All I've Never Wanted (42 page)

Before we could dwell on it any longer, the butler announced that dinner was ready.

Everyone filed into the dining room, and when dinner was served, I couldn’t help but gape at the lavish spread in front of me. According to the calligraphed menu in front of me, it was a French gourmet dinner, with winter fruit and nut stuffing, herbed potato gratin, the juiciest turkey I’ve ever seen, and several other dishes I couldn’t pronounce.

Dinner went fairly smoothly, although Roman was still a bit tense from his earlier run-in with his parents.

To my chagrin, I found myself seated directly across from Rico, who kept shooting me suggestive looks the entire time, but he disappeared somewhere—again—in the middle of dinner. He was still gone by the time dessert was served.

I shifted in my seat, wishing I hadn’t drunk so much wine. At least I wasn’t as tipsy as Venice, whose skin color nearly matched her hair after several glasses of Bordeaux.

“Where’s the bathroom?” I whispered to Roman.

“Go out the doors, make a left, and it’s the third door on your right,” he answered quietly.

I smiled, then stood up and quickly excused myself. I followed his instructions and was about to pull open the door to the bathroom when Rico stormed out, a pissed-off look on his face. He was clutching his phone so tightly I was surprised it didn’t crack.

I let out a small squeak of terror, remembering what James said about the possibility he might have murdered someone, but for once, Rico brushed past me without even looking at me.

I stared after him, stunned, but then darted into the bathroom before he could change his mind and come back to rape me or something, even though the chances of that happening was very slim.

Call me paranoid, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

Shaking a bit, I used the facilities, washed my hands, and was drying off on one of the monogrammed guest towels when I caught sight of something on the floor, wedged between the sink counter and the wall. It looked like a…picture?

Curious, I bent down to pick it up. It was folded in half, and when I opened it, it felt as though someone had dumped a bucket load of ice down my back. My hands trembled as I stared at the photo. I couldn’t believe it.

In the photo, I saw Rico and several other boys, some of them smiling, some of them scowling. They weren’t what caught my attention though. What caught my attention was the blonde standing front and center, a small smirk on her face.

Lexi. Rico knew Lexi. Lexi knew Rico.

I sank down slowly on the closed toilet seat, my knees feeling weak. What the hell did this mean? Was Rico the one who’d hired her to seduce my dad? But why would he do something like that? I didn’t even know him! Plus, I hadn’t met him until after I caught my dad in New York.

Was it just a coincidence?
That would be a pretty big coincidence.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to breathe. Whatever was going on, I needed to figure it out, and fast. Otherwise, I had a feeling things might spiral even more out of control than they already were.

CHAPTER 26

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

I tapped my pencil against my notebook, jiggling my foot even though my superstitious mom had told me a million times that it was bad luck.

Could this class period go any slower?

After five more torturous minutes, the bell finally, blissfully rang, and I jumped up so fast I banged my knee against the underside of my desk. Wincing a little, I shoved my books into my bag and joined the crush of students battling their way out the narrow doorway.

The minute they saw me, though, they parted like the Red Sea, their eyes wide as I passed by them. Their faces were a combination of awe, envy, and nervousness.

Even in my haste, I couldn’t help but suppress a laugh. They were

just so predictable. Ever since they found out I was dating
the
Roman Fiori, they either treated me like a goddess or like I was the wife of a mafia kingpin or something.

When I was “dating” Parker, everyone couldn’t wait to get a piece of me. They hounded me at every turn, begging me to go shopping, to attend their parties. and I even had a few people ask me for photographs and autographs. Or both.

Now, though, everyone kept a respectable distance, satisfying themselves with just staring at me. It was like they were afraid of getting too close to me in case I decided to smite them with the almighty powers I’ve gained as Roman’s girlfriend. They couldn’t even look me in the eyes, the way servants couldn’t look royalty in the eyes in medieval Europe or whatever.

I can’t say I’m not enjoying the space, though. It’s not like I wanted to talk to them.

When I reached my locker, I shoved my books into the narrow space, then ran down the hall and into the parking lot. I didn’t even break stride as I yanked open the front door of Carlo’s giant Range Rover and slid onto Roman’s lap.

