CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
J anus’s hand warmed my bare back and nerves rolled in my stomach. Where did Isla go? I searched the clusters of people around the room, and came up empty. She wasn’t my chaperone, but I’d hoped she’d stay with me at least until Rocco came to the party. But she seemed keen on me speaking with Janus. Maybe he’s one of Rocco’s friends.
“Adelina,” Janus called my attention to him. He pointed toward a row of couches across the dance floor, and we sat on the open middle seats. He turned his head toward me to speak, but a woman sat down in the space between us. I’d seen her at the premiere and thought she was elegant in her green satin gown and tight bun. She held out her hand. “I’m Rose, Morgan Steele’s wife.”
I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m—”
“You’re Rocco’s beautiful cake topper. That’s what everyone’s calling you.” She let out a dry laugh.
I cringed, letting her hand go. “Hardly.”
“Fuck them, they’re jealous,” Rose said, her voice slurred and elevated.
My neck burned. Then why mention it? I bit the inside of my cheek.
Janus cleared his throat. “If you’d excuse us, Rose. We’re discussing business.”
Rose’s lips pursed. “ Sure you are, Janus. You can spare a few minutes for a wife or soon-to-be one chat. Let me be your guide.” She pointed at the groups of people chatting around the room. “That brunette over there, she’s the new ambassador for Catalina earrings. The one talking to her is a small-time director of a new indie film that has just been picked up by a big studio. The guy over there owns the best spa in Mazembe. And the redhead over there’s my best friend. She’s fucking my husband behind my back. And the man she’s talking to is fucking us both.”
I blinked rapidly. “Are you serious?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured.
“How sweet,” she said, her hand unsteady as she grasped a glass of champagne from a hostess. She offered me one, and I shook my head, refusing. “Don’t worry about me. We keep it interesting. Besides, Morgan will never divorce me. Remember, the mistresses get the headaches while you have all the perks.”
I frowned. “Is that so?” My tone was airy.
She squinted at me with her mouth open. “I’m trying to help you.”
“Leave her alone, Rose, and lay off the drinks,” Janus hissed.
I took a sparkling water from a hostess and could pat myself on the back at how smooth and unaffected I managed it.
Rose let out a noisy laughter. “You play it cool. I like that. You know, I’ve been there with Morgan when he cheats. I bet Rocco told you they broke up. But then you see them pawing all over each other tonight.”
I took a sip of water and glanced around the room.
Rose touched my arm to regain my attention and smirked. “Chin up, beautiful. Rocco’s a striking, virile man. It’s better to adjust now to the mistresses. Trust me, it’ll save you the embarrassment. He just needs to work Marjorie out of his system. Let him fuck her a few more times and introduce her to his friends. She’ll parasite onto the next man.” She drained her glass.
“Damn it, Rose. Find some tact,” Janus snapped.
Rose scoffed. “No. I’m giving her sisterly advice so she can survive this wasteland. You’re soon to be the wife, the top of the food chain.”
Rose peered at me, perched on her seat waiting for me to respond to her, but I didn’t.
I lifted my chin and took a sip of my water. Will Rocco fuck her? The thought of him touching her brought on a wave of nausea. But he’d been forced to break up. I’m the one that came between them. Would I have been happier if he had shared more about his feelings? Yes. But I was here and I wasn’t defeated.
Rose’s gaze narrowed on me and she huffed and climbed to her feet. “Fine. Ignore me. I was only trying to be supportive.”
I met her eyes, but didn’t say a word. She didn’t care about my feelings, but wanted to stir the pot. Whatever I did feel, I would never share it with Rose Steele.
She shifted her attention to Janus. “And Janus?”
He scowled at her. “I don’t want to talk to you either, Rose.”
“Your scene had me coming without my vibrator. Call me.” She stood and stumbled away.
“Rose never knows when to shut up,” Janus said, glaring after her. “In her own miserable way, she meant well.”
I smirked. Sure, she did. She wanted to light me up and watch me burn. Rocco hadn’t returned from the screening and Marjorie hadn’t appeared either. They could be together and it did bother me. Still, I wouldn’t make a fool out of myself like Rose by spilling all my personal drama, drinking and making a scene. I’d learned long ago to shield my feelings.
“You handled Rose like a pro,” he said and laughed. “I don’t think I ever found her so thirsty. Good going.”
Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” came on, and my heart lifted. Every time I heard the song, it motivated me to stay strong. I swayed in my seat.
“You want to dance?” he asked, standing with his hand out. “Let’s dance.”
My eyes shifted around. No Isla. However, I did see Zane. Why not?
