by C. M. Steele
“First, relax. Since taking over the café, we take it as a corporate loss and will take our standard profit sharing. I’ll work on the banks personally and negotiate the removal of the late fees. As for the assholes your father was willing to deal with, they have two choices: take what I give, or take their last breath. It’s just that simple.”
“Damn, you seem tougher than your brother.” Seriously, the man I met today doesn’t appear as tough as Niccolò.
“You met Domani?” Do I sense a hint of jealousy in his deep voice?
“Yes. Domani and his men came to the apartment after Aria showed up.”
“Oh, well, when it comes to his wife and his son, he’s a softy. Everyone else is in deep shit if he’s not in a good mood. In fact, he’s paid your father a visit this morning for those fuckers’ names.”
Oh that explains what he said earlier. “How many more people does he owe?”
“Three, for a total of two hundred thousand.”
“I’ll never be able to repay that.”
“You aren’t paying shit. They shouldn’t have ever mentioned fucking you because they’re lucky if I give them a dollar for speaking to you at all.”
“I’m starting to think you’re crazy…”
“About you, that’s a guarantee. I’m obsessed. Now, did you eat enough? I can tell you had garlic bread, but have you eaten a meal with some damn protein?” I blush, covering my mouth. “Baby, I’m Italian—I fucking love garlic. Now answer me.”
“I didn’t eat much. I wanted to check on the café.”
“It’s doing well, but we can take a lunch break across the street. I want you to eat more than carbs for a meal.”
“Says the Italian.” I roll my eyes, and he pulls me into his arms.
With his face against my throat, he kisses my neck and then whispers in my ear, “I didn’t say you couldn’t have them, but you need more than that.”
“I suppose you have a point.”
He releases me and then adds with a smile that nearly floors me, “Besides, we need a proper date. By the way, do you know how sexy you look?”
“Aria says I look adorable.”
“Yes, and that’s sexy as hell.”
We head out of the back to the busy storefront. We’ll be back in an hour.” He doesn’t address Ella, but rather the girl behind the counter. She’s cute too, but she looks about sixteen. “She’s Enrico’s daughter.”
“Oh, she’s pretty.”
“I suppose, but I’m not interested in her.”
“How old is she?” I ask because it’s bothering me still.
“She’s in college, so I’m not quite sure.” His lack of interest makes me happy, so I drop the questions for the time being. It’s silly to even ask him at all because we’re not together, no matter how much he kisses me. I’m a means to an end—a debt to collect—owned.
Chapter Seven
Niccolò
Lunch was amazing mainly because of the company. Ivy’s smile makes me forget my own name. “Are you ready to get back to work?” she asks as we walk across the street.
“Always. Although, I’ll be working on the figures not the coffee.”
“Speaking of that.” A nervous curiosity is written all over her face.
“I’m trying not to upset you, Ivy.”
“I understand, but not knowing feels like shit.”
“Okay, so we’ll go in and I’ll explain the numbers. The staff should be able to handle the café until we close.”
“Are you sure?” I love the way her eyes lit up at the idea. Fuck, I’m not so sure I can control the lust pounding through my veins.
“You have two employees, plus the two I brought in. It’s sufficient enough to do the work and prep for tomorrow. According to the schedule, you work alone after two, which to me is unacceptable, so Marie and Claudia will help you close.”
“I just don’t have the money to pay people.”
“You will, once we clean up the debts and the embezzlement stops.”
“I can only hope.”
“I promise,” I say as I pull open the door, holding it for her.
“So how was lunch?” her employee, who I don’t care for, asks. Her smile is fake, almost vicious underneath that mask. She won’t be alone with Ivy again.
“It was filling.” She doesn’t go into details, and I wonder if it’s because she senses the same thing I do. “We’re going to be working on the books. It’s time for you to clock out, though. Have a great day, Ella,” she finishes in a chipper voice.
