Page 30 of Code of Honor (Spontagio Family 1)

“Oh God. More amusing than me dancing? Is that even possible?” I say, and laugh. She takes my hand, a spark jolting through me. “Where are we going?” I ask, leaving some bills on the table.

“You’ll see,” she grins, leading me out of the restaurant. We walk down the road. I eye her suspiciously as she slows to a stop outside The Colonial Hotel, a luxury hotel well known for its rich and famous clientele and the sprawling fountain situated on the front gardens. I glance at her and see her smile is widening as she looks from me to the fountain. Then it hits me.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I laugh. “You want me to go in there?”

“Skinny-dip, to be precise.” she grins. Cocking her head, she stands in front of me, her arms crossed over her chest. “Unless you’re too scared?”

“This is low, even for you,” I grumble. I unzip my jacket and throw it on the grass.

“Come on, stop dragging it out.” She smiles, biting her lip to keep from laughing.

I lift my shirt over my head and dump it on top of my jacket. Scowling at her, I unzip my pants, sliding them down my legs. I kick off my shoes, and then my pants.

“Uh, the boxers, too.” She giggles, placing a hand over her mouth.

“Turn around, then,” I retort. “Unless you’re planning to flash yourself to me, you don’t get to see my junk.” Reluctantly, she turns around. I drop my boxers and run for the fountain to the sound of her laughter, praying to God the hotel’s security guards are otherwise occupied.

“Nice ass,” she calls out, clapping.

; I jump over the side and sing into the water, the freezing temperature shocking my body. I’m so fucking cold I can’t even feel my extremities, and that includes my cock.

“You coming in?” I call out.

“God, no,” she says. “What am I, insane?”

“Weak.” I taunt her.

“Weak?” she repeats, narrowing her eyes. Slowly, she walks toward my clothes, gathering each piece, one by one.

“What are you doing?” I ask nervously.

She turns and winks at me. “Night, Pietro. You know where I live. I’ll see you back at the apartment,” she adds sweetly.

“Hey, no, don’t leave! What about my clothes?” I ask, hurdling the fountain’s edge, my hand cupped over my junk, running after her as she doubles over laughing.

“Here.” She tosses me my underwear, laughing. I struggle into them, following her down the sidewalk, my eyes pleading her for more. She tosses me my shirt next, not even trying to contain her amusement.

“You’re loving this, aren’t you?” I grumble, catching my pants as she throws them at me. I jump into them, ignoring the alarmed looks I’m getting from people passing by. She hands me my shoes, and I shrug them on as I’m walking. We take a cab the rest of the way to her apartment. Luce waves at her doorman, who looks at me suspiciously.

“He’s okay,” she assures him, laughing. “He only looks like a serial killer.”

Still laughing, she gets into the elevator with me behind her. My clothes cling to my damp body. I’m freezing, but I refuse to give her the satisfaction of knowing that.

“Maybe you should take a shower.”

She giggles as we enter her apartment. I glare at her, which makes her laugh even harder.

“What? I don’t want you getting sick.”

“Oh, is that why you made me walk halfway back in my boxers?” I ask, my tone dry.

“I’m sorry,” she says, biting her lip.

“No, you’re not,” I reply. I take a step toward her. Reaching up, I smooth her hair behind her ear. “You looked so beautiful dancing tonight,” I murmur. “It was worth freezing my ass off to see you like that.”

A lump forms in my throat. I so badly want to kiss her—and I’m sure she feels the same. My heart pounds as I gaze into her eyes and inch my lips toward hers. She’s so close I can feel her breath against mine. I’ve waited for this moment for so long and it’s finally going to happen.