“Fine. But since your cousin is head over heels for Giovanni, I think I need to meet the other brother. Apparently Gio has a twin, and I’m so ready to see how Italians do it.” She sighs dramatically. “Just make sure you give me all the dirty deets.”
“I’ll tell you if I meet the other brother.” Shaking my head, I head into my bedroom before she can give me more of the third degree. I’m pulling my hair into a clip when my phone buzzes on the nightstand with the soft melody of a pop song I’m addicted to. Swiping my thumb over the screen, the message opens immediately.
No panties.No bra. Leave your hair down. The car is outside.
A shiverof excitement races down my spine. With a mischievous smile, I lift my skirt and shove the white panties down my thighs, tossing them into the laundry basket. Quickly unhooking my bra from underneath my top, I manage to pull the straps through the sleeves and out from the bottom of my shirt. My nipples harden at the cool air and my pussy tingles from being bare.
Grabbing my purse, keys, and phone, I race out the door, shouting a goodbye to Adria as I shut the apartment and run down the two flights of stairs. As he said, there’s a sleek black Aston Martin sitting in the parking lot. The windows are dark and I can’t see inside. Before I have time to really take it in, the older man who I recognize from the bar when he joined Franco for a drink gets out and rounds the rear of the vehicle.
“Hello, Mr. DeLuca,” I greet with a shy smile.
“Good morning, Miss Lombardi.” He offers a grin and opens the back door, allowing me to slip into the back seat. When I do, I find it empty. Without another word, I’m shut inside and moments later, making my way to the first day of work for the Morettis.
I have no way to know what it will entail, but the flurry of hummingbirds in my stomach tells me I’m in for something I’ve been craving my whole life. As the car weaves through the Los Angeles traffic, my mind recalls the last time I saw Franco and he offered me a job.
“I wantedto speak to you alone because when I do all my business deals, they’re in privacy.” The deep rumble of his tone makes me tingle in all the right places. When I glance up to meet his gaze, I’m knocked speechless. I realize I’m staring when he tips his head to the side. “Something wrong?” His question has me shaking my head. Then his gaze drops to my lips. “Raina.” Even though I’ve looked at him a few times tonight, being this close to him, in a private booth, seems to have done something to my brain. Short-circuiting it to almost nothing.
Every nerve in my body feels as if it’s been zapped with a live wire. “No, Sir,” I breathe in a rush, watching as his gaze darkens and his lips lift into a smirk at my words. “I’m… I don’t—”
He meets my gaze in a searing stare. Instead of answering, he lifts the crystal tumbler and brings it to his lips. How does this man make drinking whisky so sexy? Because God, I’m aching for an orgasm just watching his mouth and throat work the thick malt.
“Do you enjoy your job, Raina?” he asks, regarding me intently.
“I’m… I guess. It’s not what I want to do with my life, but it’s my family obligation.”
“And what are you studying?” He smiles, taking another drink of his whisky. Jesus, I think my ovaries may explode just watching this man. He’s clearly older than me, distinguished and handsome. What could I offer him?
“How do you know I’m studying?”
He smirks at my question.
“I know everything about people I intend to employ, Raina. It’s important to know who you’re getting into bed with, as they say.” His heated gaze pins me with a look that tells me there’s much more promise in those words than he’s letting on.
“Finance. Numbers are beautiful to me. My father gifted me his passion by allowing me to observe him. Not all the time, but there were special moments we could share the same love.” My response is mumbled as I suddenly feel shy and silly with my frivolous topic. I glance down and swipe at the table, trying to keep my hands busy.
“Look at me.”
Three words and my head snaps up. My blue eyes meet his dark ones.
“Family obligations are easy to remedy. Would you leave if you could?” The question has me frowning in confusion and he continues, “I’d like to hire you.”
My body stills and I can’t help staring at him, my mouth gaped.
“I… Do you even… I mean… Shit… Oh God, I’m sorry.” Fumbling over my words, I cringe inwardly, hoping I haven’t completely fucked this up. Franco comes from another world. I don’t think I can even comprehend the things he does. Why would he want me to work for him? It doesn’t make sense. “Do you have a bar? I mean… I don’t—”
My words are halted by his index finger on my lips.
“Don’t question me,” he orders almost harshly. He slips an envelope across the table toward me. “Read this when you’re alone tonight in your bedroom. It’s my offer. Should you accept, the conditions, instructions, and rules are all there. If you have any questions, my number is on the card. I’m only a message away.”
With that, he drains his glass and leaves me gaping at his broad, strong shoulders. He oozes control in such a sensual way, I’m in awe of his pull on me. The way his suit pants hug his thighs and ass have me ready to agree. To anything he wants.
He’s stilla mystery to me. I don’t know much about the Morettis. I’ve heard them mentioned in the meetings my father used to have with clients, but I don’t know what he does exactly. This is my chance at getting a new life, a fresh start from my father being murdered, to Lucio leaving.
A brand-new me.
Where I’m not the daughter of the man who’d been killed by his own clients. My father was responsible for his own death, leaving me and my cousin to fend for ourselves against Andrea.
I used to feel sadness. Now I feel anger.