by Lea Hart
CHAPTER SEVEN
Stretching, Gio realized he’d never woken up happier and more optimistic. Letting his eyes fall to the sleeping woman beside him, he grinned, feeling a deep satisfaction. He’d woken her twice during the night and the poetry their bodies created was a revelation.
All his past physical relations with women did nothing to prepare him for the soul-shattering experience of being intimate with someone he loved.
Someone for whom he’d do anything.
Every thought in his head was centered on her.
Every beat of his heart, a testament to how fully she owned him.
Sighing, he knew the romantic nature he’d long buried was going to come roaring to life with Valentina and couldn’t decide what over the top sappy gesture he wanted to do first.
Sunrise hot air balloon ride with champagne?
Maybe.
Take her to Paris and propose on a moonlit cruise down the Seine?
Perhaps.
An African safari, where they wouldn’t have to worry about their families?
That might be the best one.
Running his hand over his jaw, he grinned and decided to start her day with a little loving because waking up to an orgasm would certainly put her in the right frame of mind. He moved down her body, trailing light kisses across her soft skin and knew eating her would also help calm the beast inside him.
He gave her mound a gentle kiss and then pushed her legs apart, licking her pussy greedily. Inhaling her scent, a growl erupted from his chest as her sweet taste hit his lips. He glanced up and watched her eyes flicker open and gave her a satisfied grin. “Don’t mind me.”
Hearing her rough giggle, he palmed her ass and brought her closer to his mouth. Eating her with abandon, he licked up every drop of her excitement. His cock lay heavy between his thighs, but he ignored it, knowing he wouldn’t be satisfied until she came twice. Giving her a long lick, he kissed her clit and felt a possessiveness that was boundless.
He buried his face and worked her body until his name fell from her lips. Ravenous for her release, he gripped her tighter and let her sweetness fill his mouth. Wanting to give her another, he didn’t relent and slid his tongue in and out of her tightness and then nipped at her clit.
The sounds of her pleasure filled the room as she bucked against him, falling into a million pieces before going limp. Kissing her pussy, he then moved up her body and pushed her hair off her face and saw a blissed-out smile. “Now, that’s the way to greet the day.”
Valentina opened her eyes and took his hand, pressing a kiss to his palm. “You, sir, could be very easy to get used to.”
He bent down and smiled before pressing their mouths together. Feeling her arms go around his shoulders, he choked back the need to tell her how deeply he’d fallen. When he was sufficiently under control, he nipped her bottom lip and then lifted her leg over his shoulder. “I like seeing you wet and swollen.” Taking himself in hand, he pressed the tip to her clit and watched her eyes close. “Feel good?”
“Like heaven.”
Dragging his cock slowly along her slit, he made sure he was covered in her juices before poising himself at her entrance. “Open your eyes, tesoro. I want to see the moment you welcome me into your body.”
“So demanding,” she chided.
“I haven’t even gotten started.” Thrusting deeply, he felt her tight pussy suck him in and gritted his teeth so he wouldn’t come. Moving in and out, he felt her body grip his cock and loved her insatiability. Dropping his head, he brushed several kisses across her shoulder. “Your body doesn’t want to let me go.”
“Of course not,” she mumbled in response as she arched into him and bore down. “You are magic, Gio.”
“Together, we are magic.” He pressed his knees into the mattress and pulled out and then held her hips as he drove himself in so deep, he hit her cervix. Giving it all to her, he caressed her clit and then felt her orgasm roll across her body. One last stroke and he joined her, filling her with his come as his mind went blank.
Long moments of nothing but white light filled his head, and his heart and body tried to come down from the explosive joy they created together.
“Gio.”
Opening one eye, he lifted himself off Valentina and rolled on his back. “Yes, my love.”
“Someone is knocking on the door.”
Groaning, he rolled off the bed and let out a curse. “It had better be something important.” He grabbed his shorts off the floor and slid them on. Stomping to the door, he flung it open and saw Sal with an expression he didn’t care for. “What’s up?”
“Got a call from your father this morning and the Russians are inbound. Apparently, word got out that Alessi is engaged and the pakhan’s son is coming to make a last stand.”
“Fuck.” Seeing Bruno stride down the hall, he nodded. “Everything okay?”
“Stefano wants Valentina secured while the Russians are here. There’s some bad blood with the vory over a deal from years ago.”
“I’ll call and assure him the Zanetti family will not allow so much as a broken nail.”
Bruno smirked and crossed his arms. “I have never let anything happen to her and don’t plan on that changing for as long as I draw breath.”
“Of course,” Gio responded. Hearing footsteps, he turned and saw that Valentina was dressed. So much for their lazy morning in bed. He had a fucking convention at his bedroom door, and it didn’t seem like going back to bed was a possibility.
“What’s going on?” she asked as she took his hand.
“The boy who’s fallen for my sister is coming into town and it appears he wants to stir up some trouble.”
“Never a dull moment in mafia land,” she responded as she kissed his arm and then stepped past him. “Bruno, let’s call Papa and let him know all is well, so he doesn’t send a bunch of soldiers to town.”
