Page 34 of The Apprentice
It could’ve been a coincidence, right? Who was I kidding. Of course it wasn’t. Matteo Scotti, Elio’s right-hand man, had a younger brother named Michele. I had all the information in my notes about Matteo. Michele had a file of his own, though it wasn’t as extensive as his brother’s.
“As in Matteo Scotti’s younger brother, yes.” Michele’s sinful mouth curved deliciously. He dropped his hand before taking a step closer.
Ronan tensed at my side.
“And I know who you are. Fionn Killough.” Michele licked his bottom lip as his gaze slid down my body, catching on spots that seemed to hold his interest. “I’ve known since the moment I saw you.”
“How did you spot me in a crowd like this?” I asked, amused. I couldn’t help myself. He knew how to charm.
“I didn’t mean tonight,” he practically purred, dancing one of his fingers from the top of my shoulder down my arm, gaze tracking the movement. “Though, I’d have to be blind not to notice you come into the club. You light up the entire room.”
I laughed in embarrassment, heat blooming on my cheeks. “Does that pickup line work often?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t used it on anyone.” He leaned against the bar with his elbow. “I can tell you the exact moment I first saw you, Fionn Killough. It was during a meeting between Sloan and Elio. You were standing at your uncle’s side, dressed in a dark gray suit with a navy tie. You had blond hair back then, but I admit, I prefer you this way.” The man had no sense of personalboundaries as he raised his hand to run his fingers through my hair, an act so intimate that it felt like we were already lovers.
My eyes slipped closed before I could stop them. His nails teased against my scalp, sensual and pleasure inducing. A shudder swept through me, and I gasped. A simple touch had my skin buzzing. I didn’t know this man, yet my body craved this unfamiliar soft touch. Despite it coming from a man other than Daire, all I could think about wasDairedoing it—his fingers, his nails, his everything.
“Has anyone told you that you’re gorgeous?”
His deep voice,not Daire, reminded me this wasn’t who I wanted it to be.
“Sir....” Ronan’s quiet voice had my eyes snapping open again, and I glanced at him. “Are you okay?”
I cleared my throat. “Fine, Ronan. Why don’t you go for a walk, maybe find a table?”
Ronan seemed unsure, a frown creasing his forehead, but he nodded and left us alone.
I watched until he disappeared before I switched my attention back to Michele. “You’re a straightforward guy.”
He threw his head back and laughed, slapping a hand to his chest, a reaction that had my insides turning to goo. Excitement squirmed inside me, and I shifted, not quite sure how to handle this new feeling. While Ronan’s laughter before had been genuine, this was different. Better. This was a man who was interested in me in the way I wanted Daire to be.
“I am honest.” Michele waved a hand. “I like to think I’m a true Italian. I tell it how it is, and I romance men I find attractive.” He leaned in again and put his mouth close to my ear. “However, you’re the first I’ve wanted to truly seduce.”
I exhaled sharply. So, this was flirting. I’d never had someone try to pursue me with such vigor—or at all, for that matter. Daire didn’t need to pull out all the tricks to get me into his bed. I’dalways done the chasing with Daire, but now someone finally wanted me. It was fucking awesome.
My stomach erupted in butterflies and my fingers tingled in excitement. Pleasure bloomed in my chest, and everything felt light, like I was walking on air. Was this how having someone purposely choose you felt?
Michele placed his thumb on my bottom lip, dragging it across my mouth.
I froze, waiting to see what would happen next. I’d only just arrived, but I already wanted to leave. With Michele.
My heart gave a tug. What about Daire?
Daire was the only one I’d had any sexual experience with, and it felt weird to want someone else. No one would compare to my feelings for him, but for once, I needed someone to wantme.
Michele shifted closer in a way that suggested he was going to kiss me, and my eyelids slid shut, my grip on my beer bottle tightening until my fingers hurt. I waited, and when he got so close that I felt his breath tickle my mouth, I went to close the distance.
I met air instead.
My eyes shot open and I gawked, surprised to see Michele’s back to me. In front of Michele was Daire and another man I didn’t recognize. Daire’s face was filled with rage I had never seen on him. Daire had Michele’s shirt in his fist, and he snarled at him.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Michele growled out, shoving at Daire. It didn’t knock Daire’s grip off him. Instead, Daire tightened his fist.
“I should be asking you that,” Daire snapped, baring his teeth at him. “Who the fuck do you think you are? You have no fucking right to touch him.”
The words hit me hard and my mouth popped open. I’d never heard Daire swear like that. Other than Sloan not liking it, Dairehad always been as refined and gentlemanly as Sloan. This was new and shocking.
Michele chuckled, but unlike before, this sound was dangerous. “You seem confused. I can do whatever I want. Fionn was willing.”
