Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Um, hi.” I try my best to hide my confusion. It’s my first time to hear about a company VP...in charge of security? For a steel company? The position seems excessive unless...
I don’t have time to complete the thought before Patrizio continues.
“Gianluca, on the other hand, manages our interests in real estate.”
All I can do is smile awkwardly at the last of Patrizio’s friends, a man with dark hair and Mediterranean features whose face gives away absolutely nothing. Unlike the others, Gianluca offers no reaction at all; he might as well be looking through me rather than at me.
The three men form a loose half-circle that communicates importance without being overtly threatening. They exchange glances loaded with meaning, making me acutely aware I’ve stepped into a world with its own language.
“If you’re all here,” Patrizio says, his tone changing to something I haven’t heard before, “then I assume we have a business meeting that can’t be postponed?”
“I’m afraid so.” It’s Jamie who speaks this time, his voice surprisingly soft for someone who looks like he could disassemble a man with his bare hands. But the seriousness in his eyes contradicts his mild tone. “There’s been a development that requires immediate attention.”
Something passes between them, and I feel Patrizio’s hand tighten at my waist.
“I’ll need a minute.”
Patrizio’s words have me quickly shaking my head. “I can just head back down on my own—”
Patrizio presses the elevator button as he cuts me off. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Uh, hello? Does he not see he’s being equally ridiculous?
“It’s just an elevator ride back to the cafe. I can manage—”
The words dry up in my throat as Gianluca steps forward, saying something to Patrizio too low for me to hear. Patrizio’s expression darkens for a split second before smoothing out again.
“I know you can,” Patrizio agrees, his voice gentle but firm. “But I still insist on walking you back.”
I have no choice but to follow him inside the elevator, but as soon as the doors close, Patrizio has me backed against the wall, and his hands braced on either side of my head.
Oh...no.
“I’m sorry about having to postpone our discussion.”
“I’m not.”
Patrizio only smiles, but it still feels like he’s called me a liar to my face.
“I want to kiss you.”
Oh!
“If you don’t want me to—”
His head starts to bend.
“Now’s the time to tell me to stop.”
Yes, stop.
I know that’s what I should say.
But instead I find myself reaching up and fisting my hands in his sweater, pulling him closer until there’s no space left between us.
His mouth finds mine with hunger that makes my entire body come alive. It’s nothing at all like the controlled seduction he demonstrated before. This time, it’s all raw need and barely restrained desire, and all I can do is gasp as his hands slide up to cup my breasts through my blouse.
“You like that, darling?”
His thumbs find my nipples as he asks this, and all I can do is moan. He starts working the buttons of my blouse with efficient fingers, and my head falls back against the elevator wall as he pushes the fabric aside.
My body shudders as I finally feel his touch against my bare skin.
“So damn beautiful...”
His mouth latches on to my breast, and I bite my lip to keep myself from crying out as his tongue circles my nipple. But when he starts sucking gently then harder, my control shatters, and his name slips out in a cry.
“Patrizio...”
“I know.” His free hand slides up my thigh, under my skirt, fingers finding the edge of my underwear. “Let me make you come, Jayne. Right here, right now.”
The combination of his mouth on my breast and his fingers so close to where I need them most makes my legs tremble. I’m so close, so desperate for release that I can’t think about where we are or why this is insane.
And then the elevator dings.
We spring apart like teenagers caught by parents, my hands scrambling to button my blouse while he straightens his sweater with hands that aren’t quite steady.
The doors open onto the lobby, where George is restocking the pastry case and a few customers are reading in the comfortable chairs. Normal, everyday life that feels surreal after the intensity of what just happened between the ground floor and the executive level.
I step out of the elevator on legs that feel like jelly, my body still thrumming with unfulfilled need. Patrizio has just proven he can make me forget everything except the way he makes me feel.
Patrizio follows me out, but something’s changed in his manner. Gone is the playboy billionaire, replaced by someone watchful and alert. His eyes sweep the cafe methodically, lingering on each exit and each unfamiliar face before returning to mine.
“This can’t happen again,” I mutter under my breath, turning back to face him.
“Can’t it?” His dark eyes burn with promise, but there’s something new there—a shadow of concern that wasn’t present before. “You’re fighting something inevitable, Jayne.”