The Sexy Enemy: A Fake Relationship Romance (Italian Nights Series Book 3)

11. Alessandro

“Oh, my gosh.” A male’s voice pulls me from my sleep.

“Dom?” Natalia asks groggily beside me.

“I forgot you had company,” he says as he starts backing out of the bedroom.

“Company?” she answers seemingly confused.

“Morning, sweetheart,” I say, leaning over and kissing her cheek. She stiffens under my touch before she remembers she’s supposed to be in love. Her friend eyes her suspiciously. “And morning, Dom, is it?” I ask.

“Yes,” he answers curtly, looking between the two of us.

“Excuse my manners, I’d get up to greet you, but my wife here couldn’t keep her hands off me all night. I’m not exactly dressed for company.” I chuckle, hearing Natalia’s gasp beside me at my words.

Dom’s eyes look me over, assessing. “Clearly.”

I’m greeted with a frosty reception. Is he jealous that I ruined his alone time with Natalia? He better get used to it as I’m her husband now, and their little, whatever it is, will need to stop. I don’t share well with others. “Nice to meet you. Natalia speaks highly of you.”

“Nat never spoke of you,” he adds, raising a well-manicured brow at me.

“We didn’t want anyone to know,” I explain.

“So, Natalia says,” Dom adds, looking over at her. She is clearly uncomfortable regarding the situation. I think if she could disappear beneath the covers she would.

“Now that the two main men in my life have finally met, I need to get ready, and Alessandro was just leaving,” she says.

“No, I’m not.” Natalia stills at my answer. “Why would I leave my wife alone in the city of love?”

“She’s not alone,” Domingo adds.

“Clearly,” I bite back.

Natalia’s mouth falls open, surprised. “I have a shoot in a couple of hours, then I’ll be going straight to the airport to fly home,” she explains to me.

“That’s good, I need a lift back to Roma.” Natalia keeps staring at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “Might be a cute bring your husband to work moment.”

“It won’t be. You’ll be bored,” she adds, giving me a filthy look.

“I’m sure it’s not that boring, but if I do get bored, I can do my work on my phone.” I grin, loving the fact that she is squirming next to me.

“Guess that’s settled then,” Dom adds, still looking between us uneasily.

“I better get ready. Don’t want to make my wife late for her job,” I say, leaning over and planting another kiss on her cheek. This time she doesn’t flinch, then I throw the covers off and get up. Natalia and Dom gasp as they get a glimpse of my bare ass as I make my way toward the bathroom.

“What the hell is going on?” I hear Dom ask as soon as I close the door.

“What do you mean?” Natalia asks.

“Something weird is going on between you both,” Dom presses.

“I think I drank more than I thought last night and forgot he was in bed with me,” Natalia explains.

“You forgot you had a husband?” he questions.

“This is all new to me,” she argues.

“Guess you’re used to hiding what’s been going on for so long that now it’s public it feels weird.”

“Yes, exactly that,” she says in agreement.

“Girl, that man’s ass was tight, and his body, who knew he had all those muscles under his suits.” He chuckles, which makes me frown. I’m a little confused by his comments. “I mean, you did. Look at the glow on your face after riding dick all night.” He’s not wrong, but it’s none of his business either what I do with my wife.

Silence then follows. I can imagine Natalia is plotting the many ways to kill me. “Enough about him, how was last night?” Natalia asks, changing the subject.

“Parisian Grindr is on fire. I took this six-foot-five policeman to bed last night, and he used his rod on me all night long.” Natalia squeals at Dom’s comment. Then my shoulders release the tension they’ve been holding in when I realize Dom’s gay. All this time, I thought I had competition with him. Instead, it’s much worse. I must win over the gay best friend and those guys can sniff out bullshit a mile away, no wonder he is skeptical of me.

“Thanksso much for doing this, I know it’s a lot to ask after last night,” the designer, Yvette Sanchez, says, greeting Natalia warmly.

“You know how much I love you and your designs.”

“I appreciate you so much for helping me with my launch today. It’s always stressful,” Yvette tells us.

“Each one has been a sellout, and this is not going to be any different,” Natalia reassures her.

Then Yvette’s eyes land on me. “Hi, I’m Alessandro Conti, Natalia’s husband,” I say, introducing myself to her. Her brown eyes widen with surprise before she turns to Natalia.

“Surprise. I’m assuming you didn’t see the articles?” Natalia grins, looking uncomfortable at the revelation.

