“Good evening, Bones.” I hear a man greet him who stands on the driver’s side of the car.
“Tony.” Dillan acknowledges him. “Congratulations on the baby. How is he and the wife doing?”
I smile at his question. He sounds so “normal.” You’d never guess he’s a multibillionaire who runs with the Mafia and kills people.
“She’s doing great. So is he. Thank you for the gift.”
“Of course,” he says, and I watch him walk around the back of his car. I take in a deep breath and run my sweaty hands down my bare thighs before adjusting my dress. I’d hate to make front-page news because I showed my pussy off to the world.
Dillan opens my door and holds out his hand. “Gorgeous.”
I have to remind myself that this is just an act. I can’t feel anything for this notorious man, but it’s hard. Reaching out, I take his hand and allow him to help me out of his car. It sits low to the ground, so it’s a little harder to get out with this dress. It is beautiful, though—with its champagne-colored silk, double thigh-high slits, and deep V-neckline with spaghetti straps, I’m practically naked. I didn’t even try it on at the warehouse. All the girls agreed that this was the one, and I couldn’t wait to put it on for Dillan as if I’m his prize to show off. I’ve lowered myself to an object for a man just so I can see the fire in his eyes when they run over my body.
Making my way to my feet, he shuts my door, and I watch the guy he was talking to get in and drive off with it. He cups my face, and my eyes rise to his, and that look that I’ve come to crave is there. As bad as I wanted to go out tonight like a normal couple would go to dinner with friends, I also wanted him to rip this dress off me and take me to bed.
Lowering his lips to my ear, he whispers, “You look every bit of a queen tonight, Mia.”
Pulling back, he leans down and kisses me. My hands grab his suit jacket as his hands slide into my hair. He tilts my head back, giving him complete access to my mouth.
He pulls away and then begins walking us toward the double doors that one man holds open on each side.
It’s a long and narrow hallway to an elevator. A man pushes the button, and Dillan nods at him, mumbling a thank-you. It opens, and we step inside, where Dillan pushes the twentieth floor. We ride up in silence. My heart hammers in my chest, and I hope he can’t tell my hand is sweaty in his.
When the elevator stops, the door slides open, and we step into the restaurant as hushed voices hit our ears. It’s dimly lit, and a single long-stem candle sits in the middle of each table. The place reminds me of a fishbowl with nothing but glass all the way around the restaurant, showcasing the city lit up at night.
“Good evening, Bones,” the lady standing behind a hostess station greets us.
“Evening, Judy.”
He seems to know everyone, but I’d expect nothing less from a King. It’s just weird that everyone calls him Bones and not his real name. I wonder if he hates it that I call him Dillan.
The woman eyes me up and down and then looks back at him. Maybe it’s just me, but she seems to have a questioning look in her dark eyes. Almost as if asking him why he’s here with me. Or maybe that’s just my insecurities getting the best of me.
“Has the rest of our party arrived?” he asks.
She nods, smiling. “They have. Follow me.” Turning, she walks off, and we follow her.
Dillan leans down and whispers in my ear, “Breathe, beautiful.”
The way he calls me beautiful does not help my breathing. It makes it accelerate. My pulse is racing, and I have to remind my feet to walk in these six-inch black Christian Louboutins so I don’t trip and fall flat on my face. It makes me hate my family even more. How something so simple should never feel this way.
She ushers us to a round table right next to the window where everyone already sits.
“Damn, girl. I knew that dress would be fire.” Emilee whistles, standing from her chair, and my cheeks redden as she walks around to hug me.
I pull my hand from his just in time to embrace her.
“It’ll look even better on the floor later,” Jasmine states, and the girls laugh.
Haven stands and walks around to hug me as well. “Anything new with Luca?” I ask her softly.
She pulls away, shaking her head. “No.” Her fingers play with my hair, and I frown.
“I hate that I haven’t gotten to see him yet,” I admit.