12. Cheers!
CHAPTER 12
CHEERS!
I sabella
The banging bass vibrates off the floor-to-ceiling windows that form the walls to Serena’s modern loft. Despite its large size for a Manhattan apartment, it’s filled to the brim with writhing bodies, dancing to the hypnotic beats. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been in a room with so many people. The DJ stands in the corner, spinning a mix of house and techno beats, perfect to get into the European club mood.
I strangle the stem of my champagne flute, scanning the mass of wriggling forms for Matty. He disappeared into the crowd a few minutes ago in search of another martini. I should have gone with him. Instead, I’m perched on the end of Serena’s leather sofa as a couple dry humps beside me. Get a damned room . What are they teenagers?
The packed dance floor parts, and a familiar pair saunters in my direction. “Oh, hey, cuz, I didn’t think you’d be here tonight.” Alessia sashays closer, wearing one of her mom’s couture designs. It’s a bright red sequined top, that hangs off her shoulders with sheer sleeves embroidered with Chinese dragons. Like all Aunt Jia’s designs, it’s gorgeous. And with Alessia’s exotic mix of Italian and Chinese, she looks stunning as always. Alessandro, her twin brother, walks beside her, and a hint of unease tightens a knot in my belly.
The last time I saw Ale was the night Frankie was shot.
“Move.” Alessia shoos away the couple with no qualms about PDA and sinks into the seat beside me.
“How are you feeling, baby cuz?” Her twin towers over me, his unique irises, one a brilliant blue and the other a dark chocolate brown, scrutinizing me.
“I’m fine. Thanks for coming to check on me, by the way, asshole.”
“Sorry, Bella. Things were chaotic after the incident at The Velvet Vault.” He drags a hand through his long hair. The wild dark locks nearly brush his shoulders now. “But I was thinking about you.” Something darkens his expression, a twitch in his typically casual demeanor. Maybe he has been going through something…
“And Pa was pissed as all hell,” Alessia adds. “He threatened to take the Vault away from him for that fuck-up with the Russians.”
“No need to bore our cousin with all the details.” His gaze swivels away from mine, taking in the array of female guests. “I need to get laid tonight.”
“Unlike every other night?” Alessia smirks up at her twin.
Ignoring his sister, he reaches for my champagne and swallows it down in one gulp.
“Hey!”
“I need it more than you do, trust me.”
“You have no idea what’s been going on in my life, Ale,” I hiss.
“Actually, I do. Matteo keeps us up to date on all your struggles with your new bodyguard, princess.”
“I heard he’s hot as fuck.” Alessia’s sharp gaze circles the room. “Where is he by the way? I was hoping to get an in-person peek.”
That flare of guilt rises, but I swallow it down, wishing I had some champagne to wash it down with. “It’s his night off.”
“And Uncle Luca let you come here by yourself?” She lifts a perfectly plucked brow.
“Not exactly?—”
“There you are!” Serena barrels through the crowd with a drink in each hand, tumbles of golden blonde locks trailing down her bare shoulders. She hands me the fancy cocktail before clinking her glass against mine. “To my best friend and blood, Isabella, who had to escape the clutches of her sinfully gorgeous but slightly psychopathic and overprotective new guard to be here with us tonight.”
A grin crawls across my face at her ridiculousness despite my best efforts.
Matteo appears behind her a moment later with three drinks, completing our dysfunctional family circle. “I thought you said this was supposed to be a small party,” he grumbles before taking a sip from his martini. “It took ten minutes to get drinks from the bartender.” He hands one to Alessia and the other to Alessandro.
Serena shrugs. “What can I say? There are a lot of people in Manhattan that are sad to see me go.”
“No one more than me.” I clink my glass against my cousin’s. “I’m going to miss you so damned much, Ser.”
“Aww, you guys are just so sweet.” Alessia’s lips twist into a sneer. I love my cousin, but she’s kind of a bitch, and even though we’re close-ish, there’s no one like Serena.
“Cheers to you, cuz, and the best damned time in Milano.” I lift my glass, and the others all follow. “You are going to rock Dolce & Gabbana’s world this summer.”
“Cheers!” All our glasses meet in the center, the clinking barely audible over the booming sounds of the DJ.
After we’ve all taken our celebratory sips, the five of us disperse, the boys and Alessia moving to the dancefloor, while Serena and I flop down on the couch.
“So everything went according to plan with the escape?” She eyes me over the rim of the crystal flute.
