Around the World in 80 Men Series Boxed Set 1-10

by Brandi Ratliff

  “Oh! Morgan, I'm so sorry!” Dante reached for her hand, but Morgan pulled hers out of his reach. He wasn't going to take no for an answer. He reached for her hand again and this time, captured it between his fingers and brought her soft hand to his lips. “I didn't mean to snap at you, beautiful. Just a stressful morning. Three of my employees haven't shown up, and it's opening day!” A smile stretched across his face and it was enough to calm the young girl enough to accept his apology.

  “It's okay, I understand. It must be overwhelming, I don't know how you do it,” she tried to reassure him.

  “Well, it's not the first time I've opened a restaurant and it won't be the last.” The same excitement returned to his voice as the night before when he talked about his businesses. He turned to walk away but Morgan pulled him back and leaned forward, giving him a soft kiss on his clean-shaven face. Dante smiled again and walked away, disappearing into the storage room.

  Morgan tried speaking to some of the cooks, but had no luck, only getting strange looks in return. Not one of them spoke a bit of English. She was thankful Dante was American; she even caught a touch of a New York accent sprinkled in every so often, but she did hear him speak fluent Italian to his employees.

  She took the opportunity to explore the restaurant. Impressive, was the least she could say about it. The whole place was very romantic. Four tall candles sat on each red clothed table top and more wine bottles lined the far wall than she had ever seen in her life.

  After walking through the empty restaurant, and walking past the kitchen employees, Morgan saw the back door was wide open and she took the opportunity to get some fresh morning air. Once outside, she was surrounded by men hauling in crates of fresh produce. Most of them smiled, and a few even tried to strike up conversation. Of course, all she could do was smile and tell them that had no idea what they were saying. The new knowledge that she didn't understand them brought a whole new line of conversation; one that several of them enjoyed partaking in as they smiled and laughed. Their looks of approval told Morgan that she probably didn't want to know what they were saying after all.

  “Morgan!” The stern voice got her attention, and she turned toward the back door.

  “Oh, hi Luigi!” She waved and smiled, but his face didn't budge.

  “Franco. Now, you're needed in Mr. Russo's office, follow me.” He turned, and she put her head down and followed him.

  Once inside the small, yet luxurious office, Morgan sat behind the large desk and asked, “Luigi? Why don't you like me?” The question surprised even herself, yet the tall man standing at the door didn't seem to be caught off guard. More surprising, he answered her.

  “I've known Mr. Rosso for six years. He's a good man, and he needs more than a hooker by his side. I warned him against it, but as we all now know, he did it anyway. My hope is that he learns to enjoy life, and to stop spending so much time working. A lady of the night is not exactly what I had in mind. I won't pretend to approve, but I'll follow the orders given to me. I suggest you do the same, and we'll all get through the week.” He started to leave, but Morgan stopped him.

  “One more thing. He's so shy, and he hasn't told me what I'm supposed to do here all day. Do you know?” She waited, and hoped that she would be told that she could leave soon.

  “Ms. Holland, you are to be free from all other male interaction. You are here for Mr. Russo, and no one else. With that said, I would recommend that you stay clear from the men in the kitchen, or you may just cost them their job.” He was finished guiding the young woman, and he closed the door far too loud than was necessary.

  “Wow!” Morgan spoke to the empty room. “Are you kidding me? I'm supposed to sit in here all day because some guy might look at me?” She propped her elbows on the desk, then put her head in her hands. It was definitely time to call Julianne, because Morgan didn't think she would last a week being forced to sit in the small room.

  She took her phone from her bag, and called her boss.

  “Hello, dear. How is Dante?” Julianne genuinely wanted to know, because he was a brand new client. New clients were always unpredictable, and unfortunately it took one of her girls to find out.

  “Hi! Oh, it's so nice to hear a familiar voice! Well, I'm having a problem, and I'm not sure what to do about it.” Julianne told her to tell her everything. So Morgan did. Starting with the quiet tour of the hotel, Luigi, sleeping arrangements, then the worst of it all. “His valet has just told me that I'm to to sit in the office all day. ALL DAY, until eight tonight! Why? Because a man might look at me!” Julianne listened, and asked if there was anything else.

