KristiferAnn Thorne & C.C.H.
SANTINO
Presley rose, and Santino stood with her. He watched as she strolled to the bathroom, the bottom of her dress barely skimming her thighs.
He caught several of his men, including Elio, appreciating the same view. Elio caught his eye and grinned. Santino raised his eyebrow and cleared his throat. The men quickly ducked their heads.
Santino sat as Elio wandered over.
“They took the dealer downtown,” he whispered in his ear. “Paulie said he’s not being cooperative.”
“Tell him to make him talk. I don’t like people doing business behind my back.” He looked up as Presley came out of the bathroom.
She was an absolute knockout. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her, rising as Elio went back to his seat. She had fixed her hair and her makeup, and Santino admired her as he walked around the table and held her chair out for her.
“I’m sorry. I realized I was probably a bit of a mess.” She blushed.
“No need to apologize. It was an unexpected night.”
“Unexpected is an understatement.” She smiled at him, the sight taking his breath away for a moment.
Santino laughed.
“I concur.” He slid his phone toward her. “Please put your number in my phone. I hate that fucking thing.”
Santino considered the device a necessary evil. It was the absolute newest technology and was currently sold out for the next six months, but he had never gotten the hang of using it. He preferred a personal touch.
She grinned at him and picked up the large phone, quickly tapping in her name and number before sliding the device back to him.
“I can barely use the damn thing. Thank you for saving me.” He shoved it back in his pocket.
He shrugged off his jacket and rolled up the sleeves on his dress shirt. Her eyes skated appreciatively across the tattoos peeking out from around his collar and down his forearms.
“So, what is it you do again?” she asked.
“I’m a developer,” he said, hoping his answer satisfied her curiosity. “My family infused some venture capital in this area, so our name is well known. My father used to be in charge of things, but he recently passed, leaving me to run the business.”
“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
“Food is here,” she murmured, glancing over his shoulder and smiling at the approaching chef.
Santino was grateful for the reprieve. He didn’t want to scare her off with the true nature of his family business.
His Bolognese was fantastic, and he told the chef as much. Presley offered the same praise for her chicken parmigiana.
“He practically skipped to the kitchen,” she giggled as the chef left.
Santino finished his bite and wiped his mouth, smiling.
“What is it that you do?” he asked.
“I own a small social media marketing company. I create marketing campaigns for various businesses, hire influencers, and create publicity—that sort of thing.”
“What kinds of businesses?”
“Clubs and hot spots where the young and dumb like to play. I’ve started getting into resorts, though. I’m seeing my first client in a few weeks.”
“Where at?” he asked as they switched plates.
He watched as she twirled some noodles onto her fork. She was practically bouncing in her seat.
“Playa del Carmen, Mexico.” She took a bite and grinned at him.
“Exclusive resort?”
“Yes, super exclusive. I’m so excited—I can’t stand it.”
They continued talking as they finished their meal. Presley leaned back in her chair as she placed her napkin on the table.
“By the way, your dinner was great.”
“Yours was too. Thank you for sharing,” Santino said. “So, about that coffee tomorrow?”
PRESLEY
The chef came out and thanked them for coming in. Presley asked if she could snap a picture with him, and he obliged.
She posted the photo and a quick review of the restaurant to her five million followers. Chef Genova was delighted when she showed him. There were already over fifty thousand likes in just a matter of minutes. With any luck, her post would pack this place for the next three months.
Santino watched with a curious smile and slipped the chef an obscene amount of money for their meal. He assured him that they would return soon. Presley felt a little thrill run through her at the promise of another dinner date.
Elio and the rest of the men poured into the street in front of Presley and Santino. Their eyes were constantly moving, watching everything. Presley felt the tension but wasn’t sure what they were so worried about. Surely development wasn’t that dangerous of a career.
Santino placed his hand on the small of her back as they stepped outside. The warmth of his touch radiated through her dress and across her skin.
“What you did in there, that post, what will that mean for the restaurant?” Santino asked as he waved for the car to pull up.
“This is going to sound so cocky, but he’s going to have more business than he knows what to do with soon. I hit it with a couple of special hashtags that should show up on sites for must-eat places in the area.”
“People pay you to do that?”
“Yes. Tally turned me onto this. She’s a successful travel blogger. She’s shown me the ways.”
“And you just did it for him for free?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I had an outstanding meal, and he was so sweet. I like helping people who really put passion into what they do. The company was okay too, I guess.” She smiled at him.
He laughed as he opened the car door. “Yeah, the company was all right. That was a nice thing you did.”
“I do what I can.” She shrugged slightly.
Elio stepped up and whispered something in Santino’s ear. His smile disappeared for a moment, and he nodded at the other man before looking back at Presley.
“I’m sorry, Presley. Something has come up. I’m going to have a car take you home,” he said curtly, signaling for another car to drive up to the curb.
Presley nodded, unsure how to handle the quick and unexpected end to their date. She followed him over to it, standing by as he yanked open the door. Whatever Elio said had made Santino upset.
“W-well, thank you for dinner and the fresh start,” Presley said.
“I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. How early is too early?” Santino asked, leaning in close to her.
“Anything before six a.m. is too early,” she laughed.
“See you then.” He kissed her on the cheek and slid into the waiting car. “Elio, make sure she gets home safely.”
The door snapped shut, and she was left standing there, her mouth hanging open in shock as the car quickly vanished down the street. Elio stood by her side.
“Wait, see me when?” she muttered. She turned to Elio. “What just…what?”
Presley stood there, unable to put her finger on exactly what she was feeling. Surprised? Disappointed? Maybe a little relieved?
“Miss Stafford, the car is ready to take you home.” Elio held the door open for her.
She nodded and climbed in, rattling off her address, which was only fifteen minutes away.
“What a crazy ass night,” she said to no one in particular, shaking her head.
Her phone buzzed in her bag, but she ignored it, still trying to sort out what had just happened. It buzzed again.
They pulled in front of her house, and Elio jumped out of the car, opening the door for the still-stunned Presley. He offered her his hand, and she gently took it.
“Thank you, Elio,” she said as she climbed out. “It’s been an adventure.”
“Yes, it has. I’m sorry again for knocking you over, but it’s definitely been a memorable evening.”
“No harm, no foul.” She hesitated. “I don’t know if I will see you again, so take care. Tell Santino I had a wonderful time.”
He smiled at her.
“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon, but I’ll pass it along. Let me walk you to your door.”
He escorted her up the steps and stood to the side as she punched in the code. The lights came on instantly. Elio stepped back as she opened it and entered.
“Have a nice evening, Presley. Check your phone. Sonny has been messaging you.”
“Okay, thank you. I’ll message him.”
Elio glanced around quickly and nodded, smiling. “Be sure to lock up.”
“I will, I promise.” She smiled and waved at him, locking the door and engaging the security system behind her.
She moaned as she kicked off her shoes, leaving them where they fell. Grabbing a bottle of water, she walked to the back of the house and stripped, jumping into the shower. It was late, and she was exhausted, but her mind couldn’t rest as she puzzled over the strange turn of events the night had taken.
She stepped out, pulling on her pajamas and settling into bed. She grabbed her phone and fired off a text to Tally, letting her know she was home safe before programming in Santino’s contact info.
She wasn’t sure what to say or think, but messaged him back like she promised.
She waited for a few minutes to see if he’d respond, but was unable to keep her eyes open. She set her phone to the side and snuggled into her bed, falling asleep quickly and missing the message notification that pinged a few minutes later.