“I’ve been busy with the launch,” Yvette states, looking between the two of us trying to work out what’s going on. “Congratulations,” she says, giving Natalia a hug, and then giving one to me. “Think this calls for champagne,” she says, and her assistants nod and run out of the room to get it. “I, wow, I had no idea.”

“No one did, they got married in Vegas,” Dom explains.

“Because of who our families are, we knew they wouldn’t approve of the two of us so we have been seeing each other in secret until we couldn’t anymore, and we got married the other week in Vegas,” I explain, reciting the same words Natalia used in her article.

“How romantic.” Yvette grins.

“Very,” I agree, wrapping my arm around Natalia and pulling her into my side so I can kiss her temple. “I’m one lucky man,” I tell her, which pulls an awe from her lips, just as an assistant returns with glasses and a bottle of champagne which is poured and handed to us. “Congratulations to one of the most amazing women I know. You deserve all the happiness in the world,” Yvette says, holding up her glass before we drink.

I’m ushered to a chair in the corner while Natalia, Yvette, and Dom do their thing. Not sure what is happening, but I sit and watch as Natalia walks out in a gorgeous aquamarine evening dress. It’s sheer with long sleeves, covered in sequins as if they were fish scales all over her body, with a slit that reaches her hip. Her dark hair is pulled into a tight, high ponytail as she walks past me sashaying as if she’s on a catwalk. I don’t realize I’m staring until Dom says something.

“Natalia could make a potato sack look sexy, don’t you think?” he asks.

“She’s a beautiful woman, that’s for sure,” I agree as she smiles and starts to talk to the camera. I watch as she poses and talks about every detail of the dress.

“Not only is she beautiful on the outside, but she is as beautiful on the inside. Most people think that because she’s a princess, she would be a snob or think she’s better than everyone else, but that girl is the most genuine person I know. She is ride-or-die for her friends and her family, and would do anything for them. Once you’ve made it into her inner circle you’re there for life. Guess you’ve made it,” Dom says, turning and looking down at me.

“Is this the bit where you say, if you hurt her, you’ll kill me?” I ask him.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I owe the world to that girl, and I will not let someone use her for their own gain.”

I swallow. This man sees more than I think he has, but maybe there’s a reason why Natalia hasn’t filled him in on her plan, especially if he’s as close to her as he says he is. “You think I’m using her?”

He shrugs. “Not sure yet, but something doesn’t add up.”

“You think I’m not good enough for her?” I ask.

“Monetarily wise, I think you’re rich enough that I know you’re not after her money, but I also know you have had a reputation and you’re older than her.”

“Things change, people grow,” I tell him.

“That is true. Guess I’ll just have to wait and see,” he warns me.

“Guess you will,” I add as Natalia steps away from the camera and starts walking toward us with a frown firmly pulled on her face.

“Everything okay here?” she asks, looking between the two of us.

“Just getting to know your friend,” I answer.

She turns and looks over at Dom and silently questions him. “Same,” he answers, but she doesn’t look convinced. “Come on, we need to get you onto the next look,” Dom says, changing the subject. She gives me one last confused look before following her friend back toward the dressing room.

Pulling up my phone, I send a text message to Nico.

Alessandro: Hey, need a favor. Can you investigate Domingo, Natalia’s stylist and friend, for me?

Nico: Sure. Why?

Alessandro: Curious, that’s all.

Nico: Okay.

Nico: And why the hell are you in Paris?

Alessandro: How did you ….

Alessandro: Never mind I know how.

Alessandro: Paid my wife a surprise visit.

Nico: How did that go?

Alessandro: She came back to the hotel drunk with a man.

Nico: What?

Alessandro: With her stylist which I now know is gay, but I didn’t at first.

Nico: And she kicked you out?

Alessandro: She tried to.

Nico: Then you worked your magic.

Alessandro: You could say that.

Nico: No but she hates you.

Alessandro: Me but not my dick.

Nico: You’re a dick for telling me that.

Alessandro: I have no one else to talk to so deal with it.

Nico: And?

Alessandro: And what?

Nico: You’re an idiot. And what happened after you slept together?

Alessandro: She woke up hating me again, so everything is right in the world.

Nico: But you weren’t drunk.

Alessandro: I know.

Nico: And?

Alessandro: I’m only fucking human, the woman is hot.

Nico: You’re so fucked.

Alessandro: No, I’m not.

Nico: Will you sleep with her again?

Alessandro: Who knows.

Nico: You’re so going to sleep with her again.

Alessandro: She’s my wife.

Nico: Convenient excuse.

Alessandro: You’re supposed to be on my side.

