Chapter 16 Mauro
Chapter sixteen
Mauro
“No rules tonight, ladies!” the dance instructor shouts into the microphone just before a burst of salsa music crashes through the speakers.
On a raised stage at the center of the open-air restaurant, Alina, Madeleine, and Scarlett follow his lead by mimicking his steps, or at least attempting to.
And Alina—God help me—grins through every misstep.
She stumbles across the floor with no ounce of rhythm or grace, yet that smile of hers is impossible to ignore.
It’s downright contagious, sparking something unfamiliar in the center of my chest.
“And turn! Three, two, one! Turn! And spin!”
It’s our third night here, and after a full day of sun-soaked lounging and unlimited drinks, the scene unfolding on that stage is pure chaos. And somehow, it’s the best damn thing I’ve seen all week.
Vin drops into the seat beside me. “It’s like watching three drunk monkeys realize they can walk for the first time.” He leans back in his seat, chuckling. “Madeleine has a hard time taking directions. She was a born leader.”
“You’re telling me,” Eli adds, appearing prideful as he slides into the chair across from us.
“Scarlett’s on her third pina colada,” Leo starts. “It’s only a matter of time before—
Scarlett goes down hard, laughter spilling out as Madeleine scrambles to help her up.
“And that’s my cue,” Leo says with a smirk. He’s already on his feet, scooping Scarlett up with ease. She laughs, curling into him.
The moment my gaze finds Alina, her eyes lift and lock onto mine. They catch the glow of the string lights overhead, shining bright. “Let me distract you.” Her words from days ago drift back to me, soft and dangerous, provoking a perilous need within me.
A need to have her.
To pleasure her.
To consume her.
And the moment she rubbed against me… All I wanted to do was toss her onto the bed and make her mine.
But we have rules.
Rules to prevent things from getting messy.
I tug at the ends of my hair. What I wouldn’t give to eliminate those goddamn rules!
“What’s on your mind, big guy?” Vin rests his chin in the palm of his hand.
I shake my head and lean forward. There’s no way I can tell him the truth.
That this marriage is a lie. A carefully constructed arrangement that allows Alina to access her inheritance.
Or that somewhere along the way, lines have blurred.
That I’m feeling things I shouldn’t for my fake wife.
Or that on the plane ride here, we made out for the first time like a couple of teenagers hiding in the basement closet.
So, instead, I pull out my phone and type, Do you think the Vasilievs will take revenge?
Vin leans back, rubbing his jaw as he considers it.
“Probably,” he says. “But we’ll be ready.
” He grips my shoulder, solid and reassuring.
“No one’s stepping foot in our home again.
I made damn sure of it. It’s safer than Buckingham Palace.
In fact, some of the guards I hired used to work there.
” His eyes narrow slightly. “You really worried about them or is something else eating at you?”
I roll my bottom lip between my teeth, tapping my index finger against the table.
“You know you can talk to me, right?” he says, concern slipping into his voice. “I mean, we don’t need to talk about our feelings and shit, but as your big brother, I’m here if you need help.” He clasps my shoulder, and I show him an appreciative grin.
“And now let’s take it slow,” the instructor tells everyone.
The music shifts to something sensual and sultry, the kind that instantly alters the air.
My gaze drifts back to the stage. Eli has Madeleine. Leo has Scarlett. But when I spot Alina, my vision darkens.
Some young staffer, clearly lacking good sense, offers her his hand. She shakes her head with a polite smile, but he presses. And the second she looks over her shoulder at me, something in me snaps.
“Better go show everyone whose wife that is,” Vin murmurs, amusement lacing his voice.
I abruptly stand, causing my chair to crash behind me. My steps eat up the distance to the dance floor, my pulse pounding harder with every stride.
I grab him by the collar and haul him back, shoving him away. The color drains from his face instantly as he throws his hands up, trembling.
“Mauro!” Alina gasps behind me.
I loom over the man, every muscle coiled tight, my chest heaving as fury thrums through my veins. My hands curl into fists at my sides.
“My…wife!” I roar as loud as I can manage, hoping the whole goddamn island can hear me while not giving a fuck about the scathing pain running up and down my larynx.
But the moment Alina places her hand on my back, I feel the fury slowly dwindle from my body. The rage ebbs almost immediately, retreating under her touch. I shoot the man one last warning glare. He dips his head, apologizing profusely before scurrying away.
When I turn to her, she cups my cheek, biting her bottom lip. “Dance with me?”