“Tesoro, we’ve got it handled,” Gio said as he watched her walk past Sal and take Bruno’s arm.
Giving him a smile, she nodded. “I know, but Stefano Conti doesn’t rest until he hears from me directly.”
Watching her walk down the hall arm in arm with Bruno gutted him in a way he hadn’t expected. She was his responsibility, and there should be no one else she looked to for protection. “Fuck.”
“Don’t worry about it, Boss, they’ve been through hell, and he’s her best friend. She trusts no one more than him.”
“It should be me that she trusts.”
Sal kept a straight face and nodded. “Might take more than thirty-six hours for that to happen.”
Gio flipped him off and then stepped back. “I’m showering and will be ready in twenty minutes for a full download.”
“You got it, Boss.”
Nodding, he strode into the bathroom and saw the rumpled sheets, knowing he wouldn’t rest until he was everything to Valentina.
***
Valentina looked out the darkened window and watched the desert landscape disappear as they moved closer to downtown. Reaching across the seat, she took Bruno’s hand and squeezed. “Do you think Papa is going to send people despite what we told him?”
“He could, depends on what he’s hearing on the streets. The thing with Vladimir Kumarin keeps boiling up, and he wants it done once and for all. He still hasn’t forgiven the trouble they gave us in Macau, despite the vory’s denial.”
“I know, but I thought we settled that last year.”
“Shit is never settled with the Bratva. Having you in the same state as Kumarin’s kid is making your father crazy.”
“The usual crazy or is this something more?”
“I think it’s the usual and, once he talks to Mr. Zanetti, he’ll calm down.”
“I hope so; otherwise, we’re never getting out of Gio’s house.”
“Based on your happy glow, I didn’t think you were still interested.”
Snorting, she lifted an eyebrow. “I may have slept with him, but that doesn’t mean I w
ant to move in.”
“Bet he sees it differently.”
“Maybe, but that’s not my problem.”
“But it will be if the Kumarin kid stays in town for more than a couple of days.”
Sighing, she looked out the window, wondering if she was ever going to have a life free of the machinations of the underworld. “Tell me about the Red Door.”
“Hell of an operation, cara.”
Turning, she gave Bruno her full attention. “Tell me everything.”
“The interior is sexy as hell with velvet covered walls, low slung black leather booths, and red chandeliers in the restaurant. The bar and club have red lacquered surfaces with glass like you’d expect, with several VIP areas that allow members to entertain with discretion.”
“What about the public spaces behind the red doors; are they vile?”
Shrugging, he adjusted his sunglasses. “Honestly, it’s not that much different than any club in the city. If I had to guess, I’d say there’s a lot more public sex at Tao than anyone is admitting to.”
Scrunching her nose, she frowned. “I suppose.”
“After all the shit we saw in Macau, why is this bothering you?”
Inspecting her nails, she pushed back a stray cuticle. “Not sure.”
Lowering his shades, he raised an eyebrow. “I think you don’t like the idea of Gio being around all that tempting, willing flesh.”
“That’s so ridiculous.”
“If you say so, cara.”
They flew down the strip, and she thought how similar it looked to the small island off the coast of Hong Kong. “You think he takes advantage of opportunities that present themselves on the upper levels?”
“If that’s his thing, then he’s got no business coming after you. I’ve got some feelers out, so we’ll know one way or another in a day or two.”
Nodding, she squeezed his hand. “Grazi, mi amore.”
“You think I’m going to let some guy go after you without checking him out thoroughly?”
Laughing, she shook her head. “No, not a chance in the world.” The SUV slowed down, and she saw the low-key facade of the building that housed the Red Door. The exterior was covered in highly polished black slats, and there was no sign indicating what lay behind the lacquered red doors that were off the to the left. It appeared to be at least six stories, and she noticed an empty lot to the right that was surrounded by a black chain link fence. “I wonder if Gio owns the adjacent lot.”
“I’m betting he does because there’s no way he’d allow an opportunity like that to slip through his fingers.”
“Maybe.” The car pulled into a parking lot at the rear of the building, and she noticed that the rest of their convoy had already arrived. Seeing Gio’s bodyguard exit the vehicle and sweep the surrounding area, she waited for Bruno to exit and do the same. Letting out a sigh, she wondered if there would ever be a time in her life when she could open her own door and not worry about getting shot down in the street.
Considering her family and the company she kept, she doubted the day would ever come. She saw Gio emerge from the car adjacent to hers, and felt her cheeks heat as she thought of the things they’d done together.
He was a gifted and generous lover, and she wondered if all the sweet nothings he uttered would end up meaning anything in the cold light of day. Maybe his declarations were nothing more than part of a seduction plan, and it would be best if she kept that possibility in mind.
Seeing Bruno sweep the area and then come to open her door, she smoothed out her dress and decided it wasn’t anything she needed to worry about. Maybe she and Gio would just be part-time lovers until the novelty wore off and, hopefully, when that day came, they’d part as friends.
Congratulating herself on the neat box she’d created, she saw Bruno open her door with Gio standing directly behind him with his hand held out. “Gio, you didn’t have to wait for me.”
