CHAPTER 9

 

 

Fawn felt Danny’s hand inch below to the small of her back, grazing the top of her bum as they walked into Rosetta’s Ravioli, she wondered for the first time if she had made a mistake cancelling with Seth.

At least with Seth she didn’t wonder about his intentions, she knew from the start he desired her.

With Danny she had experienced a mere flicker of attraction and easy conversation the previous times they had met, yet tonight he was different.

Ever since he had picked her up from the hotel, charm had been slathered on generously. Compliments spewed from his mouth as easily as his hands had roamed to her back and drifted lower.

Fawn brushed it off and smiled at Danny as the waiter showed them to their seats. The restaurant was alive with patrons and music. Fawn could immediately distinguish the locals from the tourists. The locals sat in groups and leaned between tables, greeting each other and sharing stories. The tourists merely sat at their own tables minding their own business. The scents of garlic, cheese and Italian sausages hung in the air and Fawn could feel her stomach flip excitedly at the thought.

Fawn had barely placed her clutch on the table when Danny spoke.

“You look beautiful tonight.” His eyes slowly traveled from her face to her chest.

Fawn had spent the afternoon lost in lyrics and had only caught sight of the time shortly before Danny was to arrive. She had hastily grabbed a black cocktail dress from the closet and spent less than ten minutes on her face and hair before reception had rung her advising her of Danny's arrival. Yet now she wished she had worn something else, or to be more specific, something more than the little black dress that dipped deep in the valley of her breasts. “Thank you.”

“What would you like to drink?” He asked as he beckoned the waiter for their order.

“Just sparkling water for me thanks.” Fawn answered as she looked through the menu.

“Are you sure? I’m ordering a bottle of red wine; it goes great with the Italian food.” Danny’s green eyes sparkled with confidence as he gave their order to the waiter.

Once the waiter had left Fawn smiled at him. “Maybe I’ll have a glass of wine with my dinner. I don’t like to drink on an empty stomach.”

“I don’t have a problem with that.” Danny laughed at his own joke.

He noticed Fawn’s surprised look at his words and quickly recovered. “I was just kidding.”

The waiter placed the menus in front of them and left to collect their beverage orders.

Opening the menu, Fawn scanned all the items listed. Everything looked delicious. From the spaghetti and meatballs to the Carbonara, and of course Fawn couldn’t help but look over the variety pizzas. “Wow. They have quite a varied menu of dishes on here.” She said almost to herself.

“Yeah. Rosi’s is great! Ever since Cayden took over from his parents he redid the menu and actually even opened a few franchises.”

“That’s quite impressive. What would you suggest I try?” Fawn asked debating between Carbonara and a Mediterranean Pizza.

“If you don’t mind the garlic the pizzas are great. But then again the pasta is just as good.” Danny smiled at her as he reached for her hand. “Otherwise we can order one of each and share.” His voice lowered an octave. “I wouldn’t mind sharing with you.” The suggestion was clear in his voice. Instead of feeling aroused by his words, Fawn felt uncomfortable.

She had a strange feeling tonight wasn’t going to be as easy and comfortable as she had hoped. “Don’t worry; I think I’ll go with the Carbonara.”

Danny leaned back as the waiter arrived. He poured Fawn’s water into a glass setting it in front of her. He expertly opened the bottle of wine and poured a little in the glass waiting for Danny to taste.

Danny nosed and breathed the wine before taking a large sip. “Perfect, thank you.” He nodded at the waiter. “The lady will have the Carbonara and I’ll have the Seafood Pizza, extra garlic, and extra cheese.” Danny reached across the table for Fawn’s menu and handed both menus to the waiter before dismissing him with a curt nod.

“So…” Danny said watching Fawn over the rim of his glass as he swirled the wine inside. “What’s it like to be FAWN?”

Fawn was so caught off guard by the question she nearly spilled the water from her glass. “What do you mean?”

“Tell me about it. The shows, the fans,” he leaned forward slightly before continuing. “The money?” As he sat back waiting for her answer he drained the wine from his glass and refilled it himself.

Fawn felt an urge to stand up and leave, but knew anyone would be curious what it was like to be her. So she decided to give him the unvarnished version she never gave the press or her fans. “Well it’s hard. I’ve been on a diet for about three years; I exercise every day of my life. I’m in the studio rehearsing most days and as for the fans they’re relentless. I’ve got absolutely no privacy, and if I’m seen with any man the next day the press speculates if I’m engaged.”

“But the money makes it worth it I’m sure?” Danny asked softly.

