𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

A Bid For Romance

V E R A P È R E Z

The soft slap of my flip flops echoes through the lobby as I push through the heavy glass doors. I smile a bright smile onto my face the moment I spot Leo behind the reception desk.

"How was your day out?"

"Surprisingly nice." I reply not giving away too much as I lean against the counter. "A bit of shopping, a long lunch. It was nice to explore more of Tuscany."

He nods but I catch the way his gaze dips.

"Giovanni's coming to pick me up in about four hours," I add casually. "Can you ring me if he's waiting outside?"

His expression tightens, just a flicker but enough for me to catch it. "Of course," He clears his throat. "You're spending the evening with him?"

"It is not like that. It's just an art auction nothing more. You know I'm not that type of girl."

"I know,"  He mumbles, looking away with a faint blush creeping up his neck. "Just curious." His attention is snatched by a customer and I take it as an opportunity to slip into the elevator.

As soon as I step into my room, I toss my bag onto the bed and pull out my phone. I tap Ivy's name and start a FaceTime call while I make my way toward the bathroom.

It rings twice before Ivy's face pops up on screen, already grinning like she knows I'm about to spill something good. "You better not hold back."

I laugh shaking my head as I prop my phone up on the bathroom counter. "I won't."

I start from the beginning. How Giovanni showed up looking annoyingly beautiful, how I failed to maintain my silent treatment in the car and how he took me on the most extravagant shopping spree of my life.

Ivy hums in approval. "I'm not disappointed in you. He's really out here trying to spoil you."

"Exactly. And I was supposed to stay mad at him. I had a plan, Ivy. I was going to keep my guard up but the moment he flashed that stupid smirk, I caved."

Like I said. I am a weak woman.

Ivy cackles, shaking her head. "You and your plans don't stand a chance against men like him."

"I know, I know. It's just he's infuriatingly charming. One minute I'm glaring at him and the next I'm letting him pick out my heels."

"Okay but real talk. What's it like being around someone in his line of work. Does it not freak you out?"

"It's a weird mix. I've tried to force myself to look at him indifferently but he's still the same guy I fucked. There's this part of me that's drawn to it, even though I know I shouldn't be."

"You're living out every forbidden romance novel I've ever read." Ivy says with a laugh. "But seriously, just be careful."

"I know, I know. But this is all part of his game and I'm trying not to fall for it."

"But you are, a little bit." Ivy teases, "You're dealing with a guy who's treating you like a queen."

I shake my head, trying to focus on putting on some lipgloss. "That's what makes it dangerous. It's all an illusion Ivy. Guys like him don't just spoil you out of kindness. There's always a motive."

She shrugs. "True, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the perks while you figure out what his game really is. Just don't lose yourself in the process."

I sigh, grabbing my mascara. "I know. It's just frustrating."

"It's part of the lifestyle babe. Power, control, danger. It's all intertwined. Just keep playing it safe. If he's used to women falling all over him, you shutting him down every attempt will drive him crazy."