“Surprisingly, yes. I guess Raf isn’t as good as he thinks he is.”
“Or maybe you’re just that much better.” She shoots me a wink. “I just hope this little impromptu late-night getaway doesn’t worsen your cause.”
“Only if I get caught.” I grin and take another sip from my drink, some sort of fruity rum punch.
“Do you think your dad will give in on the Rome internship?” Serena squeezes my hand, eyes lifting to mine. “I don’t know what I’ll do without you for the entire summer.”
“It’s not my dad, but the hot bodyguard you made me pick that I have to convince. Great choice by the way.” I roll my eyes and suck down another big gulp through the straw.
“It’ll work out, I know it will. Mark my words, you’ll be thanking me I forced you to pick Raffaele one day.”
“Yeah, when he’s dancing on my grave.”
“Oh, stop it!” She gives me a playful shove before jumping up and hauling me along with her. “Come on, finish your drink so we can dance. This is your first time out in months. You can’t just spend the whole night on the couch.”
“I’m not really in the mood?—”
She clucks her tongue, shaking her head. “It’s my going away party, and you will do everything I say. Got it?”
“Now who’s acting like the spoiled mafia princess?”
“It’s my party, baby!” She twirls me around, and the brilliant red liquid nearly spills over the edge of my glass. “Now, let’s go!”
Downing the remainder of my fruity drink, I drop the empty glass on the cocktail table beside Serena’s flute and follow her onto the dancefloor.
Five cocktails later and I haven’t left the dancefloor the entire night. Some guy grinds up against my ass, but I’m having too much fun to shoo him away. Serena’s wiggling her booty across from me, dancing with some other guy who I think appeared when my dude did, so I assume they’re friends. That and they keep high fiving each other over our heads. If I wasn’t two sheets to the wind, I’d find it annoying as all hell.
But right now, the haze of booze has me all numb and tingly and for the first time in months, I feel free.
“I am so glad you made it, cuz!” Serena shouts over the pounding rhythm. “This night never would’ve been the same without you.”
“I know! Me too.” I reach for her hand and give it a squeeze, but the guy behind me, pulls me closer, pinning me to his torso.
“You’re not going anywhere, baby.” His warm breath skates across my ear, and goose bumps cascade down my bare shoulders.
Serena waggles her brows and mouths, “He’s hot, go for it.”
I shake my head, and the room spins ever so slightly. It’s been forever since I hooked up with a guy and with my new shadow, who knew when I’d get another chance? Maybe I should keep an open mind. The alcohol is rushing my system, and a little release could be fun. Not that I would consider giving up my virginity to some random guy at a party, but I could do other things… I wasn’t exactly a saint, I just hadn’t dated much since I spent most of my life behind lock and key in my gilded penthouse tower.
The guy’s fingers tighten at my hips before he spins me around to face him. Golden locks tumble over his brow, and vivid green eyes meet mine. Serena is right, he’s goodlooking with that California, surfer boy style.
He leans in, lips nearly brushing the shell of my ear. “I’m Jason, by the way. I figured I should introduce myself since I’ve been rubbing up on you for the past half hour.” A boyish grin curls the corners of his lips as he retreats, holding me out to arm’s length once again.
“Isabella,” I whisper-shout. Then I throw my thumb over my shoulder and point at my cousin. “Serena’s my best friend.”
“Oh, gotcha. That’s my brother, James, she’s dancing with. I’m in town visiting him for a few days from the west coast. I guess they know each other.”
“Let me guess, California?”
He nods and runs his hand through the blonde, curly tendrils. “San Diego. How’d you guess?”
“You just had that look.”
“I hope you like that look.” A warm smile lights up his face.
The copious amounts of alcohol I’ve consumed loosen my tongue. “I could get used to it.”
He reels me in so I’m flush against his torso, and his hands roam my lower back. As he presses me against him, I feel his cock harden between us and heat flickers down my lower half. The music slows, the first ballad all night filling the air. Jason’s hands settle along the small of my back, his long fingers just barely brushing the curve of my ass in my black mini.
His erection nudges my belly as we sway to the music, and my lower half lights up at the incessant rubbing. Okay, when was the last time I took time for self-care? Apparently, it’s been longer than healthy because I’m suddenly horny as hell. I may be a virgin, but I own a vibrator and know how to use it. It’s just been so long since I have.
Jason leans in again, so his lips are only inches from mine. “Do you want to go somewhere more private?”