CHAPTER SEVEN

The guys somehow secured a small table in the corner of the Boom Box Room which was situated directly across from the dance floor and under the VIP area on the downstairs level. When the ladies returned they were welcomed back with two long glasses of champagne. "Aww thanks David" Emilia smiled, taking the glass and pecking David on the lips thankfully. They sat in the corner on the brown pleated leather couches enjoying drinks and conversation waiting for a familiar song to really start to get loose and dance the remainder of the night away.

"So I hear you work in a bar?" Ricky asked, trying to get to know his date a little better. She smiled, taking another sip of the champagne and playing with the ends of her hair a little nervously. "I did. I was recently let go though, long story really but I'm sure I'll be fine, I'll be back in the workforce in no time hopefully" he nodded taking his glass of beer and raising it to cheers with her, "well here's to you and job searching on Monday" she laughed before clinking their glasses together playfully. At that moment she noticed someone familiar walking from the bar and through to the dance floor. He locked eyes with her but she could not figure out where she knew him from.

Ricci walked upstairs and made his way to his crew who were laughing and enjoying their drinks. "Gio" he called over to Giovanni having a feeling he would like to know who he had just seen back downstairs. "What is it Ricci?"

"That girl we bailed out last night"

"Rosalia? What about her?"

"She's downstairs with another chick and two guys" Ricci reported knowing for sure that was definitely Rosalia. She was much more down up than last night when he saw her in the holding cell but he never forgot a face.

"Bring her up here". All the men suddenly stopped their conversations and drew their attention to Giovanni, Matteo was the first to speak, "you can't bring a lady up here with all of us, she'll probably get intimidated. You don't know her either she's probably with a boyfriend"

"Does it look like I give a shit if she's got a boyfriend Matteo? I'm giving you the wrong impression if it does". He directed his attention back to Ricci encouraging him to leave and retrieve Rosalia.

"Rosalia" she looked up when she heard the young looking guy who had walked by and locked eyes with her just moments earlier. 'So I do know him' she instantly thought to herself looking at him a little intrigued. He smiled and practically ignored everyone else, locking his eyes solely on her. "Ricci" he reminded her gently, witnessing her confusion turning into a smile of relief. She stood up with her glass of champagne and offered him a friendly hug which he accepted. "Giovanni would like to see you"

"He's here?"

"Yes, he's upstairs. I told him I thought I saw you and he just wants to say hi" she nodded then turned her attention to the others who were all looking on quite curiously wondering when they were going to be introduced. "Hey guys I'm just going to say hello to someone, I'll be back soon" she promised locking eyes with Emilia, she knew she wanted to know exactly what was going on but she could not explain in front of Ricci.

She could not think of a time where she felt more uncomfortable than this moment in time. There were only men upstairs, drinking, smoking and laughing. The only women were the ones behind the bar wearing what she believed to be bra and panties.

Giovanni instantly saw the uncomfortable look on her face so he stood up making sure she saw him and motioned her over with his hand smiling. He moved himself closer to the rail and off the couch onto a bar chair.

Rosalia walked over awkwardly suddenly highly aware of the shortness of her dress.

"You look breathtaking" Giovanni revealed kissing her on both cheeks greeting her to their area, "take a seat" he motioned to the other bar stool, she sat down tugging the hem of her dress now wishing she had worn something full length. Giovanni noticed her champagne flute and took it away from her instantly before she could protest. He called over one of the bar ladies and directed her to bring a fresh glass of French champagne.

"That's really not necessary" Rosalia stated feeling a little overwhelmed. "I should be buying you drinks after last night, not the other way around". Really he just suddenly could not stand the thought that another man had purchased that drink for her.

"What brings you to Slippery tonight?" He asked, making conversation while glancing over her silver heels all the way up her legs and thigh until his eyes met her short well fitted dress. "I'm actually on a date" he knew before she even revealed it, there was no way this girl was single. "Oh really? Boyfriend then?" She shook her head, awarding her with his cheeky smirk. "A double date. My best friend insisted on it"

"How is it going so far?"

"Great" she replied wanting to be polite, but he saw straight through her. "Really? Why are you here with me then?" His challenge was unexpected and his tone had purpose. Rosalia bit her bottom lip, smiled and then took a sip of her expensive French champagne. "Ricci told me you wanted to say hi, so here I am, saying hi"

"Hi Rosalia" he teased getting up from his stool and making his way directly in front of her. His shoulders were wide and strong, he towered over her making her look like nothing but a little girl in comparison. Instinctively she held her breath when his hand made contact with her bare thigh resting his palm. She had no idea if he was doing it on purpose or if he had not even realised where his hand was. All she knew was that it was suddenly getting hot in here. "You promised me a drink"

"and here I am, drinking one with you" it almost came out in a whisper. How could he expect her to function when he looked like he did. Strong and powerful yet dangerous and untrustworthy. "Let me take you out" she shook her head from side to side and placed her hand on his chest lightly pushing him away from her. She had not expected his chest to feel as hard as it did. He smiled when he noticed how much she was letting his body affect her. "I'm on a date right now"

"So?" He challenged back without a care in the world. "So that's rude and I should give this guy a shot" she replied now sliding off the stool completely. "Besides" she continued, "you know nothing about me, I'm pretty sure I'm too young for you" she teased catching the attention of Matteo and Antonio who were clearly listening in and now laughing. "Is that right Rosalia?" She nodded, taking another sip of champagne. "You're clearly way older than me. I mean you guys are all hanging out up here drinking and smoking which tells me you're definitely over 30. I'm 25 so it's time for me to make my way to the dance floor for some bumping and grinding" Giovanni shook his head in protest, "I don't dance"

"thought as much" she leaned into him planting a lingering peck on his cheek before meeting his gaze, "I'll be on the dance floor with my date if you want to say bye to me later". With that she took her glass and made her way back downstairs to her friends.