Chapter Twenty

Knox

As much as Bianca and I wanted to meet up in Milan, it was like the world was conspiring against us.

My flight had been delayed.

Joann had gotten sick and wasn’t leaving her hotel room in London.

Alicia’s grandmother, who lived alone, had fallen down the stairs. One broken leg later, she had refused to go to a nursing facility for her recovery and rehab, so Alicia was on a plane home to be with her and try to talk some sense into her.

But what I think won the award for worst thing to happen—Angelo was here getting ready for the Bellissima party tomorrow.

That meant no matter how badly I wanted to see Bianca, I had to push it all aside and attend the shows I was invited to.

That was the whole reason I was in Milan, after all—for work. And it worked out, too, because I got a big-name designer to sign with the blog for top banner ads for an entire year. That was as good as it got, in my opinion. Top banner ads were premium real estate on the site. Side banner ads were often overlooked, and center ones got caught in the middle of a blog, so people usually skipped right passed them. That was what I tried to communicate to all my potential advertisers, which was probably why top banners were the most popular for me.

Tonight I didn’t want to think about work, though, because I was finally out with Bianca. But not just Bianca. Her sisters and Perla’s husband, Frankie, who I’d first met back at the hotel when they’d picked me up, were coming, too. Even with it being a group thing, I was counting it as a win.

Bianca and I strolled behind the rest of the group as we walked up to the bar. She smelled like vanilla and jasmine and was temptation personified in a short black dress that hugged her in all the right places.

When we were out of earshot, I leaned over and whispered, “That dress is going to be the death of me.”

She bit the inside of her lip. “What would you say if I told you that’s exactly why I chose it?”

Stuffing my hands safely in my pockets, so I wouldn’t have to worry about being held accountable for my actions, I inhaled deeply. “I would say, you told your father we were just friends, and the thoughts I’m having right now about ripping that dress off of you aren’t ones I should be having for my friend .”

Bianca’s hands came around my bicep and she moved close to me. So very close. “I wouldn’t hate it if we were friends with benefits,” she said, lashes aflutter.

It was an intriguing thought, but one I’d never entertained about Bianca. It felt wrong, like she deserved more. “Do you want to be friends with benefits?”

Volleying the question back to me, she asked, “Do you?”

That wasn’t a simple question, though—Angelo had made sure of that. “I keep telling myself that all I need is one kiss from you, that I’d be satisfied with that, but I know I’m being na?ve.” We stopped walking then, just outside the bar, and I took her by her shoulders, letting my fingers run down the soft, exposed skin of her arms as I promised her, “Once I taste you, I’m going to need to finish you off, and then you’ll be mine.”

* * *

Bianca

My mind was screaming: Yes, yes, yes! That was all I wanted. Forget the bar, let’s go back to my room.

But as much as I liked Knox, it was complicated, and I didn’t think I had to remind you why.

Then I had to go and make things more complicated by saying we were just friends. Knox was right—the things I wanted him to do to me were anything but friendly.

I swallowed, and finally responded to his comment about making me his, deciding I rather enjoyed playing with fire—“Then you’re really not going to like this.” As he opened the door to the bar finally, letting me go first, I threw over my shoulder in a low voice, “I’m not wearing any underwear.”

* * *

Knox

She knew exactly what she was doing when she said that.

And the last thing I needed was for my buddy to salute everyone in the bar.

I raked a hand through my hair and walked beside her, in-sync with her steps once again, trying to think about anything but what was under that dress. Or rather what wasn’t. “What exactly are you trying to accomplish, Bianca?”

She gave me an innocent look. She’s anything but innocent. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Knox.” Then she looked down and smiled before her eyes met mine again. “You might want to keep things under control, though. We wouldn’t want my family to. . . well, you know.”

Oh, that did it.

She thought she would try to break me tonight. But she had no idea the game she was playing.

“I ordered a round of shots,” Maria announced, her eyes landing on me. “But I ordered a beer for you and Frankie. Hope that’s okay.”

I nodded and leaned on the bar. “Fine with me. Thank you.” It’d help me keep my wits about me where a certain vixen was concerned.

“Good to see you again,” Allie said to me, smiling.

“Likewise. It’s been a long time.”

