by A. Hargrove
First Edition
One Shameless Night (A West Sisters Novel #2)
All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2019 A.M. Hargrove
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Cover Design by Maria @ Steamy Designs
Cover Photo by Eric David Battershell Photography
Cover Model: Parker Ramsay
Editing: My Brother’s Editor
Proofreading: iScream Proofreading Services
Contents
Playlist
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Epilogue
A.M. Hargrove
Other Books
Acknowledgements
This book is dedicated to all of my Italian readers. Last year when I visited your beautiful country, the idea for an Italian main character struck, and here is the result of that. I love you all more than I can say. I hope Alessandro, Gabriele, and their family live up to your expectations.
“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.”
– Les Brown
Playlist
“Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses” … U2
“Nothing More” … The Alternate Routes
“Landslide” … Fleetwood Mac
“Under Pressure” … Queen and David Bowie
“Gimme Shelter” … The Rolling Stones
“The Sound Of Falling In Love” … Matt Hires
“Everlong” … Foofighters
“Drive” … Incubus
“Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” … Green Day
“Dig” … Incubus
“Interstate Love Song” … Stone Temple Pilots
“With Or Without You” … U2
“All That I See” … The Alternate Routes
“Victorious” … Skillet
Chapter One
Piper
My belly lurched at the thought of leaving my family, but mostly my sister, Sylvie. I had flown in from the U.K., where I was studying for my master’s, in order to attend her wedding. She had twins that were only a couple of months old and they were absolutely adorable. I loved school, but I loved my family more. Homesickness gut-punched me, and it was all I could do not to bawl like my tiny nephews did when they were hungry. The entire crew piled into a van and we all left together in order to get me to the airport on time for my flight from Vail to Denver. My connection to London was a direct flight from there. Evan, my new brother-in-law, had been kind enough to buy me a first class ticket, so I'd have a bed on the way. I doubted I'd use it because of my sadness at leaving.
We said our goodbyes, but Evan had to practically pry me off of Sylvie. When I attempted to kiss the twins, he rerouted me toward the airport doors and told me it would probably be best if I just went inside. Dad hugged me and promised he'd visit soon. Most likely he said that to make me feel better because you could barely get him away from the babies. Who could blame him? I sniffed again at the thought of how those cute little humans would look entirely different the next time I saw them.
Waving to everyone through the doors, I eventually turned to check in. The rest of the family would be flying back to New York in Evan's private jet. Tears threatened again when thoughts of snuggling the babies during the flight circled in my mind. The flight to Denver turned out to be fine, other than I sobbed all the way. One of the flight attendants brought me a box of tissues, and I pitied the poor woman sitting next to me. As soon as we landed and they opened the door of the plane, she scurried away without a glance at me. I didn't blame her. Who wanted to sit next to a blubbering mess like me?
When I got to my connecting flight, I was told there was a problem. The plane had mechanical issues and they were rescheduling all passengers. Everyone scrambled to get onto another flight. Luckily enough, I got re-ticketed, although it was in coach. That was my only option if I wanted to get back to London in time for class the following day.
I found the new gate and waited to board. As luck would have it, I was in the very back of the plane, by the bathrooms and galley. So much for sleeping. Then I cried again as the thought of everyone on Evan's fancy jet, on their way back to New York, struck. My only salvation was I had the aisle seat so at least I could stretch my legs out during the flight. I was wiping my leaky eyes when a raspy voice said, “Mi scusi.” He pointed to the seat right next to me. I was sure he spoke either Italian or Portuguese, because I was familiar enough with Spanish to know it wasn't that.
I stood so he could get to his seat and even then, I had to look up. He was tall, with blond to light brown hair, amazing hazel eyes, and wore glasses. There was something about men in glasses that I'd always found hot. Sexiness oozed from him. I even noticed it in my depressed state. I checked to see if he wore a wedding ring. He had on several rings, but I didn't know if they were the kind that indicated wedded bliss. I dropped my gaze down to his ass because it was right in front of me now as he slid into his seat, and it was delicious. I'd been so focused on it, it wasn't until I heard him clear his throat that I snapped out of my ass-trance and sat down.
