by Ashlee Price
As I watch him leave, I ask myself what it is about him that puts me so at ease while putting me on edge too… A special kind of crazy is all I can think.
Chapter Two – Marshall
The next four hours don’t take too long to pass, actually. I hate these kinds of events and rarely attend unless I have to. It would have been politic and polite of me to come for Garrett’s sake, but I’ve killed two birds with one stone today.
I’m here for Grazia, but Garrett doesn’t have to know that.
Pleased by the duality, I tuck into the surprisingly good Chinese food. It’s the authentic kind, not the American Chinese takeout I was raised on, but still, my more educated palate appreciates the different flavors, as well as the conversation with a web developer from my company at my table.
I doubt the hours pass as quickly for Grazia, but watching her work is always entertaining for me.
There’s a brisk efficiency about her when she’s busy. That’s actually how she caught my eye in the first place. She moves quickly, keeping to the background at all times, and for the most part, she’s difficult to spot. But I saw her because I noticed that briskness and was attracted to it.
The curvy ass and pretty face helped too. Hell, I am a man, after all.
She’s a difficult woman; something else I find attractive about her. Living with her these past few months has been eye opening, mostly because I’ve never done it before.
I could have shunted her off to another of my properties. Unlike most women, I don’t think she’d have been offended by that either. But once I had her in my bed, I didn’t want to move her. The idea of traveling anywhere else when I liked her there seemed pointless, and truth is, I don’t want her to move for a long while yet.
Grazia is… unusual.
Sure, she’s complex and riddled with confusing contradictions that have me scratching my head half the time, but I like how she keeps me on my toes. She gives me no leeway because of my position; she actually expects more of me because of it, not less. I like that. I like the man I am when I’m around her.
My feelings for her have been as complex as the woman herself recently.
You know you’re trapped when you start doing things just to make someone smile, to make them happy.
I’m almost hesitant to think about what that actually means, and when I do think about it, I quickly move on. There’s no point stressing over my feelings and whether they’re reciprocated. There’s no rush, no pressure, something else that’s unusual about Grazia. More to appreciate.
“It’s been lovely,” I tell Sue more so than Garrett. This entire event has her stamp on it; not just because of her heritage, but knowing Garrett as I do, he’d have been happy with a few beers in a bar and not this more formal party. “I really enjoyed it.”
“I’m thrilled you came. I didn’t expect you.” She flushes with pleasure and, I can sense, a little embarrassment. I can understand the latter. I wasn’t officially invited, after all, just popped in. Taking complete and utter advantage of who and what I am to Garrett probably makes me an arrogant bastard. Undoubtedly, Grazia will chide me for it later.
Hiding a smile at the thought, I lean forward and kiss her cheek. “I know, Garrett invited me and I decided to take him up on the offer at the last minute. It’s a good job your planner is so organized,” I say, tongue-in-cheek—might as well talk Grazia up; it’s not like I’m lying, after all. “She helped me find a place at a table without much stress.”
Sue smiles. “I’m glad. Grazia’s been so helpful. Thanks again for coming, Mr. Levitt.”
“Marshall, please.” I wink at her. “I think we’ll be seeing more of each other anyway. Garrett’s going places.” I say that with ease, not only because it’s the truth but because the man in question is talking to another guest.
“Oh!” She flushes again, this time with pride. “That’s wonderful to hear. He really enjoys working for your company.”
I squeeze her hand. “Glad to hear it. Well, I’ll leave you to your guests.” Clapping Garrett on the back while he’s still busy with another attendee, I walk off and head to the chaos of the kitchens and anteroom where Grazia’s stuff is set up.
She’s started to pack some things up, but I know most of it will come down later on tonight. When I spot Jessie, a woman I know only by sight as Grazia won’t introduce us, I catch a hold of her. “Jessie?”
With her head practically buried in a box as she’s arranging something inside it, her voice is muffled as she asks, “Yeah?” Then, something happens, because she pops up, her face pink from being bent over. Her eyes widen at the sight of me and she gawks a little. “Marshall?”
I smile. “That’s me.”
She peers around. “No Grazia?”
“No, she’s outside.”
“I figured as much. I’ve been pestering her to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
“You have?”
“You’re her best friend. Only makes sense that I should know you.”
“And vice versa.” She eyes me cautiously. “Is there something you wanted?”
“Aside from meeting you?”
“No need to charm me,” she replies tartly, folding her arms across her chest. On some, it could be construed as a self-comforting gesture, but in this instance, it seems far more matronly than anything else.
I can tell she won’t accept any of my bullshit.
“Well, I was hoping you’d do me a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“I’d like to take Grazia away before the end of the party.”
“Why?”
I frown. “That’s between us.”
“Not when it interferes with business.” She snorts. “You need to figure that out quickly before she gets mad. Nothing gets in the way of business with Grazia.”
That’s one of the reasons why we’re perfect for one another. Although, if there’s anyone I’m willing to miss a few days of work for, it’s Grazia.