Maria smiled and agreed, “That it has.”

So it appears they’re going to ignore the elephant in the room—fine by me.

“Where are Perla and Frankie?” Bianca asked suddenly, looking around.

I placed a hand on Bianca’s back as we turned around.

“Doing what they do best,” Allie answered, rolling her eyes. She tilted her head toward a table where they were already seated. “Those two can’t keep their hands to themselves.”

One look over my shoulder and I saw what Allie was saying. Perla was sitting on her husband’s lap, turned to face him, playing with the hair on the back of his neck as she threw her own head back in laughter. Newlyweds, I thought. They always did say the honeymoon phase lasted longer for some.

Frankly, I could relate. Bianca and I weren’t even together, and I wished that was us. I wished she was on my lap, purring in my ear as I—

“So you’re going to see Dad tomorrow,” Maria noted as the bartender poured their shots. Talking about Angelo practically erased all thoughts I’d previously been having about Bianca and what I wanted to do with her. “Are you ready for that, Knox?”

Let’s be real, it was practically public knowledge at this point that Angelo did not like me. I, personally, had no beef with the man, but I didn’t like the way he was trying to take control of Bianca’s life. Again.

Bianca looked up at me expectantly and I shrugged. “It’ll be fine.” But when I looked down at Bianca, I couldn’t help but notice she didn’t look as confident. Assuring only her now, I spoke directly to her—“Really, it’s going to be fine.”

Allie passed Bianca a shot glass while Maria gave me my beer. “Thank you,” I told her before taking a swig of it and lifting Frankie’s from the bar to pass to him as the happy couple walked up to join us finally.

Bianca held her glass in the air. “I say we make a toast.”

With the beer in one hand, Frankie snaked his other arm around Perla’s waist as he stood behind her. “What are we toasting to?” Perla asked, her eyes practically dancing as she lifted her glass from the bar.

“To family and friends,” Bianca said simply, before we all raised our drinks and I heard a round of, “ Salud !” as I said, “Cheers.”

Bianca looked over at me sweetly before hitting back the shot.

Allie hit the top of the bar before gesturing with her hands in a circle, as though trying to rally cattle. “Well, I vote we split up for a few minutes. I need some girl time with my sisters.”

I cocked a brow and Maria must’ve caught it because she said, “Come on, boys, just a few minutes. You go secure our table and we’ll be right there.”

Neither of us ready to put up a fight, Frankie and I took our leave and walked away.

Patting my back, he said, “They won’t be long.”

I took another swig from my beer before responding. “Let me guess, they do this sort of thing often?”

He nodded, chuckling at just how green I was when it came to being around all of them at once (not with envy, more like new to it). “Something like that. They’re a close bunch, but once you’re in, you’re in.”

“So how did you get involved with a Morelli sister?”

“That’s a long story, but the short version? Who can resist a Morelli sister?”

Now that was something I understood all too well.

* * *

Bianca

“I envy those who can pull off red lipstick.” I pouted as I traced my bottom lip with my finger. “I’m talking about you, Perla.”

Perla chuckled, leaning against the bar as another small crowd walked up. I didn’t know what it was about bars that made us comfy, but over the years we’d had some seriously great moments in them. Frankly, now that I thought about it, some of our best memories had taken place in bars or clubs. Okay, so that was weird, but also super fun, if you asked me.

I turned and leaned against the bar myself, my eyes finding the boys.

“You can get away with red lipstick, too,” Perla responded.

I raised a brow and nudged her slightly. “That’s not true. That’s why I always stick to pink. Now that’s a color that’s my friend.”

“I like nude,” Maria put in and spun her empty glass. “Okay, so what gives? Why are we over here when they’re over there?”

Allie leaned forward and sighed. “No one asked me, but I’m actually trying this new burgundy,” she supplied. “What do you guys think?” She puckered, pouted, pursed them, and then smiled.

Lip models watch out, Allie Morelli is coming for your job.

I blew a kiss. “It makes them look kissable.”

“Extra kissable,” Perla agreed, and we both started laughing.

Allie turned to Maria. “What do you think, Maria? Do you agree with them? Burgundy or no burgundy?”

