I longed to accept the glass, to let the soothing affects of the alcohol overtake me. Stressful situations proved most challenging to my sobriety.
“And why is that, mia bellezza?”
“I’ve done plenty of drinking to last several lifetimes. I’m done with it.”
“That much drinking at your tender age?”
“Tender age? How young do you think I am?”
“Twenty.”
“Twenty-five.”
“You do not look a day over twenty-one.”
“Well thanks, Any anyway, I’m much happier when I have full control of my senses.
“But losing control can be such a magical experience.” He lightly ran his fingertips from the back of my hand, up my arm, finishing the touch at my neck.
I shivered and my throat went dry.
He smiled, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. “What can I offer you to drink?”
I cleared my throat, but my voice was still hoarse as I replied. “Just water. Please.” I hadn’t even noticed my glass was empty.
“As you wish.” He nodded to the waitress, who was waiting for his command. That’s the only way I can describe it.
She scurried off, abandoning me to Vittorio.
Thankfully, Vittorio turned away from me for a few minutes to grace his other guests with his entrancing conversation skills. It was enough to let me regain some composure yet again. I was exhausted from the emotions racing through my body. What was wrong with me?
I studied the people around me, hoping one might be Courtney, but I saw no one with her facial structure. I sensed this was a very private crowd, and that flashing her picture around would gain me nothing but silence.
All too soon, the waitress returned with my water, and Vittorio again directed his gaze to me.
I couldn’t handle any more of my raging hormones, and fished my phone out of my purse to check the time. It was after midnight. “I really should get going.”
“May I walk you to your car?”
Oh boy. I really didn’t trust myself with him alone. Somehow, I sensed he would not take advantage of me; it was myself I didn’t trust. “Thank you for the offer, but I’ll be fine.” I stood, as did Vittorio. He was more than half a foot taller than me in my high heeled boots, putting him at about 6’6”.
“I hope I shall see you again soon, Elena.” He reached a hand toward my face, and brushed it down my arm, gently clasping my hand in his. He kissed the back of my hand, turning my body to rubber again.
“I expect you will,” I said breathlessly, then fled down the stairs.
CHAPTER THREE
Amazed I made it to the bottom of the stairs without my legs collapsing under me, I pressed my back to the cool stone wall, trying to get control of myself. The bouncer didn’t even glance at me, but forcefully stopped a young couple trying to get past him. The craving for a long pull from a bottle of whiskey seized my body stronger than it had since I started detoxing.
The music had softened with a change of DJs. No one on the floor even glanced at me, but on the balcony Vittorio leaned on the railing, watching me, and blew a kiss. I returned a weak smile, then resumed my walk to the bar.
I wanted to calm my racing heart before driving home. After collapsing onto an empty stool, I flagged down the bartender and asked for a glass of water.
“What on earth did you do to him?” she asked when she handed me the glass.
“What? Who?”
“Vittorio. He’s completely enamored of you.” She grinned.
“How do you know?”
“Felicia, his waitress, told me. She’s been working the VIP area for years. His moods have become second nature to her, even though she never sees him outside the club. She said he’s never reacted to a woman the way he reacted to you.”
Unsure of my ability to form a coherent account of the encounter, I left my reply at, “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? How can you not? What did you say?” She wiped down the bar while we talked.
I drained my water, desperately wishing it was something - anything - alcoholic. “I just went up and introduced myself to him, thanked him for the drink…that was really it.”
“That’s it? You must have said or done something extraordinary.” She nodded to the balcony. I turned my head and saw Vittorio still watching me.
“I promise you I didn’t.”
After waiting on a few more customers, she returned with more water.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Bryn. And you’re Elena.”
“Gossip travels fast here,” I said.
Bryn nodded.
“Alright, Bryn,