Sniffing back my tears, his gaze burned through me. I'm sure he was thinking how rotten his luck was because he'd gotten stuck next to an emotional wreck of a woman. Some tissues app
eared next to my hand. Turning my head, I noticed he was smiling. God had gifted this man with a smile that was full of sexual promise. If only.
“Thank you.” I wiped my eyes, which I was sure looked like hell. Mascara must've been perched on my chin by now.
“You're welcome. I hope everything is okay?”
“I'm only being foolish,” I answered, sucking back more tears. “I left my family behind. My sister just got married and has infant twins. My mother recently died, I'm on my way back to the U.K. I was supposed to be on a different plane in first class, but it had mechanical problems, so here I am, crying my eyes out next to you. I'm sorry.” I just vomited out my life story to this poor guy. What the hell was wrong with me?
“You too? I was supposed to be on that flight in first class. This was the only option, unless I wanted to wait two days, and I have to get back to the U.K. as well.”
His beautiful smile had me smiling in return.
“I guess we're in this together then.”
“I'm sorry about your mother. I lost mine at a very early age.”
I grabbed his hand, which surprised him by his startled expression. “Oh no! That must've been horrible. I can't imagine. I'm twenty-five, and it's killing me. Mine passed in January and I keep telling myself it'll get better. But I constantly want to call or text her, until I remember she's gone. I don't know how a young child could manage. My heart hurts for you.”
“Yes, it was a terrible time for my father and me. He was very, very sad. I remember he cried all the time, and I went to stay with my grandparents. I didn't understand why my mother didn't come to get me. Children can't understand those things.”
As he told me his story, I cried for the broken child he must've been.
“Ah, I didn't mean to make you cry. It was a long time ago, and, as you can see, this old heart has mended.”
“I don't believe you. That's something you never get over. You only learn to cope with the pain.”
He adjusted his glasses. “Perhaps you’re correct. My father eventually stopped crying. We grew very close again and time passed.”
“Did he ever remarry?” I was curious as I thought about my own father.
“Sadly, no. He is still a single man, but a very busy one. I believe he's happy in his own way.”
The flight attendant came through to check if we were buckled up and they did the safety video. Soon after, we took off. Maybe with this attractive man next to me, the flight wouldn't be so bad after all.
When they announced we could use all devices, he pulled out a computer and began typing away. About a half hour later, he shut it down.
“Were you in Denver on business?”
“Yes, and it was my first time there,” he said. “I would very much like to go back. It was an interesting city. You were there as well?”
“No, my brother-in-law has a house in Vail. That's where we were.”
“Do you ski?” he asked.
“Yes, do you?”
“Yes, I love to ski. I hear Vail is a wonderful place.”
“It is. If you ever get the chance, you should go. By the way, I'm Piper.”
He laughed. “Hello, Piper. I’m Alessandro. I’m very pleased to meet you.” We shook hands and I didn't want to let his go. It was warm and comforting.
“Same here. And I take it you're Italian?”
“Yes. How could you tell?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Your British accent gave you away.” We both laughed this time. “But honestly, your English is impeccable. You don’t have an accent, but it was when you first got here and spoke Italian.”
“My mother was American as is my grandmother. I learned English along with Italian growing up. They are both my native languages. I sometimes slip in and out of them by mistake.”
“I see. You're very lucky, you know.”
“Why's that?”
“I wish I were bi-lingual.”
“Ah. Yes, Americans are getting better at that, but most still only speak English. It's not too late, you know.”
“True.”
We checked out the movies and found we shared the same interests. We talked about books and discovered we both loved to read. He loved English and Italian literature and I shared with him my love for English literature. We discussed how we both loved hiking and biking. I told him a funny story about how I was mountain biking once and crashed into a ravine. He didn't find it funny. In fact, he was concerned I could've been injured.
