The Carrero Contract - Selling Your Soul (Mafia Romance)

Chapter 147

I throw my third sexy dress on the bed and slump down in a deflated heap, annoyed with myself that I’m doing exactly what I said I wouldn’t do. Prettying myself up for him and stressing over how to dress and what to wear like some sad little teenage idiot on a first date. I can’t believe myself sometimes.

He texted me and told me to be ready for six and to dress casually. Whatever that means. Ironic really, as that was my original plan; to show a lack of effort and now, here I am with a bed full of dresses and he is the one telling me to dress down.

I don’t know if he means casual pretty for somewhere like his Italian restaurant or if he means jeans and sweater casual. I’m not asking him because then he will think I’m keen for tonight and I’m definitely not. This is my first stage of observing and analysing him. Spend time, suss him out and look for all the little acts and niggles that cement whether this is genuine.

I need to be sure I’m not being played, once and for all. Tonight will tell me that, and then maybe if I can suss it out, it will make the decision a whole lot easier.

That’s about as far as I have got with my plans, anyway. Play along, be nice, rile him occasionally, and try to figure him out. Shouldn’t be too hard to tell if it’s fake with some well-placed button pushes to see if his mean side is sleeping or just hiding from me. Alexi can act demure and charming all he wants, but the proof of the pudding and all that is when I make him lose his temper with me. It’s easy to poke that bear—disobedience or just flout the ownership buttons and boom. We have ourselves an Alexi meltdown and immediate sadistic appearance with that temper he struggles to control.

A necessary evil to see how different he really can be. If I have to endure being punished to see him for what he really is then at least I’ll know what my future would be like. I can run and never look back, with no doubt that I was saving myself from a lot of heartache.

I pull on another figure-hugging dress and glance at my clock, cursing myself that it’s almost six and he will show up at any minute. Picking a long jumper dress over skinny jeans, to look like I made zero effort, I re-brush my hair back into its sleek ponytail and turn it into a messy bun. I’m going for the ‘I just threw this on and forgot we had plans’ kind of look, finished with a scarf and flats.

Not my normal ensemble on any given day, but this is not any normal day. And I won’t admit I have been fussing with my appearance for almost two hours, driving myself insane with nerves and indecision.

I touch up my neutral makeup and apply a lip gloss rather than my trademark red lip and scrutinise myself a little too closely. Obsessing, and I know I’m doing it because my nerves are on high alert and I feel ridiculously uncertain.

I look young, pretty girl, almost college student. Not sure I like the look but it’s definitely not screaming seduction of any sort, and I think at the back of my mind, that’s what I was aiming for in reality. I don’t look like I normally do and part of me wants to see if it makes a difference to him. Does a non-sexy and slutty Camilla still make him want to nail me?

Sex is a NO. It’s the one area where I’m not willing to leave myself vulnerable again. Yesterday was stupid and if he truly wants something between us, he will accept I’m taking it off the table, effective immediately. No end date in sight for the time being either. I can make do with BOB should I get horny, and well, I already know he hits the spot every time. You can’t beat a battery-operated boyfriend in times of need.

I walk out of my room, adjusting my jumper as he comes strolling in, right on time, looking unusually happy and bright and smiling my way. Alexi has gone full-on casual and I’m bitterly disappointed that he won’t blink twice at my attire. He’s in grey washed jeans and a tight blue T-shirt under a black leather jacket and a pair of leather boots. Completely casual and now I’m the one annoyed he didn’t make more effort. He doesn’t even look like he shaved and is sporting stubble on that normally clean-shaven face.

I have hit an alternate dimension.

It’s more Gino’s style than Alexi’s. If it wasn’t for that dragon tattoo peeking out at his collar and those grey husky eyes looking my way, I would swear the wrong twin was up here.

“You look cute.” He smiles at me as he bypasses and goes straight into his room without any appraisal. I swear it’s three words no woman ever wants to hear from the mouth of the man she’s dating.

What the fuck is cute when it comes to men?

Puppies are cute! Kid sisters are CUTE!

Women you want to bang senseless are never CUTE!

What the hell is with me? I seem to have more moods than a psycho with PMS and need to get a grip. I dressed down to annoy him, then get pissed because he did too, and now I’m getting hormonal and sulky because he called me cute. I swear I need a Xanax or something to level my emotions out.

If this is what a love confession from Alexi does to you, then maybe I should feign a headache and go to bed. I can feel disaster brewing with how weird I’m being and should really admit defeat before tonight ends in tears.

