Page 2 of Bound By The Italian’s 'I Do'

‘A large bourbon for me and a...?’ He raised a brow in question at her.

Dimples appeared on the beautiful face. ‘Mojito. Please.’

‘Mojito for the lady.’

While the barman fixed their drinks, Gianni ran his expert eye over her. Glossy shoulder length honey-blonde hair only several shades lighter than her perfectly plucked eyebrows. Beautiful elfin features. A short, silver sequinned dress with spaghetti straps that came from no high street store. A slim watch on her slim wrist from a brand also unavailable on the high street. The cut of her diamond earrings too showed that this was a woman with a discerning eye and access to an undiscerning bank account. He wondered how their paths had never crossed before.

He extended a hand. ‘Gianni.’

Slim fingers wrapped around his. Her expensive, exotic perfume drifted into his space like a fragrant cloud. ‘Issy.’

‘I haven’t seen you here before... Issy.’ A name that rhymed with dizzy did not suit this sleek, confident woman with the melodious voice who pronounced her words with the same exactness as the English socialites who flocked to his parties whenever he was in London.

Gently extracting her hand from his, she flashed pretty white teeth. ‘It’s my first time.’

His lips curved. ‘Is that a fact?’

She wiggled one of her perfect eyebrows knowingly and, enchanting blue eyes not leaving his face, closed her lips over the straw to suck the last of her original drink. The eroticism behind it sent a thrill racing through his bloodstream. Damn, this woman washot.

Placing his elbow on the bar, he rested his chin on his closed hand. ‘Waiting for someone?’

‘My girlfriend. We’re meeting here before we go to Amber’s. She’s running late.’

‘Girlfriend?’

Amusement sparkled. ‘A friend who’s a girl. Why? What did you think I meant?’

He smiled slowly. ‘I think you know very well what I meant.’

Another knowing, amused wiggle.

‘Do you have a significant other?’ he asked, cutting to the chase.

She shook her head slowly. ‘Life’s too short for significant others.’

A woman after his own heart. ‘I couldn’t agree more.’

‘You’re single too?’

‘Always.’

‘Now that is something I will gladly drink to.’ Placing an elbow on the bar close to his, she mimicked him by resting her chin on her closed hand. ‘So...’ She tilted a little closer. ‘Gianni... You’re Italian?’

‘Si.’

She grinned. ‘An Italian stallion?’

How he loved a woman who knew how to use a good double entendre. ‘So I’ve been told.’

She looked him up and down without an ounce of shame. ‘I’ll bet.’

Their drinks were placed before them. Gianni raised his. ‘To being single.’

She clinked her cocktail to his glass, dark blue eyes bold on his. ‘To having fun.’ Then she pinched the straw between her thumb and forefinger and slowly inserted it between her lips. It could not be interpreted as anything but suggestive and the thrills racing through his veins ramped up.

Her phone buzzed.

‘Excuse me,’ she said, swiping to read the message. She replied quickly then fixed him with a rueful smile. ‘That, I’m afraid, is my cue to leave.’

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