Page 21 of Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires 3)
Dork.
“You know, we go to these big fancy restaurants, which are beautiful, but…beautiful like a marble statue. A kind of austere beauty. It was nice to…”
“Slum it like regular people?”
I frown, but he’s not wrong.
“Fine. But the pasta and sauces were homemade and completely delicious.”
“Yes, the food was great. I get it. Blah, blah, blah. Did you kiss?”
I shake my head. “He kissed my hand a couple of times, and that was nice. I did kiss his cheek.”
“Oh,” Mads says, clutching his chest dramatically. “I do love a good cheek kiss.”
“Ass.”
“I’m not kidding!”
I roll my eyes but am secretly pleased that Mads feels the same way about cheek kisses as I do.
“Anyway. We just chatted and enjoyed each other’s company.”
“Did you talk about what Fallon said?”
“Yes, but Luca was so kind. Not that I expected him to be a jerk about it, but given what he does, I guess I wasn’t expecting that much understanding. I think maybe I’ve been selling him short.”
Mads nods. “I bet a lot of us do that.”
“He wants to reform his organization. He said he was raised to be one kind of mobster, and he’s questioning it. It’s uncomfortable, but he’s doing it. Which I think is amazing.”
“It is,” Mads agrees. “There’s this dangerous sort of goodness about him, isn’t there?”
“That’s almost exactly what I said!” I respond, laughing. “One of the things he wants to do is reform his image so people don’t act like he’s a hair-trigger away from killing them,” I say, heavily eyeballing Mads.
He raises a shoulder, unconcerned. “I know he’s not going to killme, so I have this compulsive need to push his buttons and flinch, waiting for the reaction.”
“Well, stop it. He knows you’re doing it, and it makes him feel bad.”
“Wait, are you saying I hurt a mobster’s feelings?”
“I wouldn’t say youhurthis feelings, necessarily, but he’s a good man and doesn’t want people to be afraid of him. He also wants to be a part of the larger nonprofit community to reform his image and actually give back. So we agreed to spend the gala season together.”
I glance at Mads, anticipating a big reaction, and I’m not disappointed.
“Shut the front door,” Mads says, clapping his hands together, far too happy. “You’re going to galas and balls and fundraisers togetherall season?”
“Looks like it,” I say, playing with my fingers, unable to stop my smile.
“This. Is.Huge.” Joy lights his expression, and I can see why Anthony always treats him so preciously. Heisa precious person, happy for the happiness of his friends.
“Do you think you want to date him?”
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I do like him. I’m very attracted to him. We slow danced at the ball, and—” I sigh. “It was nice having his arms around me. He held me like I’m special.”
Mads swoons, resting his head against the window. “How lovely. Youhaveto know he likes you so much.”
I know he does, but…
