Page 124 of Thorns of Love

Yikes! More pressure.

It was important that it all went well. For all of us. It would open the world of fashion to Reina, the world of top musicians to Phoenix and me, and expose Athena to artists and buyers.

I found Reina running around like a chicken with her head cut off in the back room, getting all the models ready. Shoes for this one. Ribbon for that one. Fix makeup on that one.

Geez. I’d just kill them all. Much easier.

“Where have you been?” she exclaimed in her over the top “mother” voice. The girls and I shared a look, rolling our eyes. “Stop rolling your eyes,” she grumbled. “Get to your spots,” she ordered in her most stern voice.

The three of us snapped to attention, stifling our grins. “Aye, aye captain.” The salute we gave almost made me lose it and burst into laughter.

* * *

Three hours later, we clinked out glasses, alcohol swishing, and drops spilling over the table.

“To us,” we exclaimed in unison. “Today Paris, tomorrow the world.”

We found our way back to the dance floor, swaying our hips and laughing. For the first time in over two years, we felt lighter. The murder we committed didn’t feel as heavy on our souls tonight.

It was then that I spotted him again. A few feet away from me. Oh my gosh, he was coming my way. My friends forgotten, I took a step towards him and the scent of chocolate and sin wafted into my nostrils.

Fuck, I always loved chocolate so much.

The corner of his lips tugged up. “Ciao.”

Oh my wet panties. Italian accent. Smooth and raspy. God, yes. Take me. Ravish me. Do something.

“Hello,” I greeted him, appearing cool and sophisticated, at least in my mind. All the while, my heart bounced within the walls of my rib cage like it was on steroids. Jesus Christ, so much hotness couldn’t be healthy.

“Celebrating?” he asked, his eyebrows arching in mild interest. “By the looks of it, the fashion show went well.”

“Yeah,” I breathed, wondering what exactly he wanted. Somehow, it struck me that I wasn’t his type. My eyes flickered behind him to where he’d left his date. Thirties. Blonde hair. Legs that went on and on, almost reaching the sky, while mine stopped too close to the earth. God, what was she? Like six feet tall, while little ol’me was barely pushing five foot four.

Yeah, something was fishy here. Why was this guy talking to me?

He closed the rest of the distance between us and stole the air from my lungs. I could feel the heat radiating from beneath his sophisticated, tailored suit. He kind of reminded me of my brothers. Dark, brooding, intimidating.

None of which I cared for very much. Luckily for my brothers, I loved them anyway. This guy, however, had some crazy magnetic pull on me that I definitely didn’t need. Just a look his way could steal the breath from my lungs.

I was S.C.R.E.W.E.D.

This was what all the stupid Disney movies were all about. Handsome men who swooped in, made you do dumb stuff, and then left you. Except Disney decided not to cover the last part.

As if he read my thoughts, his beautiful - oh so kissable - lips curved into a smile and every part of me melted into a puddle.

“Isla, we’re gonna go to the next bar,” Athena shouted. “You coming?”

I waved my hand noncommittally, drowning in the dark gaze of this stranger. “Yeah, I’ll meet you there.”

I didn’t bother sparing her a look. I feared if I tore my eyes off this man, he’d disappear and I’d miss my chance. For some dumb reason, it felt like Ineededto keep him in my vicinity.

To keep his heat. To keep his darkness. Just for a little while longer.

He studied me with the same interest and I wondered what he saw. A drip of darkness that slithered through my light, slowly suffocating it? Or was it the sins I’d committed? A ghost of a smile passed his lips and his dimples turned my stomach into warm goo. God, I had never been much into anatomy but there was something so bewitching about his sharp jawline. The curves and edges of his face were ruthless. Between those cutthroat cheekbones and square chin was a mouth that must have been made for saying filthy things in the language of romance. Even his straight nose was attractive.

Leisurely, I let my gaze travel down the tall, strong frame of him. I couldn’t find a single flaw. His navy suit made him look severe. He cocked his head to the side, as if waiting for me to render my judgment.

I remained silent. Because really, what could I say? The man looked like a Roman god.