won, mounted the stage and paused at my side. He wore a black suit with a burgundy tie clasped with a gold tie pin. His face was clean shaven, but I could see the shadow of the black hairs beginning to form over his jaw. His dark gaze pierced through the haze of the room and sent my heart fluttering.

“Alright…I guess, we have a winner,” said Mrs. Venetti. “One dance with Mrs. Russo goes to Mr. Cosimo Barone for four thousand dollars.”

Cosimo offered his hand, his sleeve riding up just enough to see a flash of the expensive, silver Rolex on his wrist. I took a shuddering breath, wondering why my legs were so unsteady, but I forced myself to hold it together. Offering him a tempered smile, I put my hand in his and allowed him to escort me back down to my table.

“Mind if Mrs. Russo sits at my table?” he said.

“For four thousand dollars, she can sit wherever you like,” Lucien said.

I thought I saw Cosimo smile, but he concealed it, inclining his head as he slipped his hand against my lower back. Another wave of heat moved through me as he guided me to his table in the back and pulled out my chair. When I turned, he was gone and then he reappeared with the grace of a trained waiter and set a glass of wine before me.

“Thank you,” I said, forcing my voice not to shake.

He sat down beside me, his gaze lingering on my face. “How are you, Mrs. Russo?”

“Fine,” I said. “You can call me Enza.”

He studied me and shook his head. “No, thank you, Mrs. Russo.”

I laughed, confused, but let it drop. “Did you really want a dance with me that badly? Four grand isn’t something to sneeze at.”

“Well, I think I owe you an apology,” he said, sighing. “I came onto you at your husband’s funeral and I’ve been meaning to apologize for that for a while. I thought tonight might be a good time to say sorry and tell you I had no idea who you were.”

I blinked, taking a sip of wine to conceal my surprise. “It wasn’t your fault,” I said. “I thought you were disgusted by me and that’s why you wouldn’t speak to me about what happened.”

“Disgusted by you? Fuck no, I just felt like a dick,” he said, shrugging. “Not to be callous, but you were married to a man much older. I can see why you might want to let off a little steam.”

Feeling suddenly awkward, I took a slow sip from my glass. It was rich, red wine that warmed my stomach and brought my focus back to the growing desire deep within my hips. He leaned back in his chair, unbuttoning his jacket, and fixed his gaze ahead. I stole a glance at him, admiring the line of his torso beneath the front of his desk. I’d seen his naked stomach at the pool and I couldn’t get the memory of the hard ridges of his abs out of my mind. Even sitting quietly beside me, there was so much energy about him, so much passion in the corners of his eyes.

He could probably go all night.

The auction ended and the lights came on and everyone rose and headed to the ballroom. Cosimo laid his napkin aside and stood, fastening the button on his jacket. His dark gaze fell on me and I couldn’t tear my eyes from his face as he circled me and held out his hand. His palm was rough and the ring on his smallest finger had made an indent in his skin. I put my hand in his and let him lead me across the room to the door.

I glanced over at Federico and Lucien as I passed by their table. Federico was leaning back in his chair, his legs spread, and a glass in his fingers. His gaze lingered on me and I detected a hint of anger beneath his smooth exterior. Lucien was looking at his phone, completely oblivious to my presence.

In the ballroom, the lights sparkled overhead and the band had set up on the far end. Cosimo slipped his hand on my lower back, his other hand cradling my elbow as he swept me out to the dance floor. The other couples had joined us, many of them clearly feeling awkward about the whole thing. Cosimo didn’t look uncomfortable. His face was smooth and there was a slight smile on his mouth.

The music started with a slow waltz and Cosimo’s hands were on me again, his warmth searing my skin. The air between us felt hot and heavy and everything around us faded into the background. As he moved me across the floor with effortless grace, a slow feeling of anxiety seeped into my body.

Every time he was near, it sent my mind spiraling and my body surging with heat. After years of living with Gino and the last few weeks of being passed between Federico and Lucien, my body and mind had become comfortably numb. Cosimo didn’t fit into that numbness and I had no idea how to deal with the sensations his presence roused.

“Are you alright, Mrs. Russo?” he asked quietly.

I blinked. “Yes, thank you.”

“So, you came here with Lucien?” His tone was conversational, but his question felt probing.

“Yes, he drives me sometimes,” I said.

“And how do you know Federico?”

“He’s my financial guardian. Unfortunately.”

Cosimo smirked. “You don’t get along?”

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