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Her perfectly manicured hand runs over his shoulder, and a bout of jealousy carves at my insides. First Luca and now Dante. Can’t that damned heiress find another set of hot Italian brothers to fondle?
I’m filled with the most ridiculous urge to stomp over there and physically remove her hand from his body. Which is completely insane. Sure, Dante is hot as sin, but so is half the population of this gym. Not only had he walked out on me mid-hook up, but I’d also promised Stella I’d stay away from him.
Dante Valentino is nothing but trouble.
And I need to work on Rose Holloway version 2.0. The new Rose would be responsible, mindful, and self-aware and would certainly not date toxic men.
As if Dante hears his calling card, his dark gaze pivots toward me. Caroline’s hand curls around his jaw, pulling for his attention, but his eyes remain pinned to mine. That piercing stare has heat pooling between my legs, and my heart kicking at my ribs. He runs his tongue across his bottom lip, and memories of that wicked thing in my mouth, along the column of my throat and across my collarbone spring to the forefront of my mind. I shiver at the fiery images.
An agonizing moment later, I tear my eyes away from his and force my feet to move toward the locker room. I really need a cold shower now.
CHAPTER8
LIGHT IT UP
Dante
That unfamiliar flutter in my chest draws my attention away from Caroline’s incessant rambling. My gaze follows Rose’s hot little body as she disappears down the corridor. Maybe I’d been stupid to send that email to the head of Palestra’s HR from Luca’s account insisting they hire her. This hour spent at the gym is supposed to relieve stress, not give me blue balls. Dealing with Caroline is enough, and now I’ll have to see Rose’s tempting ass too.
“Dante, are you listening to me?” she whines.
“Hmm?” I pivot my gaze back to the blonde.
“Will you come with me to the Nutcracker tomorrow or not?”
Definitely not. I’d rather have my own nuts cracked than sit through two hours of that torture. “Sorry,” I mumble and re-rack the dumbbells. “I’ve got a work thing that night.”
“What work thing?”
I heave out a breath and channel my brother’s impeccable bedside manner. “Caroline, Luca’s on an extended vacation with his fiancée so I’m taking the helm at King Industries. I don’t know that I’ll have much time for outings in the near future.”
“Does that mean you’re breaking up with me?” Her big eyes widen.
I wasn’t aware we were officially dating. I decide to keep that little tidbit to myself. The last thing I need is Caroline Dumphries making a scene in front of the who’s who of Manhattan. “Of course not, darling,” I grit out. The term of endearment tastes bitter on my tongue. I picked it up from her, but I still couldn’t quite get used to it. “I’ll call you when things settle down.”
She pushes her lower lip into a pout, and I remember a time when that little expression would make me go immediately hard. But right now?Niente.
I rise from the bench, drag a towel over my face and press a quick kiss to her cheek. “We’ll talk soon.”
“Dante, come on, baby…,” she whines. Her arms lace across her chest, forcing the swell of her breasts to spill over the top of her sports bra. Again, something that should’ve driven me mad. Instead, only irritation flares because every minute longer I spend with her is another one I’m delaying my confrontation with Jianjun. The leader of the Chinese Triad was mysteriously absent on my last visit. Today, I’ll be sure to pop in without warning. It’s time to settle this business with the old man and the bounties on my brother and future sister-in-law’s heads for good.
Warm breath tickles the shell of my ear, snapping me from my thoughts. “Maybe I can come over later tonight and help you work out some of that stress.” Caroline’s fingers dig into my shoulder, and she massages away the knot. She leans closer and slides her hand between our bodies. Her slender fingers close around my dick.
Cazzo. There are three men working out within mere feet from us.
“Caroline…,” I growl. Her father would not be pleased if word of this inappropriate behavior reaches his ears. And my brother would have my ass if Mr. Dumphries reneged on the building contract with King Industries. It would cost the company billions. “Maybe,” I mutter and casually remove her hand from my cock. “But I have to go now. I’ll call you later tonight if I get home at a decent hour.”
“It doesn’t have to be decent, Mr. Valentino.” She shoots me a wink, and I finally wriggle free of her hold.
Gritting my teeth, I force a smile before spinning away and practically sprinting out of the weight room. If I don’t get out of here now, she’ll follow me into the men’s locker area. It wouldn’t be the first time. I’d fucked her in the men’s shower just a few weeks ago, but somehow things had changed in the short time since I’d sent Luca away.
Or maybe it was something else….
“Rose!” Her name bursts from my lips as she rounds the corner in nothing but a towel. I soak her in, a smattering of freckles on her shoulder, her cheeks rosy and those full lips. Water drips from her long hair, disappearing between her perky breasts.
That insatiable hunger ignites, and I clench my teeth to keep from saying something completely inappropriate.
“Oh, hey, D.” She offers a tight smile. “I think I got a little turned around in this maze. Any idea where the staff changing room is? I’m sure you’ve had an illicit romp or two with one of the other instructors.”