Maria nodded. “Definitely burgundy.” Then she leaned forward and declared, “I think my natural lip color changed.”

I turned and placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to shift her to look at me. “What do you mean? Can that happen?”

“I heard it can with age,” Perla said, and I turned to see her shrug. “But I read that on the Internet, so who knows for sure.”

Maria blew bubbles. “I don’t know,” she started, fluffing the bottom of her brown locks with her hand. “But I used to look good in bright pink, like you, Bianca, and now I’m wearing nude more and more these days because it’s the only color that looks good on me.”

Allie giggled. “All this talk about lips, I wonder what Bianca’s thinking about Knox’s,” she said and turned to me, an eyebrow hitched.

Maria chuckled and ordered another round of shots. “Yeah, the way Knox went all caveman when you two got here. I’d say it’s driving him crazy that you’re with us and not him.”

I raised a brow and fixed the hem of my dress, pulling it down. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Come on.” Maria practically groaned, widening her eyes. “He scanned the bar for about two seconds before putting his hand on you to claim you.”

Perla laughed. “She’s not wrong. Frankie’s the same way. It’s his way of telling the entire bar, she’s mine .”

I rolled my eyes. I wished that were the case, but things weren’t as simple for us as they had been for Frankie and Perla. It wasn’t black and white. There was some gray area where Knox and I were concerned.

I smacked my lips together. “Sorry, girls, but you’re looking too much into this one. Knox and I are just friends.”

Allie feigned snoring before I slapped her shoulder and she opened her eyes. “Sorry,” she said, a hand on her hip now, “that line is starting to put me to sleep. And that’s exactly why we needed some girl time to talk about absolutely nothing—to drive him nuts.”

When I noticed all my sisters eyes were on me, I threw my hands up and whispered, “What do you want me to say?” I looked at each of them in turn. “I’ve got two words for you, or rather names”—I popped a finger up for each one—“Daddy and Rina.”

Perla gave me a concerned look. “Oh, sis, Rina’s still in the picture?”

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Knox insists there’s nothing going on and he feels nothing for her anymore, but I don’t know.” I shrugged, looking down at my feet. I tried not to dwell on it too much because I couldn’t change it, and I knew what I’d signed up for when I told Knox I wanted him, even if Rina was going to fight for him. “It’s nothing like you see in the movies.”

“I’m sure,” Allie said. “It’s probably worse because you’re living it.“

I leaned my head on Maria’s shoulder and she patted the top of it. “I do like Knox, though.”

“Oh, we remember,” Maria said, and I looked up at her eyeing Allie and Perla suggestively.

“It wasn’t like that. I mean, we never gave into anything back then,” I defended. “Rina had broken up with him, he was working at Bellissima .”

Allie rolled her eyes. “And like a bad rash, Rina is back. She never seems to take a hint.”

“And now you’re stuck in a love triangle,” Perla stated the obvious.

I stood on my own two feet and licked my lips before lifting my shot glass to my lips and downing it. “It could be a cool story to tell our—”

Perla’s mouth fell open as she wagged a finger in the air at me. “Were you about to say—”

I cut her off before she could finish her thought. Gasping, I lied, “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.”

Allie leaned forward and whispered. “If I was a betting gal, I’d say before the night is up you two are going to have sex.”

My sisters all burst out laughing and I swatted Allie’s arm, making sure to keep my voice low as I eyed Knox over Maria’s head. “Stop it. Knox and I are not having sex tonight.” I brought a finger to my lips and bit down on the tip, the alcohol going to my head. “At least I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t.”

* * *

Knox

“So, Bianca, huh?” Frankie asked as he set his bottle down and nodded in the girls’ direction. They were currently huddled together, laughing about something.

I peered back at Frankie and smiled. “Yeah. We used to be friends. I don’t know how much you heard, but it was a long time ago.”

Frankie laughed. “You forget I’m married to Perla, I heard it all. And listen, for what it’s worth, two years isn’t that long ago.”

I shrugged and sat back in my seat. “In some ways it feels like no time at all and then in others, I wonder if I’m deluding myself,” I said and thought about Bianca. Things were so hard where we were concerned—figuratively speaking, of course, don’t be dirty. I had to wonder, though, if maybe we were never meant to be anything more than passing friends.

