by Pamela Yaye
“Let me take care of you and give you the life you’ve always dreamed of.”
“Emilio, I can take care of myself. I don’t need you to baby me. I’m a grown woman.”
“I don’t want to date long-distance. I want you to travel with me.”
“And I want to keep my career.”
A scowl twisted his lips, and there was a hint of anger in his voice. “I can’t believe we’re arguing about this. Most women would kill to be able to stop working.”
“Then I suggest you go find one of those women, because I refuse to be your puppet.”
Emilio flinched, as if he’d been slapped. “We’ll talk about this later.”
What’s there to talk about? I’m not quitting my job, and if you can’t respect my decision then we’ll never have a future together. Sharleen didn’t realize the limousine had stopped until the back door opened, and sunshine flooded the car. She felt the wind on her face and took a deep breath of the sweet-smelling air to calm her nerves.
Emilio stepped out of the limo, helped Sharleen to her feet and draped an arm around her waist. He looked handsome in his red World Series Racing uniform, like the superstar athlete he was, and radiated a potent blend of sensuality and masculinity.
Out of the corner of her eye, Sharleen spotted a silver-haired man smoking at the back door of the convention center. She could feel the stranger looking at them, could feel the heat and intensity of his gaze. Is he staring at Emilio or my scars?
Sharleen thought back to that morning and smiled at the memory of their romantic breakfast. To please Emilio, she’d donned a flirty yellow dress and a pair of ankle-tie pumps. Butterflies had flooded her stomach as she’d entered the kitchen, but when he’d swept her up in his arms for a long, passionate kiss, her fears and insecurities had evaporated into thin air.
“Ready to wow the crowd?”
“I’m not the one with the rabid race-car fans,” she told him. “No one will even notice me.”
His gaze slid ever so slowly down her body and along her hips. “Oh, they’ll notice all right.” Emilio gave her a smile, one that made her forget about their argument minutes earlier. He lowered his mouth to her ear. “You take my breath away.”
Sure I do, she thought, wishing he’d quit teasing her, but loving it nonetheless.
“Your legs look sensational in this dress.” He licked his lips lasciviously, as if he wanted to devour her, and slid his hands down her back. “And so does your butt!”
“You are such a smooth talker. I bet your sexy one-liners drive your female fans wild.”
“Confidence is sexy, so when I give you a compliment, just say thank you.”
“Duly noted,” she said.
A blonde, thinner than a lamppost, threw her arms around Emilio and kissed him on both cheeks. “You’re here! I can’t believe it!” she gushed. “You look incredible.”
Emilio chuckled. “I’ve come a long way since I announced my retirement in 2012.”
“I’d say. I almost didn’t recognize you!”
“Love is an amazing thing.” He looked at Sharleen and held her close to his side. He gazed at her with such warmth and affection her breath caught in her throat. “I haven’t been this happy in years, and I owe it all to you.”
Joy flooded her heart. Sharleen knew she was wearing an awestruck expression on her face, but she didn’t care how foolish she looked. For years, she’d been afraid of intimacy, of letting anyone get too close, but now she wanted a future with Emilio, and she refused to let her doubts and insecurities get in her way. She loved him too much.
Emilio introduced her to the blonde, and Sharleen was surprised to discover the attractive stranger was a senior executive at Ferrari. The woman was her age, if not younger, and obviously had a huge crush on Emilio. What else is new? she thought, indulging in a wry smile. He’s a sexy piece of eye candy and more charismatic than a rock star!
“Emilio, follow me.” The blonde opened the back door of the convention center and waved him inside. “I have everything set up and ready to go on stage three.”
The convention center was packed with car enthusiasts, members of the media and more scantily dressed women than a rap concert. Emilio stepped onto the raised booth, and the crowd exploded in cheers, whistles and fervent applause.
Sharleen was impressed by how kind he was to his fans. He kissed babies, posed for pictures and gave hugs. Women were coming at him from every side, but she could tell by his forced smile that he wasn’t romantically interested in any of them.
Sharleen heard her cell phone ring inside her purse and knew from the ringtone that it was her boss. Panic drenched her skin. Did Mrs. Fontaine know that she was in Miami with Emilio? Was she calling to ream her out? Or worse, fire her? Putting the phone to her ear, she greeted her boss warmly, despite her thundering heartbeat. “Hello, Mrs. Fontaine. How are you?”
“Fine, thank you. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
Frowning, she glanced down at her iPhone. Mrs. Fontaine sounded upset, as if she’d been crying, and her voice was softer than a whisper. “Yes, of course. Is everything okay?”
“I’ve made a decision about the VP position, and I would like to meet with you and Brad on Friday afternoon. I know you have a consultation, but I want everything in place before I leave for my book tour that evening.”
“I understand, Mrs. Fontaine. Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”
“Great. I look forward to seeing you—”
Sharleen heard muffled sounds and a gruff, male voice in the background, but it was Mrs. Fontaine’s hostile tone that surprised her. “Jules, get the hell out or I’ll call the cops!”
