Chapter 29 XXIX.
No matter how much I begged and pleaded with Alessandro to tell me how he convinced Mr. Francisco to sign the deal, he refused.
We arrived at the hotel, and I just had to ask him before we went inside. “Seriously, Alessandro, are you not going to tell me how you convinced Mr. Francisco to sign the deal?”
He smirked at me. “Why are you so desperate to know anyway?”
He was squinting at me now, making me nervous—but he was also right. Why did I want to know so badly?
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Oh, well… I just want to make sure it wasn’t something bad, like having him beat up or… or…” The rest of the words got caught in my throat because I didn’t even want to fathom the possibility that I might be right.
I know Alessandro is gay, and he feels bad that I lost the deal, but he definitely wouldn’t sell his body to get it back. His ego is bigger than that.
Alessandro raised a brow. “Or what?” he asked, looking amused.
I blushed and looked away from him. Even if he had sold his body to get the deal, why should it be my business? It’s his choice. But despite my thoughts, I found my heart clenching painfully in my chest.
“What’s going through that head of yours, Rowan?” Alessandro’s question pulled me out of my thoughts. I came back to my senses only to find him watching me intensely.
I cleared my throat awkwardly. “It’s nothing, Alessandro. Uh… thanks for helping me get that deal. I don’t know what method you used to convince Mr. Francisco, but just know that I’m grateful.”
He smiled that genuine, lovely smile of his. “Anything for you, Rowan.” And there goes my heart again, pounding so fast and threatening to shoot out of my chest.
I gulped, unsure if I should add what I was about to say, but I had to. “Um, I’d like to thank you properly before we return to California tomorrow.”
Alessandro’s smirk widened, and he took a step closer to me. I watched him in a daze. There was that brightness in his eyes again—warm and glowing.
“And how do you plan to make it up to me?” he whispered.
They were simple words, but for some reason, they managed to set my skin on fire. Every cell in my body came alive, and I could feel warm blood coursing through my veins. “W-well, I… I can take you out to dinner, just as you took me out the last time. It’s almost dinner time anyway.”
Alessandro grinned at me. That mischievous look was back in his eyes. “I have a better idea, Rowan. Why don’t we go clubbing?”
My eyes widened. “Clubbing? But I’ve never gone clubbing before.”
He grabbed both my hands and held them in his. I tried not to faint at his touch. “That’s all the more reason to come with me. I promise it’s fun.”
I thought about it for a bit. One part of my brain wanted me to go with him, but the other part kept saying it was a bad idea.
However, the first part won the argument. “I’ll go with you, Alessandro.”
He smiled widely. It was so beautiful that it made me smile as well. “Don’t worry, Rowan, you’re about to experience the best night of your life. Make sure you dress your best.”
I prayed it would be the best night and not the worst.
\---
I got dressed in a white button-up shirt and trousers. Since it was a club, I decided not to look too formal. So I ditched the blazer but kept my tie on.
After checking myself in the mirror, I decided I looked decent enough.
My mind reeled with thoughts of what Alessandro might be wearing right now. It didn’t really matter anyway. He seemed to look good in everything he wore.
When I left the room, I found Alessandro outside. He was already waiting for me.
I stopped short when I finally got a good look at him. He looked exceptionally handsome. He had on a deep V-neck wool pullover tucked into his baggy pants, and it seemed like he had taken extra time to work on his hair because it looked straighter and shinier.
His eyes were brighter than usual, his teasing smirk in place—and I couldn’t breathe.
“Whoa, Rowan, you look good,” he complimented, forcing a blush out of me.
“T-thanks,” I stuttered, realizing that he had been checking me out just as I had been checking him out.
“But there’s something not right about your outfit,” he commented, taking two steps closer until he was standing right in front of me. I stiffened when he held both my arms in his large hands. My heart was already going into overdrive.
He smiled into my eyes. “You’re so stiff, Rowan. Relax a bit,” he teased.
But relaxing was the last thing on my mind, and Alessandro only made things worse when he trailed his large hands slowly up my arms. I breathed out slowly as I felt his touch awakening forbidden feelings in me that I never thought possible to awaken.
His hands stopped at my shoulders. He was staring intensely into my eyes, and I was looking right back at him, not knowing how to look away.
His eyes flickered to my lips, and as if by instinct, mine flickered to his as well—pink and plump. Every part of my body ached with the need to lean forward and taste those lips, but I held myself back, knowing I would only create problems for myself if I crossed those boundaries.
With some difficulty, I stepped back from him. “Uh, shall we go?”
