Chocolate and Italian Wine (Music and Mayhem Book 1)

by Lili Porter

  Davit said, “Great news. What did you think?”

  “I liked him, and the song has some potential. Once we work out the details, it should come together. Of course, I have no idea if that will be before or after the concert tour. It’s getting to be crunch time,” Kari said.

  “Which is why I am eager to have you to myself, not share you with my brothers,” Paolo said. Then he added, “Thank you for working with him, sweetheart. This might be the boost his career needs.”

  Daniel said, “Kari, you were quite the topic of conversation at my parents’ home this past week.” He smiled slyly. Both Paolo and Davit gave him a hard look.

  “Yes, you were, baby. My parents wanted to know how well you and I know each other based on those salacious pictures of us.”

  Daniel snickered.

  “I’m sorry, Paolo. The media is relentless.”

  “They didn’t like him having his picture splattered all over the television and internet. You two even made the rag mag covers in Italy,” Daniel said unceremoniously.

  “Welcome to the world of Karisma Montgomery,” she said. Inside, she was loaded with questions. Had Maria Elena seen them? What had happened?

  “Kari, you’ll have to excuse Danny. He’s often in a bad mood when he leaves Italy and all those Italian women he finds so irresistible,” Paolo said. He looked at Daniel with eyes that expressed that he was treading on thin ice.

  “American women are just as irresistible. And beautiful, I might add,” Daniel replied.

  “In case you hadn’t already figured it out, Kari, Danny’s a player!” Davit announced.

  Daniel pounced. “I’m not the only one, am I Paolo?”

  Paolo cut him off cold, instantly angered. “What the fuck, Danny? What’s your fucking problem, man?”

  “Danny, you need to chill, bro. What’s going on with you?” Davit asked, grabbing his arm and trying to stave off a fight.

  “If you’re talking about Maria Elena, Danny, I know about her,” Karisma said. Paolo looked straight at his brother.

  “Oh, yeah? He told you about that, huh?” he said.

  “Okay, Danny, that’s enough. Why everybody’s so fixated over who other people love is beyond me. Shut the fuck up,” he demanded.

  “Yeah, do as your better half says and Shut. The. Fuck. Up,” Paolo said icily. Danny was about to say something and she thought he would, but he didn’t and she was thankful.

  She looked from one brother to the other. The air in the limo was thick and the men were tense. Davit’s phone buzzed and he looked down at it smiling. He looked up and caught Kari staring at him. He winked at her and tapped out a message. Paolo kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry about that, baby,” he said. She waved her hand like it was no big deal.

  The fight didn’t bother Karisma, but her red flag went up, reflecting on her mother’s warning and combining that with Daniel’s words. It made her suspicious.

  “I think Italy’s a really beautiful country. It’s like Heaven. Don’t you think so, Paolo?” Kari asked.

  Paolo stared at her and then grinned. “Heaven?” he chuckled. Then he leaned in and whispered to her, “Only with you, sweetheart.”

  Karisma noticed that Daniel shook his head at Paolo. Okay, what the hell was going on? Well, Paolo was back and that’s what was important to her at that moment. She lifted her chin up to him and he put his finger underneath it, locking eyes with her. Then he kissed her again with a bit more aggression. It was a kiss that both playful and one that staked his claim for all to see. Paolo was telling his brother, “This is mine, so back the fuck off if you know what’s good for you.”

  12

  With Davit and Daniel dropped off, Paolo’s limo driver made his way to Karisma’s home, pausing at the front gate for the guard on duty to let him pass.

  With everything still on high caution, the guard walked up to the limousine and talked to the driver briefly, and then pressed the button so the limo could enter the Montgomery premises. It pulled up the long, circular driveway and stopped in front of the main doors.

  The driver came around to open the door and Paolo got out first and then extended his hand to Karisma. The two walked up the stairs to the mansion as the car drove away. Before Karisma hit the top step to the front entrance, the door swung open and Clyde was standing there, a bright smile on his face.

  Karisma looked at Paolo and didn’t need to say anything for him to receive her message. They were going to make a beeline to her bedroom and celebrate being reunited.