As soon as we greet and walk past everyone and into the office, I slam the door closed and pin her to it. My mouth is on hers and her hands fly into my hair, tugging as we kiss. A knock on the wood behind us ends our intimate, out-of-control moment.
“Yes,” Ivy calls out, adjusting her shirt and trying to get out of my grip, but I don’t give two fucks who’s on the other side of the door at the moment.
“I’m off tomorrow. I just wanted you to remember that.”
Snarling against Ivy’s neck, I bite her collarbone softly. “Okay. See you Monday.” She stands there for a moment longer before her footsteps trail away.
“We need to work, and you need to keep your hands to yourself.”
“Well, I can’t help the way your perceptiveness turns me on.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t like that woman, and when we came back, your attitude toward her changed as you can tell she’s fucking cunt.”
“Not a nice word, but you’re right. I didn’t like the way she was looking at you earlier, and then when we came back, her smile couldn’t have been more full of shit.”
“See? That’s fucking sexy.” I kiss her again, and she nudges me away with an attempt of a grimace.
“Mr. Bianchi, please get to showing me how to improve my business.”
“Our business.”
“Does that mean your brother owns it—and me?”
“Watch your mouth, little girl. I think you want your ass spanked. And no. I bought out your stepfather’s debt from the family.”
“What?”
“That’s ridiculous. Why?”
“Because I wanted to. Now, do you want to learn, or do you want to argue with me all day.” She pauses, twisting her lips as she weights her options while tapping her finger on her chin. “I suppose you want my hands on your ass, Ivy.”
“It’s not my fault I’m horny right now. You’re to blame.”
“Back at you, Sugar. My dick hasn’t gone down since we met without me stroking it to thoughts of you in all the most erotic positions.”
“Ugh. I hate you,” she says, clenching her thighs together before going to take a seat at the desk. I stand beside her, leaning down where I can see into her blouse. She tilts her head up. “Like what you see?”
“You know I do.”
“Just so you know, I love this bra. You have great taste.”
“I’ve got nothing to do with that. It was all Aria and my mother who did the shopping.”
“I had a feeling she’s the one who filled my closet. She really loves to shop.”
“Yes, well, Aria was trapped in her house for years, so having girl time is her favorite hobby. Now, onto the numbers.”
After three hours, Ivy’s eyes are rolling back in her head from complete boredom. “Sweetheart, why don’t you show the girls how to close up. I’ll finish, and then we can head home.” She doesn’t argue or even give me shit for the endearments because she can’t wait to get away from the numbers. It’s too damned cute.
“Do you want a coffee before we close up?”
“Please. Black.”
“Black? No sugar?” My ears heat up. “Wait. I’ve been making it wrong for you this whole time?”
“Sorry. I was thinking about how sweet your lips were, and ‘sugar’ just came out.”
“Then I suppose you’ve definitely had your fill.”
“Not even close, but the coffee I prefer blac
k.”
“Yep—I thought you were a psychopath, and that says it all.”
“You’ve got me there. Now get going before I start telling you about the marginal utility and the baked goods you offer.”
“Oh God, I’m out.” She rushes out of the office. “He’s insane,” she shouts. “Who likes numbers like that!”
A chuckle comes from deep within me, and I shake my head as I get back to work.
****
Her eyes brighten as I come out of the office. “Are you done for the day?”
“Yes, I’m taking some work home. I want to be able to do my regular job next week.” Immediately I know I said something wrong, but I’m not sure what it is.
“Okay. I’m ready.”
“Where is the rest of the staff?”
“I sent them home.”
“Okay. Let’s lock up. Oh, and you’ll need the code.” I read it off to her as I enter it.
“Wow, this is fancy.”
“I want you well protected.” Grabbing her hand in mine, I lead her to my vehicle and close the door once she’s in.
As soon as I pull out of my spot, I’m working on dinner plans. “What would you like for dinner?”
“Lunch was filling, so I’m not that hungry.” I can’t be sure if that’s true, or if she doesn’t want to be a bother. One thing I’ve learned is that Ivy is generous to a fault. However, since she hasn’t eaten, her stomach could be a lot smaller.