Without hesitation, I slide one hand against her waist and use my other to lace my fingers through hers. She reaches up, not quite tall enough to circle my neck, so her free hand settles against my shoulder instead. And then we move with the music.
“You’re starting to make this a habit,” she muses, biting down on a grin.
I grunt in response.
“I’m not complaining. I like dancing with you.”
I arch a brow, caught off guard.
“I’m serious,” she adds, her voice softening. She exhales, searching for the right words. “I feel…” She shakes her head. “I don’t know how to explain it. It just feels right being in your arms like this.”
A whistle is heard to my right, and I see Vin cheering and clapping. I scowl and discreetly flip him off.
“I don’t know if you realized it or not,” she continues, “but you called me your wife.” She glances up at me through her lashes. “And I kind of liked it.”
My steps slow as she rests her head against my chest.
“It felt nice,” she murmurs, tracing her finger along my bicep. “Even if it was pretend.”
Pretend?
Right. That’s what this is supposed to be.
The only problem is, while standing here with her in my hold, I’m no longer sure what’s fake and what’s real between us.
She leans back, her brows knitting together as her gaze drifts to my chest. “I was thinking…” She pauses. “Never mind,” she says softly. “It’s stupid.”
I stop moving, lifting a hand to her chin and tilting her face up until her eyes meet mine.
She swallows. Her breath quickens, her pupils darkening as the space between us seems to shrink. “Well, what if, while we were here…” She licks her bottom lip, her eyes drifting around us before landing back on me. “What if there were no rules?”
My heartbeat thunders beneath my rib cage as the meaning behind her words washes over me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, your dinner is served,” a waiter announces, interrupting our moment.
Alina pulls away and quickly turns for the table as if she needs the space. I watch her rub at her forehead, shaking her head as if she regrets what she said.
I blink, dragging a hand through my hair, trying to steady myself.
“What if there were no rules?”
Did she mean—
“Mauro!” Vin calls out.
I draw in a breath and follow Alina to the table, taking the empty seat beside her.
“I’m starving,” Eli says as he and Madeleine take their seats.
“This restaurant has the best food on the island,” Leo tells him.
“It’s the only restaurant on the island,” Vin remarks.
“I can’t believe your dad gifted this place to your mom,” Scarlett muses, resting her chin in her palm as she gazes out toward the beach. “That’s so romantic.”
“Hey.” Leo tugs on the bottom of her chair, pulling it right up against his. “I gave you a library.”
She grins. “You gave me so much more than that.”
“Good evening, everyone.” A woman in a white chef’s uniform appears, followed by several servers.
“My name is Carmen, and tonight, we’ve prepared a five-course meal, beginning with scallops wrapped in bacon, antipasto skewers, and crab cakes.
” Mouth-watering aromas drift through the air as plates are set around the table.
“Please enjoy.” With a polite nod, she disappears, heading toward the kitchen.
“Everything looks delicious,” Alina remarks, beaming at the plate before her.
My eyes graze over her. It certainly does. From the loose waves of her beach-tousled hair to her sun-kissed skin, she looks every bit as tempting as the meal in front of us.
“Earth to Mauro.” I flinch, turning my attention to Vin. “Easy.” He laughs, patting my shoulder. “I was just going to ask you to pass the salt.” I grab it and hand it over. “Someone’s a little on edge.”
I stiffen when I realize Alina is watching me with worry flickering across her face.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asks with a hint of concern.
I nod, reaching for my fork and spearing a piece of food with more force than necessary.
After the fourth course, Eli leans back in his seat, rubbing his hand over his stomach. “I don’t think I could eat one more bite.”
Madeleine pouts. “What about dessert?”
He grins, leaning forward to grip her chin. “Princess, I always have room for dessert.”
“I’m going to be sick.” Vin pinches the bridge of his nose. “Remind me why I decided to come on this trip with all you lovebirds?”
“Hey,” Leo chimes in, “it’s not our fault your future wife is traipsing around God knows where.”
Madeleine’s eyes widen. “Future wife?” She looks quickly between them. “What future wife?”
“There’s no future wife,” Vin says flatly, setting down his empty glass.
Leo smirks. “Not according to a certain contract.”
“One that will be null and void as soon as they’re all dead!” Vin shouts, throwing his hands up.
“Touchy,” Eli murmurs.
Vin sighs and pushes back from the table. “I’m heading to bed.”
“Oh, come on, we were just messing with you,” Leo calls after him.
“Is someone going to fill me in?” Madeleine asks with desperation.