  “Oh Kari, you home,” Stella’s familiar, thickly accented voice said.

  Karisma looked at her and smiled. She knew she was being nosy, just looking for an excuse to see her company up close.

  “Hey Stella,” Kari said, unable to hide her smile. Then she turned to Paolo. “Paolo, this is Stella and Stella, this is Paolo Montovani.”

  Stella was holding laundry, but she said, “Hello,” as she smiled at him with appreciation.

  “It’s nice to meet you Stella,” he said, looking down at the petite, fiery woman.

  “Nice to meet you, too,” she said.

  “Okay then,” Karisma said. “We’ll be in my room. Don’t disturb us.” Karisma playfully arched an eyebrow before she winked at Stella. Paolo smiled at her mischief. Stella, used to Karisma by now, still found herself embarrassed by the suggestion. She mumbled something Karisma didn’t understand and hurried down the hall.

  ***

  Paolo smiled when he entered Karisma’s room. “This room is so you, Kari.”

  She turned around and giggled. “Think so?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.

  “Definitely,” he said. “But you are the perfect finishing touch to its décor.” He pulled her in closely and stole a kiss.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. Her hands pressed against his chest and the feel of his body pressed against hers was exhilarating.

  He rubbed himself against her soft body. He took her mouth as his own opened and his tongue explored and licked it like candy. His mouth slipped to her bottom lip and slowly sucked it as she moaned sexily into his mouth.

  She returned the kiss, which felt like as much a statement of love as any words ever could. Neither Karisma nor Paolo had said they loved each other and logically, it felt too quick, but the feelings and the connection couldn’t be anything but love, right? He was so beautiful. She reached up and ran her hands through the silky softness of his black hair. Her head fell back when he began trailing lovely, feathery kisses down the side of her neck.

  Then the waiting was over and a sense of urgency had taken its place. They started to disrobe quickly, both eager to relish in the heat of the other’s body. Within seconds, they were both naked and the moonlight streamed in through Kari’s window, cascading on their bodies.

  Paolo’s face lowered, impatient to taste her soft, sweet breasts. His hands caressed one and then the other as his mouth alternated between the two. She held on to him, as he bent to accommodate the difference in height. As his hand slid down between her thighs, her body shuttered in excitement.

  ”Fuck, baby, you’re so wet,” he groaned.

  She was hoarse when she responded. “I want you, Paolo.”

  He lifted her and carried her the few feet to the bed and gently laid her down. Lowering himself over her, he found her soft lips again. His tongue circled hers. Her breathing was rapid, and his staccato, forcing them to pull away for a brief moment to catch their breath. Then their lips reconnected, his kisses continuing to excite her to the point of madness, as they trailed lower still. With his hands firmly on her thighs, he parted her legs. The heady, intoxicating scent of her arousal nearly made him come. He was so hard and she smelled so good. Her hand went to his head and she ran her fingers through his hair. His kisses were on her inner thighs now and the moment his lips touched her clit, she began pushing back against his mouth. Paolo’s eyes opened to watch her, and she moaned, high pitched and sexy. Forcing her back to the bed, he inserted a f
inger into her hot, wet core. Her head, now glued to the pillow, began to roll from side to side. She gasped as he sucked harder.

  “Oh! Yes, baby,” she panted.

  He paused to watch her beauty. “You’re even more beautiful when you’re so excited,” he groaned.

  “Don’t stop,” Karisma pleaded with him lustfully, pulling his hair.

  Paolo granted her demand and a second finger was inserted into her and he moved them in and out of her opening. He was delighted to feel her body stiffen as her muscles contracted around his fingers.

  Arching off the bed, her body spasmed. Her moans became louder and higher pitched. He moved up her body and stifled her cries with his mouth. Gripping her breasts in both hands, he slowly messaged them. She wanted to scream. She could feel the large mushroom head of his cock at her opening. She reached between her legs to help with its entry, but he halted the movement when he grabbed her wrist and leaned down to bite and suck on her breasts again.

