Page 18 of Paolo DeLuca
Chapter twelve
Lyricthoughtshewould melt into a puddle when his lips touched hers. That small brush of his lips was full of desire, yet the sweetest thing she’d ever known. Heat rushed through her. She was grateful the redness in her cheeks couldn’t be seen for her dark skin. When she opened her eyes, he was smirking at her. Lyric swallowed the lump in her throat. She didn’t know if she could do this. Her nervousness and the consequences weighed heavily on her. If her knees weren’t locked, she’d collapse.
Fuck, he is so sexy. Sex and sin wrapped in a tux.
Her boss just kissed her. Although it was a light one, she’d been kissed by a DeLuca in front of all these people. Lyric glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone was watching them. Thank God no one was. It would be just her luck for someone she knew saw her kissing her boss and not just any DeLuca, but the fucking Capo of the Miami section of the family. Yep, she knew all about him.
“Would you do me the honor of spending the rest of the evening with me, il mio cuore batte?”
She didn’t know what the hell that meant and heard him call her that a few times now, but it sounded beautiful. And before she responded to his request, he whisked her off to an intimate and secluded section of the gallery, with fewer people milling around. It was almost like they had their own little private showing. His hand on the small of her back was enough to send sparks between her thighs. She was wet as hell from his touch alone. Lyric would give in if she didn’t somehow remove herself from his hold.
“Is this one yours?” he asked.
They’d stopped without her recognizing the section Ms. Landry hung her paintings. He looked at the landscape of the park. It was one of her favorites.
She nodded. “It is.” Heat rushed to Lyric’s cheeks for a different reason now. She didn’t mind her artwork being shown, but for some reason, she did care what he thought about it.
“It’s good.”
Lyric cleared her throat. “Thanks.”
She watched as he reached out and touched the canvas, his fingers following her brush strokes. For such a hardened man on the outside, there was something gentle about him. Lyric liked to imagine he wasn’t this tender with everyone. And maybe she was special. If that was the case, then she’d welcome it. If only this once, because more than likely, this would be the very last time she would be anywhere near Paolo DeLuca. She was quitting her job after her shift tomorrow.
“May I have everyone’s attention, please?” Ms. Landry’s voice rang above the crowd.
Mr. DeLuca guided Lyric toward the gathering crowd.
“Again, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for your contribution to the gallery and thank you for supporting our showing tonight.”
Everyone clapped.
“Let me introduce you to a few of the artists whose paintings and photos have made this gallery a success. Carmen Luis.”
Carmen smiled and waved to the crowd amongst the applause.
“Tishawn Brown. All these photos you see tonight are his.”
Mr. Brown nodded in thanks.
“And last but not least, she’s going to be a force in this industry, Lyric Mason.”
Lyric almost choked on the champagne she’d just sipped. Tears gathered in her eyes at the strain of her trying not to cough.
“Throw up your hand at least,” Mr. DeLuca muttered.
On his command, her hand shot up, and she nodded while the applause rang out.
“I’d like to thank you three personally for the work you’ve contributed over the years,” Ms. Landry said. “Thank you so very much. Now please, everyone, enjoy the rest of the night.”
“So, you’re famous?” Mr. DeLuca teased.
“Hell no! Not as famous as you. Everyone knows who you are.” She paused, then shouldered into him. “Capo of Miami.”
He ushered her over to one of the benches nestled along the wall. “What do you know about me?” he asked her. Fire burned in his eyes. Lyric was almost afraid to tell him the things she heard. She wondered if he didn’t like being called by that name or if he was offended in any way.
God, I hope not.
“Only that the DeLucas are dangerous, savages even. And my grandfather warned me to stay away.”
