Page 70 of Tinsel in Telluride

The joke hits its mark, and Luca chuckles as he rounds the table. “You assume I take them to dinner.”

He tips the hostess and requests for a bottle of their finest red to be brought to the table. She, of course, asks if there’s anything else she can do for him, but his eyes never stray from mine, encouraging me to keep questioning him.

So I do.

“You’ve got a new girl on your arm for every club opening and gala you attend. You’re telling me there’s not dinner involved?”

His shrug is paired with a smirk. “Sure, there’s food when we attend those events. But there aren’t dinners like this.”

“And by that, you mean?”

He lowers his voice to an all too sexy octave. “Alone.”

“I find that hard to believe,” I counter with a disbelieving grin. The man is one of the most eligible bachelors on the west coast. There’s no way he expects me to believe all those women are just arm candy, and he doesn’t actually date them.

“Believe it. This”—he points between the two of us—“is not the norm. What we did in New York, that’s the norm.”

An awkward silence washes over the table as a bubbly blonde server returns with our wine. She makes a show of leaning over to pour my glass, showing Luca her tits and gushing about how it’s locally sourced at her father’s vineyard down the mountain.

I have to fight back my laugh as Luca chews his cheek to stifle an irritated groan.

“Thanks,” I tell Windy or Waverly. Whatever her name is. “We’ll need a few minutes to look at the menu.”

Ignoring me completely, she places a well-manicured hand on Luca’s shoulder and coos, “Take all the time you need.”

When she’s gone, I glance in her direction. “Should I let her know there’s an empty spot in your bed?”

“Why? Are you jealous?”

“Of her?” I ask. “Not at all.”

“Good, because you shouldn’t be,” he reassures me, his gaze locked on mine as if he’s determined to make sure I’m hearing him. He goes quiet and then the corner of his mouth tips upward in a sexy half grin. “But if you were, what would you do?”

“I’d make sure she knows you’re mine.” It’s a simple answer, one I haven’t had to think about in years, considering that’s how long it’s been since I’ve been in any kind of serious relationship. But I’m the first to admit I’m territorial when it comes to what’s mine.

“And just how would you do that?”

“Are you guys just about ready?” Winifred returns point two seconds after being dismissed with her big brown eyes locked on Luca like she stands a chance.

I’m about to roll my eyes dramatically when I’m struck with a better plan.

“Actually, Wednesday, I think we’re good.”

She glares at me, a fake smile plastered on her Barbie pink lips. “It’s Wendy.”

“Right. We’ll just take the check.”

“We will?” Luca questions, an amused glint in his eye.

“Absolutely,” I confirm, setting my menu down matter-of-factly. “After careful review, it’s clear you’re not going to find anything you like here.”

“We are a five-star restaurant, ma’am. I’m sure there’ssomethingfor him available.”

“Maybe so, but it has nothing on the five-star pussy he’s going to eat at home.”

Luca’s jaw drops like he isn’t sure he heard me correctly. But when I meet his gaze, daring him to defy me, he doesn’t hesitate. He stands and throws a hundred-dollar bill on the table. “Thanks, Winona.”

The server stomps her foot and crosses her arms, heaving her tits skyward. “It’s Wendy.”

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