“It’s business. You’ll show them around. Take them to lunch, go over the details of the company. Marvin can help explain the bigger things to them. Good night,” he said then left.
Chiara clutched her robe tighter. There was her father. He went from actually acting like he cared so much for her and then as if she weren’t important at all. She was actually surprised that he showed up at all. She didn’t like the feeling she had.
“You okay?” Zane asked.
“Well, you two can leave now.”
“Lock both locks. Keep your cell phone by the bed. Call 911 if you hear any strange sounds or someone trying to enter,” Cash told her.
“Want us to tuck you in?” Zane asked, very seriously. Boy did she want to take him up on that. But that would be so easy. Too easy considering that she wasn’t sure what their part had been in all of this. No one but Cash and Zane saw the envelope outside the door. They were after something and she was going to find out what.
“She’s thinking about it, Cash,” Zane teased.
She gave them both the once-over. “Totally not my type. Good night,” she said to them as she opened the door.
Cash took the envelope with him and Zane stopped in the doorway. He leaned very close to her, staring down into her eyes. He was so tall and intimidating, she felt her heart race.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow. Be sure to lock up,” he said. But he didn’t immediately walk away. Instead he held her gaze then slowly turned to walk down the hallway.
Chiara closed the door and leaned against it.
My God, this can’t be happening.
Chapter 4
Two hours into a tour of Costiano’s and Cash was more interested in Chiara than the company. The woman was assertive, intelligent, bright, dynamic, and so damn sexy, but didn’t seem to know it. At first Cash thought it was all an act. The designer dress she wore, the reading glasses she put on when she looked over documents trying to find specific accounts and information Zane was asking about. He realized very quickly that he didn’t care for Marvin McShay one bit, and especially when the man kept trying to touch Chiara as if he owned her.
It would be one thing if Chiara liked it, but by her body language, facial expressions, and continuous ducks and dodges from Marvin’s advances, she disliked Marvin very much.
Cash was standing next to her desk. A quaint, medium-sized office, decorated beautifully. Zane was looking at some family pictures and awards on her shelf.
“How long have you needed glasses?” Cash found himself asking as he stood right next to her while she fingered through the files. He imagined what those fingers might feel like touching his cheek, his chest, or even his cock. He adjusted his position, suddenly consumed by a need he’d never felt before. He wanted to touch Chiara. He wanted to kiss her, or even hold her in his arms. But she was reserved, and almost distant. It was like she placed a wall up around her, and he wondered why. He didn’t notice that she got along with her father well, but they weren’t close. Perhaps he was demanding, like most parents were.
She glanced up, her cheeks a little pinker from his question. Was she embarrassed about wearing glasses? She was a grown woman. She was stunning.
“A while.” She looked back down, found the forms she was searching for and opened up the file. She trailed a manicured finger down the list of tiny numbers. No wonder she needed reading glasses. The damn numbers weren’t much larger than periods at the end of sentences.
“Here are the latest figures in sales from our main distributors and storefronts to the smallest.”
He leaned very close to her, admired her perfume, the smell of her shampoo, and how the file shook slightly. He was making her nervous. She was attracted to them.
“For the record, you look incredibly brilliant and sexy wearing glasses, Chiara.”
Her chin was tilted up toward him and then the reading glasses moved down to the bridge of her nose. She stared up at him. Despite the high heels, she was still shorter.
“I appreciate the compliment. I read a lot. Not just here at work, but at home, too.”
She pulled off her glasses and handed him the folder.
He smiled at her and she just stared at him as if waiting for something else. Perhaps a request? He wasn’t certain.
“You do amazing work here, Chiara. Where do you get your ideas from?” Zane asked as he stood by the other side of the desk.
“I don’t know. I just seem to have a knack for this type of thing. I get excited about advertising and creating campaigns to promote Costiano’s. I have a lot of great ideas.” She lowered her eyes and carelessly organized the very few items on her desk.
Cash placed his hand over hers as he stood right next to her. Her hand was so delicate and small beneath his much larger one. When she looked up into his eyes, he noticed the concerned expression, but also the sparkle in her gorgeous green eyes.
“I bet you have a lot of great ideas. Where do you see the company headed in the next six months?” He slowly trailed his fingers from her hand up her arm. She held his gaze the entire time. Her hand remained flat on the desk and he was certain that was for balance. He could hear her shaky breath.
“I don’t know. The same, I guess.”
He gave a small smile. “Not from a glance at those numbers. Great things could happen to this company with the right leaders,” he told her then brought his hand to her chin. He clutched it gently. She gave a small gasp but didn’t pull away. He knew she felt the attraction.
“God, Chiara, your eyes are stunning.”
He gently brushed his index finger back and forth over the delicate skin of her throat.
“Are you planning on taking over the company?” she asked him. That question brought reality back to the forefront.
He slowly released her chin.
“Honestly?” he asked her.
She slowly nodded her head.
“This company has great potential for further growth. Zane and I are trying to figure out exactly why your father is considering selling at this point in time.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. Apparently, he doesn’t have the confidence in me,” she stated, and he could feel her defeat and upset at that. He felt on the defensive, and concerned for her. She really had the potential, attitude, and desire needed to run this place. So why was her father not allowing it?