We went to the dance floor. I swayed my hips and arms in rhythm with the music. Janus matched my dance moves, gliding and twisting to the beat. And for the first time tonight, I was having fun. We looked at each other as the song came to an end. Why not keep dancing? The music was good, and we danced through a couple more songs.
To my surprise, Morgan Steele approached us. My heart rose, thinking Rocco might have come too, but then pain burned my chest when I realized he wasn’t with him. I wasn’t hard to miss in this dress, so if he’d really wanted to find me, he would have. And I couldn’t deal with that. Perhaps Rose had given me the advice I needed to hear after all. I will just be at the top of the food chain. The one he keeps, if only for the fa?ade of being married.
“Can I dance with you next, beautiful?” Morgan said, his eyes running down my body and stopping at my breasts. I thought about the mistresses Rose had told me about. Isn’t he Rocco’s friend?
I stiffened.
“No, we’re busy,” Janus told him.
I nodded in agreement.
Morgan eyed him coolly but walked away.
“He’s on a high from the movie,” Janus said. “He’s also known as all hands.”
My eyes narrowed after him. “Thanks for the warning.”
We returned to the couch, and he angled toward me. “You can dance, I see. What else do you enjoy doing?”
I lifted my shoulders. “Hmm, I don’t know, actually. I graduated from college recently.”
“What was your major?”
“Global studies with a minor in modern languages. I also paint.” I gave talking about my hobby a test and it felt good to say it.
He gave me a nod. “Languages come in handy for travel, translators, and diplomats. I speak several languages myself. It also works well for my work.”
“What exactly do you do?” I asked.
“My brand is lifestyles. It involves our wellness products to infuse a new life. We travel all over the world and demonstrate our products. Our lifestyle channel is streamed by millions. Our industry collaborations are in high demand. We have numerous, successful, international stores.” Janus gave me his pitch, and even with the little he shared, I was impressed.
“That sounds amazing.”
“We could definitely use a new brand ambassador, like you.”
Excitement coursed through me at the possibility, but a nagging thought came to mind. Is Janus serious, or is this the flaky stuff Isla warned me about? “You talk to me for a few minutes, and that’s it? I’m sure you can get anyone.”
“My brand is in demand everywhere,” he said boldly. “But I don’t have an Adelina Belfiore, and that’s what I want. Give me your number, and I’ll show you how serious I am.” He pulled out his phone and raised an arched brow.
I chewed my lip. Can I give him my number? It’s for possible work . Rocco said I should find out more about something I can do .
We exchanged numbers and my phone vibrated with his.
I grinned. “Thanks.”
He tucked strands of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering near my lips. “You’re absolutely beautiful. I had to touch you to see if you’re real. If nothing more, you have a new admirer.”
My head reared back. So it was all a game. I pursed my lips.
Janus’s smile evaporated, and he moved further away from me on the couch as is attention shifted to something behind me.
I turned my head to…Rocco?
He stalked forward, his jaw locked.
“Remove your hand from my wife before I break it,” Rocco gritted between clenched teeth.
Janus held up his palms, laughing. “Your fiancée , Rocco. We were talking about a job opportunity—”
“Fuck off.” Rocco held out his hand for me to take. “Adelina.”
Our gazes locked. My heart ached in my chest, weighted down with pain. Rocco’s finally here.
I stood and Rocco grabbed my face. His eyes penetrating, and an intense longing for him ignited. Without a word, his lips crushed mine, our mouths fusing in lust. A low growl came from the back of his throat, as his hands slid under my hair and pulled, tilting my head back. My lips parted and his tongue swept in, stroking, enlivening. I moaned into his mouth. Oh, Rocco . I hated that I needed to know if I’d taste Marjorie on his lips. But as was always the case when he kissed me, my hands took on a life of their own. They moved around his broad shoulders as his slid down my spine. The intensity of his touch was electric. My body heated and vibrated with pleasure and euphoria. Oh, yes. His possessive claim had me speechless, and I struggled to refill my lungs with air. I wobbled on my feet when we finally parted.
All eyes were on us as Rocco placed his arm around my waist. “We’re leaving,” he announced. I didn’t protest because I wanted nothing more than to leave. Zane and Rick flanked us as we headed toward the door.
Rocco ignored everyone who attempted to approach us, only sparing a lethal glance at Isla who stood near…Marjorie? Her face appeared blotchy and her lips turned down in a scowl. She’s not smiling now. Did that mean what I thought it meant? We got outside but didn’t stop walking until we reached the car. The urgency, and his command of my body, was most definitely a turn-on.
“Get in, Adelina. I want that dress off when we return.”