Page 20 of Ruthless Secrets
That voice.
I whirl around, and all the air leaves my lungs as I come face to face with Zoe’s father.
Chapter Five
MARCO
Finally,she is here.
I may be acting surprised to see her, but the reality is that her being here at Nox is no accident.
It’s been over a year since that night at the Plaza, but there’s not been a single day that has gone by that this woman has not been on my mind, and she’s even more beautiful than I remember.
Clara Peterson.
She sunk her nails in deep, and she has no fucking idea.
It’s been years since I’ve been in the right headspace for a relationship, but I’m starting to consider the possibility of one.
My particular line of work comes with certain risks, and it takes a special kind of woman to be able to put up with them.
I had such a woman, Melanie, and for a long time, I thought that she was my one chance at happiness. That and the fact that it’s taken me over a decade to heal the gaping wound that she left behind.
And then I met Clara and in an instant, something shifted.
She might have been sitting at the bar wearing a wedding dress while downing tequila shots, but that didn’t put me off. There was just something in her bright green eyes that made me want to stop and take a breath.
Then when she told me what had happened to her, it took everything in me not to hunt down the asshole who broke her heart and show him the true consequences of his actions. The only thing that stopped me was that I didn’t want to leave Clara.
I don’t regret taking her to bed that night. I think it was something we both desperately needed. But having great sex with someone doesn’t necessarily mean that you would work in terms of a relationship.
A relationship means opening up, and the thought of spilling all of my darkest thoughts and fears to another person is terrifying. But with Clara, I could see myself taking the first step, that is if she’ll be open to the idea.
I know I’m getting ahead of myself. After all, we spent one night together and that's hardly a foundation for a solid relationship. For all I know she might get to know me and go running in the opposite direction, and as much as I would hate to let her, I would.
“It’s you,” she whispers.
My lips twitch as she stares at me.
Those green eyes have haunted my dreams for the past year, and they’re even more beautiful than I remember.
“It’s you,” I repeat. “It’s been what…”
“Fifteen months,” she replies instantly.
“I’m Marco De Luca, by the way. I don’t think we formally introduced ourselves that night.” I smile.
For a moment, we both just stare at each other.
Clara’s cheeks turn pink under my gaze, and her rosebud lips part ever so slightly.
Those lips…
I wonder what Clara would think if she knew how many times I’ve taken myself in my hand thinking about those lips wrapped around my cock.
“So,” I grunt as I try to empty my thoughts before my arousal becomes too obvious. “You’re accepting the job?”
I lean against the bar and plaster an easy smile on my face.
