I took a chance then—with Gianni. It was thrilling, intoxicating. For once, I gave in to the unsafe bet rather than fighting what I wanted. Sure, I feel embarrassed now, but mostly because I know it was against the rules.
Not because I didn’t like it.
It was the sort of thrill I could become addicted to—taking what I want regardless of others’ opinions.
Maybe I’ve had too much wine.
Sober Caterina wouldn’t be thinking about these things.
I check my phone again to see if Tatiana has replied. No such luck. I sigh and look up from my phone, spotting her standing in the center of the dance floor.
As always, she looks fantastic in a short black dress with a halter neckline that leaves nothing to the imagination. It shows off her curvy body perfectly. I wish I had that courage to wear something sexy, to show myself off.
Always a good girl.
But not always, right? Not when a certain sexy billionaire is involved.
“Hey!” I call out, waving an arm above my head until she spots me. My smile fades when she fails to return one. I expect her to head straight for me, but she ducks down a narrow hallway leading to the restrooms. Damn it. Christopher’s absence gives me a vague idea of what’s happening.
I rush after her to the bathroom. I barely push through the swinging door before she starts defending herself, trying to laugh off the devastation etched on her face.
“Too short. My dress is too short. Did you know that?” She tosses her blonde curls over her shoulder, blowing out a dramatic sigh.
Hello to you, too. “Is that what you were fighting about?”
“We weren’t…” she mutters, her voice softening, her resolve crumbling. “Actually, yes, that’s what we were fighting about. Like I need him to tell me how to dress. The guy would walk around in socks and sandals if I didn’t complain about it. He acts like my father, but one dad is enough for me. I’m a grown-ass woman. I don’t need his approval.”
She’s not wrong.
“I’m sorry he’s being an asshole, but for what it’s worth, you look hot.”
She frowns at her reflection before meeting my eyes in the mirror. “Yeah?” I’m not used to seeing her this insecure. It kills me to know he has the power to break her like this.
“You know you do,” I assure her with a smile. “I’d rather have you to myself, anyway. We need a girls’ night before you abandon me for a month.”
Stepping behind her, I wrap my arms around her middle and give her a hug. “If I had a thing for girls, I’d totally steal you from him.”
“And I wouldn’t stop you.” Her grin is genuine, and the tears in her eyes are gone. “Let’s get drunk.”
“That’s more like it.” I’m laughing as I open the door, ready to channel my energy into lifting her spirits. But the floor drops out from under me when I see the last person I expected: Luciano. His dark eyes widen with shock as he sees me.
“Luciano?” Tatiana bumps into my back, but I barely feel it. I’m too busy staring at my boyfriend. He’s out of place. He shouldn’t be here. “I thought you were working.”
I once caught him jerking off to hardcore BDSM porn with a pair of my panties wrapped around his dick. The look on his face now—shock and guilt—reminds me of that day.
He scrubs a hand through his short, sandy hair, trying to find an explanation. “What are you doing here?”
I demand. “You said you had to close up the gym tonight.”
His eyes light up. “I got out early and came to surprise you,” he says with a chuckle.
“I would believe that, but I didn’t tell you where we were going.” I fold my arms across my chest.
“I overheard you talking with Tatiana about it,” he shrugs, grinning in a way I used to find sexy. Now, it nauseates me. “Surprise?”
No, this isn’t a surprise. The real shock comes when the door behind him opens, and a pair of arms wraps around his waist.
“Mm, that was fun,” a woman purrs, leaning over and craning her neck to look up at him. “But next time, let’s take it someplace more private than the men’s room.”