Page 41 of Sexting His Son's Ex
Maybe he is here to kill me.
“He’s coming over, Marlowe. He’s walking over here! What do I do? He knows me cause of Luca. Oh my God, what do I do?” I panic.
“Stop freaking out,” she hisses, kicking my shin from under the table.
The pain is enough to stop me from passing out.
Like a magnet, my gaze slides to him again, his impressive long strides eat up the distance between us. The closer he gets, the more he softens, and a smile takes over his handsome face. Everything about this man is perfect. I can’t believe he’s in his forties. He doesn’t look a day over thirty.
“Jovie. What a pleasant surprise.” He grabs my hand and brings it to his mouth, kissing the top of my knuckles. “You lookbeautiful.” His deep voice slides down my spine, the baritone awakening my core. “If you don’t mind me saying,” he adds.
My gaze wonders to the men standing behind him and he must see the apprehension on my face. “Don’t mind them. They work for me. That’s Lorenzo and my other son, Omar.”
I’ve heard about Omar. Luca seemed very jealous of his younger brother whenever he spoke about him. I hold out my hand in introduction. “Omar, it’s so nice to meet you.”
Omar eyes Santino before Santino dips his chin, only then does Omar steps forward and give my hand a firm shake. “It’s nice to meet you too, Jovie. I’m sorry about my brother. You didn’t deserve that.”
“Water under the bridge.” I wave the concern away.
Marlowe chokes on her champagne, knowing the concern has in fact, not gone away considering my circumstances.
“I am so sorry. This is my best friend Marlowe. Marlowe, this is?—”
“—I know who they are. I’d be dumb not to. Hi, I’m Marlowe.” She holds out her hand, and they all do the polite thing, shaking it, saying nice to meet you, even Santino. He doesn’t kiss her hand like he did mine though.
And for some reason, I really, really like that.
Santino doesn’t take his eyes off me. He doesn’t seem to be in a rush or going anywhere while his attention slides up and down my figure. My cheeks burn at the attention. Omar and Lorenzo seem to be on high alert, protecting the man in charge.
The mafia boss.
Knowing this information now has me feel like a complete idiot. My overthinking self is imagining scenarios where Santino finds out the truth and cuts me into itty bitty fish food for the sharks.
He tucks his hands in his pockets, tilting his head while he analyzes me. I want to know exactly what he’s thinking.
“You look lovely in that dress, Jovie,” he practically growls, then reaches for my hand again. He places another kiss on top of my knuckles, and I know the flush taken over my cheeks can’t be hidden.
Marlowe tries to hide her shocked expression by drinking her champagne.
“I’m sorry, but I have to leave. There’s an issue in the kitchen that requires my attention.”
My brows furrow. “In the kitchen? Do you know the chef or something?”
His mouth tilts in a confident smirk. Santino leans in, caging me with one hand gripping the edge of the table and the other placed on the back of my chair where his thumb swipes across my back. “I own Antoinette’s. I hope you enjoy the food. If you have any issues, please let me know. Your meal is on me, tonight, okay?”
Marlowe chokes as she swallows the bubbly champagne. A coughing fit takes over her next and Omar is there by her side, handing her a napkin.
“No, no. That’s too much. It’s okay. We have saved up for this night. We can pay.”
“No, you can’t. I’ve already let the servers know that you are not to pay. It’s the least I can do for my traitorous son did to you.”His thumb continues to rub between my shoulder blades and my breath hitches from the unexpected touch.
Goosebumps arise on my arms from his touch, a shiver climbing up my spine that has the hair on the back of my neck standing up. My instincts are warning me, screaming me at that this man is dangerous.
He leans forward, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “I hope you enjoy, Jovie. I hope I can see you again before you leave for the night.” His fingers drift up and down my back and I swallow, confused if he is being nice or flirting with me.
Santino straightens, the needed space allowing me to suck in a much-needed air before I become lightheaded.
Turning to Marlowe, he places his hand in the middle of his torso and gives a curt nod to her. “It was nice meeting you, Marlowe. Keep an eye on our girl, okay?”