Eyeing me closely, Frankie leaned forward, his arms coming to rest on the table. “There’s definitely a but in there somewhere.”

I sighed and decided right now Frankie was as good as it got to being my friend. Plus, he was actually here and knew what was going on, so I confessed what was on my mind—“It just isn’t so easy.”

“Nothing ever is,” Frankie said, chuckling at me. “Besides, it’s Bianca we’re talking about. I love her like a sister, but you’ll never be bored with that one and I think you know that.”

He wasn’t wrong. “Don’t I know it.”

“So maybe it won’t be as difficult as you think, that’s all I’m saying.” He picked up his bottle again, finishing it off as the girls made their way over to our table.

One by one they all sat down, except Bianca.

I turned to Perla, who had been walking with Bianca, but was now sitting on Frankie’s lap again. “What’s she doing?” I asked when I saw Bianca stopped to talk to another man— ugh, a slimy Italian man —who I’d noticed entered a few minutes before. I must’ve missed him making a move on Bianca, though.

Perla rolled her eyes. “He stopped her. She talks to everyone; it’s her fatal flaw.”

Maria said something then, but I didn’t hear her. The blood rushing to my head made it impossible for me to hear anything clearly.

I couldn’t tell if what I was witnessing was just talking or flirting. But when I saw his hand wrap around her arm and she stepped back ever so slightly, I knew it was the former. I felt like a jerk for thinking she’d flirt with some other guy right in front of my face, but wasn’t going to dwell on it because she obviously needed me to remove the Italian leech.

I pushed out my chair and stood. “Excuse me a moment,” I said and heard her sisters oooh behind me.

I had no idea what this guy was thinking, but I was about to set him straight. By the time I crossed the small bar and reached them, my jaw was clenched so tight I thought I’d crack my molars. “Get your hand off my girl before I remove it from your arm,” I said, skipping all niceties.

Bianca’s eyes shot in my direction, wider than ever. “Knox.”

When the guy didn’t remove his hand, I repeated myself and was prepared to pry him off her. But Bianca stepped back, her arm brushing mine now, and his hand fell.

“ Scusa . I didn’t know she was-a with you,” he said in broken English and put his hands up in a mean-no-harm gesture.

“It’s okay, Raphael,” she said. The she switched to Italian as she added, “ Grazie per l'invito. ”

He walked away, continuing toward the bar, and Bianca and I were left standing there. I looked down at her. “What was that about?” I squinted, more than a little pissed that she was telling that dirtbag that it was okay. It was not okay. No one put a hand on my girl unless they wanted to slurp their food through a straw.

She looked up, her eyes searching mine. What? What did she want from me? She couldn’t have genuinely believed I wouldn’t come over as soon as I saw that man’s hand glued to her. “He invited me to dinner, so I thanked him.”

Placing my hand on her back, I moved her to face me directly. “I hope you told him no.” I felt my jaw tick, so I commanded it to stop. Yeah, Frankie was right, I’ll never be bored with Bianca. Dare I say I might just have my hands full with her.

“Of course I declined before you came up and acted like a neanderthal, if you must know.” Then she reached up and trailed my jawline with her finger, amusement coloring her expression. “Who knew you were a jealous man, Knox Rhodes?”

Even to my own ears, my voice sounded gravelly when I answered, “I’m not jealous, Bianca. I’m a man who doesn’t like to share.”

She outlined my lips with her finger before pulling back and laying the same finger on her own pink lips. “When it comes to your girl ,” she said, her eyes turning dark—darker than their already liquid chocolate.

Man, did I say that aloud? What is wrong with me? It’s one thing to think it, but a whole other to say it aloud. I know the rules.

Before I could answer, she added, “I have to say, I don’t hate that.”

Snaking my arm around her waist, I pulled her close, our bodies touching. Her lips were a breath away from my own, but I didn’t dare press mine against them. “Yeah, well, I don’t think you would’ve liked seeing what I was about to do to that guy—”

“Raphael,” she said smartly.

I narrowed my gaze and continued, “—that guy, if he didn’t remove his hand from your body.”

Reaching up on her tiptoes, she whispered in front of my mouth, “I think I might’ve.”