Page 157 of Sins of the Orchid

My head swiveled Lorenzo’s way, then followed his gaze.Santi?

Glancing at Santi’s knuckles, they looked red and bruised, like always. Though it was hard to see in the dark of the nightclub.

“Your brother hit you?” I asked Adriano, frowning.

“Nah, we wrestled a bit.” Adriano didn’t seem worried about it at all.

“I don’t know, Adriano,” I snorted softly. “It looks like he mainly wrestled you.”

As if pulling me with an invisible force, I met Santi’s eyes again. If I was smart, I’d move to another city, so I’d never see him again. I was cursed with the memories of our time together. Yet, it was the happiest time of my life. I remembered every word, every kiss, every touch, and dancing together under the Italian sky.

Sometimes I wished I could just forget it all so every look his way didn’t fluster me so much and make my heart ache with longing.

Adriano and I started dancing. Lorenzo grabbed a girl and started working his magic on her while every so often returning his watchful eye on me. Luigi remained in his corner, glaring towards Santi. The latter remained like a dark shadow glued to his spot, my body painfully aware of every single glance our way.

I had to stop keeping track of that man.

Grandma and Dad slowly made their exit as tunes turned more upbeat. I danced with Adriano to two songs. Just as I was ready to tell him I was done for the night, the music stopped for two heartbeats and re-started.

“Am I throwing you off?”

“Nope.”

“I didn’t think so.”

My heart skipped, then memories flooded me. The song “Promiscuous” by Nelly Furtado came on and with it the painful memories of when I felt so happy. It was the last song we danced to in Italy before we left that little local restaurant turned dance floor. I thought we were both happy, and for a fraction of time, I dreamt of a bright future with the man I loved. How stupid was I?

My eyes shot to the DJ through the dark room, expecting foul play. But he was there alone, messing with his fancy equipment.

“You don’t like this song?” Adriano asked innocently, and I forced a smile on my face.

“It’s okay.” If I never heard it play again, it would be too soon. “I’m kind of tired,” I muttered, ready to head out.

“Oh, come on,” he pulled me back to him. “Don’t leave me hanging.”

“Santi…” The wrong name slipped, and I could have bitten my tongue.Goddamn it!

Several heartbeats passed as Adriano studied me pensively. We stood motionless, staring at each other, his hand wrapped around my wrist, unwilling to let go.

“It’s Adriano,” he said softly. “Santi is my brother.” I swallowed hard, my heart squeezing under my chest. “Remember?”

I nodded, feeling like shit. This marriage arrangement would cost me my best friend; I could see it coming at me like a freight train.

“Dance with me, Amore,” he drawled. My feet remained glued to my spot, unwilling to move. “Please,” he added softly. The look on his face hit me right in my chest. I couldn’t refuse him again, unwilling to hurt him more than I already have. More than I would when I finally refused this marriage.

Our bodies moved in sync, but the sizzling attraction wasn’t there - for neither one of us. He didn’t have to say it; I just knew it. I’d seen Adriano stalk his prey and go into seduction mode. There was none of it here.

Our feet moved together, left and right. Back and forth. Then round and round. When he twirled me around and I twirled back to him, he caught me smoothly.

“You can tell me anything, you know.” His words startled me. The statement came out of nowhere. “I’ll always be here for you. The same way you were always there for me.”

My eyes stung and the lump in my throat grew. I took a shuddering breath, my eyes welled up, and my skin got hot. I tried to clear my throat and swallow the lump choking me but instead, a tear trickled down my cheek.

His touch was feather light when brushing it off with his thumb. “You trust me that little?”

My eyes lifted to his, the dark gaze so similar to his brother’s. Yet so very different.

“It’s not that,” I rasped. How could I tell him I loved his brother? Slept with him. That seeing him every day would be torture. All that man had to do was snap his fingers, and I feared I’d open my legs and let him do whatever he wanted to me. “I’m in love with someone else,” I admitted softly. He didn’t seem surprised. “I love you; I really do. But only as my best friend. It’s not fair to either one of us to settle,” I muttered.