“How about some Chinese? I have a taste for it.”
“Yes.” Her smile makes me want to lean down and kiss the fuck out of her. So my pretty girl is hungry after all.
“Fuck, you’re so damn beautiful when your smile reaches your eyes.” She blushes, and since it’s the beginning of May, the lights of the setting sun only amplify her radiance. The flush on her face makes me wonder if she’ll be that pink when I’m buried balls deep inside her warmth.
I’m so lost in my head that I almost missed my turn into the parking garage, causing me to turn a little sharper than I normally would. Damn, I’m going to start using a family driver, but I’ll wait to call one of the guys tomorrow. For tonight, no more distractions.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. Are you okay?”
I pull into my spot and put the car in park before I give her my attention, because that concrete wall doesn’t look forgiving. “I’m great, Ivy. In fact, I’ve never felt better.” I exit and rush around to the other side as Ivy grabs the handle. “Always wait for me,” I chide her.
“I can open my door just fine, Niccolò.”
“Yes, but there could be dangers and I want you to be safe.” She nods and looks around as if she’s afraid that we’ll be ambushed. It’s extremely unlikely, but that’s why there are teams that guard the building per the agreement I made when I moved away from the estate.
“We’re safe here. Come on, Sugar. I want to eat you… I mean I want to feed you.”
“Freudian slip?”
“Damn right. I can’t wait to have my head between those legs.”
“I’m not sure I’d mind.”
My eyes widen as I stare at her, jabbing the button for my elevator, which opens immediately. “Don’t say things like that because I’ll have your pussy for dinner and then fill you up with my load.”
“Again, not making it sound like a bad thing.”
I pin her back to the wall with her arms bent above her head and fingers interlaced with mine, grinding my cock against her stomach as my mouth crushes hers. “Nico,” she moans against my lips.
I release her mouth and lean my forehead on her chest. “It’s a bad thing because if I fuck you, there’s no going back. You will be mine.”
“I thought you already said you owned me.”
I look into her eyes, gazing intently at her. “Ivy, you don’t know what you’re saying. I’m hanging on by a thread.”
“Perhaps I should just leave.”
A growl rips through my throat just as the elevator doors open. I lift her into my arms, putting hers around my neck, not saying a word until I have her locked inside the condo and into my bedroom with our shoes kicked off along the way. I lay her down on the bed with my body pinning hers down. “I can’t let you leave. You’re mine.”
I grab the hem of her blouse and raise it over her head, tossing it on the floor. Fuck, she’s wearing an all-black lace bra that barely hides the treasures inside. My fingers skim over the top of each full cup, listening to her light, breathy moans. I tug the material down and take my first taste. Her soft, supple skin down to the pointed hard peaks are mine to devour, and the rush of my tongue swiping across the tender buds sends me into overdrive. When I suck on her nipple, I know I can’t go back. I have to have my woman under me, filled with my seed until our child begins to form. Lust, desire, and hunger fuel me, igniting the burning need to possess Ivy in every way possible.
A wave of doubt passes through me, but her reassurance is all I need. I haven’t told her the truth, but I’m hoping she’ll believe me.
“I need you, Nico. Please don’t stop.”
Forgetting all my rules and common sense, I strip us both naked, aching to kiss her body from head to toe. Slinking my way down, I stop right between her thighs, nestling my shoulders and stretching her legs apart. I’ve wanted my meal, and now I’m feasting. My hands skim up her thighs, learning the way she responds from the lightest of touches to a firm grasp on each. Ivy’s moans and sighs intensify with every passing second. I press my nose to her core and breathe her in before my tongue slices up her slit. Her sticky sweetness hits my tastebuds, and I crave more. She’s like a fine wine made just for me. I dip my finger into her core, which is extremely tight. Ivy cries out as I pump one digit inside; slowly I add a second while sucking on her little nub that peeks out at me.
