“And what exactly do you want me to do about that?” I asked, unsure of where this was heading.
“Well, I kind of need you to pose as Gabriel’s fiancé.” His gaze moved to Kylie. “And you as mine.”
Whoa. Was he out of his mind? I turned to Kylie, who was already standing from her seat and placing her hand in Luca’s, a look of sheer lust all over her face. What the hell?!
“I would rather stick a fork in my eye and dance on this table naked,” I protested, folding my arms over my chest.
“As amazing and amusing that sounds, I really need your help with this, tiger. We both know how much you'll enjoy seeing the look on their faces when I walk over with two of the most beautiful women in New York.”
What the hell did they feed British men? A spoonful of handsome and a glass of charm? He was right though. Despite having to sit next to a man who confused the life out of me, I couldn't help my snicker at the idea of sending the human dolls on their way.
“Fine, but you’re covering dinner,” I bargained, standing from my chair.
“Done.” He smiled, turning to Quinn. “Sorry, man. Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” Quinn laughed. “I'll just sit in the corner, watching like some kind of perverted uncle. Have fun, kids.” He smiled, waving over his hot waiter for another bottle of red.
I stepped beside Luca and leaned in close to his ear.
“Just so you’re aware, I don’t like you very much right now.”
He smirked, winking at me before taking my hand.
“Such a shame. Here I thought we were going to be the best of friends and play tea party together.”
I laughed as we came to the table, three sets of eyes staring at us. I took a good look at the woman pretty much hanging from Gabriel. Quinn was right: she needed a hair stylist and fast. She had platinum blonde hair, clearly from a bottle. Her makeup screamed desperate and her boobs, which HAD to be fake, were almost touching her chin in the ridiculously tight red dress she was sporting. I glanced at the other woman and noticed she was pretty much dressed and wore her makeup in the same way. Creepy.
“Summer, Autumn, I’d like you to meet Gabriel’s fiancé, Payton.” He smiled, introducing me to both women. The one climbing Gabriel like he was a tree cringed, but carried on, moving a little closer to him. Gabriel merely smirked. The other woman, who I assumed was Summer, looked at Luca with so much hunger I was sure she would pounce on him at any moment.
“And this is…”
“Kylie Jackson,” Kylie filled in Luca’s pause. “Luca’s fiancé.”
We took our cue to join the table. I took a seat next to Gabriel, while Kylie sat next to Luca. I wondered for a moment if these girls really cared if the men were engaged, fake or not. I was about to open my mouth when a pair of hot, wet lips crashed to mine.
For a moment, the entire room and the people inside it fell away, allowing me to taste the red wine coating his lips, noticing how plump his bottom lip really was. I whimpered slightly as his tongue dragged along the seam of my lips. A small moan escaped me.
The scent of autumn rain invaded my senses and I tentatively opened my mouth, allowing him room to explore in a slow, unhurried kiss. My hands moved to his jaw, basking in the graze of his five o’clock shadow against my palms as I pulled him closer, my tongue dancing with his.
A cough slowly broke me from under Gabriel’s spell. Opening my eyes, I found a pair of smug looks from Luca and Kylie. Damn, I wanted to slap that stupid look off their faces.
“Come on, Summer.” Autumn stood, realizing it was clearly time to leave. “We should get back to our hotel.”
Her sister shrugged, moving to place a kiss on Luca’s cheek when Kylie quickly intercepted her.
“Word of warning: if those collagen-filled lips touch my fiancé, I'll rip them from your face.” Kylie smiled sweetly, winking at a shocked Summer. With a huff, the women left the restaurant, leaving behind a clearly turned on Luca and a very smug Gabriel.
“Well, that was… interesting.” Luca smiled, his gaze roaming over Kylie. I sat back in my chair, smirking at a very lust-drunk Kylie. I think her Prince Charming may have finally caved in and asked for directions. “I think the kiss really sealed it, don’t you, Payton?”
Heat engulfed my cheeks as I glanced at Gabriel’s blank expression. That kiss was unlike anything we’d shared before; it was almost desperate. Slow and decisive, but desperate. Kylie’s earlier words invaded my mind: I was walking on a very thin line, a line which blurred with every moment more I spent with Gabriel.
“Leave her alone, Luca.” Gabriel growled, his arm moving around my shoulders.