“That part was true. The funny part was when I showed up at work the next morning. I had to teach, and my face looked like I'd gone ten rounds with a prizefighter. My principal wanted to know who beat me up. She thought I'd gotten mugged.”
“What did you look like?”
“I had a black eye and one entire side of my face was scraped raw. It was pretty bad. The students thought it was cool, though. You know how kids are.”
“You should be careful mountain biking.”
“I am. That was a freak accident.”
Sometime during the flight, I fell asleep. When I woke up, my head was on his shoulder, and my arm was hugging him. What the hell? I jerked straight up in my seat and he chuckled, a deep sexy one that sent heat racing through my veins. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that.”
Embarrassment plowed into me and the last thing I wanted was to look up at him. But his gaze burned into me. My eyes lifted and fire exuded from him, turning the hazel orbs into a deeper golden hue.
“You were sleeping very soundly. I didn't mind a bit,” he murmured.
I strained to hear him even though my skin was scorched from his gaze. It was awkward, because he stared at me as though he wanted something more. Or was that my overactive imagination? And what more could he want? This flight would be over soon and then we'd go our separate ways. What good would it do? I didn't want to get involved with someone for a one and done. What the hell was I even saying? A one and done? No chance would I become a member of the mile-high club with someone I just met.
How could I have known after two vodka drinks, I'd be eating my words. It didn't happen in the bathroom. It happened in our seats. The lights were out, there was no one on either side of us, and blankets covered us. We’d been exchanging surreptitious glances and his were hotter than sin. My body was a live wire, waiting to ignite. His hand reached over, unzipped my pants as he watched me closely. Expert fingers soon had me stifling my moans as I worked his long thick cock. We each came quickly and as silently as possible, which was no easy thing for me. Technically, we hadn't done it, so I guess I wasn't truly a member, but still, I'd let this stranger bring me to a glorious orgasm as I bit my lips in ecstasy.
When he kissed me afterward and whispered, “Piper, you are an extremely sexy woman. I'd love to have you completely,” I wanted to climb aboard that train and ride it forever.
Unfortunately, the flight landed too soon, and we walked to baggage claim. My heart was heavy once again at the thought of my lonely apartment waiting for me.
We waited in line for our taxis, and when it was my turn, he kissed my hand and bid me farewell. Disappointment struck when he didn't ask for my number, but he did say he would only be here for six months. And wasn't that my plan as well?
The following day, I dragged myself to class, still suffering from jet lag. I took my usual front row seat, but this time, it would force me to stay awake. Only that wouldn't be necessary because in walked Alessandro. He headed straight for the podium, and said, “Good morning everyone. My name is Professor Balotelli and I will be your visiting instructor for the next six months.” His eyes scanned the room until they landed on me. They widened, and then his mouth curved up, as I broke into a sweat and automatically clenched my thighs. This was going to be an impossible six months.
Chapter Two
Alessandro
My sleepless night did nothing for the degree of anxiety I had in taking over Professor Lithcomb's class. I had applied for a position here and was desperate to lea
ve Italy for one reason only, but Cambridge had rejected me. It was with great surprise when I received the letter inviting me to step in for a six month period while Lithcomb took a leave of absence to attend an ailing family member. I jumped at the opportunity. The trip to Denver had already been planned and I couldn't cancel it. I'd gone to solidify my American relationships and the possibilities of attaining a position with a university there.
When my exhausted eyes landed on Piper sitting in the front row, I nearly staggered to my knees. She was one of the reasons I didn't sleep. Now I had a completely different problem on my hands. I had kicked myself in the ass all night for initiating that little deal on the plane. The feel of her slick skin under my fingers and the way she’d responded to me, only made me want more. And fuck my life. Looking at her sitting there, in my damn class, was like watching my life detonate. Would this shit ever stop happening to me?
I recovered from seeing her, located my notes, and went over the class syllabus for my students. My expectations may be slightly different from what they were used to, but I was confident I could teach them what they required. Before I realized it, the bell rang.