Blood Always

28

Yes, he had definitely been asleep, but alone? I wasn’t so easily swayed on that one. Even if there was no one with him now, how was I to know that was the case hours earlier? “You don’t look convinced,” he rumbled when I didn’t respond. “I get it, you were asleep. I believe you.” He narrowed his eyes, his gaze dancing over my face. “But you don’t believe I was alone, is that the issue?” My jaw flexed and strained—both in agitation about my jealousy and annoyance that he had seen through me to the ugliest parts. “Call me crazy, but I’m a fan of equality. You made me promise there would be no other men, but when I asked if the same applied to you, you skirted the issue. I can only assume that’s because you have every intention of being with other women. That’s a shitty deal from my perspective.” He brought his phone closer until I could almost see the flecks of gold in his green irises. “I like knowing you’re possessive,” he murmured. “I don’t even remember you asking about me—I was rather out of sorts the last time we were together, if you didn’t notice. Now that I’m thinking more clearly, let me assure you that I have not f****d anyone since you walked through my door, shooting daggers at me with your eyes and dripping venom from those fuckable lips. Everything I asked of you will apply to me as well. Does that ease your mind?” I felt like a sulking child who’d just been reprimanded by her teacher. He hadn’t sounded patronizing, but my instinct was to respond as if he had. With tremendous resolve and years of remorse over a multitude of unwarranted, scathing comments I’d made, I simply nodded. “Good,” he crooned. “I’m glad we got that settled and even more glad I got to see you in that silk nightie. If I wasn’t so goddamn exhausted, I’d tell you to take it off. Even more importantly, I want to be there in person the first time I get to see you naked. I want to sear that image into my brain so that I never forget a single luscious curve.” My n*****s pebbled so hard that just the faintest touch of the satin top made moisture pool in my core. I took a shuddered breath, squeezing my thighs tightly together to ease the pressure his words created. “Good night, De Luca.” His eyes flashed, but with what, I wasn’t sure. Lust? Anger? I didn’t know him well enough to tell, and he gave no other hint as to the underlying emotion. “Good night, Maria. Sleep well.” The screen went dark, and something stirred in my chest. Something akin to loss. Did I miss him? The concept was so foreign, I couldn’t even be sure it was the source. I could tell a part of me didn’t want him to hang up, but that was silly. I hardly knew the man. I didn’t miss being around the people I did know. Alcohol tugged at my eyelids, whispering a sweet lullaby that drowned out my thoughts. I was more than happy to oblige. Snuggling deeper under the covers, I gave in to the pull of sleep, my lips softly curved upward with the memory of Matteo’s voice. *** The next day was spent shopping and lounging at the pool. I hadn’t realized just how stressed I’d been until my body soaked in the therapeutic rays of the scalding Las Vegas sun. The penetrating heat was the perfect masseuse, coaxing the strain from my muscles and relaxing me inside and out. Add in a couple of poolside cocktails, and by the time we cleaned up and made for the mall, I was as chill as a Bob Marley song on the beach. I wasn’t a big shopper but managed to blow a couple grand on some retail therapy, including a slinky black dress for that evening. We stayed at the Wynn casino for the night, playing some blackjack and drinking at the bar. Val had a fake ID, but with her gorgeous Malibu Barbie golden streaks in her long brown hair and her ample curves, it was never an issue. We laughed, teased, and acted the fool, drawing the heated stare of every man in the place. Normally, I would scowl at a bunch of women cackling and acting like idiots. I’d been known to make a snide comment that such behavior only reinforced the hairbrained, weaker-s*x stereotypes that existed about women. And yet, letting down my guard and testing the waters on that side of the fence gave me a whole other perspective. One that wasn’t about how we were perceived but was about camaraderie and not giving a f**k what anyone thought. If someone wanted to judge us, that was their problem. We were having a phenomenal time, and that was all that mattered. That night when I went to bed, I realized I wasn’t sure who the girl in the mirror was anymore. Lucky for me, the best part about Vegas was serious s**t, like an identity crisis, could wait until I got home. I ignored the pesky questions stalking in the recesses of my mind, shoved aside my annoyance over being disappointed when I didn’t hear from Matteo, and slept like a narcoleptic on Ambien. Our last day in paradise, we decided to tour some of the other casinos. Val was the only one of us who hadn’t already been to Vegas, but it was still enjoyable seeing the behemoth resorts, no matter how many times we’d each been to the city. We went to the Stratosphere observation deck for a view of all of Vegas, then to the Bellagio for the fountains and Giada’s Ocean’s Eleven obsession. As New Yorkers, we had to run by the New York-New York. It was in need of some renovations, but still enjoyable with its clever touches like steaming manhole covers and Nathan’s hot dog stands. Last, but not least, we had our limo drop us at the Venetian where we could see the canal and do yet more shopping. “We have to take a gondola ride!” cried Sofia, grabbing me and Alessia by the arms and tugging us toward the host station the moment we entered the canal system. “Are you serious?” I gaped. “We’ve been to Italy—this is like a cartoon version of Venice. It’s not even remotely realistic.” “And? It still looks like fun. They even sing during the ride. Come on, we are totally doing this. G, are you three going to take a ride? I think we can only get four in a boat.” “You three go ahead. I think we’re going to stay here and have some wine.” “Sounds good. We’ll be back in twenty, and then we can have dinner.” Sofia paid for our tickets, and we lowered ourselves into the long wooden boat as the gondolier welcomed us on board. Using his long pole, he pushed us away from the boarding platform and eased us into the canal while launching into a soulful Italian melody.