Technically, that was illegal, but I couldn’t wait to get off school grounds.

“Jeez, it’s about time, My-My. I’m starving here,” Zack complained from the backseat, where he, Adriana, Parker, and Venice were squished together.

“Sorry, not everyone can come and go from their classrooms as they please,” I said, rolling my eyes. I looked at Venice. “How did you get here so quickly?”

“My class is right near the exit,” she explained, twirling a strand of red hair around her fingers.

“Oh yeah. I forgot.”

I eyed her curiously. She seemed a bit more subdued than usual, almost nervous, but I had no idea why.

“Buckle up, you two. I don’t want any accidents,” Carlo said, raising his eyebrows at me and Roman.

I smirked, pulling the seatbelt across my front so it reined both of us in. “Yes, Dad.”

He grimaced. “Please don’t call me that.”

“I’ll stop calling you that once you stop acting like that.”

Carlo gave Roman a pointed look right before he pulled out of the parking lot. “You need to control your girlfriend.”

Roman just laughed, wrapping his strong arms around my waist. I smiled, snuggling closer to him and turning my head to give him a kiss.

We kept it a close-mouthed one, not wanting to gross anyone out, but it was all I could do not to grab him and jump him right now. I’m not exactly what you call bold when it comes to stuff like this, but I can’t help it. I always felt like I would die if I couldn’t touch or kiss him.

God, I’m turning into a pervert.

As Carlo turned up the volume on the radio and everyone began singing along to “Bottoms Up,” I stared out the window, trying to ignore the delicious shiver that snaked through me as Roman caressed the bare skin below the hem of my skirt.

I loved it when he did that, not only because of my physical response, but because it kept my mind off that photo I found in his house. A photo that was currently in my bag. I could practically feel it burning into my thigh.

I studied it every opportunity I had, trying to figure out what connection Lexi had with Rico and his gang. Former gang. Whatever. Had she been part of the gang? She didn’t seem like the type, but then, people were rarely what they seem.

I was willing to bet whatever connection she had with Rico had at least something to do with who hired her to seduce my dad. I’d attempted to contact her again to get some more answers, but I realized I didn’t even know her full name. I called my dad’s company, even though she wasn’t interning there anymore, but they said that information was confidential. I knew my dad probably knew, but I hadn’t worked up the courage to ask him yet. I mean, the last thing I needed to do was remind him of his mistress.

“What’s going on in that confusing head of yours?” Roman whispered teasingly in my ear, rapping the side of my head lightly with his fingers while continuing to caress my lower thigh with his other hand.

And just like that, it was ten times easier to push all other thoughts to the back burner of my mind.

“Just thinking about how I can’t wait for winter break,” I mumbled, placing my hand on top of his and intertwining his fingers. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest on my back, which was more soothing than any day at a spa could be.

“Winter break’s going to be so much fun!”

I let out a startled squeal as Zack poked his head between the driver and passenger seats, his eyes sparkling with excitement and his face mere inches from mine.

“God, Zack, give a girl some warning next time!” My heart was still thudding against my chest at the unexpected shout.

Adriana grabbed the back of Zack’s shirt and pulled him back to his seat. “Ignore him. All his good breeding goes out the window when he’s hungry.” She gave me an amused look. “Although we
can
hear everything you two are saying.”

I blushed while Roman chuckled and Parker, Venice, and Zack smirked knowingly. Even Carlo’s mouth curled up into a small smile.

“Whatever. You should be focused on your own conversations and not ours,” I declared, still blushing.

“We can’t help it honeybee, you two just too cute,” Parker drawled. “I never thought I’d ever see Roman whipped.”

“I’m not whipped,” Roman snapped, twisting his head around to glare at Parker. “Besides, you shouldn’t be talking.”

Parker shrugged, a wicked glint in his eyes. “At least I’m getting some,” he sang quietly.

I gasped, Venice choked, Roman turned bright red, and Zack clapped his hands over his ears, looking grossed out. I mean, Parker
is
dating his sister.

The only two people who didn’t react were Carlo, who’d just pulled into Il Serrano’s parking lot, and Adriana, who was rummaging in her purse for something. I’m not even sure she heard what Parker said.

