Chapter 30 XXX.
ALESSANDRO'S POV.
Rowan was so hot it was a struggle for me to keep my hands to myself. I was dying to kiss those sweet lips of his. My hand ached to touch him every minute.
Keeping myself from devouring him and showing him just how much I wanted him drove me crazy. But the signs that Rowan feels nothing for me are now clear.
First, he's straight. He made that clear with Mr. Francisco. Secondly, he uses every chance to avoid being close to me. I know he doesn't know I'm gay yet, so maybe being too close to his fellow guy makes him feel weird. Third, he proudly announces to anyone who cares to know that he's engaged.
Maybe I was wrong to have even the tiniest bit of hope that Rowan might be interested in me. Maybe it's time for me to give up on hoping and just move on. Having Rowan as a friend isn't that bad anyway.
"Hey, handsome."
I heard a voice beside me and glanced in that direction. A red-haired, slender guy was smiling at me. He had light green eyes that sparkled as he gave me a once-over.
He was handsome in a cute way. Maybe if I wasn't so infatuated with Rowan, I would definitely go for someone like him. But maybe a distraction like him would help.
I smiled and also gave him a once-over. He was in a grey T shirt and skinny jeans. It's not a bad choice of outfit, but Rowan's professional suits and cute pajamas look better.
I cleared that disturbing thoughts from my head and replied. "Hey."
He stepped closer, drink still in han, and that faint sparkle still in his green eyes.
"I saw you standing here alone and thought that maybe you might like some company."
I stepped closer to him, smiling seductively. "You're right. I could use the company of someone as gorgeous as you."
He chuckled and lifted his hand to run his fingers down my bare chest.
"I like your shirt," he said in a low voice.
"You're touching my chest," I pointed out in amusement. He must mean he likes my chest.
He stared at my chest and bit his lips seductively. "Well, I like it too, and your tattoos are beautiful. You're hot."
He stared at my face again and leaned in to whisper, "Would you like to go somewhere more quiet?"
I was about to say yes when my eyes instantly caught Rowan at the bar talking to some blonde bastard. By his weird hand gestures on how he laughs so freely, I could tell that he was drunk. The real Rowan Brooks never laughs that freely.
What the hell?!
Has he been drinking?
I pulled the dude away from me and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to pass. See ya."
I walked away, leaving him looking totally lost.
I would admit that it's not his fault. We were flirting quite well just now, and all of a sudden, I'm backing out.
I hurried to Rowan's side only to find him laughing along with the blond guy across the counter.
Jealousy took over.
"Rowan!" I half growled his name.
He turned to look at me, and that was enough to confirm my thoughts that he was drunk out of his mind.
"Here comes the bastard! He's the hot bastard I was telling you about!" he said with a laugh.
I frowned, unsure of what they were talking about, but I decided to ignore them and instead hold onto Rowan's arm.
"Rowan, you are drunk."
"And you," he slurred, poking me in the chest, "have no right to be this hot!"
The bartender chuckled, and I glared at him.
"Did you seriously have to give him so much to drink?"
He raised his hands in surrender.
"He had only three glasses, and in my defence, I can't say no to a cute customer like him."
I shot him a death glare, and he laughed again.
"Relax, dude. I have a boyfriend, and I'm not into straight guys."
I furrowed my brows at him. How did he know that Rowan is straight? Did Rowan tell him?
Rowan slurred out incoherent words, and my attention returned to him.
"We have to go back to our hotel, Rowan."
He roughly pulled his arm away from my hold.
"You don't get to tell me what to do just because you're so fucking hot."
My heart raced at his compliment.
"Y-You think I'm hot?"
He looked at me with hazy eyes and patted my cheek like I was a little baby.
"You're so fucking hot it should be illegal, and you make me feel things..." He hiccupped and chuckled. "I think I'm flying."
It was a struggle to get my breathing under control.
Did he really just say I made him feel things? What kind of things? What feelings could Rowan possibly have for me?
I returned my attention to the mumbling drunk.
"We have to go, Rowan. You need to lie down and rest."
"What I need is to dance."
"What?"
Before I knew it, Rowan hopped off the stool and pulled me along to the dance floor.
We joined the crowd of dancing bodies.
Well, Rowan did, because all I could do was watch him, mesmerized.
He flung his arms around, dancing like he no longer gave a shit about the world. The smile on his face made my heart warm. Seeing him so happy made me feel at peace.
Some guys made a move like they wanted to dance with Rowan, but I quickly grabbed his waist and pulled him to me possesively—his back to my front.
I buried my nose in the crook of his neck, taking in his amazing scent.
Fuck.
Being this close to Rowan and inhaling his tantalizing scent made me rock hard. It was almost painful.
"I never thought Rowan Brooks could be this wild," I whispered in his ear, and he whirled around to stare at me.
"But that guy you were talking to can be as wild as you like, huh?" he asked with irritation.
At first, I had no idea what he was talking about, but then I remembered the red-haired guy from earlier.
"Wow, I didn't know you saw us."
On second thought, I squinted at Rowan in suspicion.
"Wait… were you jealous?"
Rowan didn't hesitate.
"Of course I was. You looked at him and smiled at him the same way you do to me. Of course, I will be jealous."
A huge grin spread across my lips. I was so fucking happy.
This means Rowan really likes me.
Drunk people tend to tell the truth. Isn't that what they say?
Rowan threw his arms around my neck, and I could hear the sound of my heartbeat as he pulled me closer to him. It didn't help that he was looking at me so sensually.
"Do you want to see how wild I can get?"
Without waiting for a reply, Rowan stood on his tiptoe and connected his lips to mine.
My brain seized, and my mind went into overdrive.
I knew then that I could never let go or give up on Rowan Brooks.
I was going to make him mine—no matter the consequences.