Chapter 35
Daniela
It’s the night before the wedding. Dex shut down his restaurant to the public so we could have the rehearsal dinner here.
It’s mostly just family, plus Kylie, Britney, and Ethan.
The last groomsmen couldn’t make it in until tomorrow because, apparently, he’s an insanely busy businessman.
I can’t wait to meet him and see what his vibe is.
“Have you been avoiding me?” A whisper in my ear makes me jump, and I know right away who it is. I’d recognize that scent, that voice, anywhere.
“No,” I reply, turning my head sharply.
He takes a seat next to me.
“Actually, Kylie was— ”
“I’m sure she won’t mind shifting down one. Perhaps she can get to know Ethan better.” He grins like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“You’re something else.”
“I know.” He smiles, taking a slice of bread and slapping some butter on it.
“Are you excited for tomorrow?” I ask, giving in on the seat debate and trying to make light conversation—ignoring the fact that he looks delicious right now, with the sleeves of his black dress shirt rolled up, exposing the intricate black tattoos on his forearms.
“Yes. I’ve been dreaming of this day my whole life.”
I roll my eyes.
“You sure are on one tonight.”
He leans in closer, speaking quietly. “I may have taken a puff or two outside before I came in.”
I chuckle. “Do you do that often?”
“No.” He shakes his head, focusing on his glass of water as he twirls it between his giant fingers. “Only on rare occasions. Calms me.”
“And you needed to be calmed tonight?” My tone shifts, cautious now.
He turns his head to the side and looks at me. His cheek twitches as he give me the tiniest hint of a smile. The silence between us grows more intense, and neither of us says anything. I have to break it .
“Is it because you’ve been yearning for me this whole time, and you simply can’t take the tension anymore?” I joke, flashing him a flirty grin.
“Yes.” His face is unreadable for a moment, then, finally, he lifts the corner of his lip.
“Hey,” Liam cuts in from across the table, pulling out a chair. “Am I interrupting something?”
Normally, Liam is completely polite, but even he is trying to hide a suspicious smirk right now. I’m guessing he witnessed at least part of that tense stare-off Dex and I were having moments ago.
“No,” I begin. “It’s your rehearsal dinner. How could you possibly be interrupting anyone else? Sit down, weirdo.”
Dex laughs next to me, but I refuse to let him see the heat rising in my cheeks. I place a hand across my waist and rest the other against my cheek.
“Always a charmer, Dani,” Dex remarks with a chuckle.
My hand drops, and I stare at him.
He does a double-take when he looks over and meets my gaze. “What?”
“Nothing,” I mutter. There he goes, calling me that again.
“Okay.”
He looks away, and as my gaze shifts, I find Liam’s eyes bouncing between the both of us, squinting .
“So, Liam. Are you excited for the big day? Nervous at all? Ecstatic because you know damn well that you’re marrying a perfect, gorgeous angel princess whose name is Layla?”
Liam chuckles, his dimple protruding as his face lights up at the mention of her. “Yes to all of those things. Except the nerves. There’s none of that.”
I fix him with the gaze of a protective mother. Layla doesn’t have one of those anymore, so I’m taking on the role. He meets it without hesitation, and I see a genuine, in-love man looking back at me. I think Layla’s mom would be proud of me. She would also adore Liam.
“Good,” I nod.
“So,” Liam starts. “Did you guys ever decide on that favor? What does she owe you? Probably something to do with food. That’s always the way to Dex’s heart.”
“What favor?” I ask, taken aback.
Dex clears his throat next to me. “Um, the one from last night? We made a deal when I told you my embarrassing story, remember?”
“Hmm…” I actually had forgotten about that until now, somehow. “I don’t recall.”
“Don’t you dare,” Dex smirks. “There were witnesses.”
“It’s true,” Liam agrees. “Layla and I are waiting to know what it is.”
“Oh, you guys have talked about it then?” I pretend to be offended. “It’s a big joke to everyone? ”
“Yup,” Liam wears that smug smile of his.
“I’m going to find a drink,” I announce, shifting to get up from the table, but Dex stops me.
“I’ll get it for you. Cabernet? Or something else?” he asks.
“Um. Thank you.” I eye him suspiciously. “Cabernet is fine.”
“I’m coming with you,” Liam announces. “I need a drink too.”
Dex nods, then shifts his gaze from Liam to me as he stands.
“Oh, and Daniela, I think I know what the favor is.” He leans down and whispers in my ear. “I do want a taste of something. You.”
Shivers run down my spine, and my face flushes.
Dex is already strutting away before I can respond or even meet his gaze. I watch as he walks off, his black pants and shirt that’s rolled up to his elbows fitting all of his muscles just a little too perfectly.
I cross my legs, clenching my thighs as I look around and try to think of something else. Anything else other than Dex.
Kylie and Britney return from the bar with drinks in hand, but they don’t sit next to me.
“What the hell?” I ask them in mock offense.
“Sorry,” Kylie says from two seats down. “I ran into Dex when we were leaving the bar. He asked me very nicely not to sit next to you. Said it was his seat. ”
I put my head in my hand, closing my eyes and groaning.
“Girl, what is wrong with you?” Kylie asks. “He’s gorgeous, and he clearly has a thing for you.”
I shake my head. I don’t even know how to answer. What’s wrong with me, indeed.
“So, Britney, when do we finally get to meet the famous boyfriend?” Total subject change. “I can’t believe it’s been years, and I still haven’t met him.”
“He’s coming in tomorrow,” she replies, kindly allowing me to change the subject. “He got tied up with work, but I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
Kylie just looks at me, lifting an eyebrow with a smirk on her face.
The rest of the dinner goes by smoothly, with Dex claiming his seat next to me again as promised. With the rest of the wedding party filling our table, the conversation mostly centers around wedding talk.
As Layla animatedly talks about flowers, I feel a gentle hand rest on my mid-thigh. I glance over at Dex, and he flashes me a subtle yet devilish grin.
I smile back, then avert my gaze back to the bride.
Dex takes the invitation. His fingers slowly trail up and down my inner thigh. The silk fabric of my dress does almost nothing to guard my skin from his touch. I shift in my seat as heat begins to pulse through me, traveling to one spot .
Then, suddenly, he pulls away. I can’t help but glance sideways at him, but he doesn’t look back. Instead, he swirls his whiskey on ice, focusing on the conversation at the table. But that wicked grin? It’s still there, and I know he feels my eyes on him.
That arrogant little shit. He’s teasing me now.