Cara’s pov
“I know I’ve already seen how gorgeous you look in this dress but I have to say it again. You’re so gorg!” Diana exclaimed as soon as I stepped into the penthouse’s second living room.
A big smile stretched my cheeks and I did a diva move. “Thank you, baby. You’re absolutely beautiful yourself.” I said, gesturing to her whole frame.
My friend did her signature hair flip, fluttering her thick lashes. “Well, I have you to thank for this dress and my mama for this face.”
She was right, Mama Dee really scored with making her. She was one of the most beautiful people I know and right now, all that bountiful qualities were at their full shine. From her honey brown hair to her emerald green eyes, she was radiant. If she turned hundred heads before, she was going to turn a thousand more today.
Diana hooked her arm around mine, “We should get going. I’m itching to witness Luca’s reaction when he sees you.”
We were riding to the party together, Luca had some early morning business and had to leave earlier. As well as to oversee the security of the mansion. He’s been the opposite of calm these days and was even more particular about details. I hoped the celebration would get him to loosen up. That and the sight of me in this dress.
I was flushed immediately, my pulse taking off. I, too, wanted to see how he reacts for myself, even though I already have an idea of how it would go. How his eyes would darken and radiate heat, becoming windows to his desire. Luca was a man unashamed about his feelings and even right in the presence of everyone, his father, he wouldn’t hide his need to ravish me until I’m screaming out his name.
The mansion was littered with fearsome looking men with big guns and earpieces. Right from the gates, to the foyer and across every areas, these men were lurking, watching and alert. Luca had gone over the top with the security and I didn’t know much about mafia business but I couldn’t foresee an attack in a tightly secured party like this.
What I’d expected to be a simple gathering was more like a party meant for the tabloids. The ballroom was brimming with expensively dressed people of all kinds and there was a guard for every five men and women. That plus the acrobatic performers and the different entertainment setup told me all I needed to know that this wasn’t “just a regular party” like Gina had oh so flippantly described. I keep forgetting rich people operate on a different scale than the rest of us.
Speaking of my stepsister, I sighted her greeting guests with her husband who was attached to her side like a loyal pitbull. She had wanted to come with Diana and I but the man had strongly refused and insisted she arrive with him.
Eyes straying, she spotted me then acknowledged me with a warm smile, one that also hinted at her desire to be saved from the punishment that was socializing. I chuckled inwardly, returning her smile with a slow shake of my head. There was nothing I could do, she was a host, the retired godfather’s daughter, she had to play her part.
Dante followed her gaze, noticed me and went back to brooding and scanning the hall like a terminator, his body unconsciously leaning closer to her.
The man looked like he was expecting a surprise attack at any time and was ready for it. He was just like Luca and I guess made men were more alike than I believed them to be.
A tray of champagne flutes appeared by my side and I grabbed two glasses, handing Diana one before taking a dainty sip.
“Another day to drink something more expensive than my family conjoined net worth. Also, I just saw the Prince of Brunei and his wife who used to be a famous Broadway singer.” My friend prattled, her eyes wide with wonder and her hands animated.
One of what she said surprised me. Manuel Salvatore might be my mother’s husband but he used to be one of the world’s top most powerful men for many, many years as well. He still was, just that most of that power now rested on Luca, the man I was dating. My eyes coasted around the room and landed on a famous congressman and I shivered. Luca dealt with powerful men like that and even more dangerous ones in the underworld. Men that I’d have to mingle with on occasion if I wanted to be his worthy girlfriend.
Valentina could handle men like that, she could understand their conversations and hold one with them, political or strategic. She had the wits and poise to keep up while I, on the other hand, was a simple girl with zero understanding of the mafia world or the politics entwined with it.
I haven’t even found someone to teach me how to use a gun much less fight.
“Hey,” Diana nudged me, snapping me out of my gloomy thoughts. “You look… down. Is everything alright?”
I forced a bright smile. “I’m fine.” The lie came easy.
Diana’s expression told me she knew I was bullshitting but she doesn’t press the matter. “I’m going to go watch the bendy people, wanna come with?”
I shook my head. “I have to find Luca. Have fun though.”
She squeezed my arm comfortingly before disappearing. Off to the acrobatic show.
I felt the loss of her presence immediately, feeling out of place amongst the socially important people moving around. Most criminals, some dirty government officials but important all the same.
I remained in my spot, unsure where to start looking for Luca and if I find him, lure him away from whoever he was with. Even my ignorant mafia sensibilities could tell that doing something like that would be a sort of taboo. Made men might be hard shelled but they’re also as sensitive as a wounded bear. I wouldn’t want anyone picking offense for having the audacity to interrupt their important discussion.
“You must want to kill me, showing up in a dress like that.”
I whirled around immediately. “Luca.”
My heart squeezed painfully at the sight of him, my stomach lurching and my lungs running out of oxygen.
He was breathtaking. Literally. A complete eye candy in his black tuxedo that fit snugly on his muscular body. His dark hair was gelled back, enhancing his beautiful sharp features and those grey eyes… they glinted darkly, luring the desire in me, awakening the throbbing between my legs.
He was a fantasy, an absolute wet dream.
I cleared my now dry throat. It felt like it was clogged with desert sand. “You look good yourself.” I said rather lamely.
Luca’s lips slowly tilted with a smirk, like he knew I meant more than I let on. He stepped closer and closer until he closed the gap between and I was suddenly arrested by his commanding scent, his reeling presence. “I really like this dress, it does a good job of framing your glorious ass”
My breathing spiked.
“But I also don’t like how it attracts the attention of every single man in this room.” He drawled, his chest brushing against mine.
He was too close. Too, too, close and it was messing with my focus. We were standing in the middle of a gathering full of affluent people yet all I could see, feel and hear was him. People were probably watching us, my mother and Manuel for all I know but I couldn’t bring myself to care, all that mattered now was my hot mafia king boyfriend and his seductive presence.
I leaned even closer. “They might,” I purred, “but only one man gets to see what lies underneath.”
I was rewarded with the dark clouds of desire that pooled into Luca’s eyes and turned the grey to near black.
“And who is this man?” He asked in a gravelly whisper that resounded all the way to my belly and below.
“Do I have to spell it out?” I whispered back.
Eyes dark, gaze smothering, Luca replied, “Yes.”
I moistened my lips, pleased with the way his eyes wandered to them. “You.” I answered, my pointer finger coming up to trace his torso suggestively.
Luca caught my hand in a firm grip. “Come with me.”
I didn’t stop the grin that overtook my face as he turned around and pulled me along.