Click. The phone went dead. It seemed as if the rumors flying around the office were true. Mrs. Fontaine was having marital problems with her husband, Jules. Had she kicked him out of the house and changed the locks? Were they beginning divorce proceedings?
Casting her thoughts aside, she dropped her cell phone back inside her purse and turned to the stage. To her surprise, Emilio was staring at her. Their eyes met, and the corners of his mouth twisted into a bad-boy grin.
A tremor tore through her body, left her feeling delirious with need, and she shot him a playful wink. She’d never felt more comfortable in her skin, and Emilio was the reason why. It suddenly dawned on her what made him special. He appreciated her mind and praised her inner strength, not just her curves. He asked good questions, smart ones that made her search deep within, and she enjoyed their honest, thought-provoking discussions about life.
“You must be Sharleen,” said a male voice, with a hint of an East Coast accent. Turning around, she regarded the attractive couple standing behind her, holding hands. Sharleen instantly recognized Nicco Morretti from the pictures at Emilio’s estate, but the photographs didn’t do the restaurateur justice. He had eyes that twinkled with mischief, a head full of curly hair and a buff body. His wife, Jariah, was a tall, full-figured beauty with long, thick braids. Her orange off-the-shoulder sundress flattered her dark skin tone, and the tight fit showed off her baby bump.
“I’m Nicco, and this gorgeous woman is my wife, Jariah.” Beaming with pride, he rested a hand on her stomach. “And this little one is Nicco Morretti Jr.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”
“Welcome to the family,” Nicco said, with a smile.
Sharleen laughed. It was impossible not to like Nicco—he was charming and outgoing, and she was touched by how he treated his wife. While they waited for Emilio, they chatted about the luxury cars on display and the record-breaking temperatures.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for weeks, and now that I have, I understand why my cousin adores you,” Nicco said. “So, when’s the wedding?”
Sharleen felt her mouth dry and her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“What can I say?” he said, throwing his hands in the air. “Love is a beautiful thing!”
The women laughed.
“Marriage definitely agrees with you, Nicco,” Emilio said as he reached them. “I’ve never seen you look so good!”
Nicco hugged Emilio and introduced him to Jariah. There were more hugs and kisses and plenty of laughs as the couples chatted.
“I hope you’re not over here giving my girlfriend a hard time.” Emilio glared at his cousin, but a broad grin was on his mouth. “It took me weeks to win her over, and I won’t have you undoing all of my hard work.”
Your girlfriend? God, I love the sound of that!
Sharleen thought her heart would burst with love when Emilio draped an arm around her waist and kissed her on the lips. He smiled knowingly at her, as if he had a trick up his sleeve, and affectionately stroked her neck and shoulders. His touch would never get old, would never fail to excite her, even if they were married for sixty years.
“Let’s go eat.” Emilio said. “Posing for pictures and signing autographs might look easy, but it’s hard work!”
* * *
Three hours later, the couples were sitting outside on the wraparound deck at Nicco and Jariah’s mansion, sipping cocktails and shooting the breeze. Too full to move, Sharleen sat back comfortably in her seat and crossed her legs. Dinner had been a five-course feast, and everything on the table—from the poached oysters to the Italian lamb—had been delicious.
“The big day is almost here,” Emilio said. “Are you ready for the baby’s arrival?”
Nicco shook his head. “Not yet. I still need a few more weeks to finish the nursery.”
“And if the baby comes early?”
“Then I’m screwed!”
The men chuckled, and the jovial expression on Emilio’s face made Sharleen laugh, too. His skin had browned in the sun, making him look even more attractive. It was obvious he was having a great time with his cousin, and Sharleen enjoyed seeing this playful, fun-loving side of him. He entertained them with stories from his childhood, told them about the first—and only—time he’d changed his nephew’s diaper and spoke openly about how Lucca had changed his life.
“Having children will enrich your lives in ways you couldn’t imagine.”
“I wholeheartedly agree,” Nicco said. “That’s why I’d like to have five or six kids.”
Jariah gestured to her stomach with a nod of her head. “Can I have this baby first, before you start pressuring me to have another one?”
The couple laughed and shared a kiss.
Sharleen glanced at Emilio, sensed that he was still thinking about his nephew and took his hand in hers. Their eyes met, and for a long moment they stared at each other, oblivious to the world around them.
“I found it!” Ava, Jariah’s six-year-old daughter, burst through the French doors, waving a soccer ball in her hands. “I’m ready to show you my moves, Uncle Emilio!”
“Ava, honey, not now,” Jariah said, hugging her daughter to her side. “Let your uncle finish his dessert. You can play soccer later.”
Her face crumbled. “But I want to play now.”
Emilio stood and smiled at the adorable girl with the short black curls. “Lead the way, Ava. I’m right behind you.”
“Hey, wait for me!” Nicco jumped up, scooped his stepdaughter in his arms and nuzzled his chin against her cheek. “That’s what you get for trying to leave me behind!”
She giggled uncontrollably. “Sorry, Dad, I didn’t mean to.”
“Next time you try to ditch me I’ll bring out the Tickle Monster.”
