SOPHIA
Being in the car with Roman is overwhelming. He smells like pure Italian sunshine and some kind of sexy spice. And when the morning light touches his face, I can’t doubt that he’s class personified. His tan skin, his dark, wavy hair that brushes his jaw, the deep dark eyes. Not to mention the control that rolls off him.
Like I want to obey anything and everything he says.
He glances over at me at a red light, and my knees squeeze together. He leans his head to the side. “Replacing the office manager?”
“According to Dad,” I say. “I’ve never done anything like this though, I don’t know how apt the placement will be.”
“You’ll grasp it quickly.” He assures me.
He wouldn’t lie, and his tone promises truth. I nod and play with the hem of my pencil skirt. That with the thigh highs I managed to wrestle myself into, and the nice silk blouse makes me feel professional, but I’m not sure I’m playing the part well.
“Something on your mind?”
I jump a little and look over at him. He’s enormous but somehow fits perfectly behind the wheel of his ridiculously fast, sleek car. If I knew car types, I’d probably have a metaphorical boner over it.
“Just nerves. No need repeating.”
“Let’s talk about something else.”
“Like what? My dad? Combat? The office?” I list off. “That’s about all I know about you guys.”
“My cousin is a football player.” He shrugs. “Apparently, it’s a big deal.”
“For what team? Has he been in the Rose Bowl or played in the Superbowl?”
Roman laughs loudly, the sound so enchanting that I want to do whatever it takes to hear it again and keep that easy smile on his face. He shakes his head. “Soccer. LA Stars.”
“Oh. I don’t follow soccer.” I admit.
“Breaking my heart like that? You may have to walk the rest of the way.” He faces me, and I’m not sure if he’s serious or joking.
I swallow, squeezing myself against the car door. Roman pats my knee. “Bambina, I’m teasing. I can’t let you walk. You would be …”
I arch an eyebrow now. “Is this a bad area?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “But you are too pretty to be on the street. Not safe.”
“I have keys.” It’s his turn to give me a look. I roll my eyes. “I learned a lot in college – like how to keep myself safe. Keys between the fingers is the first line of defense. Then acting crazy. Then, if they won’t let go, instep, knee, crotch, nose. I learned that one from a movie.”
Roman chuckles. “We’ll have to teach you self-defense then.”
“We?”
“We all have different specialties. My hand to hand is pretty good. So is Nick’s.” He says as if it’s business and not my safety that we’re talking about.
“Oh.”
When we arrive, I jump out of the car. Roman places his big hand between my shoulder blades and guides me inside as he tosses his keys to the valet. He walks me through, ignoring Sasha’s good morning and parading me through the office.
I see women eye-fuck him shamelessly, along with some guys. Apparently, I’m out of the loop. I mean, sure, he’s tall, really tall. Like Dad’s friends only come in size XL, but I can’t argue. He owns every room he walks into.
He takes me to a private office and motions to it. “This is yours.”
“I don’t need this much.”
“You will.” He assures me. “The calls, the files, the records. They’ll need space. And you’ll want privacy.”
“Privacy?” Why does that word suddenly sound so dirty? How does he make dirty into swoon-worthy?
Roman smiles and takes a step forward, his hand under my chin, lifting it up to look at me. “Yes. You’ll do fine, Bambina.”
“Yeah.” I feel my face heat.
He gently presses his lips to mine, and mine mold to him before I can make myself stop. Luckily, Roman has a little more tact than I do. He draws back and winks. “Italian for … good luck.”
“Thanks.”
He heads off, then the day rushes by. The files, the phone calls, everything tumbles onto me as I struggle to keep up. Bella, the woman I’m replacing, is godsent, but I feel like I’m a baby duck clinging to her for guidance.
Her fierce feline face, tight pony, lush brown hair, and confidence in each heeled step leave me in awe. By the time she tells me she’s getting lunch and I can take a break, I feel like I’m sweating, my thighs and calves burn, and I’m regretting my heels.
A knock on my door makes me jump up, and I find a thinner guy with slicked brown hair and a smile standing there. He’s about my height – in heels – and his glasses and posture make me sure that he’s a salesman. Something about him says, “buy me.”
“Hi, I’m Neal Parker. I wanted to introduce myself.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Sophia Lane.” I nod.
He offers me his hand, and I take it in a firm shake. He grins. “You’re all business. I like that.”
“Only way I know how to be,” I say before kicking myself internally.
“Miss Lane, I need … Neal.”
“Hello, Mr. Agosti,” Neal says evenly to Roman.
Roman’s eyes sharpen, and he jerks his head to the side. Neal nods to me then obediently walks out. Roman shuts the door behind him, locking us in the room together. The room is like a sauna. I’m hot all over and too aware of how tight my skirt is around my hips.
I swallow as he approaches. He sets a stack of papers down next to me and closes the space between us. “Was he bothering you?”
“No!” I jump.
“You can tell me.” His eyes search mine as he leans towards me. Like he can see into all my secrets. “Tell me if he does.”
