Page 81 of Bene

Tossing the phone in her clutch, Vanna swung away from her reflection in the mirror to head out of the bedroom. Despite what she told Mario, she was finished getting ready for her evening, it simply wouldn’t be to go out with him. Her smile grew wider as she headed through the penthouse, the ding of the doorbell echoing throughout the space when she came closer to the door. Maybe she should have prepared to see the man who would be standing behind the door when she swung it open, but she was too excited to see him to worry about anything else.

Bene grinned in the hallway, his hands pressing to either side of the doorjamb when she opened up the penthouse for him. And goddamn. He looked like sin melted into a tailored three-piece suit with a silver vest and tie with a matching silk square tucked into his breast pocket. One of his leather loafers tapped against the floor, while his fingers drummed to the wood. A watch encrusted with diamonds on the face glinted under the hallway lights.

He screamed wealth.

Good looks.

Total fucking heartache.

Vanna knew it now.

And how did she know that?

Because instead of considering the phone in her clutch, and the fact that tonight was supposed to be yet another opportunity for her to use in order to get information on the Guzzi family to deliver to the detective she worked with … she was more concerned with seeing him. Spending time with him. Everything about him.

And nothing about the vendetta.

Bene whistled low, drawing Vanna from her thoughts as his dark gaze looked her up and down. He didn’t move an inch, but the slow perusal of his gaze lingering on her form, the way the fabric clung to the shape of her breasts, giving a peek at her cleavage, and the slit in her thigh, almost showing off the lace thong she wore underneath … well, it had her shivering on the spot in those sky-high heels.

It never failed to amaze her how this man could make her feel like the only woman in the world with nothing more than a glance thrown her way. Never mind the things he dared to let slip past his lips that were more than enough to have her wet between her thighs, and ready for yet another round in bed with him.

She was sure he knew it, too.

“Got something to say?” she asked.

Bene’s tongue peeked out to wet his bottom lip. “Well …”

“Hmm?”

His stare darted up to meet hers. “I am a lucky fuck to have you on my arm tonight, huh?”

See.

How hard was that?

For a man to say he was the one honored to have her at his side? To put her first before himself? To make an effort?

Bene did all of those things.

And more.

Her guilt kicked up a notch, reminding her all over again that she had no business being anywhere near this man anymore. Not after the things she did, and planned for him and the rest of his family. Except she was selfish, so she wouldn’t be turning him away.

Not tonight.

And not on another.

“Can’t wait to show you off,” Bene said, finally dropping his hands and stepping forward. “And they’re going to love you.”

“Who?”

“My family.”

“Oh.”

Vanna hadn’t even considered that was who he meant, even if tonight would mean she was going to be front row and center for his family at their party. Before she could even take a breath, he was on her. She didn’t worry about her makeup, or the stark red lipstick she’d put on earlier because all of that could be fixed.

Instead, she was just happy to have his lips find hers. The familiarity in their kiss was something she craved, now. Like him, because God knew she needed him more than she ever wanted to … but she couldn’t find it in her to be sad about that, either.