Page 91 of On Ice

“I swear that girl has no sense sometimes,” Mama grouses. “She never thinks about the consequences of her actions.”

“No,” I grumble, watching Evan and Isabella dance. “She just does stuff and I have to clean up her messes.”

“Tony,” Mama says sharply.

Tony pulls his attention from the brunette bridesmaid he’s trying to seduce. “Yes, Mama?”

“Go cut in with Isabella and Evan.” Mama’s voice is annoyed. “Tell Evan to come back to the table.”

I’m relieved at Mama’s suggestion. Tony is the perfect person to cut in. I can only hope most people will just chalk Isabella’s behavior up to too much champagne.

I watch as Tony goes and cuts in to dance with Isabella. My sister’s expression is not happy. She all but glares at Tony as he nudges Evan out of the way, and takes over dancing with her. But Evan just walks away, looking relieved.

Evan returns to our table, taking the seat beside me. His leg presses mine, and I’m happy when he keeps it there. I’m even happier when he puts his arm along the back of my chair. Perhaps he’s caught on that Isabella’s behavior could cause us trouble? I’m not sure what his reason is, but I like the possessive gesture.

I lean in and say against his ear, “Don’t dance with Isabella anymore today.”

“Okay.” His tone is agreeable and he doesn’t look at me.

“You’re my date, not hers.”

“I know.”

I huff. “You danced three songs with her. How do you think that looks?”

He turns his head and our mouths are only inches apart. “I said,okay. I understand the assignment, Luca.”

“Didn’t look like it from here,” I grumble, holding his gaze. I’m always amazed at how green his eyes are. Our mouths are so close, I’m tempted to kiss him. I want to taste him, but also—kissing him would help send the message that he’s mine.

But before I can make a move, he leans in first and he takes my mouth in a slow, seductive kiss. I’m surprised, but mostlythrilled. I open to his tongue, and slide my hand up his thigh. I’m not usually one for PDA, but I’ll be damned if I’m stopping whatever the fuck this is. If he wants his tongue in my mouth, who am I to argue?

He slowly pulls back with a satisfied smirk on his lips. “That should help squash some of the rumors,” he says under his breath.

My pulse is erratic after the kiss. Jesus, I’d forgotten how good he tastes, and just how easily he lights me on fire. It takes all my self-control not to drag him under the table to finish what he started.

Evan recovers from the kiss quicker than me. He gestures toward Marco’s cast. “How’s your leg?”

Marco eyes Evan. “It’s healing slower than I’d like.”

Evan winces. “That sucks.”

Marco nods toward the crutches. “The doctors say another week before I can ditch these.”

“The shape that SUV was in?” Evan shudders. “It could have been way worse.”

Marco’s face tenses. “Yeah.”

I suspect he wants to thank Evan for saving his ass, but he hesitates to do that in front of me. Plus, it’s awkward to thank someone for saving your life when you planned on murdering them. The accident is the only reason Marco didn’t put a bullet in Evan’s brain.

“Luca.” Vittorio Russo approaches, champagne in hand, his Miami tan contrasting against his crisp white shirt. His smile iswide, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I wasn’t sure if you’d make the wedding. Not with all the drama in Naples.”

“Oh, that’s old news. I settled that already,” I say indifferently. I sip my now tepid champagne, trying not to wince at how disgusting it tastes. “Easy peasy.”

“That’s great news. I knew you’d handle it.” He turns to Evan. “Well, well, if it isn’t the rebellious young hockey player who cost me a small fortune. I was starting to doubt you even existed.”

“I exist.” Evan stands and offers his hand. “I’m Evan. It’s nice to meet you,”

“Vittorio Russo.” He shakes Evan’s hand. “Luca and I go way back.”

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