  She had become his weakness. His constant thought. Finally, he could stand no more, and fell over her, looking deeply into her eyes. “I want you so much, Kari. Do you know that? Do you know how much I want you? I think about you all the time. I can’t stop,” he confessed, burying his face into the side of hers. His whiskers tickled.

  She held him closely to her body and tried to calm her breathing. “I want you, too, Paolo. So much. This is where you belong.”

  And with those words that touched his soul, he pushed into her. So big. So hard.

  To Kari, he felt like the smoothest steel. She was so full. “Ahh…” he groaned.

  “Ah, Paolo, I love the way you feel,” she cried. Her words fueled his desire. He rocked into her, moving slowly, closing his eyes, bending to plant soft kisses at the corner of her mouth. He lifted her legs around his waist and she dug in her heels. Pulling him further into her, they both moaned as his thrusting became harder and more demanding.

  “Mmm…” she breathed softly. Her nails raked his back and she moved with him in perfect rhythm.

  “Fuck!” he hissed, his balls tight and ready to burst. “You feel so fucking good, baby! Kari! So good, baby!”

  “Aw, Paolo, baaaby…” She was coming apart. His strokes lost their rhythm. She purred. He howled. She became hypersensitive as her toes curled and her sweat-slicked body began to quake. Her back arched off the bed and he ground himself into her, bringing forth his own climax.

  Paolo fell on top of Karisma. Her arms wrapped around his wide back and stroked its wetness. Kissing his shoulder, she knew she was a goner.

  Rising up onto his elbows when she squirmed beneath him, he told her, “I don’t want to crush you, love.” He rolled to his side. Her leg was thrown over his and their bodies were completely tangled in one another. “You okay?” he asked while twirling her wavy hair around his finger.

  Her dark brown eyes opened lazily and looked at him adoringly. She was gone. He made her heart flip. She nodded and they kissed sweetly. He rolled her on top of him. She rested on his chest, and he smoothed her wild, curly hair. Kissing his muscled chest, she raised her head when he said, “Hey.”

  “Hey,” she whispered back softly.

  They continued to gaze at one another.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Kari replied, reaching up to trace his lips. “You hear that all the time, don’t you?”

  “Not as much as you do, I bet,” he answered. She shook her head and lay back onto his chest. “Karisma…”

  Using her full name caught her attention. She glanced up, amused at first, and then saw a very serious look on his face. He brought his mouth close and held her jaw with his fingers. “I’ve wanted to tell you…how I feel,” he said softly. “Don’t say anything. Not yet. Not until …” his voice trailed off. She stared at him.

  “What?” she asked, fearful of what he might say.

  “Is this crazy, Kari? What I feel for you? We haven’t known each other long.”

  Her look was serious when she asked softly, “What do you feel, Paolo?”

  He studied her beautiful face. Hell yeah; he was in love all right. How the fuck did that happen? “I love you.” He traced her lips with his index finger.

  Her eyes widened and she stared at him, unable to speak. He kissed her again. She noticed he was about to utter something else, but she cut him off. “I love you, too.”

  They both broke out in wide grins.

  “Damn, Kari, say that again,” he said, unable to contain his glee.

  “I love you, Paolo,” she said again.

  “Oh yeah, I am one lucky bastard,” he said as he rolled on top of her.

  ***

  Vittore Bianchi stood looking at his old friend Raffaelo Montovani. That things had come to this saddened him. For four decades, he and Raffaelo had been the best of friends. Their bond, he believed, was airtight. That the deal they made to marry off his only daughter to Raffaelo’s middle son was iron clad. But the boy had never taken a real interest in his daughter, Maria Elena. He could see that neither her humble beauty nor her charms had captured his eye or imagination. She had often complained about his neglect and indifference. But Vittore hadn’t paid much attention to that.

  There was a marriage contract, after all, and he believed above all else that a Montovani would make good on his word. Perhaps it had been foolish to assume that Paolo would come around after sowing his wild oats. Such was not the case and now he had a daughter with a broken heart and had been stung by a breach of contract, even if it was verbal. For that, someone would have to pay. In specific, the Montovanis would have to suffer.

