Page 15 of Beautiful Desire

“Okay, I’ll get Santino to bring the car around.”

Before Gia can move, I cut in. “It’s fine. I’m going to head out too. I can make sure Elle gets home safe. If you’re okay with that?”

With a shocked look on her face, she turns to look at me, and for a split second, I think she wants to kill me. I give her a tight smile, hoping she’ll take the olive branch. After all,she’sthe one who left me alone in a hotel room.

Actually, what am I doing? Why the hell am I offering to give her a lift home? Just being near her makes me lose control of my senses. How am I going to control myself trapped in a car, sitting so close to her?

Then Fabi comes strolling back outside to join us. “What happened to the party?”

“I, uh…I’ve got to head out. Elle here said she was heading out too, so I offered her a ride.”

Giving me a raised brow, he says nothing, but nods before pulling me in for a hug. “Don’t do it, brother. My gattina won’t go easy on you when this blows up.”

“Never even crossed my mind,” I say, hoping he can’t tell just how full of shit I really am.

When we pull back, Fabi and Gia walk us to the door, and we continue our goodbyes. I allow Elle to walk in front of me to my waiting car and take in the delicious view of her ass as it sways while she makes her way down the steps.

Bill jumps out and opens the door.

“We have a pit stop on the way back first, please, Bill,” I tell him.

“Yes, sir,” he replies.

I slide into the car after her, and we sit in an awkward silence, waiting for Bill to start the car and then pull out of the driveway. It doesn’t take long for the tension to build between us.

“So, where to?” I ask, pulling my phone out of my jacket pocket.

I need to keep my attention on something else, because being in this enclosed space and focusing on her isn’t going to end well.

“What?” Confusion is evident in her voice as she answers.

“Your address? I need to tell my driver so we can drop you home.”

She says her address loud enough for Bill to hear, and we continue on our way.

The rest of our journey is made in a deafening silence. I don’t know what to say. There’s nothing Ihaveto say, but there is, however, plenty I would love todo. To have my fingers dig into her skin, to taste her sweet release on my tongue. When we pull up to her place, Bill jumps straight out of the car and waits by her door, and we both speak at the same time.

“Do you—”

“Thank you—”

A blush paints her cheeks as she plays with the strap on her purse.

“Do you need me to walk you up?” I ask.

“No, I think it’s best if you don’t. Thanks for the ride home, though.”

I give her a tight-lipped smile, nodding in understanding. “You’re welcome.”

Leaning in close to her, I reach up with my hand and tuck an errant piece of her silky blonde hair behind her ear. Her breath hitches, and I’m not sure if it’s due to my touch or our proximity. Closing her eyes, she leans her face into my palm as my thumb drags along her soft cheek. The atmosphere grows thick, and as much as I would love to close the small gap between us and savor the taste of her lips on mine, I won’t. She’s all but said it’s not what she wants, even if her body is saying otherwise.

Knowing I need to back away, I drop my hand and shift back in my seat, but not before catching another whiff of her flowery scent. Her eyes open instantly, and they go round as realization sets in at what just happened.

Turning away from me, she places her hand on the door handle at the same time Bill opens it for her. She quickly slips out, runs up the steps, and enters the building without looking back.

My head drops against the headrest in the backseat as I close my eyes and allow her lingering scent to fill my senses. The journey back to my apartment on the other side of the city is made quickly and quietly. I haven’t felt so frustrated since the morning after our night together. I never expected her to affect me like this.

I never thought I’d see her again. She was just meant to be like all the rest, nothing more than a good time, but the connection I feel with Elle is something I’ve never experienced before. It’s like her scent puts me under a spell and I have to resist everything within me to not reach out and feel her.

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