by Minx Malone
Andre felt his heart lift. “So, she loves me, she just doesn’t want me with her? What am I supposed to do with that?”
“What you’re supposed to do is make her come to you. And I know just how to make that happen. Call the art department.” Jason made an impatient gesture with his hands when Andre didn’t move fast enough.
“The art department?” Andre pulled out his cell phone and dialed his marketing director automatically. “What am I supposed to tell them?”
Jason smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Tell them you need a picture of the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen. As big as they can make it.”
A slow smile crossed Andre’s face as he realized what Jason was suggesting. “Make her come to me, huh? Well, it’s worth a try. If this works, I’ll consider us even.”
Chapter Seven
“You look tired.” Anya rounded the edge of the front desk and leaned on the counter next to her. Casey kept her head down and continued typing. Her emotions were raw after the weekend she’d had. She’d spent equal parts of it crying and assuring her mother that she was just fine out here in the big city and not selling her virtue to every businessman she met.
She sighed wearily.
Mondays were always busy but today was especially crazy. A press conference was scheduled for noon when The Lavin Group would reveal its newest product line and slogan.
Even though she’d told him it was over, part of her had hoped he’d still call or show up. The last time they were apart two days, he’d come to the agency and taken her against the sink in the bathroom. It hit her then that perhaps he’d done what she asked. He’d thought things through with a clear head and decided their affair truly had run its course.
“I am tired. I’m also really busy.” And heartbroken.
Anya straightened and peered at Casey closely. “I saw you leave with Mr. Lavin last week, so I thought you’d be in a better mood. I figured you two would have worked it all out by now.” She tapped the heel of her black stiletto against the carpet. It made a soft scratching sound every time it hit the floor. “I guess that means the sex isn’t that great, huh?”
Casey whirled in her chair, sure her disbelief was etched all over her face. “Anya!” She shook her head, momentarily speechless. “Is everything about sex with you? And for the record, the sex is amazing.”
“Well then, I don’t see the problem.” Anya straightened and crossed her arms. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, he didn’t hurt me.” She heaved a great sigh and closed her eyes. “He would never hurt me on purpose. He told me he loves me.”
Anya reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“It would be if I was sure I could trust him. I have so much going on in my life with school and work. I got a ‘D’ on my last quiz, Anya. Clearly this is a distraction I can’t afford right now. Besides, we’re just too different. He’ll see that once he’s thinking with a clear head. With the head on his shoulders, as his friend pointed out.”
“That guy was a jerk.” Anya made a face.
“Yeah, but he’s saying what a lot of people are thinking. My mom even saw that article. Now she thinks I’m prostituting myself to pay the bills.” Casey blinked rapidly, determined not to cry. “Besides, he didn’t make any other attempts to call me, so I guess he’s not too heartbroken. It’s over. Some love that turned out to be.”
Law rounded the corner just then at a fast clip. “What are you two still doing here? It’s already started.” He faltered when he saw Casey wiping away tears. “Um, you all take your time.”
Anya turned to her and winked. “Tears get them every time.” She leaned over and gave Casey a quick hug.
“Come on. The press conference is being televised so everyone’s in the boardroom watching. This is the first project you’ve assisted on so you should at least be there for the formal announcement. Then we can sneak out for a little retail therapy. I’m sure someone is having a sale.”
Anya led the way down the hall to the biggest conference room. Most of the other employees were already there. Milo stood near the front, his attention on the large flat screen mounted on the wall.
The soft murmur of voices in the room quieted as the camera zoomed in on Andre Lavin climbing the stairs to a small podium. The space behind him was swathed in large white curtains. He was no doubt planning to unveil the new advertisement in dramatic fashion.
Casey squinted at the image. It was hard to tell where he was until the camera panned back and she saw the unmistakable image of the National Monument behind him. Her heart danced in her chest. He’s still in town. He’d told them he was staying until things were resolved but after all the drama of last week she’d wondered if he would return to Italy.
Not that she should care at all or feel such overwhelming relief just to see his face. She swallowed hard and looked at her feet hoping no one else noticed her mooning over him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. It is with great pleasure that I make two announcements today.” Andre leaned on the podium, giving the impression of being completely at ease before the large crowd. It was only upon closer inspection that Casey saw the shadows beneath his eyes. A hint of guilt nagged at her conscience.
“I am pleased to unveil the new face of Lavin Couture.” There was a dramatic flourish as the large, white sheet behind him was yanked down to reveal a stunning ten-foot photo of Andre. There was a moment of shocked silence before the audience broke out into cheers. Andre chuckled and bowed in response.
“After much debate, someone very dear to my heart pointed out an obvious truth.” He paused and stared directly into the camera. Casey gulped.
“This beloved woman told me that I was the essential ingredient that makes Lavin Couture what it is. It is an extension of my personal style and up until this point, it was my whole life. Not anymore.”
