I took a deep breath and turned my head to stare out the window. He seemed to accept my answer this time because he said nothing else. However, he also didn't ask for directions to where I was staying, and I knew he didn't know where that was since he'd just met me tonight, so he must be taking me back to his hotel. That was fine. Once we arrived, I could catch an Uber. I don't think Jade wanted her clients to know where she lived, anyway, and I was staying with her until I could save up enough money to start over somewhere else.
Despite the fact that I was playing with fire, I had to admit I was both relieved and disappointed that he'd given in so easily. An awkward silence stretched between us, at least on my end, and I searched for something to say. "How can you see to drive in those things?" I was genuinely curious.
"I can see fine. I'm used to them."
"I guess I'll have to take your word for it." He didn't respond, but I continued to try to distract him from his mission of getting me in his bed. "Do you wear them to hide something? Do you have a nasty birthmark or scar or something?" Jade hadn't said anything about him being disfigured. But that didn't mean he wasn't. To her, these guys she spent her time with were nothing but dollar signs. "It wouldn't matter to me at all. I'm just curious."
"Or something," was all he said.
Pulling up in front of the hotel, he turned off the SUV and came around the front to open my door, giving me his hand to help me out. "Thank you," I murmured. "I'll just call an Uber from the lobby and be out of your hair." He gave his keys to the valet, and I put on my coat as we walked up to the doors. "Again, I'm sorry I ruined your night."
"It's alright," he replied. "I actually hate weddings."
I smiled. "Most guys do." Then I held out my hand. "It was nice meeting you," I lied. "I'll pay you back for the dress." How I was going to do this, I had no idea. But since I hadn't earned it, it was really the right thing to do.
"That's not necessary. Consider it a gift. And my offer to stay still stands." "Perhaps another time," I told him in a firm voice.
He stared down at me for so long I began to feel awkward standing there, holding my hand out. I was about to pull it back when he reached out and wrapped his long fingers around mine. Turning it until my palm faced up, he brought my hand up to his mouth and pressed a soft kiss to the inside of my wrist, his lips lingering over my pulse point as though he could feel how fast it fluttered.
My lips parted on a soft gasp as my nipples hardened and the muscles deep in my womb tightened sharply. I barely stopped myself from rubbing my thighs together to ease the sudden ache between them.
Pulling my hand from his, I gave him a small, apologetic smile for my impending rudeness and without another word, I turned and walked into the lobby to call my ride.
While I waited at the front desk to ask the girl behind the counter to make the call for me, I didn't turn around to see where Enzo was, not even when I heard the sound of his dress shoes on the marble floors. His steps never faltered as he headed to the elevator on the other side of the lobby. But then again, why should they? I was just some strange woman with pink hair he'd had the misfortune of getting blue balls from tonight. I was very lucky he was such a gentleman about it all. And there was no reason he shouldn't forget about me just as soon as I was out of his sight.
So why did I feel such a deep stab of rejection?
As I waited for my Uber, I silently scolded myself. I was being foolish. This guy wasn't someone I'd met on a night off at the club and had some kind of immediate connection with. He was a client. And a disappointed one at that. There was no reason in hell he'd spare me one more thought. And no reason why I should want him to.
The phone rang, and the little blonde girl who was working the desk walked over and answered. I didn't pay much attention to what she was saying until she hung up and I realized she was trying to get my attention. "Yes?" I asked her.
"That was Mr. Delligatti. He would like you to know that your ride is on its way and the cost of your Uber has been taken care of. Also, that he will see you here Tuesday night at eight o'clock sharp."
Enzo Delligatti. I knew that name. From... somewhere...
My breath caught in my lungs. I couldn't believe I'd been so stupid as to not have recognized him the moment he opened the door to his room. A large, hard-looking man with spiky dark hair and sunglasses who obviously had money to burn. And his name. How many Enzos were there in the city of Austin that fit that description?
Even though I'd never actually met him, he was infamous in our world. The right-hand man of Luca Morelli, the underboss of the Italian mafia in this area. It was said Luca was growing more powerful than his father, and was putting himself in a position to take over as boss. Fuck.
Fuck!
I gripped the crucifix in my pocket tightly. It's okay. He doesn't know who you are. Just keep it together. "After I leave, please give him my apologies.
I'm not available Tuesday night."
Luckily, my Uber chose that moment to pull up to the curb. "But please thank him for the ride home." Leaving her staring after me with her mouth hanging open in shock, I rushed out of the hotel and got into the car.
Yeah, even the hotel staff knew no one ever said no to Enzo Delligatti.
At least, not until tonight.