Italian Billionaire's Black Love (BWWM Interracial Romance)

by Mya Black

  “Yeah, Carla, how would anyone know my favorite flowers?”

  Carla ignored her and kept rambling, “Is there a card? What does the card say?”

  “Carla!” When her friend finally calmed down, she read the card. “There is a card and all it says is ‘This isn’t over. –Alessandro.’”

  “Wow! Girl, I’m over here fanning myself because that is so hot! Are you sure nothing else happened between you guys?” She paused and Eve could hear the ice clinking in her glass. “What isn’t over, Eve? Tell me?”

  She sighed in frustration. “It’s nothing, Carla. I’m sure this is just because no other woman has ever turned him down or bought him an expensive bottle of wine.” She knew that’s all this was about, his ego.

  “Maybe,” Carla hedged, “but it could be like the romance novels where the billionaire always falls for the different girl who’s impervious to his charms. That girl could be you!”

  Eve shook her head in amusement. She loved Carla’s optimism. “I don’t need some billionaire to storm into my life and sweep me off my feet. I’m fine.”

  “Yeah, but wouldn’t it be great if he did sweep you off your feet?”

  “Not even a little bit.”

  “You are a love Scrooge.”

  “I think you mean a realist.” Her doorbell chimed again.

  “Whatever, Eve. Stop being so cynical and just enjoy this. And go answer your door, dammit. I want to know what else you’re going to get.”

  “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be over the top and crazy expensive, just like the flowers.” She pulled open the door and a shocked gasp escaped.

  “What, Eve? What is it? Tell me.”

  “Nothing, Carla,” she answered, barely above a whisper.

  “I told you this wasn’t over, amore mio,” Alessandro’s deep voice echoed in the hall. “Not by a long shot.”

  Chapter Three

  Alessandro wasn’t accustomed to chasing down a woman; he usually had the opposite problem. Women flocked to him and were willing to do whatever he wanted for a chance to become his lover because it was very well known that Alessandro Scotti had no plans to marry. Yet here he was being driven to a house in the Hollywood Hills because of the enchanting woman who walked out on him. Him!

  He knew women, however, and he was sure she’d be so taken with the obscene bouquet he’d sent, Eve would be more than eager to go out with him. It was one thing to say you were a billionaire, it was quite another to prove it by spending the cash and Alessandro wasn’t afraid to spend. It was only money.

  She would agree to go out with him and prove herself like all the rest. Alessandro would take her to bed a few times and this ridiculous obsession would be over. He relaxed now that he had a plan to follow. Things always went smoothly when there was a plan. Bed and forget.

  “Sir, we’re here,” his driver interrupted his thoughts.

  Without waiting, Alessandro stepped from the sleek black luxury sedan and looked around. The neighborhood was decent, but Eve could afford to live in an area far nicer than this. “Cal, park in the driveway, I won’t be very long.”

  “Very good, sir.”

  With long confident strides, Alessandro climbed the stairs, rang the bell, and waited. He could hear her voice on the other side of the bright red door. Probably gushing over her bouquet, he thought cynically. When the door opened to reveal Eve with all her sweet caramel skin on display in a sports bra and yoga pants, he suddenly felt a very different kind of frustration. And, when she told the person on the phone he was “nothing,” he shook himself from his stupor. “I told you this wasn’t over, amore mio,” Alessandro’s deep voice echoed in the hall. “Not by a long shot.”

  She slammed the door and hung up the phone. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  Alessandro strode down the hall and into the living room. His eyes swept over the solitary glass and bottle of wine on the counter and he boldly opened her cabinets until he found a second glass. “This isn’t bad. It isn’t the good stuff I drink, but it’s drinkable.”

  “So glad you approve.” Her arms were crossed over her chest, enhancing the brown cleavage he couldn’t help but notice. “Alessandro, I’ll ask you one more time, what the hell are you doing here? I didn’t invite you over, and I certainly didn’t invite your opinion about my wine.”