Nico: I’m your friend not your employee, I don’t always have to agree with you.

Alessandro: I’m currently watching her work.

Nico: You are fucked aren’t you.

Alessandro: I have to play the doting fucking husband because she told the world we’re in love. What else am I supposed to do?

Nico: Firstly, not sleep with her.

Alessandro: Next.

Nico: Secondly, remember she’s the enemy.

Alessandro: I fucking know she’s the enemy, but I’m in a fucked-up situation and I’m trying to make the best of it.

Nico: Touchy.

Alessandro: Stressed.

Nico: I’d say you need to get laid but …

Alessandro: Don’t you fucking say anything.

Nico: Wasn’t going to.

Alessandro: This entire situation is fucked up, but I need to keep annoying the hell out of her so she will convince her family to drop out of the race.

Nico: You might need to try harder.

Alessandro: No shit. Thanks for helping.

Nico: Anytime. It’s not like I don’t have shit to do other than help you with the messes you get yourself into.

Alessandro: Fuck you.

Nico: Have fun in Paris. Try not to fuck your wife.

Urgh.

Why are we friends?

“Okay,I can’t anymore. I need to know how the two of you got together,” Dom asks out of nowhere while we are on the plane.

I turn and look over at Natalia because we haven’t discussed how the two of us met. I know she gave a vague story for the magazine article but there were no real details in there. Natalia’s cheeks start to flush, she fidgets in her seat as she tries to think up a story that her friend is going to buy.

“Babe, do you mind if I answer?” I ask her. Relief floods her face as she nods in agreement. “It was a fair while ago now. I can’t remember what event it was, but I remember she was wearing this black and white evening dress. The back looked like a mini dress over this sheer white dress which was underneath. It was unusual and sexy yet also elegant.” Natalia stares at me wide-eyed as I continue with my story. “I can’t remember why, but I needed to get some air and walked out into the garden and heard two people fighting.”

“How long have you been fucking her?” I hear a female’s voice hiss in the darkness.

“Does it matter?” the male answers.

This is awkward listening in on a private conversation, but to be fair, I’m invested now.

“Does it matter that you’ve been fucking my maid? Yes, I think it does,” she sobs at him, hiccupping on her tears.

“Please, as if you haven’t fucked half the ballroom. I’ve seen the way men look at you.”

Sounds like this man has a fragile ego.

“Wouldn’t be surprised if they already know what it’s like to sink their cocks into your willing hole.”

Slap.

The sound echoes through the night. Good on her, that was a dick thing to say.

“You’re an asshole,” she snarls at him.

“You fucking bitch,” he roars at her, and I can hear the menace in his voice and it doesn’t sound right, so I step from the darkness and interrupt them. My eyes widen when I see who it is I’ve stumbled upon, none other than Natalia Fiorenzo. Those sapphire eyes widen as she notices me, they are red-rimmed with tears, but it’s the pure fear on her face as the man towers over her that makes me forget who she is as I intervene.

“Hey,” I say, placing my hand on the guy’s shoulder.

He whirls around with his hand in a fist ready to hit me. Then he relaxes and bursts out laughing. “Karma,” he says as he stares between us. “Your enemy is here to witness your humiliation,” he says darkly. Now, do I hate all Fiorenzos? Yes, it’s ingrained in all Contis to do so, but there’s a part inside of me that is not relishing this situation. I don’t say anything.

“Don’t,” Natalia pleads quietly to her tormentor. Tears stream down her face as those sapphire eyes turn to me.

“What, you don’t want him to know that while you were getting ready tonight, your maid sucked me off in the bathroom? Let me blow my load down her throat and swallowed it all, something you would never do for me.”

Natalia grimaces at his cruel words. I don’t condone cheating, there’s no reason for it. I know how hurtful it can be, my own brother has done it to me more times than I would like.

“Every time you told me you were too busy to fuck me, she would. I would creep downstairs to where her room was and fuck her, she was always ready and willing for my cock, unlike you.”

“You seriously crying over this guy?” I ask her.

Natalia stills as she looks at me as if I’ve spoken another language, not quite believing what I just asked her.

“What the fuck, man?” the guy questions me.

Turning toward him, I ask, “Are you done with her?”

“Huh?” He looks at me strangely.

“Are you dumping this loser?” I turn and ask Natalia.

“Yes,” she answers.

“You’re dumping me? Sweetheart, I think me fucking someone else means I’m dumping you.” He sneers.

“So, you’re both single?” I ask him.

“Yeah, man. I want nothing more to do with her. She’s more trouble than she’s worth,” he states angrily.

