Greater Than Temptation

chapter seventeen

ALESSANDRO

My tongue pokes the inside of my cheek as I unlock the car door, and we walk to the opposite sides of it. She quickly settles into the seat and sets her purse on her thighs, which grow twice as big once she sits down under the soft pull of gravity. She straps herself in, glances at the car control panel, and turns her attention to her phone. I get seated in the driver's seat and unbutton my blazer before grabbing the wheel and putting the car in reverse.

I began to drive off and make a few turns before I felt comfortable enough to adjust my shirt. I used my knee to hold the wheel straight while unbuttoning the first two buttons and tugging my tie looser.

My foot pressed down on the accelerator. Looking at the GPS, I noticed we were 20 minutes away from Marbella, which meant we would arrive on time, as it was 18:10, and the event started at 18:30. She crossed her arms beneath her chest before slightly turning her body towards her nearest window and looking out. I bit my tongue when the aroma of her sweet perfume invaded all my senses, and my hand grabbed the wheel tighter while the other tugged and ruffled through my hair.

She looks so fucking gorgeous tonight.

I almost lost it when I saw her in that blue dress, how it clung to her body, and how it accentuated the curves that almost took my breath away. I never thought I would be that jealous of a dress.

I guess I really have lost it

She looks up from her phone and twists her lips as if deciding whether or not to say what is on her mind. I look straight ahead and try to focus on the road ahead of me when all I want to do is look back at her.

"Thank you for brunch earlier. It was really nice you didn't have to do that."  She displayed a small smile that looked genuine for the first time since I'd met her. I fight back, the smile about to form on my face.

"Anytime, after all, it's the least I could do."  She studies me for a while, mainly my side profile because I'm looking ahead, but I can feel her stare. I can't help but wonder what she's thinking. I turn left as the GPS announces the direction I should follow. The colorful lights and music blasting from the inside catch my attention. I park a couple of feet away from the entrance and check myself before we open our own doors and exit the car.

She walks in front of me, and I walk behind, trying not to focus on the recoiling down below. It seems as if whenever I'm in her presence, there's a fight between my body and my brain. The Security guards open the door for us, and I watch as her cheekbones rise up at the presence of a tall man with blond hair and pale skin. She speeds up her strut as she makes a beeline to the unfamiliar man.

AMIRA

When I walked into the venue, I immediately recognized Mario. I hadn't seen this man in years due to all his traveling once he reached the age of twenty.

"Hola, Muñeca!" He says in that sassy voice I missed so damn much. "Hola, Muñeco!" Doll: That's the nickname we all decided to call each other back then when Nia and I forced her cousin to play Barbie dolls with us during the hot summers in Puerto Rico.

We all got older, and Mario travels a lot, so I haven't seen him in years, and boy, has he grown up. Still handsome but taller and more muscular than expected. Pale but tanned skin and green eyes with the prettiest eyelashes ever. What's not expected is the platinum buzzcut and matching bleached eyebrows. "Blonde, huh?" I say as we visually take each other in. "Why not? Plus, I'm matching with Dion." Dion is his best friend. They met in high school and have done everything since. Nia and I used to ship them together as a joke, but I can't help but wonder who Dion is to Mario now.

Before I can continue our conversation, Alessandro approaches us. I smell him before I see him, mentally pinching myself for how observant I am of him. "We need to give our speeches so this event can move along," Alessandro says bluntly and assertively. Normally, I would snap back, but we have cameras on us, and I don't want to hold the supporters up. I look at Mario and give him a "we'll talk taker?" look, and he nods while side-eyeing the asshole behind me.

I start walking to the small rectangular-sized stage and take in the view. There's got to be at least 200 people here. Somebody from the tech crew hands me a mic. "Hi everybody! I'm so grateful to be here and for the fact that all of you guys came out tonight!" I talked about how NAMIRA cosmetics started the journey, and what the specific event held had in store for all the supporters. Alessandro talked about his company and its purpose of providing extra security. 

Yadda yadda yadda, sure, go right ahead and skip the part where he blackmailed me into this.

I moved to the booths that allowed two supporters at a time to take pictures, ask questions, and have conversations with them. At the end, I handed each supporter a goody bag containing our full-sized lotion, body wash, blush, sanitizer, and a mini towel. There was a variety of foundation and concealer shades at the seller's booth half off near the door for exiting time.

After meeting so many people and hearing the impact of what I've done with my business and how it has helped so many people, I felt like I was on top of the world. I help people feel beautiful and deliver the tools directly to their door anywhere in the world. Skin care, makeup, and hygiene products with clean ingredients compatible and healthy with other people's skin types and tones. NAMIRA cosmetics is all about inclusion, and I love seeing it being reflected.

After talking with the last two supporters, it was finally time to get a couple of drinks in my system and get back to my conversation with Mario. I walk out of the booth and Immediately see Alessandro sitting on a chair, manspreading with a cigar in hand a couple of feet away from the booth I just occupied. I decide to walk up and avoid being the usual snappy bitch I am to him. "Hey, so I guess we could call this event a success," I say hopefully. He just nods and stares at me. It's unnerving the way his eyes rake up and down my body and also how damn good he looks in the suit, in this specific position. "I think I'm gonna stay back and go to the club with Mario, so I'll see you later." I don't wait for him to respond. As I leave the venue, I see Mario waiting for me by the door.

Thanks for Reading!!
Long time no see, but I wanted this chapter to be READY and not rushed, so I hope y'all enjoy it.

QOTC: What are your thoughts about Mario?