Smitten: A Mafia Romance — Chapter 56

Korina was wondering what had gotten into her, and why she was being nice to a man. She wondered if she had gone nuts as yes was the answer that came from her lips and Jace was currently pulling her to the dance floor.

Damn! I must have had too much to eat and drink, She thought as she followed him.

Jace felt elated as he wrapped his arms loosely around Korina's waist, he couldn't believe she was actually dancing with him, her arms around his shoulders, finger tips grazing the nape of his neck sent tingles down his spine, he got worried that he'd get over excited and mess things up.

He looked up and saw Ade standing in a corner giving him thumbs up and a smile before signalling that he was leaving.

"You know I normally don't do this with guys." Korina said drawing his attention back to her. "I honestly don't know what has come over me this evening."

"Maybe it's cause, I am special."Jace smirked and she pinched his neck.

"Owww" he winced.

"Serves you right." Korina said, "Don't get all arrogant with me."

"Okay ma'am." He rolled his eyes causing her to smile.

They danced slowly to the music, we are one by Westlife was blaring from the speakers, and Korina began mouthing the lyrics as they moved, Jace joined her. Turned out they both knew the song. Endless love was next, Jace knew this one but Korina didn't, she made a mental note to get the song later as she found an interest in it. The last song they danced to was night changes, they both knew this so they sang as they danced happily and any one who saw them would think that they were actually a couple.

Korina and Jace couldn't quite lay a finger on how their first meeting was going so smooth, while Korina wondered why she was nice, Jace hoped for things to continue like this so he could get a shot at wooing her.

"Thanks for all your help Korina and the cake was lovely." The bride's mother complemented.

"It's okay ma'am." She said, "I better get going it's late."

"Ooh dear." The woman said taking a glance at her watch, "It really is, you should be on your way."

Korina bade the lady goodbye and got out of the building. As she descended down the stairs, she slipped and fell, breaking the heels of her shoes.

Fuck! She cursed as she stood up. She removed her shoes and walked barefooted out of the building. She sat outside on a pavement with a sigh and brought out her phone to call a taxi.

Her eyes registered on the empty bars on her screen. She had no service, she considered going back in and asking for help but decided to wait a bit, and there she sat with her broken heels and serviceless phone.

"Go up there and offer her a ride man." Ade told his best friend, "Things aren't really going as planned but look, they are working out in your favour."

"What should I say?" Jace asked and he looked in Korina's direction from where he stood far away, she looked really frustrated as she stared at her heels in her hands.

"For fuck's sake Jace, " Ade groaned, "Do I need to tell you how to talk to a lady?"

"First off, mind it I am still your boss." Jace warned, "And also you know I am fucking not used to this."

"Go up there and offer her a ride and the rest would figure itself out, Bye!" He put an end to the call before his friend could say something else.

Jace put his phone angrily in his pocket, and looked at Korina again. He had waited, he wanted to see her leave safely before he did. But now she was there in distress.

Ade was right, things although not going as planned were working in his favour. He had waited too long and he couldn't mess this up, he took deep breaths and began walking towards her.

Korina was surprised to see Jace walking towards her, It was late and she thought he already left.

"What are you doing here?" She asked as he reached her, he still looked nervous.

"I waited around, wasn't ready to go home." Jace said not being able to meet her eyes, "You look like you need help".

"No I don't," Korina replied," just broken heels."

"Oww." He looked at his watch, "How would you get home now?"

"I would order a taxi."

"Would you care for a ride?" He asked meeting her eyes and holding her gaze this time.

"No I dont." Korina said, "I am totally fine."

"But you don't look it." He joined her sitting on the pavement, "It's past nine already."

"I can manage."

"Please let me give you a ride." Jace asked again and he was surprised that he could hold a normal conversation with her.

"I can't. For all I know you might be a killer or a psychopath." Jace's heart skipped a beat as the words flew out of her mouth, surely he was what she mentioned but he'd never hurt her or anyone who didn't deserve to be hurt.

"You surely have a wild sense of imagination." He laughed trying to be rid of the unease he felt, "I would never hurt you or anyone who doesn't deserve to be hurt."

"Still not getting in the car with you strange Mr."

"Strange?" Jace asked looking at her, "We laughed, danced together at a party and you still call me strange."

"Of course."

"Well since you are stubborn, I would stay here till you get a cab."

They waited for sometime in silence before Korina gave in and agreed to his offer."

"Race you there." She felt playful enough to do that, she handed him her heels and got the head start but he caught up easily cause he was taller.

They stopped outside the gate heaving and laughing.

"I won even tho you got the headstart." Jace teased.

"Hey you cheated cause you are taller."

"Whatever makes you feel good." He smirked and she smacked him.

"So there is my ride." He pointed and Korina's eyes followed. She saw a black scooter parked.

"Uh....a scooter." She asked, this is unbelievable.

"Is there a problem?" Jace noticed her face. She looked a bit disappointed.

"No, no problem." Korina smiled, "I just didn't peg you to be a scooter kinda guy."

"So what did you peg me for?" He asked, they were walking towards the scooter now.

"I thought you'd be more of a G-wagon or a range rover type." She said.

"Why?" Jace asked.

"I mean you clean up nice and look really rich." Korina said concluding appearances really were deceiving.

"Well, I am sorry to disappoint you."

"I am not disappointed in you Jace." She sighed, "Just get me home already."

The scooter ride was more enjoyable than Korina thought it would be.

Her arms were wrapped around Jace's waist which he found rather pleasing, she could feel the wind in her face, the cool breeze caressing her skin. She automatically fell in love with bike rides and knew she would have to do this again.

Jace stopped the bike suddenly, he stopped it along the road in front of a place with lots of trees.

"Get down." He spoke to her authoritatively.

"Is this the part where I scream cause you actually wanna kill me?" Korina asked, she was partially alarmed and scared.

"Nope." He laughed, "Give me your hand."

Korina hesitated at first looking at his out stretched palm.

"Trust me." He winked.

She placed her hand in his and he led her into the place passing through trees, it wasn't long before they reached a clearing with a little pond.

Jace bent and picked up a stone throwing it into the water, it rippled, the moon light reflection dancing with it.

"I usually come here more often when I want to let things off."

"It's a beautiful place." Korina complimented looking around, "How did you find it?"

"I just stumbled upon it." He lied, he couldn't tell her that he bought the place.

"So Jace, why did you bring me here?" She asked.

"Cause I noticed how you looked at that couple today, it was obvious, too obvious how you wanted what they shared, I knew you must have been hurt before or something."

"I..." She stopped to look at him, at his face to be exact. She paid attention to his features for the first time that night, long blonde hair swept backwards and packed, a lock fell on his forehead, he had thick brows and gleaming grey eyes with a nice nose, presentable lips and an appealing face shape.

She found him quiet handsome.

"I don't know if to trust you."

"It's okay." Jace said turning to face the pond.

Korina took one more look at him and her senses told her not to say anything to him but her mouth had a mind of it's own.

She told him everything, she told him all about Cole.

Jace brought the scooter to a stop in front of the building and Korina highlighted.

"Nice place." He said, "You must have a good pay check to be able to afford this."

"Thank you." She replied, "Thanks so much for tonight."

"you are welcome." He gave her a warm smile.

They bade each other goodbyes and she watched him as he kick started the scooter and drive away into the night.