In Too Deep: An Anti-Hero Mafia Romance

Mr Dark and Dangerous

Chapter 2

Our first full day consists of lounging by the pool, drinking, chatting and reading . . . bliss. It’s so relaxing here – I don’t feel like I’m in the clubbing capital of Europe – this hotel is purely for the rich and beautiful . . . so elegant, everything was done so professionally, no British lager louts allowed.

We’re going to Passia tonight, one of the biggest clubs on the island - we got tickets from the staff here - ninety euros each – they’re VIP entry that allows us full access to the club. Passia was one of the clubs that we couldn’t afford the last time we were here, so it feels like such a privilege that we get to go.

After eating our evening meal we choose what we’re all going to wear.

Hayley has a gorgeous dress from Top Shop, a multi-coloured linen mix one, shortish. The oranges and browns suit her skin tone perfectly . . . gorgeous.

Kelly steps it up a notch, she pulls her long blonde hair in an up-do, wears an electric blue tank top showing off her boobs and white shorts. She knows how to s*x herself up. The blue in her top makes her big blue eyes stand out.

I have on a strapless black fitted body con dress which finishes mid-thigh with flat sandals; no one goes dancing in Ibiza with heels. It doesn't have lots of flesh on show - but doesn’t leave much to the imagination either, but I’m not one to dress modestly. The dancing keeps me in good shape, I feel good tonight, we all look hot.

We stay around the hotel drinking until around midnight and then head out to the club. We bypass the long queue at Passia and head straight to the VIP area. I feel so special.

It's one am, we’ve had a nap this afternoon to save ourselves for in here. Café Mambos before here was awesome - everyone was sat out and on the beach, it was a great atmosphere.

I was itching to dance, I could see Kelly was the same too. I won't be going near a podium tonight though. I'd been working at the club for just over a year now. I’d always done gymnastics and dance from a young age, in my teens trained around twelve hours a week on them both. I’d given them up when I left school, but my love of dancing was still there. I loved the atmosphere of the clubs. It was safe and it wasn’t dirty like most people thought, it was just club dancing.

Hayley orders us Champagne while we watch the madness below us from the VIP balcony. The music and the DJ are amazing.

We dance on the balcony, looking down into the crowd when Kelly hits me.

“Ouch! What was that for?” I scowl at her, rubbing my arm.

“OH MY GOD, remember Mr Dark and Dangerous from our hotel? He’s here and totally watching you!”

I look around to see if I can see him - when I spot him he takes my breath away. Jesus, he is gorgeous. He oozes s*x. He looks important, he has an aura of authority. He has short-cropped hair, jet black with stubble - like he needs a shave - but I bet he looks like that all the time. He’s tall . . . around six foot three with broad shoulders and toned muscles, you can see enough of them through his fitted top that makes you want to touch them, this guy must work out every day. He has a tattoo which you can see under the sleeve of his t-shirt on his right arm, but I can’t make out what it is – hmm . . . I'm a sucker for a man with tattoos. After raking my eyes down his body, I look up to his face to meet his eyes and something jolts through me - this man is very attractive and the nickname Kelly has given him is right - Mr Dark and Dangerous is spot on. He’s sat with a group of important-looking people, who don’t look like they’re here to party, they all look serious. This guy just looks like trouble. He’s leant back on a sofa with his foot laid across his other leg, looking relaxed and arrogant. Everyone is talking around him, but he’s just staring at me and making it blatantly obvious. I feel naked.

He stands up and starts to walk over towards us, his eyes still on me.

Fuck!

“s**t guys . . . he’s coming over.”

They look at me and grin, Hayley says, “I say go for it . . . he’s bloody gorgeous.”

He reaches us at the balcony - we're all silent waiting for his next move.

He leans forward to speak in my ear. “You are staying at the same hotel as me, yes?” his gravelly voice sends shivers all through me, it’s so sexy. He has a thick Spanish accent, but his English seems quite good. I look at him - he has the most piercing blue eyes I have ever seen. They’re mesmerising blue. I find myself staring at him, then remember that he’s asked me a question.

