Seduced by the Italian Billionaire by C J Howard Read Free Book Online

took a step closer to him. "The other one percent of things Enzo says when he's drinking -- is that truth? Could it be that his talk about a bet wasn't just some alcohol-fueled rambling? Benito?"
                He finally looked at me, his expression pained. "Felicia, some things are better left in the past. Some things are better unexplained."
                "I disagree. If this bet concerns me and you, and how we got together, then I want to hear it. I deserve to hear it. And I'm not going to back down and settle for leaving whatever it's about in the past."
                Benito didn't speak right away, and when he did, his voice was low and filled with emotion.
                "I can't lose you."
                The knots in my stomach became even tighter than they already were.
                "So this bet is something so serious that you're afraid of losing me if the truth about it comes out? You better tell me everything about this bet, before you lose me anyway. You mean everything to me, and I love you with all my heart and then some, but I'm certainly not the kind of person who will stay in a relationship where people keep secrets from each other."
                Benito sighed, his broad shoulders slumping. "You're right. Keeping secrets is no way to continue building a relationship. I feel the same, and you deserve better. You're completely right. I'll tell you everything."
                Just then, a couple breezed by us on their way to the bar, and Benito waited until they were well out of earshot to continue.
                "Here's the truth, Felicia, and I apologize in advance. I apologize sincerely, and I hope you can forgive me." He took a deep breath. "The night we met at the club, Enzo and I had already had a few drinks before even arriving. We got to joking. He bet me that I couldn't get a girl into bed that night without saying that I'm a billionaire."
                The room seemed to spin.
                "He  -- what?"
                "It was a stupid bet, on so many levels. The first and not the least being that I'm not an ugly man, and I've never had a problem getting women into bed even without saying I'm a billionaire, which, I've never even used that to get a woman into bed anyway. Like I said, a stupid bet on so many levels. But a little intoxicated as we were, it seemed funny to us at the time, as many stupid, ordinarily unfunny things can seem when people are drinking,   and  Enzo knows I'm a sucker for taking a bet, and he gets a kick out of it. So  I --’’  Benito ran his hands over his face, choking back a groan. "I'm so sorry, Felicia. Please believe me. I know this is terrible."
                My words came through gritted teeth.
                "Please continue. From 'So I.' So you what , Benito?"
                He winced, taking a deep breath before continuing. " So I -- I noticed how you were looking at me when I helped you and Tasha into the club. You had a little smile in your eyes, like maybe you were interested in me. And then I noticed you looking at me again from the dance floor. And as I already found you attractive anyway, and thought you might be quite nice to sleep with, I --"
                "You what? Decided I'd be your first target?"
                Benito didn't answer, his gaze on the ground. My hands balled into fists.
                "This is amazing. Our relationship is based on some stupid, lame bet. It's based on me being your first target. It's based on you tricking me. This is just great. What a romantic way to begin things."
                "I'm so sorry, Felicia. I couldn't feel like any more of an absolute ass right now."
                Scenes of that night in the club flashed through my mind, and I gasped, having a sudden revelation.
                "Oh, my gosh. This all makes