Page 31 of Beautiful Desire

He raises his scotch and clinks it against mine, giving me a panty-melting smirk as he repeats after me. As he places his arm around me, his hand falls on the familiar spot on my lower back.

I know this time I won’t be able to walk away in the morning.

CHAPTER10

DOM

Since I managedto get Elle alone earlier, I’ve done a pretty good job of keeping her nearby, with the exception of her using the bathroom. I did once again offer to help her, but like the first time I offered, she refused my help. Thankfully, there aren’t many people here who are all that interested in talking to me, which has meant I’ve spent almost every second with Elle.

When I first bumped into her all those months ago at Fabi and Gia’s, I was pissed at her. My ego had taken a hit. Nobody had ever left me high and dry the next morning. But no matter how hard I tried to stay mad at her for that, I couldn’t help the feeling in my gut every time I knew I was going to see her. How her floral scent made my dick hard. Restraining my hands from reaching out to touch her velvety-soft skin whenever I walked past her. My hands brushed against her at times when I couldn’t stop myself. The sound of her laugh.

Fuck. Just everything about this woman had me fighting with myself.

Tonight, though, I wasn’t holding back. I’ve been so lost in my own thoughts since we got here, and I just needed to forget about those for the time being. I was determined to occupy all of Elle’s time and not give her the chance to run out on me again.

I made sure to tell Marco and Fabi that I was to be paired with Elle for that first dance. No way in hell was I going to let any other man put his hands all over her, even if it was just Marco. I’m not so sure she was all too happy about it initially, but right this second, she doesn’t seem too mad.

I’m sitting at a table with Marco, Fabi, and a few more of his men while Gia, Sofia, and Elle are out on the dance floor. I’ve barely been able to take my eyes off her the entire time she’s been dancing. Even when I’m talking to the guys, I can’t take my eyes off her for too long before they drift back.

“Dom, I told you before and I’ll tell you again. Gia will have my balls, as well as yours, if you do it,” Fabi says quietly as he leans in closer toward me.

Somehow, though, I think he might be wrong. The smile I saw on Gia’s face earlier when she spotted Elle and I standing at the bar together with my hand on her back tells me she wouldn’t be pissed at all.

“Do what?” I answer with a knowing smirk on my lips.

“Oh, merda.”Oh, shit.“I know that look.Just remember who she is, okay? She’s not like any other woman. She’s my family now.”

“Io so.”I know.

The truth is, I do know. No other woman has ever left such a lasting effect on me before. I’ve never been excited to see another woman before, even if I couldn’t touch her like I wanted to. I’m just happy to be around her. I raise my almost-empty glass in cheers toward the groom and down my last mouthful.

“I’m gonna head out. Congratulations, man. Enjoy the rest of your wedding night.” I give him a wink to ensure he understands my indication. “See you in the morning.”

“Remember what I said.Family,” is all he replies before I walk out onto the dance floor.

Gia sees me approach, and a broad smile stretches across her face.

I knew she wouldn’t mind.

“And where do you think you’re going?” she asks as I stand beside the three of them while they continue to dance.

“I’m making sure your maid of honor gets back to her room safely,” I tell her, bending to give her a quick peck on the cheek.

“She’s my girl, Dom. Remember that,” Gia says as she pins me with a smile, but the look of death in her eyes tells me she isn’t messing around.

Fabi is screwed with this one.

“Fiore, your security to escort you back to the house,” I tell Elle as I hold my hand out toward her.

She giggles as she slips her hand into mine without any hesitation. Between the alcohol in her system and the fact she hasn’t left the dance floor for the past forty minutes, her cheeks are the most beautiful shade of pink. I bend to press a kiss to her cheek before we turn to leave.

When I pull back, Elle quickly turns and throws her arms around Gia in a tight embrace. I can hear them talking to one another, but I can’t make out what they are saying over the music blasting from the speakers. After pulling away from Gia, Elle gives Sofia a brief hug before turning toward me with a smile lighting up her face.

I slip my hand into hers once again, and we turn and head toward the exit of the reception. We walk along the hallway before we reach the main lobby of the hotel and head out through the front doors. A long line of Rolls Royce cars sits parked out front. Fabi wanted to ensure guests wouldn’t have to wait whenever they decided they wanted to call it a night.

I stop just before we make it to the car. “In case I didn’t tell you yet, you look beautiful today, Miss Parker.”

Her head drops as a small, barely audible giggle rises up her throat. Squeezing her hand to make her look at me, I look Elle in the eyes, trying to convey how genuine my words are.

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