Page 58 of The Mastermind
Enrico sighed and held out a smaller bottle. ‘Drink this.’
Thiswas a vile-tasting protein shake, a poor substitute for the juicy steak I craved. But it would hold me over until I was done with Stan. I gulped it down without giving myself a chance to taste it, my mind skipping ahead.
If Maddelena hadn’t eaten by then, she could join me.
I crossed over to the table to grab my clothes. Dressed, I finger-combed my hair and snatched up my phone as Enrico left. I followed, texting as I headed for the private hospitality suite within the team motor home.
Have you eaten yet?
The speech bubble rippled for several seconds before she answered.
Just fancy finger food with corporate guests. Why?
Eat enough not to get dizzy but wait for me to eat dinner.
Again, why? Do we need to break bread together? You got all your answers last night.
I’ll let you know when I’m satisfied. Also, I like feeding you. 9pm. Lose your minders.
*eye roll emoji* You think going to the spa twice in two nights is going to fool anyone?
Keep up with the bratty attitude. It makes me want to punish you more. 9pm. Don’t be late.
I slid the phone into my pocket, my palm already itching to connect with her lush ass. I could kill two birds with one stone if Stan revealed anything worth pursuing.
Maybe I’d spank her first, then I’d grill her before I drilled her.
‘What the fuck are you so happy about?’ Rafa griped.
I snapped into focus and nodded at the security guard, who opened and held the door. ‘I’m tickled to see if Renzo has survived the Kardashian mob. What else?’
18
MADDELENA
…I like feeding you…
…makes me want to punish you more.
Yep, I was an absolute buffoon for repeatedly reading his texts and a greater one for allowing my heart to skip several beats every time I did.
Sure, after last night I’d be as dumb as a box of rocks not to see that the chemistry between us was irrefutable. Furnace hot with the likelihood of turning volcanic if he stuck to his guns about the no-condom thing.
But it was also glaringly obvious that Cesare was, at the very least, playing the keep-your-enemies-closer game while admitting he didn’t intend anyone to find out. It was a ridiculously hazardous game of chess, but one I couldn’t evencontemplaterejecting without my senses screamingno.
Especially since that game came with a hefty side of sublime fucking.
Barring potentially lethal repercussions, it should be as clearcut as that.
And yet…
…I like feeding you…
Four little words that made my heart prance around in my chest like a ditzy Disney princess.
‘What’s so damn fantastic you look like you’re coasting on a thrice of molly?’
I startled, my fingers instinctively clutching my phone harder. ‘What?’
