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

16. Alessandro

What the hell just happened?

How am I now living with Natalia Fiorenzo?

Does her family really know she’s here or is she lying to me?

Can’t imagine they would think this is a good idea. I’m expecting her brothers to walk through my doors at any moment and lay into me for taking advantage of their sister. I’m surprised by her, by all of this really. I didn’t think she had it in her, but I’m kind of glad she’s willing to fight me on this, even though she’s so far out of her depth. I didn’t think she had a devious bone in her body, but I guess I’m wrong. It’s cute that she thought moving into my home would have me signing the annulment paperwork. Princess, this is what I do for a living. I’ve been trained by the most ruthless businessman in Italy. This ploy is like schoolyard games, and the fact your family thinks it would be that simple is an insult. I’m not swayed by a pretty face or by being uncomfortable, I wear that mask every day, thanks to my father. But her, on the other hand, I can’t imagine she’s ever had to feel uncomfortable. Over the years, I’ve seen and heard what people say about her, it’s all good which is surprising. They say she’s all sunshine and goodness wrapped up in a body worthy of sin. Maybe I need a little sunshine in my life, even if it’s for a fleeting moment, something to keep my humanity in check till this deal is done.

Till I’ve won.

Because I will win.

Natalia won’t break me.

I’m going to have so much fun breaking her.

“Andro, hey.” Nico’s voice surprises me, pulling me from my thoughts. “You looked a million miles away, you good?” he asks.

I burst out laughing, and my oldest friend looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “You’re never going to guess what’s happened?”

Nico shrugs, asking me to continue.

“Natalia Fiorenzo’s just moved in with me.”

“I’m sorry, what did you say? Natalia moved in with you?” He looks around the empty living area.

“She’s upstairs in my room unpacking or destroying it. I’m not sure, it could go either way,” I tell him.

He looks at me, dumbfounded. “Do I want to know how the fuck this happened?”

I hold up my hands. “Wasn’t my idea.”

Nico shakes his head. “She came up with this on her own?” I nod. “Has she lost her mind? Her family wouldn’t do this to her, it’s like a lamb coming into the lion’s den.”

“She thought declaring her undying love for me to the world, then bringing the paparazzi to my home, showing them her moving in, that the humiliation or the embarrassment would make me sign the papers. That she would make me uncomfortable. She has no idea how uncomfortable I’m about to make her life.”

Nico laughs. “To be fair, it’s ballsy.”

“It is. Also, did you know that she’s friends with Francesca?” I ask him. He shakes his head. I didn’t think he did. “They worked together on this Romeo and Juliet PR stunt. I don’t know what else they have planned.”

Nico’s eyes widen. “Had no idea. Want me to can whatever it is for you?” he asks.

“No, I’m going to let this play out the way Natalia wants. It will make it all the sweeter when I win.” Nico smirks. “Enough about me, I need a drink.”

“Hey, fellas, ready to lose your money?” Rocco, Nico’s younger brother, comes in. He’s horrible at poker and loses all the time, but he still believes one day he’ll win.

“Are you ready to lose yours?” Nico chuckles.

Rocco flips him off. “Tonight is the night, I can feel it.” Nico and I burst out laughing. “Fuck you guys,” he says, rolling his eyes as he heads over to my bar area.

“I need a fucking drink, your father is a dick,” my cousin, Valentino, moans as he walks into my home. Val works for us in the family business. He’s one of my right-hand men and usually helps to keep my father and me separate. “This whole Vegas marrying a Fiorenzo bullshit has turned him nuclear,” he says, walking over and giving me a slap on the back as he walks past toward the bar, where Rocco hands him a drink.

“Think you need this more than me,” Rocco says, offering the crystal tumbler.

“Thanks, I fucking do.” Val groans, grabbing the glass and throwing back the entire contents in one large gulp.

“He’s going to lose his mind when he finds out Natalia’s moved in,” Nico explains.

Val turns and glares at me. “He better be fucking joking, Andro. He’s already a fucking handful.”

I shake my head. “Wish he was, but no he’s not.”

Val’s face turns a bright red with anger. “What the hell are you playing at? Are you trying to kill your father? The world would be a better place without him, but that’s not the point. When he hears this, you might push him over the edge with this stunt,” he says angrily.

“He didn’t know I was moving in.” Natalia’s voice breaks the tension.

Everyone in the room stills, and I know they are all thinking the same thing I am. Firstly, what the fuck is she doing downstairs? And secondly, what the fuck is she wearing? She’s dressed in a sexy black mini dress that looks like it barely covers her ass and has a deep V exposing her luscious cleavage. Her makeup looks flawless, her brunette hair cascades around her in bouncy waves, and then there are the sky-high black heels that show off her shapely, tanned legs that look like they go on for miles.

Fuck my life.

She walks over to where I’m standing, reaches out, and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Hey, baby, thought I’d come down and serve you guys. It’s what a good wife would do, wouldn’t she?” she says, all innocent, patting my chest. This woman has come to destroy guys’ night.

“You’ve had a big day, princess. You’re more than welcome to just go upstairs and relax. I’ve got everything covered down here,” I tell her through gritted teeth.

She pouts, putting on a show for the boys, who are all entranced by her. No. Can’t they see what she’s doing?