“Oh my goodness. I’m…I think I’m…wow.” Her words are lost as she shouts my name. I lick up her release, needing to get inside her before I nut all over myself. Climbing up her body, kissing a path to her throat, I line up my cock at her entrance, praying I don’t hurt her too much.
“Niccolò, there’s something I need to tell you.” I think she’s about to tell me what I swear I can feel. That tiny membrane that my finger lightly grazed leaves us on equal footing and sends the caveman in me into overdrive.
“Anything.”
“It’s just…it’s hard to say.”
“Then I’ll make a confession first.” I kiss her lips and then whisper, “I’m a virgin, Ivy. I’ve saved myself for you.”
“What?”
“That’s not possible. You’re in your late twenties.”
“Twenty-six to be exact, and I’m not the only one. It’s kind of a family thing. We wait for our queens, and you’re mine.”
“I thought you owned me?”
“And you own me.” She pulls my face down to hers, kissing me while wrapping her legs around my waist, and my cock pushes through her seam, tearing past that tiny barrier and making Ivy mine forever. She gasps, freezing in movement, squinting from the pain. “I’m sorry, my queen.”
“It’s my fault for practically shoving it in myself, but the pain is easing.”
“That’s really good because I’m not sure how much longer I can hang on. Damn, you’re so fucking warm and tight.”
“Niccolò, I’m not on birth control.”
“Do you want me to stop?” I ask. “Because that’s not going to stop me. The idea of your belly round with my baby would make me fucking happy as hell.” I kiss her neck, nipping on her skin, and then kiss her mouth as she rocks her hips up for more. “One last chance.”
“I’m yours.”
“Damn right. You most certainly are mine.” I flex my hips forward until my length is completely buried into her womb. Pleasure shoots up my spine as I try to slow the urge to come. “Sugar, you need to come for me because my inexperienced ass can’t hold back much longer.”
“Fuck me like you need to, Nico.” I increase
my pace and intertwine our fingers until we both finally let go, orgasms tearing through us. Rolling onto my back with Ivy on my chest, I cradle her while I attempt to calm my racing heart.
“Goodnight, Niccolò,” Ivy says. Her voice trails off.
I press my lips to the crown of her head and whisper, “Goodnight, my love.”
Chapter Eight
Ivy
I stretch in bed without panicking because Niccolò kissed me goodbye as he left for the café so I could sleep in. Instead of protesting, I agreed because every muscle in my body feels thoroughly worked out. Once I finally glance over at the clock, it’s only eight, but I’m well rested. As much as he wants me to relax, I’m anxious to see him.
Quickly taking a shower, I towel dry my hair before putting it in a braid. It’s easy and can picture Niccolò grabbing hold of it as he fucks me.
“Dang, you need a cold shower,” I say to my reflection, giggling and walking into the bedroom to get dressed. Looking at the large array of clothes, I pick out a pair of yoga pants because I like the way my butt looks in them. A pretty top with a matching thin pink sweater, and a pair of flats make up the rest of the outfit. With a bit of makeup, I finally leave the bedroom.
I go around the condo and make sure everything is off and I have my phone and purse before I cut out. I’ll have to figure out the bus system from here. Maybe I should have done that earlier. “Oh well.”
I open the front door to find Enrico leaning against the wall. “I’m here to take you into the café when you’re ready.”
“Thank you. I’m totally ready.” The door locks behind me and I follow Enrico to the elevator. He doesn’t say anything the entire drive.
As soon as we pull up, Enrico comes around and opens the door for me which makes me blush because it’s so much to take in. I feel like some celebrity.
I pull open the café door only to find Niccolò coming toward me.
“I missed you, Sugar.” He slides his arm around my waist, dragging me to his body while his other hand slides up the base of my skull.
He kisses me in front of the entire place, growling and biting on my lip as if he’s marking his territory for every male in the place. We earn a round of applause as he releases my mouth. I brush my hair that has fallen loose from my braid and tuck it behind my ears. “You look perfect, Ivy.”