“We’re here!” I announced in an overly loud tone. The car had barely stopped moving before I unsnapped my seatbelt, flung open the door, and tumbled out, avoiding Roman’s gaze.

Ok, so we hadn’t done
it
yet, but we’ve only been dating for a little over three weeks. I will say, however, that our makeout sessions have gotten steamier and steamier over time. Still, it’s not like I appreciated Parker telling all of my friends about my sex life, or lack thereof.

How did he know for sure anyway? Had Roman told him? Was he getting impatient with me? I mean, I’m not sure I’m ready. Or maybe I am. I don’t know. By the time we were seated at our table in the restaurant, my head hurt from thinking so much.

We were halfway through lunch—which I could barely focus on because Roman’s leg had been pressed against mine the entire time, sending sharp tingles up and down my body—when Adriana gestured for me and Venice to follow her into the bathroom. When we were safely ensconced in the rose marble room, she got right down to business.

“So.” Adriana eyed me slyly in the mirror while she applied another coat of MAC’s Prrr lip gloss. “It’s almost your one month anniversary.”

Venice sighed, fluffing her hair with one hand. “I can’t believe it’s been so long already. It feels like just yesterday that I fainted when you told me.”

I snickered a little at the memory.

Adriana shook her head. “I don’t even want to know.” She returned her attention to me. “So have you been planning it?”

I frowned, leaning against the wall. “Planning what?”

Adriana and Venice exchanged exasperated glances. “Your anniversary
night,”
the blonde hinted.

“Oh, I don’t know. I just thought we’d go out for a nice dinner or something,” I said honestly.

Venice shook her head, her curls bouncing merrily. “I don’t think she gets it,” she told Adriana.

“I don’t. Can you tell me what you’re talking about?” I was so not in the mood for cryptic riddles.

Adriana tossed her lip gloss back in her bag. “Remember the reason why we went lingerie shopping when you were ‘dating’ Parker?”

I stared at her for a moment, until realization set in and turned my entire body a flaming red.

“Wh-what? We’re not talking about that now,” I stuttered. Or ever. There’s a reason why most people keep these things private, with the exception of porn stars and Paris Hilton.

Unfortunately, Adriana was not “most people.”

“We don’t have much time,” she pointed out, as an elegant, fur-clad woman swept into the bathroom without sparing us a glance. “You’ve only got a week left before your anniversary. You have to put that lingerie to good use.”

I shifted my weight, trying to ignore the woman’s now disapproving glare. “I don’t know if I’m ready,” I mumbled, wishing the floor would just open up and swallow me right then and there.

This was even worse than the last discussion they had about my sex life, because back then, I knew I wasn’t going to sleep with Parker. Now, though, the possibility of Roman and I, you know, doing it, was a lot higher—especially considering how close we’d gotten to the act lately.

Not that I was going to tell anyone that.

“So you want to wait?” Venice asked curiously.

I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just—I don’t know. The right moment hasn’t come up yet.”

For some reason, I thought back to that night in Hawaii, when I’d been “teasing” Roman as part of Carlo’s plan. The moment the images played out in my mind, my skin warmed up so much I’m sure you could’ve fried an egg on my forehead.

Adriana raised an eyebrow as the fur-clad woman finally swished out of the bathroom, brushing past me huffily and muttering under her breath about “kids these days.”

“Well, it’s your decision, obviously,” she finally said. “Don’t let anyone pressure you, not even me.”

I cracked a smile at that.

“But if you
are
ready—“ Her aqua eyes were knowing. “Don’t be scared. Like I said all along, Roman’s really a good guy underneath that grumpy exterior of his, which you should know by now. If you like someone, you should take a risk. Grab the bull by its horns, so to speak.” She smirked. “Besides, Parker provided you with plenty of protection.”

I groaned. “Your boyfriend sucks. That’s so embarrassing!”

“He’s just looking out for you.
Honeybee.”
Adriana winked at me. “Come on, let’s get back to the boys before they think we died or something.”

I was just about to follow her out of the bathroom when I realized Venice hadn’t moved.

“V? Are you ok?” I asked, concerned. She had a pensive look on her face, but she also looked a little green, like she was nervous about something.