𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 |𝟏𝟖+ (#𝟏)

𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚁𝚃𝚈 |*

30
ALESSANDRO VITALE
--------------------------------------

Brooding.

That's what Gianni said to me at the bar as he watched my eyes take in all of Amber's beauty. It's the word my mother murmured into my ear during our chat with our famiglia's Capo's, my focus everywhere but on their worries.

She was just sitting there, as gorgeous as ever, exchanging smiles and laughter with members of my family, smirking at Nario's flirtations and getting to know my Nonna, who winked at me. How does she get everyone wrapped around her finger in such a split second? Not that I don't appreciate that my family loves her - it would be one of the first of my previous relationships where I've had full approval - but it's the fact that she was able to worm herself into their good graces despite our position.

"Where is she?" I grunt out in a rush looking around the venue to spot my nightmare in a silver dress. She was gone. Nonna looks up at me from her focus on the picture Nario was showing her with a smile, "She said this would happen. Seems she knows you pretty well." I slit my eyes a bit confused and so she continues, "She bet Gabriella that you would leave her in a stupor on the dance floor when you realized she wasn't here anymore. She's in the bathroom."

I don't stop for a second before turning around and rushing towards the open oak doors. I can hear Gabriella's footsteps and her voice yelling after me, but my legs are moving faster and I totally tune her out. She was a manipulative and stealthy bitch, I'll tell you that. While her father and I were having a few drinks, she chose the most convenient time to approach me to dance. Not that I worried about humiliating her, but I couldn't jeopardize my future business ventures by disparaging his daughter - regardless of if she was his least favorite for her character flaws.

Surprisingly, there were very few people in the halls leading to the restroom, and my leg moved rapidly if they were sprinting. What was I even going to say to her? It's the first time I've seen her in months, and the images I'd had my men take of her throughout the day just weren't enough to convince me she was fine. I was anxious primarily because I wanted to feel her flesh beneath my hands and her warmth on my skin. Even though the thought that she wouldn't be returning home with me loomed in the back of my mind, I wanted to hold her close.

The door slams hard into the rear wall. The woman next to Amber near the sink jumps in fear at the sound, her red lipstick smeared across her cheeks and her eyes wide with confusion. Amber is too preoccupied with examining her face in the mirror to acknowledge my outburst. My steps are heavy on the floor until I come to a halt behind her, looking at her in the mirror. Her dark skin was gleaming from the coconut oil she used to moisturize shimmering from the trace of light She's fucking flawless.

The woman opens her lips to tell me I shouldn't be here, but the serious, hard booming of my voice clamps her mouth shut as she shuffles to get her belongings and go. "Get the hell out." The toilet flushes quickly after, and a hesitant expression peers through the door, scared of my presence behind Amber. I grunt as I turn my head to get a better look at the individual, despite the fact that the giant mirrors take up the whole breadth on the wall in front of all the stalls. "Get the fuck out of here.  There is another bathroom on the second floor."

The young woman glances at Amber through the mirrors, a concerned inquiry on her face, but the sweet smile and nod she returns ensures her safety. She also leaves the room as fast as I spotted her.

My actions in this room are loud, kicking and shoving each stall open to ensure we're alone before the jingle of keys locks the door. My movements approaching her are solid and heavy once again, the clatter of keys smacking on the granite counters. My breaths are brushing against the shell of her ear, and I can feel her body shudder as we both stare at ourselves in the mirror. I loved how her shoulders were calm in the midst of my chaos, despite the tenseness of the circumstances. She still felt safe and secured.