He gestured to someone off camera. “I am also happy to announce The Lavin Group has taken on its first silent partner. Due to this unexpected source of funding, I give you the first Lavin perfume, in honor of the woman I hope will be my future.” A second later, the other sheet was pulled away to reveal the profile of a brunette with wild curls. A perfume bottle in the shape of a lotus flower was poised in her outstretched hands like an offering.
“Casey’s Dream.”
Everyone in the room turned around and Casey covered her mouth with her hands. She stared at the massive image, which was clearly supposed to look like her. Is that really how he sees me?
“I guess this is your answer. When men are cheating they hide the relationship. They don’t go on television and tell the world you’re the love of their life. The man just named his first perfume after you. Are you really going to let him get away?” Anya hugged her from behind as everyone else looked back at the television in amazement.
“No way.” Casey pulled out her cell phone and quickly typed out a text. Her thumb hovered over “Send” for a moment before she worked up the nerve to press the button. Then she turned and walked out.
* * * * *
Andre stood awkwardly in the middle of Casey’s cramped living room. Her message had just said Meet me at my place. I’m ready to talk. He wasn’t sure whether her call was a good sign or a bad sign since she hadn’t seemed too sure how to greet him when he showed up.
“I saw the press conference.” She fidgeted with the edge of her blouse. “I can’t believe you named your perfume after me. It’s overwhelming. I really don’t know what to say.”
Madre di Dio. He hoped she hadn’t called him here just to say thank you. He didn’t want her gratitude. He wanted her to look at him the way she used to, with those shining eyes that made him feel like he could conquer the world.
“I’m so sorry for the things I said to you. The things I accused you of. You deserve so much better than that. So much better than me.” She whispered the last bit so softly he almost didn’t hear it. It almost broke his heart th
at she could even think it.
“There is no one better than you.” He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering until she finally leaned into his embrace. He held her against his heart. If words couldn’t convey how he felt he’d have to use his actions to convince her.
Maybe if he just refused to ever let her out of his bed she’d start to get the idea.
“You were wrong about a lot of things, Cassandra but your words made me think. We do come from different worlds.” He walked over to the window and peered outside. She followed and looked over his shoulder. All he could see was the side of another dingy building and the rusted stairs of a fire escape. “My flat has a much better view. It’s on the Piazza del Duomo.”
She flinched. “Really? Isn’t that the famous town square in Milan?”
Her lack of money and social status didn’t matter to him but it obviously bothered her so what he said in this moment was pivotal. He would never allow the cruel words of others to hurt her. Where he came from, a man took pride in protecting and providing for his wife. He closed his eyes and let the word roll through him. His wife. His love.
He took her hand and squeezed. “Yes. It’s such a shame that I won’t be keeping it.” He pulled out his cell phone and pushed one of the speed dials.
“Ciao, Philippe. I’m giving you my flat in Milan. Ask Mama for the…” The phone was snatched from his hand before he finished speaking.
“Are you crazy? You can’t just give away a condo.” Casey pushed at the screen of the phone, obviously unfamiliar with the workings of a touch screen. “Sorry, Philippe,” she called out before finally disconnecting the call.
“I was going to give him the car I keep in Milan as well.” Andre tucked his hands innocently in his pockets as she stared. “If my family is not accepting then we probably won’t go there too often. Besides, maybe you will feel more comfortable with me if I am less rich, no?”
She laughed, a full throaty sound. “I’m starting to think I’ll never be comfortable with you. Perhaps that’s a good thing. I’ll never be bored.”
He pulled her into his arms. “If I was a poor man, I couldn’t love you any more than I do. Does any of the rest really matter?”
She rested her head against his chest. “You make it seem so easy. Nothing in my life has ever been easy. I’m afraid to believe in this.”
He tipped her chin up and kissed her forehead. “Did it ever occur to you that I too am afraid? You might decide to love someone else and break my heart.”
Casey snorted and gave him her first genuine smile. “Not happening. I can’t imagine loving anyone else.” She pulled away and led him by the hand to a stack of magazines. The one on top had his face on the cover. “Considering how long I’ve been in love with you, you don’t have to worry about that.” She gestured to the stack and smiled bashfully.
Andre kneeled and picked up the magazine. Beneath it there was another magazine, again with him on the cover. Surprised, he turned to look at her. He began to flip through the stack faster, his face grinning up at him from every magazine he uncovered. He let out a loud laugh.
“Piccolina, you’ve been reading up on me I see.” He was profoundly flattered, especially since he could see it embarrassed her. He couldn’t fault her for her curiosity. It pleased him that she appeared as fascinated by him as he was by her.
“You had to know how I felt.” Casey rolled her eyes. “I was so clumsy around you. I was afraid to open my mouth for fear I’d say something stupid.” She sat down next to the box and pulled out one of the magazines. “So instead I’d come home and read about you. Then I would take the magazine to bed and pretend you were there.”
“Show me.” Andre backed up until he was next to the wall. He crossed his arms and leaned back. “Pretend I’m not here and show me what a usual night was like for you.”
She stood hesitantly, the magazine dangling from her hands. “Okay, but it’s not very exciting, unfortunately.”
