Monza (Formula Men #1)(4)
“You’re probably freaked out, huh? I’m not usually this strange. Maybe it’s the jet lag. I just arrived earlier this morning.”
“I’m not freaked out, as you put it,” I pointed out as I gently noted her soft features. I stared into her deep, honeyed eyes, feeling suddenly suspended from everything else around me. “You said you arrived this morning? From your accent, you’re American, aren’t you?”
She smirked, showcasing two cute dimples. “Guilty as charged. I hope you’re not one of those crazy loons that’s anti-American.”
I couldn’t seem to stop smiling as I watched her talk and be silly with herself. It was invigorating to see someone freely expressing themselves without any inhibitions whatsoever.
Quickly shaking my head in response, I answered, “Of course not.”
“Good, ‘cause it would be a shame since you’re so good to look at and all. It’d be a crime.”
I had my fair share of encounters when it came to brazen, forward women, but her sort? This woman was the first to be so bold without any hidden agenda. She wasn’t attracted to my name, the fame, the money, and the power that came with the richness. To her, I was simply a man, a stranger in the night.
Dropping my gaze towards her hand where she held her broken stiletto, I offered, “Here, let me help, but you must give me the other good pair, as well.”
She seemed confused a moment. “But why? You’re not planning to break it, too?”
“That’s the whole point,” I said before raising my brow at her. “Unless, of course, you plan to carry on limping about in the city. Then I’d be more than happy to oblige you, as well.”
She blew out a breath before begrudgingly taking off her other shoe then handing them both to me. Without much thought of the foot accessory, my hands efficiently snapped the other heel off, solving her dilemma.
“There,” I announced with glee. “Now there’s one less woman limping around the eternal city.”
She murmured a soft thanks before she slipped into them, looking rather pleased that I had found a solution for her.
“So, what brings you to Italy, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Curling a strand of her hair on the back of her ear, she gazed at me, giving me a good glimpse of her dark fringed lashes, with eyes so beautiful I could literally stare into them without blinking. “My father’s an expat. We’re a team: him, my brother Patrick, and I. My mom died during childbirth when I was ten, and it’s just been us three since. My dad started this new job last year. Apparently, the branch here needed him. He came a month before me, so he’s more adjusted to the grand Italian lifestyle than I am. I’m still so awkward with everything … the language and all.”
She seemed so innocent yet not. I couldn’t figure her out.
“Italian language isn’t all that hard to learn. I’m sure with your quick wit you’ll be snapping your fingers, ordering your coffee in no time.”
Her honeyed eyes sparkled before she beamed at me, flashing her straight set of teeth and lush lips. “You think so?”
Yeah, I knew as much. Italian men would flock to have a little of her fire. She was full of it. It was intoxicating to be around. Hell, I surely was one of them.
How old was she, anyway? She seemed young. God, I hoped not too young. That would be a shame.
Changing topic, I scouted around to see if she was with anyone, but the coast was clear. “Please don’t tell me you were walking around town all alone at this ungodly hour?”
She blinked, fanning those lashes at me. “Why? Is it not safe?”
“Porca miseria, have you lost your mind? Didn’t your father teach you anything? No woman is safe walking around at night alone. There is no city in the world that’s safe enough, trust me on that.”
She held up her hand, feeling the brunt of my words. “Geez, okay. Okay. f*uk, what got your panties in a twist? The son of one of my father’s friends, Adam, brought me out tonight to this bar…” She paused, taking a breath before continuing, “He got too comfortable with me, so I left without telling him. I figured I could go home without his help since it didn’t take long for us to get here.”
My temper flared at the thought of her being taken advantage of by this wanker named Adam. There was one thing I loathed, and that was men who preyed on vulnerable women, like Kim for instance. She was new to this city, and I could almost bet that prick of a man had thought he could get his sleazy way with the help of a few drops of alcohol.
Controlling my breathing, I tried to concentrate and brush away the thoughts of Adam, focusing instead on this darling of an American before me. “Where’s home, if you don’t mind me asking? We can get you a taxi to take you safely.”
She cringed. “Well, I … arrived earlier today as I pointed out, and I stupidly didn’t bother wanting to know what it was since I trusted Adam. I didn’t realize that I’d need some rescuing from him.”
Dio!
“Trusting a mere stranger you’ve known less than a day isn’t that smart.” I didn’t hold back pointing the dire fact at her, hoping she wouldn’t repeat this mistake in the future.
She arched her brow at me teasingly. “And yet, here I am … talking to you.”
“Touché.”