Page 23 of Sweet Deception

"First of all, you're huge." I poke him in the chest. "That doesn't make me tiny, only tiny to you. I'm considered average for a woman."

"You're what? Five-six?" He snorts.

"No. I'm five-seven, thank you very much," I huff.

"Ok, Little Bit." Gio rolls his eyes.

"What the fuck are you two bickering about?"

"Sweet mother of all that is holy!" Startled, I wobble in my heels as a pair of hands grab my arms to steady me. Turning around, Rafael is standing less than a foot behind me. The breath rushes out of me, seeing all of his handsomeness up close. Luca is still the hottest one of the bunch, but Gio and Rafael are damn near as good looking.

I'm nervous about how this guy has snuck up on me twice tonight. I've always prided myself on being aware of my surroundings. Having a cop for a father, he taught me that, as well as putting my mom and me in self-defense classes until he was sure we could handle ourselves. I'm realizing what a false sense of security it gave me.

I also realize I've been staring too long when Gio and Rafael stop talking and turn to look at me. Shoot, I have no idea what they'd been saying.

"Uh, hi." I stick my hand out. "You must be Rafael." He places my keys in my hand instead of shaking it. "Oh." I turn to look for where he parked my car, forgetting he drove it here.

"It's across the street under the light post." Rafael tilts his head to indicate behind me. "Your car is one second away from the junkyard, you know that, right?"

Flustered, I ignore the insult to my car. "Thank you. I appreciate you driving it here." He tips his chin down, then glances at Gio with a look I can't decipher before walking around us to climb into the passenger seat without another word.

An unsettling feeling sits in my stomach. I glance at Gio, who's glaring at Rafael through the car window before he masks it and turns to me. He gives me a smile as he extends his hand toward the building. "Come on, Little Bit. Let's get you tucked away." He gently moves me out of the way to shut my door, then walks to the building's entrance, expecting me to follow.

After a quick glance at Rafael, I rush after him. "You don't have to walk me up. I've got it from here."

Gio holds the door open for me and nudges me in when I stop at the door. "One thing you better understand now, Little Bit, anytime you are in our care, wewill escort you to the door. We will open your door and do any manner of things to keep you protected. It's who we are and you're not going to change that."

I glance over my shoulder as we climb the stairs to the second floor. He's checking out our surroundings, reminding me he's Luca's bodyguard. It's his job. Letting it go, I stop in front of my door and stick the key in the lock. Pushing the door open, I turn to him. "All right. Thanks for escorting me home and please tell Rafael I really do appreciate him driving my car here. Good night, Gio."

Gio nods. "Good night. And lock the door."

I smile and playfully roll my eyes as I shut the door and lock it. I wait for his retreating footsteps before I rush to Talia's bedroom door and knock.

"Come in." She waits until I step into her room before asking, "Well?" She's sitting cross-legged on her bed with her laptop and papers spread around her. I'm glad this is one of her nights home so I could talk to her about Luca.

I lean against her doorway and cross my arms. "He's unexpected. Not too old and really good-looking. Maybe too good-looking, but my parents won't question why I'm with him." I'd already shared my concern with Talia that I would be paired with an old man and have to hide him from my dad. No way would he believe this charade otherwise.

She perks up. "Yeah?" She wiggles her eyebrows. "Are we talking politician or business exec good-looking?" She rolls her hand, urging me to give her more detail.

"Uh, more like the sinful kind." Her eyes widen. "I'm not sure what he does. He doesn't look like a politician or a business exec. He dresses like one, but I can't imagine him in either role." I look down at the carpet, frowning.Why didn't I ask what he did for a living?Now that I think about it, we didn't ask each other many questions.

"What's your version of sinful?" Talia asks.

I hesitate in answering. The image of Luca's smolder has me remembering how our first kiss went. I can still taste him on my tongue and that's when heat climbs my cheeks as I look around her room—anywhere but at her.

Until she snorts.

"You should see your face right now."

I roll my eyes, shaking my head at her, but with a smile. "He's very attractive, ok? If you saw him, you would drool. Trust me. You know the actor, Michele Morrone?"

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, but better looking. He's got a harder edge to him, if that makes sense."

"Damn, girl. You got that on your first contract?" She's staring at me with envy.

I lift my shoulder, tuck my chin down and smirk.