10 #2
Pino made some smutty remark about Kuch showing everyone his Far East movement, which was rewarded with a playful punch to his stomach.
Kuch then took Dani’s drink and put it on the table, then guided her to the dance floor, followed by Rosa, Carmen, Pino and most of the table.
Jerome clenched his teeth as he watched Kuch dance closely to Dani.
She was clearly enjoying herself, laughing at something Kuch whispered.
Nicole put down her drink and was heading to join them, when Jerome caught her by the elbow. “Is Dani alright? She looked a little off.” He explained he’d seen the exchange between Rosa and Dani.
Nicole’s eyes flitted to Dani, then back to Jerome. “Her ex got in touch with her today and she got upset. We’re trying to snap her out of it.”
Jerome furrowed his brow and nodded, then looked back over to where she was dancing. “You think Kuch has the hots for her?”
Nicole grinned wryly. “Um, I think he likes her, Jerome. We all do.” Nicole eyed him.
Crap, if he was this protective over Dani, he’d never be comfortable with her and Kuch, she thought to herself.
How they’d managed to keep it from everyone for a year was a miracle.
They’d need to start being more careful.
“He’s just being a friend, Jerome. Lighten up.
” She shook her head and went over to join them.
It didn’t take long for Dani to loosen up.
She ended up dancing with all the staff and being introduced to Kuch’s brother, who was the resident deejay.
Rosa, Nicole and Kuch kept Dani close by and Jerome remained a moderate distance from the party, occasionally going over.
He stood mainly by one of the private bars, talking with customers or staff, but his eyes were constantly flitting over to Dani.
“Man, I’m boiling. I need some water.” Dani fanned herself with her hand, leaning towards Nicole, speaking close to her ear.
“Go get some from the bar and tell them to put it on our tab.”
Dani nodded and headed to the private bar on the same level as their table, her heart still pounding wildly.
Her body was covered in a slight sheen of sweat from the dancing and she contemplated shedding Kuch’s shirt, but thought better of it.
Well, at least all that dancing would have helped burn off some of those extra calories she’d consumed over the last few days, she thought to herself, squeezing between two rather large men and waiting until the barman finished opening a couple of bottles of beer.
She leaned over the bar, hoping to catch his attention, when her eyes fell on Jerome.
Her heart raced faster. Holy shit, he looked good enough to eat.
He was slouched against the bar arrogantly – he had a way of oozing confidence without it being annoying.
He’d taken his black suit jacket off to reveal a deep V-necked, charcoal grey T-shirt, which accentuated his perfectly toned pecs and strained over his tanned arms. He was talking to a party of four men that he seemed to know well.
He laughed at something they said, and his normally brooding face lit up as he threw his head back laughing, causing his face to crease.
He looked insanely handsome and Dani had to catch her breath.
Crap, she had it bad. Why did she always fall for the most inappropriate men?
Jerome turned, catching Dani’s gaze. She instantly flushed. Thank God for subdued lighting.
He smiled at her, his eyes intense as always, and Dani gave a weak smile back. He excused himself from the group and leisurely paced over to where she was standing, slipping in a tight space next to her. Panic washed over Dani as the proximity between them vanished.
“Hi, need a drink?” he asked casually. Before she could answer, the barman was over within a second. Jerome looked down at Dani, waiting for her to answer. He arched his brow and cocked his head waiting for her response.
“Er… tequila. Straight. Gold. Oh, and some water, please. Thanks.”
Jerome shifted his gaze to the barman and he immediately poured Dani her drink. He placed it on the bar, along with a bottle of water, and then looked at Jerome. “I’ll have the same.”
Dani shifted on her feet nervously and focused on the bartender pouring another, then he placed it next to Dani’s.
Jerome picked up his glass and waited for Dani to do the same.
Her hands were clammy and the glass felt satisfyingly cool against her palm.
She lifted up the glass and muttered, “Cheers.”
Jerome clinked her glass, holding her gaze. “Salute.”
“Um, salute,“ Dani repeated, blinking up at him as he took a small sip from his glass. Dani took a gulp. She wished he’d stop looking at her so intensely.
Even in the dim light of the club, his eyes shone like laser beams, causing her pulse to race.
The drink was making her feel a little reckless, and she really was in danger of embarrassing herself.
“Having fun?” he asked as he leaned closer so she could hear, and Dani took a deep breath, relishing his unique scent. God, he smelled delicious.
“Um, yes. I am. Everyone’s been great.”