  Damn, she looked incredible with her amber eyes alight with anger. Her chest heaved and that proud pose made a man want to do dirty things to her sexy body. “I already told you why I’m here, Eve. I want you.”

  “But I don’t want you.” Liar, her inner realist told her. He was gorgeous as sin and she actually wouldn’t mind a tumble between the sheets with him, but he was demanding and she didn’t have time for a complicated tryst.

  His mouth kicked up in a lazy grin that said he knew all her secrets. “Oh, but you do, Eve. There’s no need to deny it. We’re both adults.” He took a slow sip of his wine, letting the dry liquid slide down his throat. “Besides, I can take care of you – in bed and out.”

  She scoffed. “You assume I need you to take care of me. I don’t. I take care of my needs. All of them.”

  Damn if that thought didn’t cause all kinds of dirty thoughts to flash in his mind. Eve spread out on her bed, legs wide as her fingers plunged in and out of her sweet pink slick, her eyes closed in ecstasy as she screamed out his name. He took a long fortifying sip to expel those thoughts. “Well, as much as that thought turns me on, I’d like to be the one seeing to your needs.”

  She finished off her glass. “No thanks.”

  Alessandro sat forward, his arms resting on powerful legs. “Why are you being so difficult, Eve? I know you want me as much as I want you, so what is it?”

  She sighed heavily as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders. Some days, it felt like that was the case. “Look, Alessandro, it’s nothing personal, but I’m not interested in whatever you’re offering. You’re too needy, and I just don’t have time for that.” She really, really wished she had time for his brand of needy.

  His gaze connected with hers for a long moment and he did something he hadn’t done in quite a while. He laughed. “That was just what I needed today, Eve. Oh goodness, you’re a funny woman.” He laughed harder when she narrowed her gaze in his direction. “I’m not needy, I just want you. Is that so bad?”

  She shook her head and went to retrieve the wine bottle. She looked at him as she poured. “It’s not bad or good Alessandro, it just doesn’t matter. You’ll expect me to be at your beck and call, flat on my back whenever you want me, and that’s not going to happen.”

  “You don’t have to be flat on your back,” he gave her a cheeky smile and laughed when she mumbled something about billionaire bastards. “Is it because I’m white?”

  Now it was Eve’s turn to laugh. And laugh. “Don’t be an idiot, Alessandro. Carla wouldn’t have hooked us up if that was an issue.” She leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs, taking notice of the flare of desire that lit his brown eyes. “Alessandro, just stop. You’re too used to having your way and this, it isn’t even about me. It’s about you and your giant ego.”

  He stood and looked his fill for several minutes, taking in the details of her beautiful face and that shapely figure. He couldn’t wait to get her naked and underneath him. “My ego is just fine. I just want you, plain and simple. I’ll go for now, but let me tell you, Eve, this isn’t over.”

  She heard his lazy walk and the click of the front door closing behind him and sagged in relief. “That man could test the patience of a saint.”

  ***

  “You got a delivery, boss lady.” Marcus poked his head in her office with a curious smile on his face. “This is the third delivery this week, Miss Eve. Does someone have a secret admirer?”

  She pasted a plain smile on her face. “No, I have a stalker.” She waved off his concern and accepted the large box he tried to hide. The black and silver box was almost the size of her desk and she was reluctant
to open it. Alessandro had sent her increasingly extravagant gifts all week, keeping his promise that it wasn’t over. First, he sent her a pair of outrageous stilettos with diamonds all over them and then, it was the sexiest lingerie she had ever seen. Sheer white bra and thong, lace topped stockings and garter belt. It was sexy as hell and awful presumptuous. Damn arrogant man with his gorgeous face. Today, she had a good idea what was in the box.

  “Open it up, girl, I’m dying over here!”

  Marcus was giddier than she was, but she couldn’t disappoint him. “Oh, alright.” She lifted the box and removed the tissue paper, gasping at the sight of the evening gown as she lifted it. “Wow.”

  “Oh, Miss Thang! Whatever kind of stalker you have, find out if he has a brother for me because that dress is to die for.”