I thought him being ‘off’ would be my biggest hurdle, but it looks like this is all on me.

He reappears carrying a set of keys in one hand and a messenger bag in the other and I look him up and down quizzically. Student chic seems to be catching and I’m not sure I like it on him.

“You’ll need a warm jacket; we’re taking my bike.” He pulls his bag over his head, still not making any real attempt at checking me out and zips up his jacket while nodding towards my room, and I stare at him.

he doesn’t mean one we pedal, not that either option is better than the other. A petrol guzzling version

irritating wink before turning me and giving me

only fuck it

squeak and instantly feel faint. A cold wash of weakness

on the sidewalk isn’t a good look if we crash.” The tone of his voice is way too serious and I flash back an alarmed gasp his way. Eyes wide

terrify me, and I’m frozen to the spot, gawping like a fool, skin turning cold with lack of blood that just pulls an

me again and this time I trip over my doorway and half jog inside to grab whatever coat seems to have the most padding. Clumsy but distracted and thinking only of skidding along the road to certain death and leaving the imprint of my face on the concrete. I try to shake that visual out of

and I cannot understand

lot longer than his. Praying it covers all vital organs and saves me from certain

in my voice, catches me by the hand firmly and pulls me with him. Not waiting to check if hand holding is something we are doing and yanking me like a disobedient younger sibling who won’t do as they are told. Seems he thinks it is as he laces his fingers through mine securely

with him, so I yelp and almost fall over. I frown at

Arsehole.

behind him, rather aggressively for a guy attempting charm and adoration. I try to wriggle my hand free, but he holds on tighter and flashes me that look of his that says, ‘keep trying, I’m not letting go’. Hints of that controlling prick lurking under the friendly persona, and I narrow my eyes and put one black cross on my mental list for tonight. He

Wanker.

then. Seems that part is not long lasting. Being manhandled like a piece of meat is not my idea of romantic wooing. He has a lot to learn about schmoozing

It’s so rapid I cannot object nor take part; a grazing of lips much like the one in the kitchen last night, and he gets a pointed look so frosty I could

done thing when we aren’t actually a thing.” I point out blandly. Another black cross on my mental list of first date

you, so I’m guessing it’s not really a step too far to do it.” I get that cheeky arrogant smirk and I

you.” I huff and get even more annoyed

At least give me kissing, within reason. As for wanting to date me … looks like you’re here and coming with me, so I have no worries

Arghh, PRICK!

become a negotiation? We had a no touching rule, remember? And it’s hard not to go

dick, inside you yesterday. I think that pretty much neutralises that arrangement.” He shrugs again, in a manly, smug manoeuvre, and I wonder why I tolerate this man;

your idea of wooing me?

endearment if you like, but then I won’t exactly be making myself transparent and as honest as I can for you. It would be fake, and I thought the idea was to gain your trust by letting

although no visible facial expressions to tell if he

like I’m in a dream and it’s slowly turning into one of those uncomfortable daymares.” I point out sarcastically and get an eye to the ceiling in a

to level myself out a little. I can’t do nice without

smile at that, really seeing the funny in those words coming out of that mouth. Who knew that was a term he

would be a topic I would ever have with him or that he could be this funny, and I’m not sure if he meant to be. He has my sense of humour; dry and sarcastic with a completely serious tone. I think I just fell in love with

cheeky sideways glance and I open my mouth in outrage, immediately over the slight adoration I was

at your feet and refer to you as my master.” I cross my arms moodily over my bust, finally losing his hand in mine and it only seems to propel him to the next

bodily by my upper arm and plants

first time since he uttered those three words. Pressing me back against the wall so I’m utterly powerless to him and my legs give way. His body hard against mine and all I can do is

I kiss him back. Tongues warmly sliding together, lips moulded as we find our rhythm. Churning my knickers into

corner of the lift, so I’m bodily trapped rather than propped up, my hands find their own way up the front of his jacket and slide around his strong neck. Savouring the feel of that hard, hot body that moulds to my curves in all the right ways. His

bloody demon, gets inside of every part of you while making love to

to look back over his shoulder, grinning wickedly, like the cat who got the cream. He knew what he was doing, and he is high fiving himself mentally that he

him under my

assume we are on the ground floor and in full view

captures my hand as his prisoner once more and pulls me with him, even though my unsteady legs almost give out as soon as I’m released. We pass two security, dressed all in

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