“What do you mean?” Zane asked, sitting halfway on the desk in front of them.
Chiara released a sigh. “I’ve worked my way up to this position. I started here at the bottom, in the factory learning about every product and how it is made and manufactured. I didn’t get here because my father owns the company.”
Zane raised his eyebrows at her as if questioning that statement.
“I didn’t,” she said, getting angry with Zane.
Cash felt his cock harden at her assertiveness. She would be a passionate lover, and perhaps recalcitrant to their demands. He imagined her bent over his desk at home, offering up her ass for a spanking because she was naughty.
Damn, it’s getting fucking hot in here.
“Go on. Tell us about it,” Zane stated.
In a flash she tensed up, and pulled back from their perusal. “No. It’s none of your business.”
Zane was around her desk in a flash. He was standing in front of Chiara, and the shock on her face was almost as priceless as the soft moan that escaped her mouth the moment Zane’s hands landed on her hips. He gave them a squeeze, pressing her ass harder against the desk.
“You are our business,” he whispered, staring down into her eyes. She gripped onto his wrists.
“Let go of my wrists, and place your hands behind you, on the desk,” Zane ordered her, and she only hesitated momentarily. Her nipples were hard, poking against the designer blouse she wore. Cash would bet an easy million that her panties were wet.
Holy fuck, Zane was obviously feeling just as aroused and turned on by Chiara as I am.
It was not qu
ite a shock that Chiara resisted.
“Are you crazy or something? Do women just do this because you tell them to?”
Zane didn’t quite smile, but his expression was more like a sly, “I’m in charge” look. “There’s one thing that you’re going to learn pretty damn fast about me, Chiara. I’m always in charge. I get what I want when I want it. There’s no need for your attitude. Cash and I aren’t here to hurt you. In fact, you’ve gained our interest more than this company,” he told her.
Cash watched as Zane caressed Chiara’s hips. He stepped closer, and she instinctively leaned back, placing her hands behind her for support, but also indicating her submission to his demand. Even if she didn’t intentionally do it.
“What kind of game are you two playing?”
“This isn’t a game,” Cash said.
He watched as Zane leaned forward as if he would kiss Chiara, but instead moved his hand under her hair to cup her head and cheek. He tilted her head back, causing her breasts to push forward. Her lips parted, and she gave a small gasp.
Zane whispered against her ear and cheek.
“I realize that we’re going to have to move a little slow here, baby. It’s because I like you and respect you. If I didn’t, you’d be spread over the desk right now and I would show you in actions how wild and turned on you have me.”
Cash saw her jerk a second as if Zane gave her a little squeeze. Zane kissed her cheek, just as the buzzer on the intercom went off.
* * * *
Chiara was so wet right now, she didn’t know if she could walk. Never in her life had she met such dominant, wild, overwhelming men. She quickly stood up straight, feeling her head spin. She grabbed onto the desk then reached for the intercom.
“Yes.”
“Miss Costiano, your father is in the conference room. He’s waiting.”
“Oh. Okay. We’re on our way.”
As Chiara tried to ignore what had just taken place, because that was what she needed to do, Cash took her hand.
She paused in front of him, looked up into his dark brown eyes, and waited, almost hoped for a kiss to her cheek like Zane had done.
My God, I’m attracted to two men. Two men that are known to share women.
“We’ll talk more later. Perhaps over dinner?” Cash brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
She felt the flow of cream release from her pussy. His words, their presence, and damn it their dominance made her wet. She was more of a submissive than she’d imagined.
The entire walk toward the conference room, she couldn’t stop thinking about Zane’s actions and Cash’s words. She thought Zane was going to kiss her. His little hints and dominant commands made her wonder if he were into some kinky stuff. Would they tie her to their bed? Spank her during sex? Holy shit, I’ve lost my mind. I’ve been listening to Heather too much. I’m not into that. I wouldn’t want a man spanking me because I was disobedient in his eyes. Or spanking me during sex.
She felt her nipples tighten and her core react to her own thoughts.
Holy shit. I’m turned on by this.
“Chiara, there you are. I’ve been waiting,” her father said. The sight of him alone made her cheeks warm and her perverted mind go ice cold. She felt guilty for having such sexual thoughts and then seeing her dad. It was a total fantasy wrecker.
Cash held out a seat for her.
“Chiara,” he said, and when she took the seat, Cash placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. The sensations went down her breast, straight to her nipple.
This was going to be a long, torturous meeting.
* * * *
“So what did you think about the tour? I’m certain my daughter showed you everything and was able to answer all your questions,” Robert Costiano said.
He noticed how attentive these two men were to his daughter. Even now as he asked a question, they glanced at Chiara then at him.
“Your daughter showed us a lot. We are quite impressed,” Cash said and then glanced at Chiara, indicating he was impressed with her, as much as with the company. That didn’t sit right with Robert at all. He knew a bit about Cash and Zane. Their personal lives were not so secret. They shared women, and they were into some wild sexual acts. This was not what he wanted for Chiara. It would only cause her pain. He would focus on the meeting, and then he would focus on keeping Chiara clear from these two men.