  As Raffaelo entered the office, he saw a look cross the face of his old friend. He understood the embarrassment the Bianchis must be feeling at the insult. He wanted his son to stand by the agreement. But he also wanted him to be happy. Lord knows that the deeper into this life he himself had gotten, the fewer days of real happiness he had experienced. True love, that was special. It was like the sun to a cloudy day. Paolo had said he loved this singer and that he would not marry a woman he did not love. In a way, it appealed to the hidden romantic in Raffaelo. Now, he would have to hope for the best and the strength of a long lasting friendship to mend the embarrassment.

  Raffaelo stood to his full 6’2” as he greeted his visitor. Arms outstretched, the men greeted each other in the traditional way.

  As the consiglieres sat in the background, Raffaelo spoke to his guest, “My friend, Don Vittore, come stai?” Don Vittore, who stood several inches shorter than Raffaelo, smiled a half smile at the other man.

  “Today, I am not so good, my friend,” he began. “How can a father be happy when his beloved daughter’s heart breaks?” he asked.

  Raffaelo sighed loudly, then nodded his head thoughtfully. “I am sorry to hear that. I hope that today we can find a way to make up for what has happened.”

  Paolo’s announcement that he wouldn’t marry Maria Elena hadn’t shocked the Montovani family, but it had shaken up things with the Bianchis, and clearly their families’ relationships were frayed. This had been a fear of Raffaelo’s, of course, and he didn’t welcome having to deal with the situation, which he believed was unnecessary. Having a fling with the Montgomery girl was one thing, for he was fascinated with her, but disturbing the balance was quite another. So Raffaelo found himself no longer laughing, where he once had. Yes, once upon a time he had been amused that his handsome son had found a beauty that matched his own.

  “Where is your son? Where is Paolo? Should he not be here to help bring forth an understanding?” the Don asked, looking around.

  Raffaelo looked at Vittore directly. “My son has returned to America. As this began with us, so shall it end with us.”

  “Ah, I see. But why has he returned to America so soon? Is the young man hiding from me? Standing behind his father as he makes everything right for him?” With his words, Vittore was no longer able to contain his anger. He’d become unleashed.

  Raffaelo pursed his lips and gestured towar
d the sofa. “Please have a seat,” he said, tightly. Vittore sat and crossed his leg, watching as Raffaelo went to the bar. The room was heavy with silence, as both consiglieres observed the exchange. After pouring two glasses of whiskey, Raffaelo handed each of his guests a glass, using the time to curb his own growing irritation with his friend.

  “Have you seen my son lately? Paolo is a man. He’s no longer a boy. He doesn’t need to hide behind me. It is very unfortunate that the engagement has been broken. I always believed that my son would stand by the arrangement. He’s strong willed with his own ideas, yes, and I admire that. I only regret that he’s chosen to do this now, with the wedding a week away. Having said that, you and I are two men who are well versed in the art of reasoning. I am prepared to do that right now. We will come up with what we can both agree is adequate compensation.” Raffaelo chose to sit behind his ebony desk.

  “Adequate compensation? What would you do, Raffaelo? I understand that young people these days feel that arranged marriages are outdated. They don’t want their parents making such an important decision like that for them. But this is the way things are done with us. We had a bigger plan in mind when we did what we did back then, didn’t we?” he asked, leaning forward, gesturing with his hands.

  Raffaelo nodded.

  “We would unite our families in wealth and marriage. We would be all powerful, Raffaelo. Unstoppable. You remember this!” Vittore said the last word with great passion. “But now that’s part of an unfulfilled dream. Finito! What reason does your son have for not wanting to honor the arrangement?” Vittore asked, eyes narrowed on Raffaelo.

  Raffaelo stared at the other man and shook his head. With a dismissive wave of his large hand, he said, “He’s young, Vittore. The young are stubborn, rebellious. That has always been Paolo. He doesn’t always abide by my wishes. Now, I could insist that he marry Maria Elena as planned, and he might do it, but it would be a very unhappy union,” Raffaelo said.