I clear my throat. “We’re staying at the Bellemar.”

He nods and doesn’t say anything just holds my gaze and smiles at me - when he smiles the corners of his eyes crinkle up and he has the longest eyelashes. I feel like he’s thinking dirty thoughts - I don’t know how I know this, but I do.

Kelly clears her throat and says “Right . . . well . . . I’ll introduce us all then, shall I? This is Hayley, I’m Kelly and this is Elsa, and you are?”

He looks at Kelly and smiles and I feel bereaved that he’s turned his attention away from me, which is just stupid.

I didn’t need to worry, he soon shifts his focus back onto me. “My name is Alexander but everyone calls me Xander. How long are you staying in Ibiza?” His eyes are breathtaking, and they’re focused on me - it’s like Kelly and Hayley aren’t there. I get butterflies. He has the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard, deep and thick. I imagine him muttering to me in Spanish when he’s in bed. I blush when I look at him, he smirks at me - I swear he knew what I was thinking.

“We’re here for three weeks, we only arrived yesterday.”

He nods. “I would like it if you will have a drink with me later? I am just in a meeting and then I will come and find you?”

I don’t know what to say, was he asking or telling? “We’re going down for a dance shortly.” I shrug, “It’s a big club.” He’d never be able to find me in all these hundreds of people.

He smiles at me and his eyes crinkle again, he leans into me so that only I can hear. “You will not be hard to miss, you are by far, the sexiest woman in here.” I feel his breath on my ear and his words send a shiver down my spine. I so want him to find me later. I want to listen to him talk and look into those blue eyes of his all night. I just nod dumbly. Way to be sexy Elsa!

He turns to leave and Hayley and Kelly grin at me. “Well . . . that’s you sorted for tonight.” Kelly says and they both laugh at me as I pretend to be all flustered, fanning myself with my hand. Hell, who’s pretending? I am flustered!

We go down to the main club area to wait for the main DJ to come on. The Champagne goes to our heads, we must dance for an hour or so, when I notice a group of guys start to circle us. I look around a few times to see if I can see Xander, but can't see him anywhere. Maybe someone else distracted him. I feel a pang of envy at that thought. The guys that are hanging around us are typical English lager louts, one of them comes to dance close to us, then backs away and then another one moves up. They’re off their face on drugs, I start feeling uneasy. I see the boys keep looking at each other and one of them is dancing with Kelly, his arms all over her, there are five of them in total.

I grab Kelly’s arm, pulling her towards me “These guys are dickheads Kelly . . . let’s move somewhere else.”

She looks at them and the guy dancing with her. “No! I’m enjoying myself.” She turns around and starts to dance very close to the guy, who’s leering at her – she’s too drunk, it's clouding her judgement, as per usual. I look at Hayley and she looks as uneasy as me.

One of the guys starts to dance real close behind me and grabs my bottom – I spin around, “Hey! Get your hands off me. Piss off! We’re not interested.” I shout.

He doesn’t seem to want to take no for an answer and starts to put his hands around my waist, the other guys are still circling us.

I start to properly panic, so does Hayley, I look at Kelly but she’s now kissing the guy - she has no idea what is going on.

I spin around to see if I can see any security when I come face to face with Xander. His eyes are blazing and his face is like stone. He gets hold of the guy who is trying to maul me and throws him across the dance floor with one hand, two of the security men then pick the guy up to throw him out, there are other security guys now surrounding us, making the other guys leave. I wonder why they’re not bothering Xander? He was having a meeting upstairs - maybe they know him.

He circles his arm around my waist protectively and his touch sends tingles all through my body. He waits for the other guys to go and then rests his gaze on me.

“Are you ok, Elsa?”

My heart is racing because your arm is around me, but apart from that fine.