Christ, that admission is enough to make me drip with sweat, but I ignore that and say, “I have a surprise for her. It was ready today, and I’d like to show her as soon as I can.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“I’d like her to be the first to know,” I retort, ignoring her suspicious reply. “Only thing is, I know she’ll stay late to take everything down.”
“I can handle things here,” she concedes. “Tell her I can deal with shutting down, getting the others home, and getting the van back to the rental place.” Jessie narrows her eyes at me. “But you owe me one.”
I smile. “Whatever you want, just ask.”
“Well, I don’t want anything yet, but when I do, you’ll be the first to hear about it.”
Amused, I hold out a hand. When she shakes it, I say, “It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”
“Likewise.” She hesitates a second, then murmurs, “Look, just… don’t hurt her. Please.”
“I have no intention of doing anything of the kind,” I assure her matter-of-factly.
“Men always say that, but still, I had to try.”
“And I appreciate the fact you care, but there’s no need to be concerned.”
She eyes me, and I can tell my words haven’t eased her mind much. “If you say so. Have a nice night.”
I back up a step, nod at her in farewell, then retreat to the banquet hall. Spotting Grazia trying to drag a potted plant across the floor, I come up behind her and tell her, “I’ve managed to get you a reprieve.”
She blows out a breath to waft a piece of hair from out of her eyes. “What kind of reprieve?”
“Jessie says I can whisk you away and she can handle everything here.”
That has her frowning. “That’s not fair. I won’t be here long.”
“I know, and she said you’d argue, but still, I need to take you somewhere.”
She studies me a little suspiciously. “Where?”
“Does it matter? It’s your surprise.”
“I have work to do, Marshall. You know that. Look at how crazy this place is.”
“I know, and it’s not fair. I wouldn’t ask, only it was finished today and I’d like you to see it. Jessie didn’t mind, and she says she’ll get the others home and drop the van off at the rental agency. She can handle it all. Come and play truant with me… just this once,” I plead.
She wrinkles her nose at me, then looks around the room. Blowing out another breath, she grumbles, “Let me just speak with Jessie to tell her what needs doing.”
“I’m sure she already knows.”
“I’m sure she does, but I want to make sure we’re on the same page. I’ll be five minutes.” She looks at me like I’m a nuisance, and I’m hard pressed not to laugh.
It’s not often my exes have looked at me that way when I’m trying to give them a gift.
It’s no wonder my feelings for her are difficult to describe, difficult even to process. She’s tilted my world on its heel, and though I’m glad for it, it’s unsettling to know that someone else has that control over your life.
I guess that’s what trust is about, and despite myself, I trust Grazia.
Maybe I can say that because I have the NDA there to protect me, but I have faith in her, in her honesty. I highly doubt she’d do anything to rake either of our names through the mud.
I learned why integrity and honesty is such a big deal to her a couple of weeks ago.
After finding out that her father was a mob boss and her mother was his mistress, I can see why she views the world a little askance. And really, considering how negatively Grazia sees her mother and judges her for the life choices she made, it’s no wonder she reacted so badly to my offering to make her my mistress.
Really, I couldn’t have asked her anything worse. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot without even knowing it.
I wish I’d known that about her before I’d stumbled in headfirst. But my investigation into her past had revealed nothing about her parents aside from their names and where they lived in Brooklyn—in a far better neighborhood than the one I’d been raised in. Nothing had raised my suspicions, but then I guess that’s how DeVecchio, Grazia’s father, had wanted it. He’d certainly covered up his tracks, and that was facilitated by Grazia’s stepfather adopting her.
Public records should have shown that, and my investigation should have highlighted that part about her heritage, but I’m guessing DeVecchio paid someone to make it disappear. Considering his own father was renowned for being a staunch Catholic—oh, irony of ironies—I guess having a child born on the other side of the sheets wouldn’t have gone down too well.
The myriad contradictions to her nature can be found in her childhood, I think, and though they usually act as a barrier between what I want from her and what she’s willing to give, I don’t mind coming across those walls every now and then.
We all have them, after all. Those little secrets we don’t want anyone to know about… I have them, but I feel that with time I’ll be able to share them with her.
When she pops up from the back room, striding towards me, I watch her walk and feel like drooling. Her sashay is half Sofia Loren and half Marilyn Monroe. She has curves that don’t quit and an ass I love to bite, with hips that were made to take a pounding.
God, what the woman does to me is astounding.
Maybe she can see my reaction, because a kitten-like smile crops up on her lips as she approaches me, and when she’s a foot away, Grazia puts a hand on my chest and smirks. “I’m ready to go.”
“I’m ready for something,” I grit out, my voice hoarse when she lowers her hand a little. The move is semi-threatening, but I know she’d never do anything risqué in public.
I’m not sure if I’m grateful for that or disappointed.
Amused, I grab the offending hand and tug her along to the elevator banks. When we go up rather than down, she asks, “We’re going up?”
I nod. “My helicopter is up there.”
“I saw a helicopter arriving earlier. Before the party. Was that you?”
