She looked a lot like the old Savannah. The Savannah he’d been crazy about. The one who always had a ready smile, was quick to laugh and who offered her affection freely.
The reserved, angry Savannah was someone he didn’t know.
She seemed a little nervous and unsure as she came to stand by the bar, and he hated that there was a tangible barrier between them. Before she wouldn’t have hesitated to launch herself into his arms and give him one of her big, squeezing hugs.
Now? He ached to get close enough to her that she didn’t withdraw.
“You ready?” he asked, forcing a casual note into his voice.
She nodded. He put his hand to her back, noting the expanse of flesh bared by the sundress. Rosa had done well. The dress fit her like a dream, molding in all the right places. The bodice was held up by ends tied at the nape of her neck; but her flesh was bare all the way down to the small of her back.
Where his palm rested, he itched to caress and stroke until she responded to him, until he proved that the attraction between them hadn’t died.
As they looked over their menus when they got to the restaurant, Matt stole a glance at Savannah. Seeming to sense his perusal, she looked up and offered a tentative smile. He smiled back, captivated by the sparkle in her blue eyes.
She was…beautiful. And this time when she looked at him, he didn’t see the dark anger that had sparked so often since their reunion.
The moment came to a shrieking halt a second later.
“Matt! What are you doing here?” The feminine voice rang out over the secluded area, making him wince and Savannah jump in surprise.
He glanced up to see Leila Donavan bearing down on their table and he muttered an appropriate expletive under his breath.
As she approached the table, he rose to return her greeting. He brushed a polite kiss over her cheek when she presented it to him and tried to extricate his hand from hers when she grabbed on to it.
“I’m here on business. The question is, what are you doing here?” he asked.
Her laughter tinkled out like fine china. “Oh, Ermmm, I’m actually here with Enzo. He told me he was here and that he needed some company. I gotta say, Matt, this is one of my favorite places to visit. I just love it here and I’m so glad that I came. The food is just divine, and I honestly can’t wait to visit that island of yours… I was actually gonna call you because Enzo told me that you were here too.” As she said that she turned to Savannah who was eyeing Leila warily. “Who is this, Matt?” she asked.
Like hell she didn’t know who Savannah was and like hell she just happened to be here because Enzo invited her. She was shockingly transparent and didn’t seem to give a damn. That could only mean she was here to cause trouble. His mother’s name was written all over this and he was so furious he wanted to strangle Leila’s skinny neck. And then move on to his mother.
He never should have informed his mother that he was with Savannah. But that wouldn’t have mattered because Enzo would have told her anyways. Just great, he thought. Now this was going to ruin the little understanding he and Savannah were beginning to have. It was just too early for all this drama.
He’d hoped… Well, it didn’t really matter what he’d hoped. Leila was here and it was apparent it wasn’t some damn coincidence.
“Leila, meet Savannah Carson. Savvie, this is an acquaintance of mine, Leila Donavan.” He said.
Leila’s smile was dazzling and she playfully fluttered her fingers at Matt. “Oh la, darling. Surely I rate higher than an acquaintance.” She said.
Savannah’s eyes narrowed and Matt decided that politeness was overrated.
“We’re having a private lunch, Leila. If you’ll excuse us, please?” he said.
Undaunted, Leila entwined her arm in his and her voice dropped to a low purr. “We must get together while we are here. Perhaps have dinner ourselves. Spend some time together, you know. I can’t be in a place as amazing as this and not enjoy everything about it. And who better to do that with if not you. I was so sorry to have missed you the last time I had dinner with your mother. I do love her so.”
Matt extricated himself from her grasp and stepped back a few paces from her. “I’m afraid my time here is spoken for,” he said. “Perhaps when we return to New York, Savannah and I can have you over for dinner.”
He said the last pointedly, not that he really expected it to deter Leila. It wasn’t his fault she was as thick as a brick.
Leila’s eyes flashed with annoyance and her finely painted lips formed a full pout. “Really, darling, when did you decide to take back the little cheater?” she said, suddenly letting go of her fake smile.
Savannah face blanched and she threw down her napkin. Matt’s hand shot up to silence Leila. “You know, I’ve had about enough. It’s time you left us alone. Give my regards to my mother, and while you’re at it, tell her to stay the hell out of my affairs. Advice you’d be well advised to take as well.” He said angrily.
She twisted her pouty lips and ran a well-manicured set of nails down the lapel of his suit. “No need to get huffy, darling. I know you have to be polite to her after what she did. People will take advantage of you if you are too good. But just a little advice, you deserve better Matt. See you later.”
With a careless wave, she walked gracefully away, leaving Matt so furious that he wanted to hurl his chair across the room. But his anger had nothing on the fury flashing in Savannah’s eyes when he turned to see her standing in front of her seat, her fists clenched and pressed to the top of the table.
Great, he thought. This was just great.