“Yes . . . yes, I'm fine . . . thank you. Thank you so much, they were horrible - I hope you won’t get in trouble for that?”

He smiles and shakes his head, “No, they cannot throw me out of my own club.”

I look at him shocked. He owns this club? Well, that explains why he looks so important. He leans into me, his arm still around my waist. “You will have this drink with me now?”

Oh Jesus, his accent is so sexy - I really want to accept.

I look at Hayley and Kelly, Hayley is talking to Kelly with her arms around her - she needs to go home.

I lean towards Xander, I have to stand on my tiptoes to talk in his ear and put my hand on his shoulder. “I need to get Kelly back, it’s not fair to expect Hayley to do it on her own . . . so I better not. Thank you so much for helping me out with those guys.”

He shrugs, “It was nothing . . . what if I come back with you? I am done here. Would you be good with having a drink with me in the hotel bar, would this make you feel safe?”

Aw, he’s worried I think he’s a weirdo or something. It’s so weird . . . I know I don’t know him, but I wouldn’t be worried about being left on my own with him at all.

I smile at him. “That would be fine with me . . . I could get you a drink to say thank you.”

He smiles at me and holds my gaze . . . I can’t look away. This man gives me butterflies. I need to be careful here . . . it’s ok having a bit of holiday fun, but this man oozes danger and s*x.

“I will get a car out front to take us to the hotel, yes? Meet me outside in five minutes with your friends.” He turns and walks off.

When we get outside the club there’s a Mercedes parked up and Xander is casually leaning against it with his ankles crossed, smoking a cigarette. When he sees us he stands up straight and throws his cigarette away.

Kelly being Kelly, and being hammered shouts. “f**k me! You. Are. Hot!”

I turn to her. “Kelly shut the hell up! You’re an embarrassment.”

He doesn’t acknowledge that she’s said anything, he makes me feel like I’m the only one there when he looks at me. “Ready?” he says raising his eyebrows and smiling.

I nod and he holds the door open for us to get in. I get butterflies at the thought of being alone with him back at the hotel. Why is he interested in me? I don’t know . . . but who am I to question it?

When we get back to the hotel I say goodnight to the girls.

Hayley whispers “Be safe and don’t be late or I’ll worry.”

I shake my head. “I won’t, I promise - I’m just gonna have a couple of drinks with him.”

She nods and grabs Kelly to pull her along. “Come on piss-head.” She links her guiding her to our room.

Kelly shouts loudly, “Night Dark and Dangerous! Night babe - love you.”

I look at him and he’s smirking. Oh s**t, he knows his nickname now - I’ll kill Kelly!

He looks at me and raises his eyebrows. “Dark and dangerous?” he questions.

I shrug. “Sorry . . . she kind of nicknamed you when she first saw you.”

He threw his head back and laughed, showing the most perfect white teeth and his eyes did that crinkly thing . . . Oh god, I’m in trouble here. “I like it, she is quite accurate actually – what would you like to drink?”

“Oh no,” I shake my head. “I’m getting this one as a thank you.”

He grins at me, his eyes twinkling. “Elsa, the drinks are all free here, it is an all-inclusive hotel.” Oh crap . . . I forgot about that. How embarrassing . . . he’s going to think I’m an i***t.

“Oh . . . yeah . . . I forgot.” I said feeling myself going a lovely shade of red! “Ok, I’ll have a vodka and diet coke please.” He goes off to the bar, I watch him get served. The staff here seem to know him, I can hear him talk in Spanish to the waiter. My insides go literally to mush. I squirm in my seat. This gorgeous man in his own right is too much to take in . . . but speaking Spanish too? Jesus Christ! I totally fancy this guy . . .

He places the drinks on the table and sits on the couch next to me, placing his arm around the back of me and turning to half face me. I’m very conscious of how short my dress is now that I’m sitting so close to him, his hand is about an inch away from my bare thigh. I look up at him, his eyes are on my legs - I cross them self-consciously, but then this just shows more bare thigh. His expression darkens and then he looks up to meet my eyes. He doesn’t say anything, he just looks at me . . . definitely with lust in his eyes.