“I will,” I answer breathlessly. “I promise.”
“Good. We’ll take care of you here.”
“Because I’m Miles’ daughter?” I ask, unsure if he can hear me at all.
“No.” Roman’s hands brush across my forearms. I shiver, and he exhales. “No, because you’re … we don’t want to lose you.”
“You keep saying we.”
“I.” He states evenly. “I like you. You have potential. You’re smart.”
Fuck, he’s so close and …
Roman leans forward and kisses me again, then again, deeper and hungrier. His hand holds my upper arm tightly as his tongue strokes deep until all I can do is accept and enjoy it. I groan and take what he offers until his other hand slides up my thigh. I feel a rush of warm fluid in my panties. Fuck he’s made me wet.
I gasp and draw back. Roman’s eyes burn through me, and I struggle to catch my breath, to remember that this is wrong and I need to stop. I glance at the door and back to Roman. “We’re at work.”
“Yes.” He says as if it doesn’t matter. “And I wanted to kiss you. Did you not want that?”
“No, I …” I swallow. “I did, but this is my first day, and I have to do the right thing. This isn’t right.”
“Because you’re new.” He nods.
“Because I don’t want anyone thinking I got this position for any reason other than merit. I don’t ride off Dad’s last name. I’m not going to ride on … this kind of thing either.”
Roman leans his head to the side. I swallow. If he kisses me again, I’ll lose myself in him. I know that. He’s domineering, he’s sure, he’s confident, and … fuck, that’s just my type. A man who knows what he wants. A man who is willing to push the line. An almost bad boy, but this one is functioning. He has a job, and he’s a good man.
I know that.
I know that because he’s here, at Dad’s work in a top position. God, he could be in any position and – fuck. Roman cups the back of my head and kisses me again, softly, sucking my bottom lip until he nips me and pulls away.
“What’s that for?” I ask, chest heaving.
“You’re doing well.” He says with a shrug. “And I wanted to.”
I lick across my bottom lip as he leaves. God, if his cousin is even half the man he is, whoever the Stars go against is fucked. I shiver and shake my head. I have to focus. I have got to get work done.
And I manage to until the end of the normal day when half the people head out. Neal stops into my office again as I ruin my pony with my fingers. I must look like a hot mess. Neal looks me over and jerks his head in the direction of the door.
“Let’s go out, celebrate your first day.”
“I’m not done until Bella dismisses me.”
“She left with Matt thirty minutes ago.”
“Oh.” I exhale. “And I didn’t bring my car.”
“Oh?” He leans on the doorframe. “Who did you-”
“Miss Lane.” Nick butts in, giving Neal a look.
Neal lets some frustration slip. I don’t get it. I don’t know why there seems to be a constant pissing contest between Dad’s friends and Neal, but I don’t want to ask. Neal slowly slides away with a muttered “next time.”
“Miss Lane, your dad asked that I take you home. He didn’t have time to call a cab.”
“I’m done?” I blink a few times.
Nick chuckles. Out of all the guys, he seems the most approachable, other than Matt anyway. Nick is shorter than the others, 6ft 2” with a near-perfect smile. He’s so sexy I’m practically ripping his clothes off in my mind. His searing blue eyes and the salt and pepper hair just get me. He used to model for GQ, and trust me, he still belongs in that world. Brad Pitt has nothing on him.
“You’re done.” He assures me with a slow smile.
I grab my thighs, let my hair down and eagerly follow him outside. He leads me to a sensible car and holds the door. I get in and realize the edge of my thigh high is showing. He doesn’t say anything if he notices.
Which is good. I’m nervous enough right now. First Holden, then Roman. I can’t handle hot as fuck Nick too. I’m not a good daughter or house guest. Kissing two guys in how many days? That’s not me. I’m not looking for a collection of men. I’m a one-person kind of girl.
“How was your day?”
“Why!?” I jump.
Nick shakes his head. “I didn’t hear anything bad; I promise. You’re doing well. I only ask because Roman mentioned that you may want self-defense lessons, and I’m happy to do so, but I want to be sure you’re not in immediate danger.”
“I’m not,” I promise. “It was because of a joke … but I’d be happy to learn!”
“Then we’ll start today when we get home. We have a gym we can practice in.” Nick decides. “If you want to, that is.”
“Sure! It might help me sleep better.”
“Then it’s settled.”
And that’s precisely what happens. When we get home, I go upstairs and change. I freshen up in the process because I know I look like a disheveled, overwhelmed little girl, and that’s the last thing I want. I’m an adult, and I’m going to act like it. Take life by the balls and all that.
As I come downstairs in leggings and a tank top, I see Holden and smile at him brightly. “I hope you had a good day.”
His eyes drink me in, and I fight the urge to cover up.
“I’m going to learn how to kick ass. Bye.” I wave and quickly follow the instructions Nick gave me to the gym. Better to leave my embarrassment behind so I can focus.
And I definitely need some focus. Maybe this exercise will knock the horniness out of me.