  “Yeah, it seems like Dante is really shy, too shy. He loves his work, and he's driven, but he's barely spoken to me. Now, I know that I can do this without having much interaction, but it would be so much better for both of us if he loosened up a little. Any advice?” Morgan played with a long lock of her hair as she listened for Julianne's words of wisdom.

  The older woman's first impulse was to end the arrangement, and send Morgan somewhere else. But she had a better idea, one that Morgan was suited perfectly for.

  “Morgan, remember everything we said about making him want you?” She heard the young girl say that she had. “Well, I suggest that you bring that young Italian hunk out of his shell. It sounds to me like he's looking for a girlfriend for a week instead of just enjoying the company of a beautiful woman. It's up to you to get his attention and remind him of the difference. But, if you can't do it, and he expects you to stay locked behind doors, then just send the word and I'll have you out of there immediately.” Morgan listened, and thought about what Julianne had said. Maybe she was right, maybe he just didn't know what to do with her and Morgan just needed to show him how things are supposed to be done. She had nothing to lose, either she would have fun with the handsome man, or she would leave.

  “I think you're right, and I'll do my best to shake things up around here.” They both laughed, and Morgan thanked her for the advice. When they hung up, the top four buttons of her blouse were her first order of business. With more than enough cleavage showing, Morgan left the small office.

  Dante was standing at a small prep table alone, with his back to the kitchen. As Morgan stepped closer, she could see that he was lining up a row of tomatoes to dice. She took the last few steps to reach him quickly so that he wouldn't be in the actual process of using a knife when she approached him.

  He smells so goooooood. She put her face close to his neck, and breathed in deeply to take in his scent. She swore to herself that she would find out what cologne he wears. It may be useful in the future if she ever found a man that she wanted to give a gift to. She smiled at herself for that one, since the gift would mostly be for herself. She could enjoy that scent for hours.

  Morgan slowly brushed her breasts along his arm as she stood next to him at the table. “I'd love to help you.” She took a tomato, and put it front of her. Dante smiled, and told her that he had all the help he needed.

  “Then, I'll just stay here and watch you work. A man who works with his hands is sexy.” She smiled at him, a smile that told the man that she would be willing to have him right then. He shifted on his feet for a several seconds, then cleared his throat. A bright red had already started to fill his cheeks when Morgan put her hand over his.

  Her touch was gentle, and he enjoyed it to the point of wanting more, but there was far too much work to be done to get sidetracked. He quietly asked her to wait in his office, and told her that he would join her shortly for an espresso.

  Morgan pouted outwardly, but she already had her next move in place. “Well, how long will you be?” She ran a finger along his cheek.

  After clearing his throat again, he reminded her that his intentions were to just have a morning drink with her, nothing more. The restaurant would be opening in a few hours and there was still far too much to be done before then. He also told her that he would meet her in ten minutes.

  Morgan
kissed his cheek then nodded, “see ya in ten minutes.” Then she walked slowly back to his office. She watched the clock on the wall, and after nine minutes, she stood.

  Chapter Three

  “We'll see just how busy you think you are.” Morgan laughed as she removed her blouse and bra. “We'll also see if you're worth staying for.” Then she unzipped her skirt, and wiggled out of it. Her panties were the last of the clothing to be removed, then she sat in his leather chair and propped her four inch heels up on his desk.

  One minute later, as Morgan would knew would happen, Dante walked into his office. His eyes were on the two small cups and saucers that he balanced in one hand, as his other reached behind him to shut the door. He was already in front of the desk before he raised his eyes. “Mor....” He nearly dropped their espresso when his eyes took in Morgan's naked body before him.