  Marcus was right, the dress was to die for. The black bodice was covered in diamonds and lace and the full skirt was practically sheer underneath the layers. It was a little bit naughty and a little bit nice. And, there was a note.

  Seven thirty tomorrow night, ma cherié. I can’t wait to see you in this dress, and I can’t wait to take it off your delectable body. -Alessandro

  Well, damn. If his words alone could leave her in knees wobbly and her panties moistening, she would be in deep trouble alone with this man for any length of time.

  “Woman, is that Cavalli? Oh, any man who gives you a Cavalli deserves the dirtiest version of you!” He was looking at the card over her shoulder.

  She ignored Marcus’ squealing, her gaze locked on the gorgeous dress. “I can’t keep this. It’s too much.”

  “Well, what are you going to wear out with him tomorrow night?”

  She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Who said I was going?”

  “Bitch, please. We both know you’re going, and we both know your panties and that dress will wind up on the floor of some swanky downtown hotel.” He twirled and sashayed out of her office with his usual flair.

  She sat back in her chair and realized she had been well and truly manipulated. All the gifts he’d sent this week were for the date tomorrow night. The shoes, the lingerie, and now the dress. “Well played, Alessandro, well played.”

  ***

  Alessandro was feeling something he had never felt before when it came to a woman. He was nervous. Cal weaved through L.A. traffic as the limo climbed the bumpy hills, and Alessandro had sweaty palms because he didn’t know if Eve would show for their date. He wouldn’t put it past her to open the door in yoga gear or to not be home altogether. It was her feistiness that made him keep chasing her. She was refreshing and didn’t seem to worry about pleasing him, which oddly did please him.

  She wouldn’t be an easy catch, but he would catch her. He always did. Eventually.

  He didn’t need Cal to tell him they had arrived because he’d been staring out the window hoping she’d be waiting eagerly on the porch. Of course, she wasn’t. He’d consider it a win if she opened the door wearing the gown. If not, he’d be happy to help her put it on.

  He took several deep breaths and rang the bell. Seconds later, the door swung open and Alessandro felt his entire body erupt in arousal. Heart pounding, blood rushing through his veins, and head spinning he took in the sight she made – a foxy rock star with curves for days. The way her breasts spilled over the top of that bodice had him aching to run his tongue along her swells. “Good God, you are fucking magnificent.”

  His smile widened when a blush stole over her chest and face. “Thank you, Alessandro. You look damn good, yourself.”

  “This old thing,” he smoothed the lapels in an exaggerated way.

  “Yeah that old perfectly tailored tuxedo,” she scoffed with a smile. “I can practically smell the moth balls from here.”

  “You are good for my ego, lovely Eve.” He couldn’t take his eyes off of her; she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her lips were blush pink with a hint of a sparkle and the gold shimmer on her lids enhanced the entrancing color of her eyes. He should look away and get his obvious arousal under control, but he just couldn’t turn away from the picture she made.

  “Ready?” she asked, reaching for a see-through wrap and the tiniest purse known to womankind.

  “Is there even anything in that purse?”

  She laughed and he felt like he’d achieved something big. “Yes. But it’s just the basics: lipstick, lip balm, cash, a compact, and a condom.”

  Alessandro began coughing as her words caught him off guard. “A condom?”

  She nodded innocently. “It doesn’t have to be used, Alessandro, but it’s better to be prepared than going hot and heavy,” her voice got breathy when she said the words, “and have to stop at an inopportune moment.” That mischievous smile set him even further on edge.

  “You’re killing me, Eve. But you know that don’t you?”

  She nodded with a confident smile.

  “But you know what happens when you play with fire, don’t you?”

  The look he gave her was so smoldering, she was pretty sure her lacy thong burst into flames and turned to ash. “You get burned,” she said in a dismissive manner.

  “No. I’ll make you so hot you burn for me.” His finger played with one of the ringlets falling free from her complicated updo and his other hand cupped her face. “Burn, baby, burn,” he grunted and captured her mouth in a heated kiss.

