Page 13 of Bite Marks

Her watch beeped, and the two continued on their run.

What does she know? I shouldn’t have to do anything like that to keep Nunzio.Vanessa’s eyes rolled hard enough she could have passed for having a seizure.What the fuck am I even thinking? It’s a fucking fake-ass relationship. Get a grip, Vanessa.

Maria was just trying to give her best advice to her friend and boss. And she was right … kind of. Men like Nunzio got passes when it came tocertainthings. They certainly got put on fast tracks, that was for sure. Heavy flirting, kissing, touching, sure. But sex? No. That was not something she needed to give away to Nunzio or any other man to keep their interest. If Nunzio wasn’t interested in her for her mind and her heart, he didn’t deserve her body.

But it was a fake relationship, so it wasn’t like Nunzio deserved any of her.

And then again, Nunzio had done well at showing his interest in her mind and heart so far. But was that just for looks?‘We might be onstage, but I meant what I said.’Nunzio’s words echoed through her mind. He’d said a lot of things that night, but those might have been his most carefully chosen words. The way he’d swallowed so hard just before, the way people gulp when they know they’re in trouble.Was he in trouble because he was about to tell a lie or because he was about to tell the truth?

Lost in her thoughts, Vanessa barely managed to dodge out of the way of another runner. “Oh! Sorry!”

“Hey, watch where you’re going,” the man shouted.

“Hey, fuck you! I said I was sorry, you prick!” she shouted back.

The pair kept running as the man shrugged and went on.

“Jeez, what did you say?” Maria snickered.

“What do you meanwhat did I say?”

“You shouted in Italian.”

“I did?”Shit. Hanging around Nunzio really is pulling out my fiery side.

She imagined his wide grin and the pride in his eyes if he’d been there. Well, if he had really been there, he would have beaten that guy’s ass.Now that fight would be sexy.

“Jesus, girl. Where are you going?” Maria asked.

“Huh?” Vanessa glanced at her.

“That big smile on your face like you just saw a nice hunk of man. Thinking about Nunzio?”

“Beating that fucker’s ass. Yeah.”

The two laughed and finished their run.

Even with Nunzio’s dramatic save with the Monet, there were still pieces to put into place. She made calls to museums and other private owners as well as calls to a select few of the crowd that she hoped to gather on the opening night. She wanted most people to come on their own accord, but by securing a few important individuals, she’d be able to attract everyone else.

Her earbud chimed, “Call from, Nun-Zio.”

She chuckled at the automated voice butchering his name as badly as the barista had. After a deep breath, she tapped the earbud. “Hi. I’m a little busy at the moment.”

“It’s good to hear your voice,” he said in Italian.

She switched to Italian with a pleased smile on her face. “Do you always speak Italian this much?”

“I just know it puts a smile on your face when I do.” He wasn’t wrong. “So, listen. I don’t want to take up too much of your time if you’re busy. I know you have a lot of work to do. I’m hoping you’d be willing to come out with me tomorrow night. My friend Ralphio is having a birthday bash for his thirtieth. It’s gonna be at a place called Sarina’s Loft.”

“Oh, yeah. I know the place. It’s just over the river from me. I could walk to it.”

“Oh no, you won’t. And deny me the pleasure of having you grace my Roma with your presence? I think not.”

Vanessa played with her dainty gold chain, stringing it along one finger. In her mind, she went through her closet, imagining what she might wear. “I take it this won’t be a gathering with kids?”

“No, adults only.” His grin reached through the phone and into her mind, mixing with her imagination of changing outfits.

She could see him in a club chair like a king on his throne, watching her come out of her closet with different outfits, parading around for him, sitting in his lap, letting him feel the fabric.Oh, a shopping date where I get to show off in some nice clothes would be nice.“Good. It sounds fun.” She hardened her tone to make sure her next words were taken seriously. “And no deals, right?”

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