Page 55 of A Wanton Adventure
Behind them, Devons sighed. Diana frowned, wishing she could forget he was there, but no, he’d been a quiet, looming presence the entire time. Her aunt, Spoor, and Haggerty ventured off in their own direction, but Devons silently followed her and the count.
Turning to him, Diana asked, “Don’t you think it would be beneficial for the club to meet with the Calverts?”
Devons was silent at first, as if he didn’t want to give Messina any credit, but he finally said, “It would be quite a success if you were able to arrange some type of partnership.”
“I agree,” Diana said.
“I will have a courier send them a message about meeting with you.”
“You are too kind,” Diana said.
Devons sighed again. “I’m off to find your aunt.”
Diana watched him stomp off. A bit of sadness washed through her. She missed laughing and talking with Devons. Hopefully, they could go back to that before the trip ended. For now, she would enjoy the amazing view. She slowly spun around one more time, studying the stone seating surrounding them. As she turned back, Messina held out his arm. “Walk with me. I want to show you one more area.”
They left the amphitheater and wandered to a courtyard-like area. The natural growth in this area hadn’t been removed, giving it an enchanted feel. Diana could still make out stone walls and pillars. It must have been a stunning structure at one point.
“It is an old bathhouse,” Messina said.
Diana looked around again. “Yes, I can imagine that.”
Messina stepped closer to her. “May I call you Diana?”
He gently grabbed her chin, and Diana knew he was going to kiss her. “Yes.”
One of his hands slid over her hip, and he pulled her to him. Devons flashed in her mind, annoying her. Of late, the man had been nothing but boorish to her. She shouldn’t be thinking about him. He’d told her she should pursue anyone other than him. Yes, this was the flirtation she wanted.
Messina’s head dipped down, and he brushed his lips over hers before gently teasing her mouth open with his tongue. Diana kissed him back, wanting to be swept up in the moment and hoping to be overwhelmed by his kisses, but while nice, the connection she desired was lacking.
Messina pulled back and studied her. Could he sense something was missing? He stepped away and leaned against a pillar, still silent. Finally, he said, “Is it Devons that has you preoccupied?”
Diana shook her head. She didn’t want anyone making such assumptions. “Of course not.”
He smiled, amused. “I have been trying to figure out what is going on between the two of you.”
“We are friends and business associates, that is all.”
“I can tell when I kiss a woman, and her mind is elsewhere. It doesn’t happen very often.”
Diana lifted a brow at the conceited man. He flashed a grin. “I’m being honest.”
“You are mistaken about Devons. My response has nothing to do with him,” she said before adding, “I’m new to these types of flirtations.”
He looked as if he was tempted to kiss her again. Diana wondered if he thought it would be different. Another kiss from Messina wouldn’t change anything. Something was missing. She scrambled back a little. He didn’t push her. “Let’s join the others back in the amphitheater.”
She nodded, relieved. They made their way through one of the tunnels that kicked them back into the theater. Sebastian stood in the center, talking with Haggerty. He turned to look at them. His eyes narrowed. Diana blushed. Her response annoyed her. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Devons was the King of the Den, after all! What could he really say?
Her blue eyes met his dark ones. He knew she’d just kissed Messina. She didn’t know how, but the ever-present connection between them seemed to spark and sizzle angrily. He turned back to Haggerty, dismissing her and Messina. She glared at his back. A chuckle erupted from the handsome man next to her. She glanced at him. “It’s hot, my lady, and it has nothing to do with the weather.”
*
That evening, Sebastianstomped into the gentlemen’s clubLa Casa del Lobo. The place was recommended by Captain Monroe. He wanted to be away from the hotel, even if it was for a few hours. In truth, he needed to escape Diana. It had taken everything in him not to walk over and pummel Messina this afternoon. He’d kissed her. Sebastian had no doubts about that. He told himself it was none of his concern. They’d agreed to stay out of each other’s business when it came to interludes and flirtations. Still, knowing the count had touched her enraged him in a way he was unwilling to analyze.
The club was the premier one in all of Malaga and Monroe had used his connection to gain admittance for Sebastian. He smirked. The captain seemed to know just about everyone. Monroe declined to join Sebastian, murmuring about meeting a woman. It appeared he’d had ended his pursuit of Diana.
Sebastian’s eyes took in all the details of the club, comparing it to his establishment. A pang of homesickness washed overhim. He hadn’t felt it once since his departure until now. He missed his domain. The place he ruled. He studied the fine craftsmanship of the wood paneling, the opulent furniture, and the feel of the club. Sebastian smirked. Not quite as good as his own space but no place ever would be.
He weaved his way to a smaller card room and frowned. Standing by a faro table was Messina, laughing. For once, the count wasn’t hovering around Diana. Messina gleefully cheered while a few men groaned. He spotted Devons and waved him over. “Join us.”