Fawn tilted her head watching him. She wasn’t sure if he wanted her bank balance or a ticket to fame. She leaned forward on the table before answering him. “The money isn’t everything. If you have no privacy, no time for yourself and no choice about what you sing, the money is hardly worth it.”

Danny looked momentarily shocked by her blunt honesty. “Then why do you do it?”

“Because I love music.” The words were as simple as the truth. Fawn couldn’t imagine doing anything else with her life.

“So are you here planning another show?” Danny asked as he caught sight of Dom at a corner table. “I know you’ve got a bodyguard with you.”

“No, I’m on holiday. Why, were you hoping there would be a rogue press photographer that would catch us together?” Fawn joked but as soon as she did she saw the expression on Danny’s face. It was clear that was exactly what he had hoped for.

“Right.” Danny said awkwardly knowing he’d been caught out.

Dread settled heavily on Fawn’s shoulders knowing for sure Danny had only asked her out hoping to be photographed. At least with Seth she knew he didn’t care about the publicity.

He didn’t care about her fame or her money, he only cared about her. Fawn Di Maggio.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be right back.” Danny said into the awkward silence that had befallen the table.

And Seth wouldn’t run away when things became awkward Fawn thought as she watched Danny rush to the men’s room.

A movement across the table caught her eye and she turned back surprised to see Danny’s chair was pulled out roughly and swiveled around before Seth straddled it, resting his arms on the back of the chair before smiling at Fawn ironically. “I see you got your space and your time to write.”

As his steel grey eyes bore into hers, Fawn felt shame over lying to him but it was quickly replaced with the quiver of anticipation whenever Seth was near.

Yet she wouldn’t give into her body and its desires. “Yes I did thank you. Last time I checked I was free to decide with whom and where I have my dinner.”

He looked as good as the first time she saw him. The black t-shirt he wore stretched over the muscles of his arms. Stubble glinted gold on his skin, and Fawn couldn’t help but wonder if it would scratch or tickle if she kissed him now. His eyes held the danger and excitement that had made her invite him to her room that first night as he watched her. He ran his tongue over his lower lip. She could feel warm heat pool low in her belly at the action.

When he spoke again his voice was lower, the anger clear. “You’re free as a bird Fawn; it’s the lying I don’t appreciate.”

“I didn’t lie.” Fawn lied easily, hoping to come across impassive. “I merely realized I did have time for dinner tonight and chose another companion.”

“Bullshit!” Seth barked in low voice over the table, before reaching for her hand. “You chose to go out with Danny because he’s safe and because you don’t tremble when he touches you.”

Fawn tried to suppress the bolt of desire at the touch of his hand. “That is not true. I chose to go out with Danny because he’s not a self important spoiled little rich boy. He actually has a job.” Fawn bit back.

“A job? Danny is a bum surfer and his dad’s a drunk. He only works in the fishing tackle shop about one shift a week to cover their rent.” Seth watched as surprise and anger collided on Fawn’s face. “Besides if you have a problem that I don’t have an official job, why didn’t you say so? I just spent all day at the hotel working, just because I don’t have a title and working hours doesn’t mean I don’t work Fawn.”

“You still get to do whatever you want because you don’t need the money and daddy’s the boss.” Fawn whispered furiously as she snatched her hand from his grip.

“Yes Fawn.” Seth said taking her hand in his again before meeting her eyes. “You also don’t need the money and yet you do what everybody else wants you to?”

Seth let go of her hand and rested his arms on the back of the chair again watching her.

“Don’t be mean Seth.” Fawn said softly.

“You’re the one that lied to me to get out of a date, now who’s being mean?” Seth challenged.

“I’ve been with guys like you; I know this isn’t going to work.” Fawn hissed trying to convince Seth as much as herself.

“How do you know? Did they get you? Because I get you Fawn.” Seth’s voice grew softer, his eyes burning with desire across the table.

“You don’t get me.” Fawn said softly.

“You and I both know money isn’t everything. There are things money can’t buy Fawn. Things like trust, loyalty, desire, passion and destiny. All things you and I need but know no matter how much money we have, we can’t ever buy them.”Seth said watching her.

Fawn wanted to argue the point but knew she couldn’t. With his steel grey eyes Seth had looked into her soul and learned of her deepest desires and darkest fears.

Feeling rattled by his revelation Fawn stood up and grabbed her clutch. “I can’t do this with you.” She said as she shoved her chair back in.

“What about Danny-boy?” Seth mocked not moving from his seat.

“Screw you Seth.” Fawn hissed before storming out of Rosi’s.