She stood a moment before walking to the kitchen. She turned on a small brown radio sitting on the counter next to her microwave. All of the appliances were old but well cared for. When he’d come to help her move, she’d already had her things boxed and ready to go so he hadn’t gotten to see much of how she lived.
He followed behind her, looking around curiously. He could see little touches of her personality in the room. There were several groupings of postcards on the refrigerator, the biggest for Italy. He would take her there, walk with her on the cobbled streets of Rome and travel the romantic canals in Venice. It would be a joy to help her discover his country. He enjoyed watching her do almost everything.
Casey opened her refrigerator and took out a small white container.
“Usually I would eat this.” She gestured with the carton. “I’m not really hungry right now so, whatever.”
She put the carton back and then closed the refrigerator door. He followed behind her as she left the kitchen, his gaze running over her body hungrily.
She stopped in the living room and picked up the first magazine off the pile on the floor. With a shy glance over her shoulder, she sashayed to a closed door. He followed, his eyes adjusting quickly to the darkness.
Now this is where she really lives.
The room was tiny but cozy, with filmy curtains at the window. The sheets were a rich teal color and there were several fat pillar candles giving the room a soft vanilla scent. It was an oasis in the midst of the bleak landscape of the rest of the apartment.
She placed the magazine carefully on her pillow. She hesitated, looking over her shoulder at him. Then she turned until he was out of her line of sight and pulled her shirt over her head.
She balled it up and threw it in the laundry hamper on the other side of the bed. Her pants came off next, then a silky white thong. She finally unhooked her bra and let it dangle from her fingers for a moment before it dropped to the floor.
“This is when I pretend you’re here with me.” Casey crawled under the covers and pressed her face into the pillow next to the image of his face. “I thought this picture was as close to you as I would ever get.”
He came closer, standing next to the bed so that his shadow fell over her. She opened her eyes and smiled up at him sleepily. He picked up the magazine and rested it on the night table before tugging off his tie. His suit jacket, shirt and slacks followed. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at the bulge in the front of his boxers. Then she abruptly started laughing.
“This is going to sound really weird since I should have noticed before now, but I always imagined you as a briefs kind of guy.” She sat up and curled her fingers over the edge of his boxers and tugged them down. “So maybe we should take these off. You know, so they don’t ruin the fantasy.”
“I’m more than happy to oblige you.” Andre kicked them off and got under the covers, propping his head up on his hand. “So when you’re alone, what do you usually do next?”
She blushed and slid under the covers until only her big brown eyes were visible. Andre’s heart sped up as he noticed a telltale rustle beneath the blanket. He lifted it slightly to see. Her hand was cupped between her thighs.
“Show me. Close your eyes and touch yourself the way you do when you’re alone.”
She moaned and curled her fingers inward again until they disappeared into her sheath. He slid down until he was eye level with her core, greedily watching as she stroked her clit a few times before returning to plunge into her pussy. Her breath came in soft gasps as her pace increased, her thighs opening wider to accept the thrust of her fingers. She moved her hips restlessly, as if the penetration wasn’t enough.
“Touch me, please. I want you to.” Her voice shook.
He leaned over and pulled her fingers from her body. She watched in shock as he sucked each digit, drawing each one through his lips slowly, savoring her taste. He wasn’t sure if this was her fantasy but it was definitely his.
“Hold yourself open for me.” He placed her fingers on the lips of her
sex. A faint blush spread from her face down to her neck as she complied. He wedged himself between her legs to keep her from closing them. She was a tantric goddess with her legs open wide to showcase the source of her power. He wanted her spread above him so he could look up at her while he lapped at her clit.
“Ride my face.”
Casey stopped moving and propped herself up on her arms. “What?”
Andre stretched out flat next to her and tugged at her arm. She slung her leg over his middle uncertainly. He grinned and tugged her up until she was positioned perfectly over his mouth.
“I don’t think I like this.” She frowned and tried to move backward. He slapped her lightly on the bottom and she yelped and gripped the headboard.
“What was that for?”
He pulled her down until she straddled his face. She squealed and tried to sit up straight. He held her tight around the hips and speared her pussy with his tongue.
“Ooohh. Maybe I do like this,” she cooed. He smiled against her skin as she wiggled suggestively against his face. He had the perfect angle to view all her charms. Slim, strong thighs leading up to a delicate, nipped-in waist, capped off with her upturned breasts. Perfect.
Her head was thrown back as she rode his face, her dark hair cascading around her shoulders, trailing over her breasts. Her hands came up to cup them and then tweak her nipples. She twirled and twisted them harder than he would have imagined she liked.
The sight of her tugging at the tips made him wild, his hands coming up to knead her bottom as he alternated between sucking at her clit and licking deeply into her pussy. He lapped at her mercilessly until her hands clenched in her hair and her internal muscles clenched around his tongue as she came. She choked out a muffled cry as she rode the wave of her orgasm, shuddering as he continued to suck and lick her clit, his tongue lashing against the sensitive bundle of nerves over and over again.