Page 28 of Doll's Eye

Well, damnit. Only he could manage to make my walls quake so quickly, maybe because it’s the most candid thing he’s said to me so far. Not wanting to ruin this moment, I keep my mouth shut for once.

“I don’t want you to end up like my mother.”

Everything about me suddenly crumbles.Okay, I can work with this. “Then let’s not be like them.”

“I’ll start giving you more time. I’m not used to making anything but work a priority. I don’t spend time with my family like you do, and I haven’t had any long-lasting relationships. It’s going to be a lifestyle change for me.”

“Wow, okay. I was not expecting you to concede at all.” I chuckle nervously, and he smirks.

“I’m not always so obstinate,” he muses.

“I feel like I’m being tricked here.”

“There’s no trick.” He smiles, shaking his head slowly.

“The man I spoke to down there is not the same man I’m speaking to right now. How did that so drastically change?”

“Like I said, I don’t want to end up like them.”

“Ahh, so now I know one of your weaknesses,” I tease.

His smile grows. “Don’t think it will work like that every time,gattina.”

“Mhmm. We’ll see.”

He cracks a full-on smile, and I’m reminded of how damn handsome he is. It’s impossible to stay mad at him when he’s all cute and apologetic. “If you still plan on having dinner with your family, may I join you?”

“My family is yours.”

Chapter fifteen

Alessia

Massimo has taken our last dispute to heart, which may be backfiring on me.

We’ve been spending most evenings together, and he’s found a way to loosen up some. Now, my growing feelings for him have doubled in size. It’s beginning to feel too real.

Tonight, we’re going out to one of his clubs where he has a meeting. It’ll be interesting to see him in true boss form. To catch a glimpse of that ‘scary man.’

I decided to forgo my modest style, even though we’d be meeting with the kind of men I should have my guard in place for, and wear something more…sexy. I’m dressed to kill in a mini drape dress that is half-red metallic and half-black silk. It stops midthigh with the center rising higher. I curled my hair, pinned some pieces up to stay out of my face, and painted my lips a deep red.

There’s a knock on my door, and I grant them entrance—assuming it’s Massimo. I disappear into my closet to get a light jacket and return to find Massimo in another bespoke suit thathe deliciously fills out. His eyes light up and slowly drag up and down the length of my body, taking in my entire appearance.

I stifle a shiver and slip the jacket on, watching him as he watches me, then grab my small purse before reaching him. “You’re trying to provoke me again,gattina.” His voice dips dangerously low, and my pussy contracts.

“Yeah? In what way?” I say innocently.

He closes the gap between us and places a hand on my hip, and the amusement instantly drains from me. His warm hand slides around the silky fabric and lands on the small of my back. We’re so close that I feel dizzy from his masculine scent and the fever extruding from his impregnable body.

“I might have to gouge a few eyes out tonight if I catch anyone looking at you for too long.”

“I might like that.” I grin. “But wouldn’t that be bad for business?” I purr as I slide my hands up his chest and playfully tug on the lapels of his jacket.

His response is a grunt from the base of his throat, and his eyes keep darting down to my lips. I wish he would just kiss me already. I’ve been dying to kiss him forever, it seems, and I’ve never hesitated to make the first move, but for some reason, I want him to be the one to. It’d be like giving in, and I refuse to give in first.

“Shall we?” he breaks the spell and puts some space between us. I nod, and he takes me by the hand like he did the night of our engagement party.

How could I forget how incredibly manly and harsh they feel? It reminds me of how powerful they are and how rough around the edges he is, no matter how clean-cut he looks in those fancy suits.