Chapter 10 Close farce

Candela's p.o.v

I straightened my shoulder and pushed off from the wall, my gaze on his.

God help me, he looked really good.

The kind of good that made my insides twist with irritation. His dark hair was slicked back in that effortless way, his black shirt clung to his chest, and the faintest shadow of stubble dusted his jaw. His eyes, dark and unreadable, skimmed over me slowly, lingering at my neckline for a second longer than necessary.

I refused to react. Acting like his presence wasn't shocking to me.

So, I ignored him entirely, flicking my gaze to the opposite end of the hallway like he wasn't standing a few feet away,like he wasn't the man I'd been trying to avoid for a week and whose scent I could still remember even now.

"What are you doing here?" His voice sliced through the air, low and amused.

I kept my eyes forward, silent.

His lips twisted,like he enjoyed the chase my silence provided. "Ignoring me now? I see." He shifted his weight, turning slightly. "If you're going to act like I don't exist, I'll make myself scarce."

Panic flared in my chest not because I cared if he left, but because out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Damien and Leon rounding the staircase, heading straight for us.

Shit.

Leon. My ex. The man I'd promised myself I wouldn't crawl back to or worse, let him think I still cared,let him think I was that girl who could never move on from him.

It was too late to run into a room. Too late to vanish.

There was only one option: use Salvatore as my shield.

Before he could take a step, I reached out and curled my fingers around his wrist, pulling him towards me with more force than intended. His brow arched in surprise, but he didn't resist.

"Careful, wife," he murmured, his voice dripping with teasing condescension as his body pressed lightly against mine. "People might think you're trying to seduce me."

I scowled, hating the way my traitorous body reacted to his proximity,the way the heat radiating off him crawled beneath my skin and made my pulse stutter.

"Just shut up," I snapped under my breath, sliding my hands up to his chest. God, why did his chest have to feel that good? Solid, warm, maddeningly broad.

His hand hovered by his side, but his eyes never left me. I caught a glimpse over his shoulder Leon and Damien were close, weaving through the crowd. I didn't have time to think.

Leaning in, I pressed my face to the warm column of Salvatore's neck. His skin smelled faintly of cologne and something masculine I couldn't place.

I sniffed him in, my body rigid and his stiff, Leon and Damien were almost close, I had to make this look real and not like a one night stand with a random person and so I darted my tongue and had a quick swipe of it along his neck.

The moment my tongue darted out to tease the sensitive spot beneath his jaw, his body stiffened.

Holy fuck.

I repeated the move two more times, my heart thumping at my boldness but my heart wasn't the only thing quivering. The organ between my legs was hot and singing.

Slowly, I drew back, intending to flash Leon a smug, victorious look. But as I pulled away, I caught the low rumble vibrating from Salvatore's chest and when I glanced up, my breath caught.

His eyes weren't on my face.

They were fixated on the now slightly exposed swell of my upper breast, the fabric of my dress having shifted dangerously lower during our little charade. And the rope I had used to cover my chest was now on the floor.His jaw clenched, dark eyes sharp with something far more primal than irritation.

I looked away immediately,just in time to catch the look of shock on the devilish pairs faces. I flashed a smile at them but they quickly averted their eyes and marched off, ignoring me.

Oh well.

"That was a good tiktok challenge I learned" I muttered under my breath, ready to let go of him.

But his hand shot out, curling around my waist, pulling me back against him with a fluid, confident motion.

"Oh no, sweetheart," his voice was rough, laced with that maddening arrogance. "You started this..."

Without warning, his lips lowered to my neck, and unlike my teasing flick, his tongue dragged possessively across my skin hot, aggressive, territorial. His teeth scraped lightly, just enough to make me gasp and feel my knees weaken.

My heart slammed in my chest. It was for show. Just a show.

Yet my body refused to accept that.

I had to stop this, this isn't right. This should have never happened in the first place and so with all my strained strength. I pushed him off me.

Panting. Wet. Ashamed. Regretful.

I ran off from his presence, heading downstairs to the Vip lounge,I whisked through the moving bodies and drink fellas who tried to get my attention.

"Cupcake, do you want some icing," a dishevel haired man darted his hand out to block my way but I dodged and kept moving. Determined to get away from this building.

I flashed the Vip card at the bouncer outside. Thankful Carina had pinned it on me earlier and when I got to our table, they were seated, laughing heartily. The table was now filled with empty glasses of drinks. I could bet Allegra was the drunk one.

"Hey babes," Allegra called out,more like mumbled.

I guessed right.

"We need to leave," I said, grabbing my purse and phone.

"Why?" Carina queried, sitting upright but already grabbing her bag, noticing the look on my face.

"Nothing we just have to leave,"

"No please, I need to get laid first, I'm horny," Allegra whined.

"No," I said bluntly and helped her staggering self up.

"I know why," Allegra chipped in as soon as we walked out of the Vip lounge. I didn't ask her why, because there was no need to. But she answered anyways.

She opened her mouth to talk but a loud uproar erupted in the club. They seemed to be excited about something. I turned my head towards the dance floor and then back to Allegra who was still talking.

"Your driver was here," she said, I looked and Carina and she rolled her eyes.

"Please take her home,I will like to ride on my own," I pleaded to Carina.

"Of course,of course but are you sure you're okay." She said peering at me.

"Yes yes," I said, avoiding her gaze and gently placing Allegra on her shoulder.

"Bye,"

I said and got into my car. Now left with the different emotions swirling in my head.