“Wish I had such a beautiful, hospitable wife,” Val adds, looking her over hungrily, and I don’t like it.

“You’re not even married,” I bite back at my cousin.

“Seems like I might be missing out if this is what happens.” He grins.

“See, your friends think I should help.” She smiles, giving Val her attention.

“Valentino, I’m his cousin,” he says, introducing himself to her.

“Oh, hi, family,” she says warmly and slinks over to where Val is, my eyes sliding down her body for a second as I watch her ass walk away. Then she hugs my cousin tightly, and he gives me a wide smile as he hugs her back enthusiastically. “You have to be the first Conti to be happy to see me,” she tells him.

“I’m the nice one, plus now you’re a Conti,” Val teases her.

I watch her stiffen for a second at his comment before whatever this character is she is playing slips back on. “Well, it’s so lovely to meet you, cousin Valentino. Are all the cousins as handsome as you?” She giggles, rubbing a hand along his arm before giving it a playful squeeze.

What the hell is she doing flirting with him? And why the hell is he flirting back?

“No. I’m the best. If only I met you first in Vegas.” He grins.

“Oh, you,” she says, swatting his chest as she plays this giggling bimbo role, which I know is not her in the slightest. Val is eating up her attention, and I hate that seeing her giving it to someone else irritates me.

Nico leans in and whispers into my ear, “I think you have your hands full with that one.”

“Are we ready to play poker or do you still need more time to flirt with your cousin’s wife?” Rocco says to Val, calling him out. Val turns and glares at Rocco, who shrugs.

“Oh sorry, I didn’t introduce myself, I’m Natalia,” she says, walking over to Rocco and holding out her hand to him. He glares at her hand for a moment before his manners kick in and he takes it, shaking it.

“I know who you are,” he says, giving her a once-over.

“You do?”

Rocco’s brows pull together. “Of course.”

“I can assure you I’m nothing like what my husband portrays me to be,” she tells him, turning and grinning at me.

“He hasn’t portrayed you in any way, he hasn’t said a word about you to us,” Rocco adds. Good to know where his loyalties lie, unlike my cousin. He’s not swayed by the pretty package.

“Oh, that’s because I asked him not to. Didn’t want you all to have a preconceived idea about me because I was a Fiorenzo,” she says breezily.

Rocco stills for a moment as her lie rolls so effortlessly off her tongue, then looks at me before back to her, wondering if maybe what she’s saying is true.

“Enough of the introductions, let’s play,” I say, irritated by the whole thing.

“I’m Nico, Rocco’s brother,” Nico says, reintroducing himself to her.

Traitor.

“I remember, also I’ve seen you around town, you’re at a lot of the same events as me,” she says, shaking his hand and giving him her undivided attention.

“Yeah, I am, surprised you noticed,” he says.

No, not you, too, Nico, you’re supposed to be the strong one. Don’t you fall for this witch’s ways.

“You know Roma society is a small place. I’ve had a couple of girlfriends point you out, they were very interested.”

“Really, now, tell me more?” Nico asks.

Natalia chuckles, knowing she has him hook, line, and sinker. “Yes, I think their words were, ‘Yes, Daddy,’” she moans.

Fuck, the sound sends shockwaves into my balls. Nico chokes on his drink and the other two guys stare at her. I can tell the impure thoughts they are having.

“Yeah, well, guess one day you can introduce me to some of these ladies.” Nico smirks.

“For sure. Well, why don’t you guys go and sit down and play your little game, and I’ll get some snacks ready for you all.” The guys all mumble their thanks as they head to the table. “Your boys seem great,” she says to me as I step in front of her.

“You ever prepared snacks before?” I ask, raising a brow at her. Pretty sure she’s never had to lift a finger.

“Please, my mother taught me how to host since I could walk. Why don’t you sit down and enjoy your night,” she tells me before turning her back and walking toward the kitchen. My eyes dip to her ass again, cursing the entire situation. When I turn back around to the guys sitting at the table, they are all grinning at me. “What?” I ask them.

“You’re so fucked.” Rocco chuckles as he starts sorting out the poker chips.

“Hundred euros he’ll fuck her by the end of the week,” Nico teases, waving a hundred euro note above his head.

“I think it will be tonight,” Val adds, handing over money to Nico.

“Fuck you. I have better self-control than that,” I curse at my cousin.

“Not with a woman like her,” he says, nodding his head in the direction of the kitchen.

“What, a ditzy socialite?”

“There’s nothing ditzy about her,” Val adds.

“You’re dazzled by her assets.”

“Have you seen her? She’s stunning,” he says, looking over my shoulder, watching her working away in the kitchen.

“Do I have to watch you around my wife?” I ask.

Val stills, his eyes narrowing on me. “It’s not real so why would it matter if I flirt with her? Especially when there are no cameras around,” he questions me.

What can I say to that? He’s right, there are no cameras around, and this isn’t real. I shouldn’t care that my cousin is hitting on her. But you do.

“If you want to enjoy my sloppy seconds then go right ahead,” I tell him, annoyed by this conversation.

Val’s eyes widen. And I just know she’s standing right behind me. Turning around slowly, I look up into Natalia’s bright blue eyes that narrow, and there’s a mixture of hurt and anger directed at me.

“Just came over to ask how to turn the oven on.”