“I always will, mi tesoro.”
Taking his hand, she slipped out of the car and saw Bruno holding back a smile. “Show me your empire, Gio. I can’t wait to see what you’ve created.”
Tucking her hand under his arm, he smiled and swept his arm up. “The Red Door welcomes you.”
“Grazi.” They walked toward the back door and were flanked by both Bruno and Sal, and once they were inside, both men melted away as Gio led her toward the front of the club. “Thank you, Gio.”
Stopping in the dim hall, he took her hands. “For what?”
“Being such a good host.”
He threw back his head and let out a laugh. “I’ve only gotten started; wait until this evening when I show you exactly how happy I am to have you home.”
Lifting on her tiptoes, she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I think I may enjoy that.”
“I know you will.”
Rolling her lips together, she decided not to say more and wait to see if Gio really was as good as he seemed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Gio looked around the club and noticed it was packed. Wednesdays were now as busy as the weekend, and he realized it was time to close the membership. The last thing he wanted to do was taint the experience of his clients by packing the place like a sardine can, and if he allowed any more people in, it would be exactly that.
Seeing Valentina approach the table, he stood and took her hand. “Are you ready for your aperitif?”
“Absolutely.” She slid into the booth and set her small purse on the seat. “You have a lot to be proud of, Gio. The place is fantastic, and it seems you’ve found the magic formula for success.”
Taking her hand, he lifted it to his mouth and kissed it gently. “Grazi.”
The waitress approached and delivered their drinks with a flourish. “Would you like me to tell Fabrizio you’re ready for the primi?”
“We’ll enjoy our drinks first; tell him twenty minutes, and we’ll be ready.” Giving a small bow, she then walked away.
“Your waitstaff is very professional, but I was wondering why you don’t have more handsome waiters?”
“We do; they’re just not on shift tonight.” Lifting his drink, he winked. “Let’s toast with a kiss first and then we can talk business.”
She tilted her head and shrugged. “Well…if I must.”
“I know you’re never going to make it easy and I want you to know that I look forward to meeting the challenge of making you happy most every day.”
She tapped her glass of champagne against his and then leaned forward. “Are you real or just one of those mirages that I’ve heard so much about?”
“Tesoro, I’m the real deal and have no use for games or subterfuge. I’ve been waiting for close to fifteen years for something to happen between us, and I’m not going to play it cool.” Pressing their mouths together, he swallowed her moan as the touch of their lips sparked a flame that could very well burn out of control if they weren’t careful.
Valentina pulled away and rested her hand on his chest. “Why do I try and fight you?”
“No idea, mi amore, but feel free to stop anytime.” Hearing her laugh, he sat back and grinned. “Now that you’ve had the full tour of the club, I would love to hear your thoughts.”
Running her finger over the coupe that was filled with pink champagne, she smiled. “Do you really want to hear my thoughts, or would you like me to tell you how perfect it is?”
Sitting back, he raised an eyebrow. “I don’t need my ego stroked.” He lifted his glass and drank the last of his champagne. “I’ve always respected your intellect and, considering you’ve run your father’s billion-dollar operation in Macau, I imagine you might have some interesting suggestions.”
“I appreciate the compliment and didn’t mean to offend you.” She covered his hand and nodded. “I really do think the Red Door is fantastic.”
He laced their fingers together and waited. “And…”
“I think the club focuses on the male clientele more than the female and, with a few tweaks, I th
ink you could make the women feel like they’re as important as the men who frequent the club.”
“Interesting.” Looking out, he nodded. “I didn’t have any women to consult with when I put the thing together, so it makes sense that I missed some things that would be important.”
“When I met your accountant Kelly earlier, she sang your praises and told me she appreciated that you always took her ideas into consideration.”
“Well, yes, I do listen to her suggestions, but they’re focused on ROI and deductions. Although, she did suggest the lockers that we’re installing and I have to say they were snapped up within forty-eight hours.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t give you my ideas after all, considering I’m thinking about opening the Ceylon Rose here.”
“You can have the empty lot next door and build whatever you want.”
“You’re funny, Gio.”
“I’m not trying to be.” Seeing the confusion in her eyes made him wonder if he hadn’t been clear about how he saw their future. “I meant what I said earlier about wanting marriage and kids, Valentina. It wasn’t some throw-away bullshit statement.”
“Gio…”
Moving closer, he draped his arm around her shoulder and lifted her chin. “Tesoro, you’re my sun, moon, and stars, and I’ll not stop until you accept that and agree to make a life together.”
“Can we just date for a while and see how that goes before we commit our lives to one another?”
“How am I supposed to date the woman I live with?”
“I’m not living with you permanently. Bruno and I have several leads on some very good homes and could easily be in one of them by next week.”
“No!” Slapping his hand on the table, he shook his head. “Absolutely not.”
Sucking in a deep breath, she moved out of his hold and crossed her arms. “You will not dictate to me how I’m going to live my life.”
“Valentina, I’m only thinking of your safety.”
“Really?”
“Yes, dammit!”