Ru frowned and watched me head over to Gio. “How are you, Simone?”
“I’m doing well.”
Everyone’s gazes stayed on me as I made it to my chair, but Gio’s eyes held my attention. Those deep blues poured into my soul, trapped me. He bit his bottom lip and seared his scent on me as I came close to him, and I knew at that moment I wouldn’t be able to resist his sexual charm. It radiated from him like a supernatural power. Unable to see, but thickening the air just the same.
Gio was a man of power. That much was clear from his presence. I was a smart woman with self-confidence, and I had a lot to bring to any conversation. But I didn’t want to sit so close to him. I’d be tongue-tied because I couldn’t control my erratic hormones.
I sighed, praying that I wouldn’t make a fool of myself the whole dinner. I didn’t even know how I would eat with him so close? How would I be able to drink with him right there, looking at me in a way that made my panties drenched for him? The closer I got to him, the more I wanted to turn around and race away.
Whispering, he pulled the chair out a little more, “You look gorgeous tonight.”
“Thank you.” I sat down.
He gently pushed me toward the table without my having to help him. I raised my feet and grinned. His presence took up the entire space as he remained behind me.
“We’ll start soon.” He stayed behind my chair for several seconds and brushed his fingers against my back, and then slipped them up my shoulders to caress my straightened hair. My heartbeats increased, pounding in my ears. Had no one been around, I might’ve stood and asked him to take me right on the table. I’d spent all that time trying to get my head together and he’d knocked it down within seconds.
Ru’s frown deepened as he watched. “Good. I’m definitely hungry.”
Gio moved away. “Me too.”
But it didn’t look like he was talking about food, and I doubted the meaning was lost on everyone else at the table. I fought to control the intense desire running rampant in my midsection, and the increased tingling of my breasts against the knit material. No man should have this much of an effect on a woman. No man. But Gio did, and now I didn’t know how we would get any music made with this lust bridging between us.
Focus. Fuck. Focus.
I pulled in a long, slow breath. The room had gone silent. There wasn’t even the clinking of the dishes and silverware.
I turned my direction to Ru as he frowned at us.
“How was your Christmas?” I asked him.
Did you spend it with your wife or mistress?
Ru unfolded his cloth napkin and placed it on his lap. “Christmas was complicated.”
I bet.
I turned to the family that Gio had invited. “And was all of your Christmas great?”
Thank God, one of the daughters jumped into a long story about gifts, mistletoe, and spying on her sisters as they both kissed the neighbor boy, sparking their father to lecture and mother to shake her head in pure embarrassment.
The magnifying glass left Gio and me and remained on the girls for most of the dinner as we all talked about the importance of education, books, and following dreams versus spending time kissing boys.
Gio even added his own advice which I was sure the girls imprinted in their mind. He had no idea of his power, but he’d probably changed all three of their paths with that talk. I could tell they were listening and would probably raise all their grades in school the rest of the year.
All dressed in white, the staff brought out dinner on polished silver platters, topping our plates with the most beautiful dishes. Savory aromas danced in the air.
As we ate, the conversation dwindled. Yet, Gio barely touched his food, more moving it around with his fork and stealing glances with me.
“Your hair is different,” he said.
“Yes. I blew it out.”
“Beautiful. I like both ways.”
“Have you two started in the studio yet?” Ru interrupted.
I shook my head. “No, I was recovering.”
“It’s only been a few days,” Gio said. “Plus, she needed time to rest.” He gestured to Chucky. “By the way, Chucky was the main person to save you. He got me to the car just in time, sawed through the door because it was jammed, and helped me pull you out.”
“Accident?” Ru dropped his fork. It hit the table and shook the water in his glass. “You were trapped in the car?”
“And covered in snow,” Gio added. “She needed time to rest.”
I turned to Chucky. “Thanks so much. It was crazy of me to think I could battle Utah’s roads in the storm.”
“Many have tried and failed,” Chucky said. “It was nothing, but I’m glad you’re okay.”