  The brazen girl smiled, and uncrossed her spiked heels as she spoke, “Dante, you've made yourself quite clear.” She ran her hands down her bare legs, and rested them on her knees. “You don't have the slightest intention of being sexually aroused this morning.” Then she slowly spread her legs apart, giving him a full view of her beautiful center. “But I, on the other hand, have every intention of being sexually aroused this morning. So....,” she moved one hand down her flat stomach, nearing her bikini line, “I would appreciate it if you could help me out.” She smiled as she titled her head to the side, waiting for his response.

  Dante had never seen a woman so beautiful before. He'd had his share of women, some that he even loved, but it was always in a more controlled setting. He knew that the situation wouldn't be the same with Morgan, but he had hoped for Julianne to send him someone that would be willing to please him in the evenings after a long day's work. One that wouldn't want more, or expect anything other than what he could give her. But Dante didn't want a woman to expect more from his heart, he never imagined a woman expecting more from his...

  “Come here, sit on the floor in front of me.” Morgan turned in the chair, and propped her legs around the arm rests, keeping herself wide open for the man to see.

  Dante's body hardened, and the thought of enjoying her in his office was even more exciting. He couldn't remember a time when he was more torn by what he wanted to do, and what he should do. He had fought that battle many times when he was younger, but at the age of thirty two, he had easily learned to master the game of sacrifice.

  As he walked around his desk, his mind raced with reasons to leave. His intentions when paying for a woman to be with him was to have someone to make love to at night after working long days to get his business going. He could easily have that without paying, but he knew that any other woman would expect more. It was a difficult decision for Dante to make, because all of his past relationships were just that, relationships. His last love, a few years earlier, was pushed out of his mind.

  He's never had a fling, a one night stand, or friend with benefits in his life. But that's what he wanted, a woman who would enjoy him as much as he enjoyed her, without expectations of the future. The only problem, he had thus far treated Morgan like a girlfriend instead of a desirable woman who obviously wanted to please him.

  As he stood right in front of her, he ached to touch her, to taste her. He dropped to his knees, then looked up into her eyes. Her smile was the last bit of invitation he needed.

  He put his hand on her thigh, and slowly ran his thumb through her warm folds. Morgan arched her back slightly, encouraging him to continue. After several strokes with his thumb, he ran his index finger across her clit, causing her to moan and spread her legs further apart. “That's nice.” She put her head back, and pushed herself toward him.

  His timid touch was exciting, and knowing that he was doing something that he would normally never do caused a flood of heat right to her core, and her need grew rapidly with each gentle touch. “More, I want more, Dante.” Her voice was so low, and his hardness throbbed in response.

  He leaned forward, and slowly ran his tongue where his finger just left. Back and forth, the soft flicker brought her hands to the sides of his head. She pulled his face closer, and squirmed in the large chair. As his tongue brought her closer to her release, Dante slid his finger inside of her, never stopping the movement against her hardened area. She pushed down hard on his hand, then moved her hips from side to side to take him even further. The sight was too much for him, he knew that she would come if he continued, and he wanted that to happen all over a different body part, one that was about to split the zipper of his three hundred dollar pants.

  He pulled away from her as he removed his pants. Her sigh of disapproval at losing the feel of his finger brought her eyes open to see that the man was far from finished.

  He stood up, wearing his white button down shirt, with a very hard and very thick gift standing straight up between the center. She eyed what she was about to feel, noting that he wasn't as long as Finlay or Tanner, but he was thick as hell and she couldn't wait to feel him inside of her.

  He looked down at her open legs, and said, “put me inside of you.” He put his hands on the back of the chair, and brought his body close enough for her to reach him. Morgan put her hand between their legs, and wrapped her fingers around his thick dick. “Ah, that's nice.” She stroked him gently, and he stopped her hand.

  “I'll come. Put me inside of you.” She smiled as she ran the head along her lips, then guided him inside of her wetness. She was right, he was so thick and filled her completely. She wrapped her legs around his ass, and pulled him deeper inside of her.