Natalia shakes her head as if whatever fog hid this man’s red flags has lifted and she sees him for who he truly is. A loser.

“Good, then you won’t mind if I do this.” I stalk toward her, grabbing her face and kissing her. I’m not sure why I thought it was a good idea to kiss the enemy, but it was the only way I thought she could get back at this idiot. She pulls me in and kisses me deeply, putting on a show in front of him.

“You have got to be kidding me, fucking slut.” The guy hisses behind me.

That’s all it takes for me to pull myself away, grab this jackass, and push him up against the bushes. “Breathe a word of this to anyone and I will ruin your life. Remember who I know,” I warn him. His face pales. “That’s what I thought. You come near her or talk nasty against her to anyone, I will make your life a living hell. You will never do this low dog shit to another woman again, do you hear me?” He nods, and I can see the real fear on his face. “No wonder she never wanted to fuck you. You’re a self-centered, pathetic, little boy who’s a piece of shit,” I say, shoving him away from me. “Now say sorry,” I command.

“Sorry, Natalia,” he mumbles before he turns on his heels and runs as quickly as his legs will take him.

“I remember Gus Winehouse. He was the biggest asshole. Never understood what you saw in that guy. Guess if that hadn’t happened, the two of you wouldn’t be together. Thanks, Gus,” Dom says, waving his glass of champagne in the air.

“Yeah,” Natalia says quietly before placing her glass down and excusing herself to the bathroom.

Dom leans forward. “Gus did a number on her, really fucked with her self-esteem, but I’m glad she had you during those dark days. You brought her back to life.”

That doesn’t feel right accepting her friend’s thanks seeing as I did nothing. “It was all her,” I tell him.

“You know she shows a hard shell to the world, but she’s a softy behind the socialite fa?ade. You’re not at all who I thought she would end up with, but maybe you might be exactly what she needs,” Dom states honestly, giving me a genuine smile.

“I’m going to go check on her,” I say, excusing myself as I walk to the back where the toilets are. I see Natalia dabbing at her eyes, she’s crying. “Are you okay?” I ask, which makes her jump.

“I’m fine. Please leave me alone,” she grumbles, but I ignore her. Natalia rolls her eyes and turns around angrily. “Why the hell did you have to bring up one of the worst nights of my life to use it as your fake meet-cute story? That was cruel.”

Her venom surprises me. “I wasn’t trying to be cruel. I thought it was best to keep a story as close to the truth as it could be.”

“You didn’t kiss me.”

“I know, I thought a bit of embellishment of the truth would work, and it did. Dom ate it all up. Isn’t that what you want?”

“No. I don’t want to lie to my friends. What I want is for you to sign the papers, that’s what I want. I don’t want to be married to you. I hate you,” she hisses at me.

“You didn’t seem to hate me last night.”

Slap.

Her hand comes out and connects with my cheek before I have time to stop it. Those sapphire eyes widen in shock as she realizes what she’s done. I grab her hand, push her back into the bathroom, and shut the door behind me. Her back hits the wall as I glare at her.

“That will be the one and only time you will ever do that to me. Do you hear me?”

Natalia nods as tears well in her eyes, and I can feel her shaking beneath me. I don’t want her to be scared of me, but she can’t put her hands on me like that either. I won’t tolerate it.

“I’m so sorry,” she stammers.

“I know you are.” Relief falls across her face. “If I’m being honest, I wish I had kissed you in that moment in the gardens and shut that fucker up.” My gaze drops to her lips for the briefest of moments.

“Why didn’t you?” she asks quietly.

I don’t know why I didn’t, and now that I know what she tastes like I wish I had. “Because I’m a Conti and you’re a Fiorenzo.”

She grins. “True, but that didn’t stop you in Vegas.”

“You kissed me.” I smirk.

“Did I?” she teases.

I raise a brow at her. “You know you did.”

She shrugs. “I don’t really remember.”

“Do you remember begging me to fuck you last night?” I ask.

“I forgot my vibrator. It was either you or my hand. I was feeling lazy.” She grins.

Her comment makes me laugh. “You know that I’m the only one who can get you off.”

Natalia rolls her eyes at me. “Such an ego.”

“It’s not an ego when it’s the truth,” I tell her as I slide a hand down her side and let my fingers flare against her hip.

“It’s never happening again,” she warns me.

“Really?” I tease.

“Yep,” she says with a pop.

“I’m a patient man, I can wait. You’ll come begging again soon.” And with that I walk back out of the bathroom.