Page 10 of The Mafia Bachelor

I stand, straighten my cuffs slowly, aware of all eyes on me. “Anything more?” I ask, in a tone that suggests I might stab anyone who says there is. Particularly if I’m related to them. “Then enjoy our hospitality, ladies.”

The waiting staff immediately come forwards with trays of champagne, pints of Guinness, and tumblers of whisky. There are elegant little potato cakes too, and other more luxury nibbles.

Come for the carbohydrates with fat, stay for the potential marriage to a billionaire kingpin, I guess.

I keep my eye on Avery as I allow the women to gather around me and pepper me with questions and compliments. I discreetly track her around the room, never letting her out of my sight as I hold conversations and keep my impatience just about in check.

Until I see Avery sneaking away towards the exit. Without having talked to me.

“Excuse me.” I disentangle myself from the woman whose hands are all over my tux and follow my prey.

“It’s not over yet,” I call after her, across the silent lobby.

She sighs and turns. “I just needed a moment to myself, away from the cutthroat flirting and strategizing.”

I raise one eyebrow, and prowl towards her. “You haven’t given me your report on what they’re saying behind my back.”

She shakes her head. “They’re clever, and you don’t stand a chance.”

A laugh bursts out of me. “Of what?”

“Getting out of this without a shiny ring and a ball and chain. They’re going to eat you alive. They’re comparing techniques for…”

“For what, love?”

She blinks at the endearment, losing her thought pattern for a second, watching me approach until I’m close enough to touch her. And she’s forced to tilt her head up to meet my eyes.

“Uh, intimate stuff. I pretty much closed my ears and tried not think about it.” But her gaze dips to my waist.

“Were they wondering about the size of my cock?” I suggest, and I admit, I’m hoping to see her blush again.

Her chin jerks up. “I am not talking to you about this!”

“You’re my employee,” I point out softly. “I require you to tell me.” Especially when she blushes so prettily with the mere discussion of a dick.

“That’s exactly why I’m not talking about… Eggplants with you. HR would like a word,” she whispers back.

“Yeah, the HR department knows what’s good for them.” I shrug. “I can do whatever I like.”

“Unless your mother doesn’t like it.”

I take one step closer, and touch my fingers to her chin, guiding her so she’s looking at me. And as I dip my head so I can see her better, I find that my cock is very curious about this girl. I’m hardening by the second, in a way that rarely happens for me.

“What were they speculating about my cock?” I rasp.

Pink rises in her cheeks.

I laugh softly. “I like your blushing.”

Then she’s caught. Our gazes tangle, and I don’t think either of us could look away, even if we wanted to.

“I… Yes.”

“Yes, you like blushing too, or yes, you were talking about my cock?”

She goes brighter red, but she doesn’t look away. Her brown eyes are fathomless. They’re liquid chocolate, and I want indulge.

“They were… Your trousers…” Her voice is breathy.