  Eve was powerless to fight against the sexual onslaught his kiss was causing. His mouth was strong and his tongue tasted like citrus as it invaded her mouth, sweeping over her teeth and tangling with her tongue. His mouth tasted and explored every inch and dark corner of her mouth. She weaved her fingers through his hair and she heard a moan – it was her. She pulled back. “Alessandro,” she panted and fought to keep her breathing under control. His lust-addled gaze stirred a war within her – she should lean in and take more of the kiss he offered or pull back and get through the evening with her lingerie still on?

  “You taste even better than I thought you would. Sweet, a hint of spice and cinnamon, and something that’s uniquely Eve.” His smile was that of a man confident he’d be satisfied before the night was out. “I can’t wait for a longer taste of you, ma cherié.”

  “Who says I’ll let you have another taste, Mr. Scotti?”

  He laughed, loving that haughty voice she took on to keep him at a distance. “I do, of course. You enjoyed that kiss as much as I did, maybe more judging by that moan I heard.”

  She sucked in a breath. “You did not just go there!”

  His hand rested on her thigh and slowly climbed higher. “Oh, I plan to go further, deeper later tonight.”

  Even though her body wanted everything his eyes were promising, she had enough sense to swipe his hand away. “Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll get a kiss better than that one at the end of the night.”

  He leaned in until their breath mingled and nipped her bottom lip. “A man can hope.”

  ***

  Eve had been so shaken and so turned on by that kiss she forgot to ask where they were going until it was too late to turn back. She hated these pseudo highbrow galas where rich people patted themselves on the back for wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars under the pretense of helping the underprivileged. It was disgusting and she was well and truly stuck.

  “We’re going to the STEM Gala for Girls. My company has a table and I’m a major benefactor,” he said with more than a bit of pride in his voice.

  “Of course, you do,” she grumbled, less than thrilled about the abrupt change in her feelings. She should have known he wouldn’t take her on a real date. All billionaires did was network, schmooze, and make deals. He didn’t have time to date and this proved it. “Let’s get this over with, then.” She straightened her dress and her posture, grabbed his arm, and walked the red carpet with Alessandro Scotti.

  His brows furrowed at the swift change in demeanor. “Is everything alright?” he asked through a smile, hundreds of cameras taking their image from just a few feet
away.

  Eve’s smile was dim and absolutely fake as she answered, “I’m fine. Just peachy.” At least, she would be when this night was over.

  With a hand on her lower back, Alessandro guided her up the carpet and into a large ballroom dripping with wealth and luxury. “Obviously, you’re not fine. Tell me what it is.”

  She turned to him with a tight smile. “It doesn’t matter now. Let’s do this. Okay?”

  Alessandro wanted to fight her, but he knew she could be stubborn and he guessed if he tried to push, she would bolt. “Fine.”

  “Great.” She snagged a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and scanned the room. The women were draped in diamonds and the finest fabrics money could buy. The men were huddled in circles bragging about business deals and trying to top each other with outrageous purchases and trophy wives. She stiffened when Alessandro grabbed her elbow and guided her to his table. At the front, of course.

  Alessandro made introductions at the table, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Eve. Something was eating at her and he didn’t like it. He hated that he even cared whether or not she was happy. She was smiling, but it was tight and forced, nothing like the lively smile that lit up her beautiful face. He would get to the bottom of it later, but now he needed to put his game face on. “I need to make the rounds,” he told her and disappeared into the crowd.

  And there he goes, folks, off to rule more of the world. She sat back in her chair and got comfortable as the couples at the table either made their way to the dance floor or talked shop. They had just arrived, yet she was already bored as hell.

  “And what is it that you do, Eve?” The question came from a pretty blonde with a too large nose.

  “I own a chain of beauty salons.” She watched the woman try to figure out what to say in response, a blank stare on her face.

  “How nice.”

  She said condescendingly, Eve narrated to herself. “Yes. I think so.”