Ava gasped in horror, and everyone laughed.
Sharleen watched the trio set off for the field and giggled when Emilio blew her a kiss. Every time Emilio looked at her she felt as if her heart would burst with love.
“I think it’s cute the way Emilio dotes on you,” Jariah said, refilling their empty glasses with juice. “That’s rare to see in this day and age.”
“Tell me about it. The last guy I dated never referred to me as his girlfriend and he once introduced me to a colleague as his ‘homie.’ I almost died of embarrassment!”
“I hear you, girlfriend. I dated a lot of frogs before I met Nicco, so I’ll never take him for granted. I thank God every day that we found each other.”
Sharleen picked up her glass and tasted her drink. Her gaze strayed back to the field. Nothing was more attractive than a man playing with a child, and watching Emilio chase Ava around warmed her heart.
“Are you nervous about getting engaged?”
Sharleen choked on her mango punch. Mortified, she grabbed a napkin and covered her mouth as she coughed. “What makes you think Emilio and I are getting engaged?”
“I overheard the guys talking in the living room,” she explained. “Emilio said he’s ready to settle down, and that he’d like to be married by the end of the year.”
“He said that? Really? But we’ve only known each other for a couple of months.”
“When a man knows, he knows. And these Morretti men waste no time staking their claim.”
“Is that what happened to you?”
“Yes, and I didn’t even see it coming!” Jariah told her about the first time she met Nicco, about how she hated him on sight and her valiant efforts to resist his advances, especially after meeting his difficult, opinionated mother.
“But you can see how well that turned out,” she quipped, rubbing her protruding stomach. “I never dreamed I’d get married and pregnant all in one year, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m glad I followed my heart. You should, too.”
I want to, but I’m scared. What if he meets someone else? Someone beautiful and perfect and everything I’m not?
“Nicco told me you’re the only woman Emilio’s ever introduced him to—”
“No way! But he’s dated tons of celebrities.”
“That’s true, but you’re the one who captured his heart, and that’s all that matters.”
Her mind was reeling, spinning like a wheel. Is Jariah right? Is he planning to propose? Is that why he brought me to Miami?
“Can I give you some advice?”
Sharleen blinked and shook off her thoughts. “Yes, of course.”
“Morretti men always get what they want, so don’t bother playing hard to get. He’ll sweep you off your feet, and before you know it, you’ll be head over heels in love.”
“Girl, please,” Sharleen said with a laugh. “Tell me something I don’t know!”
Chapter 16
“Baby, wake up. We’re home.” Emilio placed a hand on Sharleen’s thigh, hoping she’d respond to his touch. She murmured in her sleep but didn’t open her eyes. He wasn’t surprised; they’d had a long day and he knew she was exhausted. They’d spent their last few hours in Miami strolling around South Beach, shopping for their friends and family at high-end boutiques.
After this weekend, he was more eager than ever to build a life with Sharleen. He caressed her cheeks with the back of his hand. What he loved most about Sharleen was her resilient spirit. She’d overcome insurmountable odds, but never lost her smile or her zest for life. She was good for him, someone kind and trustworthy who would do anything to make him happy, and he was excited about their future.
Emilio studied Sharleen, took his time admiring her fit and fine physique. He didn’t understand why a ridiculously beautiful woman would struggle with feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. More shocking still, she was a virgin. Emilio never would have guessed it, not in a million years. A puzzling thought crossed his mind. Did Antwan kno
w Sharleen was a virgin? Was that why he wanted him to back off? Because he wanted to be her first?
Shaking his head, he told himself it didn’t matter, that it wasn’t important. Sharleen was his girlfriend now, and if Antwan wanted to keep their friendship, he’d leave her alone. It had happened all of a sudden, without him even realizing it, but he’d fallen hard for her.
Emilio nuzzled his face against hers and inhaled her scent. Her hair was styled just the way he liked, in loose, lush waves flowing down her back, and she was wearing one of the dresses he’d bought her. She was feminine and sexy, without revealing too much, and she carried herself in a graceful manner. Emilio was itching to make love to her, but he wouldn’t pressure her. He’d wait until she was ready—
That could be six months from now, or a year? Can you handle being with her every day without crossing the line?
Emilio was pondering the question, when Sharleen opened her eyes and smiled sheepishly at him. “I drank too much wine on the flight, and it’s all your fault. I told you one glass was enough, but you just wouldn’t listen...”
“I like spoiling you. Is that a crime?”
Sharleen glanced outside the window. “I thought you were taking me home.”
“I want you to spend the night.”
She raised an eyebrow, and he did, too.
“Get your mind out of the gutter,” he joked, faking a scowl. “I just want to hold you in my arms tonight. I might steal a couple kisses when you fall asleep, but that’s it, I promise.”
“Then I accept, but don’t snore. I’m a light sleeper!”
Emilio slid out of his seat, came around to the passenger-side door and helped Sharleen out of his Escalade. He led her up the walkway and into his estate. “Are you hungry?” he asked, flipping on the lights in the foyer. “I could throw some steaks on the grill if you’d like.”