Page 17 of Dancing with the Devil

I later ran into London again and kindly broke the news to her. I didn’t really know how, so I simply said that he wasn’t interested in dating right now, and I could tell she was a tad bit upset.

She brushed it off, so I hugged her, then headed over to Giovanni’s table.

“Bella,” he smiled, angling his body toward me, and I threw my arms around his neck.

“Hey Gio.”

“How’s my favorite girl doing?” he asked, and I broke the hug.

“Never better.”

“You’re really talented,” one of the men at the table complimented, and I politely smiled.

“Thank you.”

“I told you she was the best, didn’t I?” Giovanni confidently asked. “And, by the way,” he said, and I turned my head to him. “This color lipstick is definitely my favorite,” he whispered, staring at my red lips. Tonight’s shade was leaning more towards burgundy.

“Well, then I guess I should be wearing it more often.” My reply gained me a heartwarming chuckle from him as he lifted his glass to his lips with his free hand resting on my lower back.

I stood up straight as one of the men asked Giovanni a question, and my eyes traveled around the room, landing onhim.

He brought the glass up to his lips but stopped as he turned his head in my direction. He finished his drink in one go andwaved me over. My jaw dropped, and I softly groaned, biting down on my teeth.

“Excuse me,” I politely excused myself.

Irritably, I walked over—completely and utterly dumbfounded. “You didnot,justwaveme over.”

His reply was casual. “Yes. I did.”

“Well, what is it?” I asked, evidently annoyed by him.

“Bring me another,” he handed me his empty glass.

“Are you driving home?” I hesitantly asked. Just because I don’t like the man, doesn’t mean I want his car wrapped around a tree—with him inside.

“The world must be coming to an end if you’re concerned about me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, quit being an ass. I’mtryingto be nice.”

“You’re failing,” he effortlessly pointed out, and I bit my tongue.He’s a customer, Nirah.

And once again, he was mocking me. “I can hold my liquor,sweetheart.”Woah.

My lips wanted to curve into a smile, but I tried my absolute best not to give in and allow him the satisfaction of seeing me smile because of what he said. “You should keep it,” I nodded. “You say it better.”

“Of course, I do. I do everything better,” he confidently said as I took the empty glass from him.

“Arrogant much?” I scoffed.

“Nervous?” he challenged me.

“You’re annoying.”

“And you’re really hot for me,” he shot back, and my mouth slightly gaped open in disbelief.

“You’re blind.”

“You’re attracted to me.”