I clear my throat and shift uncomfortably. I see him shake his head a little and then relax. Phew, his gaze is intense. I want this man. Wait . . . did I just think that? I’ve never wanted a man before like this, sure I’ve fancied guys, but I want to feel this man on top of me, kissing me, inside me . . . Jesus . . . what is wrong with me?

I look at him and smile. “Thank you so much for helping with those guys - I know you expect a few idiots on holiday, but they were getting a little intimidating.”

He shook his head. “I did not like the way they were looking at your friends and I certainly did not like the way that they were looking at you.” His brows furrowed as though he was trying to understand something, shaking his head slightly. Then he smiles “You have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen - I know every man will tell you this, but they are remarkable. The most intense colour of green I have ever seen.”

“Thank you,” I say blushing. I do get quite a lot of comments about my eyes - I guess they’re an unusual colour - but it’s not like I had a say in what colour they were going to be. I liked that he liked them though. A lot. “Yours are pretty amazing too . . . and I bet you hear that a lot.”

He smiles and looks thoughtful. “You are confusing me, Elsa. I do not normally respond to women this way. I appreciate beauty - but I am not normally drawn to someone the way I feel drawn to you.”

I don’t know what to say to that – I know that I feel the same way . . . everything this guy does attracts me to him.

I smile shyly and look at my hands resting on my knee. “I’m attracted to you too,” I say so quietly that he can hardly hear.

When I look back up at him his blue eyes have turned to a deep blue, he leans in towards me . . . I know he’s going to kiss me. When his lips reach mine he lifts his hand to place it gently around my neck. I feel like I’m going to melt. I start to kiss him back and his tongue lightly touches mine, sending electric bolts through me. I groan and he reciprocates with a noise deep in his throat, a telltale sign that he’s as turned on as me. He breaks off from our kiss and starts to trail kisses down my neck until he gets to my collarbone, then he breaks off breathless.

“Ay dios mio . . . I cannot believe I am kissing you like this here! I’m losing my mind.” He stares at me for a moment. “Come back to my room?” he asks huskily.

I shake my head. As much as I want to, I know it’s wrong to go back to his room with him when I’m not going to have s*x with him - although it’s tempting to say goodbye to that virginity right now, right here after a kiss like that.

“No, I can’t . . . it’s . . . it’s not a good idea.” I stammer, still breathing pretty hard. God, I can't remember the last time a kiss left me so flustered . . . if ever. I don’t know anything about him though. “I don’t mind staying here and talking though - but I can’t go back to your room with you . . . I . . . don’t trust myself.” I half-laugh.

He smiles and relaxes back in his chair, his hand falling from my shoulder. “You are right of course. We know nothing about each other. I am sorry, I should not have asked that of you.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry. So . . . tell me about you. I take it that you live here in Ibiza if you own a club here?”

He shakes his head. “No, I live in Madrid - I own clubs all over Spain, the one here is my latest acquisition, so I’m just here for a month or so to see that the changeover goes smoothly and I want to be happy with how the club is run with its current manager so that I do not have to replace him.” He says matter of factly.

Oh right, bloody hell. So he’s rich. He looks so young to be so successful. “How old are you?” I ask bluntly.

“Thirty-one. . . how about you?”

“I’m twenty – I’ll be twenty-one in August,” I say smiling. I tilt my head looking at him closely, “You’re young to own more than one club, how did you do so well, so young?” I’m being nosey, but we’re supposed to be getting to know each other after all.

He pauses. “My stepfather is a very well-known businessman in Spain . . . very successful. My step-brothers and I run different branches of his businesses for him.”