“Great. Marvin will be in shortly to go over the numbers from the previous quarters. I’m sure you’d like to see the latest reports.”
“I believe Chiara showed us those as well,” Zane said.
Robert raised one eyebrow at his daughter and she shrugged her shoulders then lowered her eyes to her lap.
“Chiara, is this true?”
“I have a right to keep on top of the numbers. It’s part of my job to see where a boost of advertising or product improvement may be needed, Daddy.”
“That’s not your responsibility. Marvin keeps us abreast of the latest, down to the day.”
“Well, that’s questionable.”
“Chiara, I won’t discuss this with you now. You’ve done your part showing Cash and Zane around. Don’t you need to get ready for another fund-raiser this evening?”
“Yes, Daddy, I do.”
“Well then, let’s move on to security for Chiara and then she can leave us to discuss business,” Robert stated, but Cash and Zane were staring at Chiara. He knew his daughter was a breathtaking young woman. She didn’t date much at all. He didn’t want her mixed up with the wrong man, but hadn’t seemed to have to worry about that, until perhaps now.
“I do not need any security. There’ll be plenty at the event tonight. As far as at the condo, I’ll manage.”
“Why do you live in such a mediocre condominium complex?” Zane asked.
“I think what Zane is asking is why not something better, with security, cameras everywhere, and their own security team?” Cash added.
“Just because I can afford something ‘better,’ as you two like to put it, doesn’t mean I need that. I live alone. I am hardly ever home due to work and volunteering. I’ll be fine.”
“Well, we’ll see. We still don’t know who is behind those pictures that were taken,” Cash added.
“Well, any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated,” Robert stated. They heard the door open and there stood Marvin. He looked a bit annoyed at seeing Zane and Cash on either side of Chiara. Perhaps the man would make a move sooner or later. Robert knew that Chiara didn’t care for Marvin. But Robert wanted her safe. Chiara could be a bit recalcitrant and Marvin was a rule follower. He could be a positive influence. He was also an attractive and sought-after bachelor. Plus, Robert could control Marvin, even after the company was taken over by Zane and Cash.
“Good afternoon, sir.” Robert shook Marvin’s hand as he greeted him.
“Chiara.”
She nodded her head hello.
“How are you, Marvin?”
“Good, sir, I brought along the numbers.” Marvin pulled out some papers from a leather portfolio.
Marvin looked at Robert.
“You trust these men, sir?” he asked. Robert gave a smile and nodded his head. It seemed that Marvin was always looking out for his best interests, as a president of a company should. That was the kind of man he wanted for his daughter. He needed to be sure that she was taken care of. With the recent threats on his life, he questioned his mortality, his decisions, and what he hoped would be a relaxing future after such hard work. Losing Patricia had changed everything.
* * * *
Chiara stared at Marvin as he showed Cash and Zane the papers. Both Cash and Zane flanked her sides and pressed a thigh to her thighs. She was sandwiched in the middle, and the thought aroused her. She pretended to listen in as Cash asked Marvin some questions. Marvin was concise with his explanations and descriptions.
She stared at Marvin a moment. His thick brown hair, high cheekbones, and structured jaw were in fa
ct appealing. He was even in great physical shape, but there just wasn’t an attraction there. She looked down at the papers again. She had a perfect close-up view of Cash’s hands, Zane’s hands, and Marvin’s hands.
There was no comparison.
Zane and Cash had very thick, long fingers. Looking closely, she could see the muscles that stretched from fingers to forearms. The men smelled so good, too. Their cologne was clean and fresh. They’d dressed casually in dress pants and polos today, not wanting to seem too corporate or draw attention to themselves. But they did. Chiara heard the whispers, and saw the women in the offices staring in awe. These men had sex appeal, dominance, and control that oozed from them.
She thought about how those strong, dominant hands might feel caressing her skin, cupping her breasts or stroking her—
“Chiara, Chiara, are you listening?” Marvin asked.
She swallowed hard. She nodded her head, but it was obvious that she wasn’t listening.
She felt the hand on her knee under the table and nearly jumped.
Looking to her right she watched Zane who appeared innocent and unknowing. But it was his hand caressing her knee. She recrossed her legs and moved in her seat, making his hand fall.
“I went over this with them earlier.”
She looked down at Marvin’s hand that was holding on to the paper, palm down. He had decent hands, but nothing compared to Zane’s and Cash’s. His fingers were thin and long, but when she looked at them, she knew she didn’t want to look further up. Not like she did with Zane and Cash’s.
What the hell am I doing? I’m analyzing men’s hands. I’ve lost it. That’s it. I’m calling Heather, and we’re going out this weekend. I need to do something, and maybe hooking up with one of Heather’s old no-strings lovers might be the answer.
She turned toward Cash as she felt his hand on her knee this time. When she looked him in the eyes, he looked so serious. She swallowed hard and he gave her knee a squeeze. She started to pull away, and his hold firmed.
A Billion to One [Power Surge: The Billionaire Club 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 5