2. Leora
CHAPTER TWO
Leora
T he reception is thrumming with music and people talking and loud laughter. Everyone is in an incredible mood and enjoying the celebrations - everyone - that is - except my date.
Masaccio has always been such a serious looking, brooding type of guy. Technically, I should view him as boring as all hell - but he’s so freaking hot. And being the sexiest guy, I’ve ever met in my life - it makes his dark, bad-boy attitude irresistible.
I stand up from the table where we are seated together for the bridal party and reach out to grab his hand. “Come dance with me.” I say, pulling at him. He doesn’t budge. He throws me the same stern look he’s been giving me all night.
I grin, ignoring it. “Dance with me, Mas.” I say again, batting my eyelashes at him.
He rolls his eyes, and I watch the muscles along his jaw feather.
Dammit. So sexy.
“I don’t dance.” Mas replies.
“Don’t be silly, Mas, dance with the girl.” Isabelle looks up from a conversation she was having with Frankie. The newlyweds look so happy tonight. My heart explodes with jealously that they found each other. I turn my attention back to Mas. He can’t say no to the bride’s request.
“Fine.” He says gruffly, standing up. He’s so much taller than me I have to tilt my head almost all the way back to look up at him. He’s taller than almost everyone at this wedding.
He walks ahead of me towards the dance floor, not holding my hand or even bothering to check if I’m following him.
I am, though.
On the dance floor, he turns towards me, and I step close to him to wrap my arms around his neck. His hands slip around my waist, leaving heated trails on my skin where he touches me.
I’ve never been with a man before. I’ve never even kissed a guy. My father would lock me in a room and throw away the key if I even talked about something like that.
My father is so hell bent on keeping me untouched and perfect .
He never lets me have any fun. I’m not even allowed to go on chaperoned dates.
But tonight - at the wedding - well it would be rude of me not to dance with my groomsman. Besides, my father isn’t here. This is the wedding of a rival family. I’m only here because Isabelle and I have been friends forever. And it took a huge amount of convincing to get my father to agree to let me come.
At the end of the day, it would have caused issues for the families if I declined the invite.
So here I am.
Dancing with the man that I have had a crush on since before I can even remember.
My body is pressed right up against his chest, and I can feel how solid his build is.
I’ve always wanted to know how he felt.
I giggle like a schoolgirl because that’s how he makes me feel.
I let my fingers slip up his neck, into his hair and I feel the goosebumps that spread over his skin. Mm. He likes it.
“Stop that.” He growls at me. Always so grumpy.
“Why are you scared of having a little fun?” I tease him.
He reaches back and drags my hand onto his shoulder.
I think maybe I just need to get him to have a few more drinks. The bridal party has been throwing back shots all night. My head is buzzing warm and fuzzy because of it.
Maybe if I get Frankie to give Mas a few extra shots, he’ll relax a little.
The music changes and Mas lets out a deep sigh of regret. It’s a slow song, intimate. Seductive. I rest my cheek on his chest and sway my body up against his.
Mas’ massive hand is resting on my lower back and the bolts of lightning its sending through my body are delightful.
I arch my back against his hand, and he clears his throat. He can feel the way I’m moving. He’s struggling with it. I can tell by the way he’s trying to move away from me.
I giggle, continuing my games until the song ends and he runs off the floor, back to our table.
I follow him, and when I get there, I enthusiastically demand “Shooters.” And Isabelle grins at me, lifting her empty shot glass while Frankie stands up to pour a few.
“I think Mas needs a double.” I say to Frankie. He chuckles and nods.
Mas doesn’t even notice when he gets handed a larger shot glass than everyone else.
Isabelle waves me over and I sit down next to her while the guys all talk on the other side of the table. I watch Frankie pouring them another shot.
“You like him, don’t you?” Isabelle asks.
I nod. “You know I’ve had a crush on him forever.”
“I know you used to - I didn’t know you still did.”
I roll my eyes. “Look at the guy. He’s like a work of art. A sculpture.”
“But he’s so moody.” She laughs.
“He’s not moody. He’s mysterious.” I reply with a giggle.
“You know your father would kill you - and him.”
“What my father doesn’t know can’t hurt him.”
She nods. “Ok, well, you had better make this happen tonight then, hey?”
“I’m trying.” I snap in frustration.
No matter how much I flirt with the guy, he just isn’t flirting back.
To make it weirder - he keeps checking me out. I can see he enjoys looking at me, and when we dance together, I notice how tense he gets.
I’m going to make a move.
He thinks I’m pretty and he can’t hide it, so I’ll make a move.
He’s probably just nervous about my father. That’s probably all that’s stopping him.
When all of us head over to the dance floor again, Mas is looking more relaxed. Frankie has made sure he’s had enough shots of tequila to relax his shoulders and put a bit of a smile on his face.
I step close to him again, but this time my stomach is fluttering with a hundred butterflies. I am so nervous I can barely see straight.
I can’t believe I’m going to do this.
If I kiss him - and he kisses me back - I will be the happiest girl in the entire world.
He wouldn’t kiss me if he didn’t have a crush on me, too.
Wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my breasts against his solid chest, I stare up at him.
“You are relentless.” He says, his deep voice vibrating against me.
His eyes are locked with mine, and I can feel the tension between us growing.
I trace my fingers over his jaw line, and he doesn’t stop me. In fact, he’s still looking down at me.
My eyes fall to his lips.
I feel my own lips parting.
My heart is beating faster and faster by the second.
I’m going to do it.
I’m going to kiss him.
But before I have a chance to make my move, he leans down to kiss me.
I can’t believe it.
I’m so shocked that for a second, I forget to kiss him back.
But as his lips move against mine, the rest of the world and all of my thoughts fall silent.
I’m in heaven.
His mouth is locked over mine as he pushes his tongue between my lips.
I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and press harder against him.
I feel my entire body become alive as I rock myself against him.
A low growl rumbles through him as his hand presses hard against my lower back.
Oh, my word.
This is the most incredible thing I’ve ever experienced in my entire life.
The music changes and it breaks the trance I’m in.
Mas pulls his lips away from mine.
“I need another drink.” He says, stepping back, his arms releasing me.
I feel lost for a second. A little bewildered.
Then Isabelle catches my eye and scrunches her nose as the biggest grins spreads across her face. My eyes are wide with excitement.
I just kissed Masaccio Vece. Literally the hottest guy on the planet.
And he kissed me back.