Page 16 of The Mafia’s Girlfriend

“Hey. Take it easy,” I said, using what my former instructor used to call my nurse voice. Before Antonio got impatient about how long it was taking my father to agree on a wedding date, he complained that I was getting too liberal, too bold and independent for going to college. I hated that his opinion was enough of a reason for my father to stop me from going to school to be a nurse.

“We’re still at a resort that’s operated by the Giordino name.”

She scoffed. “Loosely.”

“Even though we shut our phones off, I know he’ll find out that we’re here eventually.” My only hope was that he wouldn’t demand that I come home. By staying at a resort he could monitor me at remotely, maybe I could have this chance at one last summer of fun.

She leaned in to hug me. “It just put it all in perspective. Like, yeah, we know you’ll marry Antonio, but I haven’t really let myself think about that meaning you’d be gone. That we wouldn’t hang out anymore. When I realized that anything could happen to you, I got started on this whole negative train of thought about how I don’t want to see you go.”

I frowned, hugging her close again.

“We’ll have a beach day tomorrow. For sure.”

She smiled, slightly happier about that promise, and headed to her condo after we said goodnight.

As soon as I was alone, I checked that the doors and windows were intact. I stood at the rear door for a long moment, picturing Luke in here when he tended to it fixing it and changing the code on the panel. His broad shoulders stretched in his work shirts as he moved, and I let my mind wander a little further as I envisioned him in here, near my bed, with no shirt on.

A man as tall and ripped as him had to be huge all over, and I furrowed my brow. I was curious about him—where he learned to fight, why he had to argue with me, and what he was thinking when he gazed at me with those intense stares.

Curiosity was one thing. But lusting after him wasn’t smart. I had no business standing here, connected to him simply because he’d previously stood in the same space.

I told Krista that it’d be sweet justice if I could lose my virginity on my own terms, but with a rugged hotel staff member like Luke?

Yeah, right.

I shook my head as I tossed my key card to the nightstand.

As if he’d want me.

Stepping outside on the balcony, I considered how dumb it was to think of losing my virginity with someone as fierce and powerful as Luke. He’d handled that guy at the club so easily, without break a sweat or looking concerned.

But he also handled me with that same distance and command. He didn’t back down, not when I caught him looking at me almost naked, not when I told him I’d get him fired either. Luke had to be one of those rare individuals who didn’t fear anything.

He also seemed like he wouldn’t suffer the company of fools, either. He proved it at the club, and he suggested the same with me.

How can he look at me like he can’t stand me at the same time he can stare at me like he wants me?

“Dammit,” I muttered to myself as I leaned my forearms on the balcony railing. “What am I thinking?” That he’d want me? Checking someone out didn’t equate to anything hot like real desire. Besides, there was a perfectly logical explanation for why he helped me out at the club—he was just doing his damn job. He worked on the security staff and as a bouncer. It was his job to help out women who were being groped or harassed, right?

As if my thoughts summoned him, he showed down below. Strolling along the path that cut toward the beach, he passed through the Tropican property.

What the hell? I glanced at my watch, seeing that it was really late. Krista and I killed hours at that bar, but...where did he go? I didn’t see him after he strode away from that dumbass who’d been trying to get me to dance with him.

It seemed he’d gone somewhere, and I didn’t want to restrain myself from being intrigued.

“Late night?” I called out. Leaning further over the balcony railing, I let my motion clue him in to where I was.

He did a double-take, glancing up at me once too quickly, then again for longer. His dark-brown eyes were hard to make out in the darkness, but I felt the burn of his attention on me.

Of course, he had a scowl on his lips.

“Be careful.”

“With what?” I retorted, unable to be submissive and nod along with his instructions.

“Be careful that you don’t lean too far and fall.”

I made a face and stayed put. “I don’t like being told what to do, Luke.”