Jerome nodded, then his eyes travelled over her. “Nice shirt.” He arched his eyebrow and took another sip, eyeing her over the glass rim.
Dani looked down at the shirt. “It’s Kuch’s. He let me borrow it for tonight. I didn’t bring any going out clothes with me.”
Jerome nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. Dani picked up her water bottle and frowned, then looked over to the barman. “Something wrong?” asked Jerome.
“Er, I’d like a glass. I can’t drink out of bottles. I’ll spill it.” She shrugged apologetically.
Jerome’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Then reached over the bar and grabbed a tall glass. He gently took the bottle from her hands, opened it and poured the contents into the glass, then handed it to her.
“Thanks.” Dani took it and proceeded to drain it.
“More?” Jerome looked at the empty glass and Dani shook her head.
Nervous and unsure of what to say, Dani picked up her glass. “Thanks for this. I’d better get back.” She gestured to the table where everyone was.
Jerome nodded. “Are you driving?” his brow furrowed as he spoke.
“Um, no. Kuch said he’d drive me home. I’ll pick up my car tomorrow.”
Jerome tensed a little but he gave a slow nod again.
“Thanks again.” Dani lifted her drink and quickly made her way back to the table, glad for the increasing space between them so she could breathe again.
By two fifteen, Dani was feeling tired and a little light headed. For the first time since she’d left London, she felt more optimistic. She was glad Rosa and Nicole had insisted she came out.
Kuch, Nicole, Rosa and Dani rode the elevator down to the underground parking and settled into the seats of Kuch’s car.
As Kuch pulled up the ramp, he turned right onto the quiet street in front of the building.
Dani strained to see if she could see Sky from her window but the elevation was too steep from this angle.
Her eyes dropped down and she noted the name of the building. Ferretti House.
“Do the Ferrettis own this building?” She turned to Nicole who was sitting next to her in the back seat.
Nicole scrunched her nose up and nodded. “Cosimo’s accountancy business takes up five floors. Arsenio’s lawyer firm another five, and the remaining two are taken up by Level One.”
“Level One?”
“It’s a gym and beauty spa. Liz runs it. Well sort of, anyway.” Nicole shrugged.
“Oh.” Dani couldn’t hide her surprise.
DANI FOUND CHLOE IN the kitchen when she finally surfaced. It was almost eleven by the time she’d showered and dragged herself downstairs.
“Morning.”
“Morning.”
“What time did you get in last night?”
Dani moaned, “About a quarter to three.” She rubbed her face. “We went to a nightclub after work. From what I gather, it’s a Sunday night ritual. Apparently it’s owned by Jerome.”
“Apparently?” Chloe stopped what she was doing and came to sit down with Dani.
“Well it is. And in fact the whole building belongs to the Ferrettis.”
“Really?” Chloe’s eyes widened, clearly fascinated.
“I know, right? It’s a huge high rise in the city. Very swanky. The top two floors are the nightclub and the other floors have the family accountancy and law firms. They’ve got a gym and beauty spa too.”
“Wow. Well I’m out of touch with what’s going on, so I wouldn’t have known. Adam probably does. He deals with the law firm sometimes, and of course eats in the restaurant. So the Ferrettis have quite an empire, then?”
“So it would seem. And a lot of their family work for them. You know, cousins. Not really sure how many, but they seem close knit.” Dani got up and started to make the coffee.
“What was the club like?”
“Off the charts. It had a glass roof and walls. It felt like you were in the open air.”
Chloe looked impressed.
“Yeah. I’ve got to go pick up my car. I didn’t drive. Oh and Jez sent me an email. He got Adam’s letter.”
Chloe cringed. “How was that?”
Dani shrugged and pursed her lips, “I’m going to have to speak to him. Its ten days now. I’ll get in touch this afternoon, once I’m back from getting my car.”
“You need a lift down?” Chloe glanced at the clock.
“No. I’ll get the bus. I know you’ve got a lot on. I’ll just have my coffee and head off.” Dani looked out of the window. The sky was clear and the sun was out. “At least it’s a nice day.”
DANI WALKED DOWN THE river bank towards La Casa d’Italia and turned into the car park. There was only her car parked up and Dani huffed. What did she expect? It was Monday and the restaurant was closed but she still couldn’t shake off her feeling of disappointment.
As she unlocked the door, she saw Gia’s green fiat turn in through the car park gates. Dani waved at her and Gia gave her a megawatt smile. She opened the car door and stepped out. “Dani, you know we’re closed today right?”
“Yes, Gia. I came to get my car. I left it here last night.”