  Dante was too close, the feel of her tight hot body matched with her pushing him deeper inside of her was too much. His thrusts were fast, and very deep. After only a few moments, he pushed deep inside of her and held still, and Morgan could only feel the throbbing of him inside of her. She held on tightly to his shoulders, enjoying the feel of the hot explosion inside of her.

  When they both caught their breath, Dante stood and reached for his pants. “I'm sorry, you didn't get to...” He put his head down, and got dressed.

  Morgan sat up quickly, “don't worry about it! We women are strange creatures, Dante. The longer we're aroused, the better the pay off for the man. Just wait until tonight.” He looked at her, and her genuine smile made him feel better. He leaned down before walking out of the office and kissed her forehead.

  “Thank you, Morgan. That was wonderful.” She noted the embarrassment starting to show on his handsome face again, and she was looking forward to breaking him out of his shell over the next few days.

  The slender blonde dressed and spent the next four hours trying to entertain herself as best as possible. She beat her previous high score on Tetris fifteen times and won against herself on Solitaire at least double that amount. Just as she was congratulating herself on being the master of Angry Birds, Dante walked in with a smorgasbord of Italian dishes.

  “Oh, this looks amazing! I'm starving!” Morgan had planned on going out to the kitchen eventually and rummaging for food, but that was better.

  “So what would you like?” Dante set down the last dish and slid all of them toward her.

  Morgan scanned the food. “What would I not like! This all looks good. May I?” She grabbed a fork and was hovering over the obvious choice, spaghetti.

  Dante took the fork from her finger, “allow me.” He swirled a healthy amount around the fork and held it out for Morgan. She wasted no time in tackling the bite.

  Oh...oh my God...don't make a face, don't make a face! Morgan tried to get her expression under control. The only thing she could think about was getting the foul assault to her taste buds out of her mouth. She wanted to spit the putrid noodles right back on the plate, scrape her tongue with the bottom of her shoe and pour acid down her throat.

  “Good, isn't it?” Dante was looking down at the spaghetti, gathering another hefty bite for her.

  Morgan did the most unladylike thing she possibly could have and quickly
spit the bite into her hand and flicked it under the desk. “Yeah, that was great, but I think I'd like to try this,” she lied pointing at a steaming plate of shrimp fettuccine.

  He kept twirling the spaghetti. Please don't give me that shit again. Morgan let out a sigh of relief when he put the bite into his own mouth.

  “This recipe has been passed down for over a hundred years. People used to gather around my grandmother's house every day! It was like they could smell it from miles away.”

  Cough syrup. Garlic cough syrup. Morgan took a glance at the little pile of noodles under the desk and had to cover her mouth to hide her smile. To avoid getting another dose of nasty shoved in her mouth, she took action into her own hands and took the fork from Dante's fingers and helped herself to the fettuccine.

  “Mmm, now that's good!” Morgan blurted out, pointing her fork at the shrimp dish. Oops.

  “You didn't like the spaghetti then?” He propped his head on his fists, eyebrows pinched again.

  Shit. I can't say I liked it, he might make me eat more. But I don't want to hurt his feelings! “No, I...uh....the spaghetti is good...for spaghetti, I mean.. I'm just not much of a fan of spaghetti, but I thought I'd give the real deal a go,” she lied again. I love spaghetti. Just not yours. “But this,” Morgan pointed at the Alfredo again, “is amazing!”

  “Oh, I didn't know! I'm sorry. Here, you work on this then, and I'll be back with some garlic bread for you.” He picked up the spaghetti from the table and walked out of the door before Morgan could protest.

  “Whew,” she grabbed a tissue from the box on the far side of the desk and gathered her evidence from the floor and dropped it into the waste basket just as Dante returned with a plate of hot bread. The young girl wasted no time in taking a chunk from the plate and taking it for a dive in her pasta.

  The rest of the food was delicious: the lasagna, chicken Parmesan, chicken marsala, even the pizza. Morgan had been reluctant to try anything else with the dreaded red sauce, but it had only been the spaghetti that had put the sour taste in her mouth. Dante had offered her a small helping of several of the restaurant's more popular dishes.