Ah, this explains it. I can’t help but keep looking at his piercing blue eyes. He has all the colouring of being Spanish but has these blue eyes that are mesmerising me. “Are you Spanish? You sound Spanish, but your eyes . . . ”

He laughs. The sound when he laughs is my new favourite sound. “I’m half Spanish my mother is English, my father was Spanish.” His eyes darken when he mentions his father and his face goes stony. Hmmm, think there may be a story there.

“Is that where you get your blue eyes? From your mother?”

He nods, “Yes, we have the same eyes.” He takes a gulp of his drink, which looks like whisky. “But enough about me. Tell me about you and your life.”

God . . . where to start. “I work at a lawyer’s office during the week as a secretary.” I hesitate before telling him the second bit. “And I dance in a club at the weekends.” His expression changes, but I can’t read it.

“How do you mean . . . dance?” he asks quietly.

“I dance on a podium in a nightclub, I’m not a lap dancer - if that’s what you were thinking.” He nods, his expression unfathomable.

“I was watching you dance earlier, you are a very good dancer . . . sexy. I bet all the men watch you.”

I shrug “I used to do gymnastics until the last few years and then it turned into dancing, when I met Kelly, who you met tonight, she already worked there and got me the job. I enjoy the dancing - the men can’t touch me, I’m in a cage and if anyone tries they get thrown out immediately.”

“Glad to hear it.” Although he doesn’t sound glad to hear it at all. “What do your parents think about your dancing?”

I don’t really want to go down that road tonight. I just give him the basics. “My mum died when I was four, my dad brought me up - but three years ago he was diagnosed with dementia, so he’s in a home now, close by to where I live in Manchester. So . . . unfortunately, neither parent can give their opinion on it.”

I can see pity in his eyes, which I hate. “I’m so sorry Elsa, I would not have asked that question if I had known.”

I shake my head. “Don’t worry about it, it is what it is I’m afraid. I love my dad so much. My friends are my family too though. I live with Hayley - we’re like sisters and so is Kelly, although I haven’t known her as long, we hit it off straight away.”

“That is good that you have people that care about you. My family, my brothers and I are also very close.”

The conversation flows easily. I can see his tattoo a bit closer now, although some of it is covered by the sleeve of his t-shirt, I can see that it is a huge angel travelling all around his right arm, it’s beautiful and artistic.

I’m on my third vodka when I glance behind me and see that it’s light outside. I look at my watch, it's six in the morning. I stand up quickly, a little too quickly as I sway. “I’ve got to go, Hayley will be worried about me - I didn’t realise we’d been talking so long.” He stands up and grabs my arms to steady me. I look at him. He is breath-taking.

“I will walk you to your room. “ He turns and leads me towards the lifts. “I realise that you are here on holiday with your friends, but I would like to see you again - do you think that would be possible?”

I look at him and know there is no possible way I’m going to say no. I have to see him again. I nod. “I’d like that.”

He smiles and visibly relaxes.

“Give me your phone I will put my number in it.”

I hand him my phone, he puts his number in and then dials it so that he has mine.

We get to my room, I turn around to face him. I'm pretty tall, at five foot ten, but he towers above me. “Goodnight Xander . . . I’ve had a lovely night.”

He leans in and places one arm above my head on the door at the side of me. “Me too mi amor, I cannot wait to see you again already. We will speak soon, yes?” I nod and he leans in to kiss me. Its different this time, more forceful - I reach my hands up behind his neck as he presses his body into me and I moan . . . I can feel his arousal pressing into my lower stomach. He starts to kiss my neck again, his hands moving down to my hips, pulling them into him. Oh God . . . I’m so turned on. I want him to carry on touching me, but he breaks off. I can tell he’s affected, his breathing heavy, apart from the obvious.

“I will be in touch.” He says thickly as he touches the side of my face with his finger, trailing it down my cheek. Then he turns and leaves.

I open the door and collapse in, in a heap of hormones. I didn’t want him to leave then . . . I wanted him to carry on. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be one hell of a scorching holiday romance.

Everyone is asleep, I climb into bed and think about him, wondering if he’s going to be my first.