I saw the disappointment in his eyes, but he was quick to mask it with a smile. “Sure, but first I just wanted to tell you that you have to take off that tie. You don’t have to look so professional at a club.”
“Oh, right!” I quickly worked to unknot the tie. I felt very self-conscious under Alessandro’s intense gaze. He didn’t take his eyes off me, not even for a second. “All done!”
“Not yet.” He took a step closer again, bringing all the forbidden feelings with him. As if that wasn’t enough, he brought his hands to my neck and began undoing the buttons of my shirt.
My heart stood still. My nose suddenly grew sensitive to the scent of his cologne. His gesture made me feel intoxicated.
He unbuttoned the first three buttons, leaving a large part of my chest bare. “Now that’s better,” he said, nodding in approval.
I took a step back from him quickly. “T-thanks, Alessandro. W-we should go.”
Without waiting for a word of agreement, I hurried past him and headed straight for the elevator.
Lord, please give me the strength to survive this night.
\---
We arrived at the club. It was just as expected—loud and crowded. However, what I didn’t expect was for it to be a gay club. Wherever I looked, I found two men kissing or two women making out. It didn’t take a genius to know that Alessandro had brought me to a gay club.
I leaned toward his ear. “You didn’t tell me we were coming to a gay club!” I had to shout so he could hear me over the music.
He chuckled and yelled back, “Do you mind?” It sounded curious, and I noticed a hint of nerves. I almost forgot that Alessandro didn’t know I knew he was gay. I blushed as I remembered how I found out.
“I don’t mind. I just didn’t expect it.”
He smiled. “Well, you’re free to have fun and…” He leaned closer to my ear to whisper, “…experiment if you want to.”
I glared at him. “I’m engaged to your sister, Alessandro. That’s not something you should say to your future brother-in-law.”
The smile on his face dimmed slightly, and I had no idea why. “I’ll get us some drinks.” He left me standing there awkwardly and unsure of what to do.
“Hey, cutie. Wanna dance?” A huge, muscular man came out of nowhere and asked me. He was looking me up and down and licking his lips like I was a piece of meat he couldn’t wait to devour.
“No, thanks!” I blurted and hurried away from him. I walked to the bar, where there were fewer people, and took a seat on one of the stools.
From where I was seated, my eyes scanned the club, searching for Alessandro, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Would you like a drink?” I glanced toward the deep voice to find a very handsome man behind the counter, smiling at me. He had long blond hair and blue eyes, and I could see dark tattoos scattered all over his arms. He was slender, but I could tell he was very fit. “Like what you see?” he asked with a smirk when I stared too long.
“S-sorry,” I apologized quickly.
“It’s fine. It’s nice to be admired by a cutie like you.” He winked playfully at me, and I couldn’t help smiling.
“You’re flirting with me, aren’t you?” I asked, falling in line with the playful conversation.
“Yes, I’m a huge flirt, but please don’t take it to heart. I actually have a boyfriend, and I could die for him.”
“Wow, that’s… intense,” I said in surprise as he placed a glass of something brownish in front of me. “What’s this?”
“Whiskey. Don’t worry, it’s on me.”
“I don’t drink alcohol.” I politely tried to push it back to him, but he pushed it right back to me.
“It’s just one glass,” he insisted.
I sighed and gave in. “So, do you have a boyfriend, or should I set you up with my good friend?”
“Sorry, but I’m engaged,” I told him, eyeing the drink warily.
He whistled, looking a bit disappointed. “As expected. Someone as hot as you wouldn’t be single. Who’s the lucky guy?”
I downed the drink and cringed as it burned my throat. “I’m engaged to a woman, and I’m straight.”
The bartender gave me a look of disbelief. “I see. You’re straight, but you’re in a gay club right now. Make it make sense.”
“My friend brought me here.” Speaking of friends, where the hell is Alessandro?
The bartender smirked like he knew something I didn’t. “Your friend, huh?” He shrugged. “Well, would you like another drink?”
“No,” I slurred as I scanned the room again for Alessandro. I found him on the other side of the room, talking and being all touchy-feely with some red-haired guy.
That stupid smirk was on his face as he talked to him.
My heart burned, and I felt an unexpected surge of anger—though I had no idea why I was even angry.
“On a second thought, I think I’ll have that drink.”
The bartender raised a brow and stared in the same direction I was looking. “I see why,” he laughed, patting my shoulder. “I feel sorry for you, straight guy.”
I ignored the bartender and kept glaring at Alessandro and the guy he was flirting with. I can’t believe he left me to go flirt with someone else.
He’s a bastard.