“Yeah. It was quite opportune, actually. Had a meeting a few floors up, then came down for the reception.”
“Look at you, Mr. Efficient.” She’s teasing, but I can hear admiration in her voice.
One thing I like about Grazia is her appreciation of my hard work. She doesn’t appreciate what the hard work can buy her, but she does like the way I go about my day. She values my work ethic, and I have to admit, I value hers.
It’s not something I’d have thought was important for a couple to value in each other, but I’ve come to realize it is. She understands when I have to work, even though it must be a pain because while her schedule is full, it’s not nearly as manic as mine. I’m usually sympathetic to her routine too—even if it interferes with plans I have.
“Where are we going?” she asks as we travel up.
“Back to base, but your surprise is only a few streets away, so we’re traveling from there.”
She accepts that in silence, only murmuring a peep when I help her into the helicopter. The whir of the blades drowns out most noise, but I can tell this is a treat in itself.
The journey takes twenty minutes, but she’s glued to the window, and I’m glad we took the long way home just because she enjoys it so much. It was an extravagance keeping the helicopter parked on the roof for the length of time I did, but hell, it’s only money.
Like a little child staring at a toy store, she presses her fingers to the glass as we travel back to base. When we land, she squeezes my hand in what I can tell is a nervous gesture, but when we’re out and getting into the back of a car, she gushes, “That was amazing. Thank you so much, Marshall. I loved it.”
“Remember, that wasn’t your surprise,” I tease, touched by how much she loved the helicopter ride.
“It sure felt like it. Wow,” she whispers, then self-consciously puts a hand to her ears. “I can still hear the whir of the blades.”
“Yeah, it’s damn loud, isn’t it?”
She nods. “Do you get used to it?”
“I guess.”
Grazia peers out the window again as she tries to ascertain where we are in the city. “We’re in Little Italy,” she guesses after a few moments. “We’re not going to Tribeca?”
I shake my head; Tribeca is where my apartment is—the one we’re currently sharing. “No. I wanted it to be close enough for you, but not too far either.”
“Close enough for what?”
My smile is, admittedly, secretive. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
By the time we pull up outside a small building, she’s almost bouncing in her seat. Her childlike appreciation of the world is a breath of fresh air after the apathy of the socialites I’ve dated in the past.
I help her out of the car, jerking her against me when a car passes us by at a crazy ass speed. “Moron!” I holler, then grunt when she chuckles at me.
“I’m sure he heard that.”
“You could have been hurt.”
“But I wasn’t.” She shrugs it off. “Come on, I want to see this surprise.”
Tugging on her hand, I guide her to the door of the building and then into the elevator. It’s an older building, but it’s safe—I know because I had it inspected, thoroughly, before I bought the damned place.
We ride to the second floor and then I hand her a key. “Here’s your gift.”
She eyes the door, then looks at me. “Something inside is my surprise?”
“In a manner of speaking. Go and open it and see what you think.”
There’s a hesitance to her step that wasn’t there before, but before I can feel in anyway confused, she approaches the door and opens it.
When it swings open, making the grand reveal, I’ll not deny I’m a little disappointed by her reaction.
I’d hoped the sight of the large area, with a mood board in one corner, a cutting table in another, an industrial sewing machine by the window, and a who
le wall loaded with bolts of fabric opposite the door would have her gasping in delight. Instead, she looks around, her movements wooden as she trails a hand over the sewing machine.
“This is too much,” she tells me, her voice grating a little.
Before I can say anything, she nears one of the doors that lead off the studio. It connects to a bed and a small bath.
Her jaw tightens as she sees the bed. “You didn’t have to do this.”
Her coldness when I’d expected warmth stuns me. I stride forward and force her to face me. When she tries to look away, I grab a hold of her chin and say heatedly, “I never have to do anything, that doesn’t stop me from wanting to.”
She purses her lips and nods once. “I suppose you’re right, but that doesn’t mean I can accept it.”
“Of course you can. I arranged it all for you. I know how you miss designing. I can feel it when you sit down and start to draw something and then stop because you know you can’t make the design.” My voice softens, the anger bleeding out a little. “I wanted you to be able to create again.”
Tears suddenly appear, flooding her lashes as she tries to blink them away. “I would have worked things out myself.”
“I purposely kept it generic so you could do whatever you wanted with the space, but you have the bare tools to make whatever you want.” I huff out a breath. “I just wanted you to be happy.” I reach for her hands, clasp them both in mine and say, “I always want you to be happy.”
“I might not be able to afford the rent, Marshall.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not being ridiculous,” she snaps. “It’s a valid point.”
“You don’t have to pay anything at all.”
“I’m your girlfriend, remember,” she snarls at me. “Not your mistress.”
“And can’t a man do something like this for his girlfriend?” It’s my turn to snarl. “You’re the one making this more sordid than it has to be. I wanted you to have this, so I made it happen. It’s not a crime, is it?”
She lifts her chin. “I suppose not. But I will pay rent, and I’ll move in as soon as I can get my things together.”