32. Matteo

32

MATTEO

T he chilly spring night air is the only thing grounding me as I pull Lux through the parking lot to my Bugatti. I was about to sneak back out of the club after the stripper got the information I needed from Mauricio, but as soon as I walked out into the lounge, something didn't feel right.

A strange pull had me halting my steps and narrowing my gaze on the stripper at the pole. Those dark eyes I would recognize anywhere. Those high cheekbones and full lips with her flawless pale skin that looked soft enough to bite. I knew exactly who that stripper was, even with that blonde wig and a face full of makeup on.

I remained rooted in place until Lux was done with her dance, which fortunately for everyone was about twenty seconds later. Had it gone on any longer, eyes would've been shot out by me.

She finished her routine off with a split as she dangled from the pole, showcasing the incredible flexibility I had no idea she had, then a fire ignited within me, consuming me past the point of return. I would make her pay for disobeying me.

I'm practically dragging Lux across the parking lot. She's tripped over those damn sky-high heels more than I can count. She does it again, so I whip around and grab her by her waist and throw her over my shoulder to keep her from face-planting on the asphalt parking lot.

"Matteo—"

Lifting my jacket up, I slap her on her bare ass.

She yelps out. "Ouch! Matteo, what the fu?—"

I do it again, but this time harder, causing her to cry out again. "There's a pattern here, Luxtyn. You'd be wise to figure it out now before your ass ends up raw with the imprint of my hand."

She remains silent as I dump her in the passenger seat and reach across her body to buckle her up. I feel her eyes burning into me, but I don't acknowledge her.

Rounding the car, I take out my phone to see Enzo texted a few minutes ago letting me know he and Isabella are on their way back to the penthouse with Rocco and Tito, and that they found Liana parked a couple blocks away and told her to head home.

Where the fuck is her guard?

I shove my phone back into my pocket before opening my car door and dropping into the driver's seat.

The ride home is filled with only my shifting of the gear and the rev of my engine. If I speak now, who knows what I'll say, and I won't be able to take anything back.

My hand tightens around the steering wheel, whitening my knuckles as I take the windy turns to my house.

"Where are we going?" Luxtyn asks.

"Home," I respond, giving her nothing but knowing she'll ask for more .

"This isn't the way to your penthouse. Are we even in the city anymore?"

I sneak a quick glance at her. She has her arms wrapped around her small frame, tightening my jacket around herself. I almost laugh out loud since she was just nearly naked in front of a bunch of disgusting men. All gawking at what's fucking mine .

The way she moved on that pole nearly had me as hard as a rock. The only reason I didn't burst through the seams of my pants was the fact she wasn't dancing for me. She was dancing for those other men. Like she was fucking enjoying disobeying a direct order from me to stay the fuck at the penthouse while I handled Mauricio.

"Are you just going to ignore me?" she asks.

Yes.

She releases a sigh and sulks back in her seat when she realizes I'm not going to answer her.

We make it through my gated security, up the long gravel driveway lined with large maple trees that have bloomed. I pull into the ten-car garage attached to my family's home and park.

Rounding the car, Lux has already opened the door and is attempting to pull herself out of the low riding vehicle. Placing my hand on the door, I watch as she struggles with those monstrosities of shoes she decided to wear tonight.

Fine, the black stiletto platforms are fucking sexy, even if they look like they're about to slide off her feet, but now that the image of her working a pole for strangers in them is inscribed in my brain, the shoes need to be burned.

Glaring up at me, she asks, "Are you just going to stand there, or give me a hand?"

Oh, she thinks she can have an attitude with me now?

I tilt my head to the side and raise a brow. "You seemed to do just fine when you were working that pole tonight. "

Her glare turns into a scowl as her eyebrows draw in and her frown sharpens. She grabs ahold of the arm rest and begins to pull herself up. Her shoes are so loose on her that I'm sure she won't make it three feet without falling over herself.

"You're such an ass," she mutters under her breath as she pulls on my coat and wraps it around her body tighter. Folding her arms across her stomach, she walks a couple feet forward, and buckles like a damn deer.

I shoot my hand out and wrap it under her arm, catching her so she doesn't fall face-first onto the polished concrete floor, and pull her close to me. Close enough to smell her citrus and vanilla scents. It's as intoxicating as ever. "Now, would an ass save you from falling on your face?"

She huffs, blowing the short blonde hair out of her face. The blonde looks good on her, but there's nothing like her natural dark locks.

She eyes me as if she's trying to read my expression. Too bad for her I've mastered keeping my face void of emotion. I run my fingers through the short locks that frame her heart-shaped face and flip it up at the ends. It's a gentle gesture. One someone might think may lead to something more.

A kiss.

Something heartfelt.

Something romantic.

But that's not what this is, so I simply release her, shut the car door, and stalk inside.