Seduced by the Playboy

by Pamela Yaye

  “So, what are you going to do? Spend the rest of the summer holed up in your house?”

  “Pretty much. I have everything I need at home, and since I schedule most of my meetings and appointments here at the estate, there’s really no reason to go out.”

  “Oh, I know what this is about,” she said, trying hard not to laugh. “You’re strapped for cash and can’t afford to take me out. Don’t worry, baby. It’s my treat!”

  Demetri roared with laughter. “Where do you want to go?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s jump on the L line and see where it takes us.”

  “Angela, we can’t. I need to let my team know what we’re doing beforehand so they can make the necessary arrangements.”

  “What arrangements, Demetri? It’s not that serious. We don’t have to go to a fancy restaurant or an upscale club. As long as we’re together, I’m happy.”

  “Okay, then I’ll have my assistant reserve Philander’s for us. We can have a nice romantic dinner alone, then dance to the live jazz band.”

  “We don’t need the entire restaurant, Demetri. Just one table.” Angela slid off her chair and inspected her appearance in the mirror. The cropped, white blazer fit her curves just right, and her turquoise-hued accessories made the entire outfit pop. She sat back down in the chair and said, “The whole point of going out is to interact with other people, so let’s just stroll around downtown and see where the night takes us.”

  “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we should get out and do something different.”

  “Maybe?” she sassed. “Baby, I’m always right.”

  “Except when it comes to making breakfast. The entire house still smells like smoke!”

  Angela giggled. “Hey, that’s not my fault. You’re the one who wanted to have a quickie. I tried to stop you, but you just wouldn’t listen—”

  Salem stuck her head in the door and waved.

  “I have to go,” Angela said. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

  “For sure. Have a great show, beautiful. I’ll be watching!”

  Angela ended the call, slipped her cell phone back into her purse and turned to her boss.

  “Are you all right?” Salem wore a concerned expression on her face. “You don’t look too good, and we’re live in fifteen minutes.”

  Angela swallowed. It was here. The moment she’d been waiting for her entire life. Her big break, the opportunity to show her producers she was more than just a pretty face. She replayed Demetri’s words in her head. You’re smart and articulate, and you think fast on your feet. Don’t worry. You’ve got this.

  Her breathing slowed, her hands stopped shaking, and the butterflies fluttering around in her stomach slowed. Angela smiled and hopped to her feet. “I’m great. Couldn’t be better.”

  “Ready to head into the studio? Everyone’s waiting.”

  “You bet your stiletto boots I am!”

  Laughing, Salem led Angela down the bright, narrow hallway. On the walls were framed pictures of world leaders, prominent figures and the station’s most celebrated reporters. Angela felt her confidence rise. One day, she’d be an acclaimed reporter, interviewing influential people and traveling all over the world. A question sneaked up on her, one that brought her thoughts back to Demetri. Was he serious about us having a long-distance relationship? Would he really come visit me if I lived abroad?

  “I don’t know how you did it, Angela, but convincing Demetri’s brothers to join him on Eye on Chicago next month was a brilliant idea,” Salem said, her tone one of awe.

  Angela snapped out of her thoughts and gave her boss a grateful smile. “Thanks, but to be honest, it didn’t take much convincing at all. Demetri called, and they agreed, just like that.”

  “The Morretti brothers are the hottest bachelors in the world, and since posting the details of the interview on Twitter and Facebook, I’ve received hundreds of messages.”

  “I’m not surprised. These days they’re more popular than ever.”

  “Think they’ll agree to do a fun Love Connection–type game?”

  “I bet they’d love that, especially Nicco. He’s a real ladies’ man.”

  “That’s what I heard.” Salem winked. “That’s not all I heard. I read online this morning in Celebrity Scoop that you and Demetri Morretti are lovers.”

  Angela gave a shaky laugh. “Those online publications will say anything to attract readers.”

  “I know. That’s what I thought, until I saw the pictures.”

  “What pictures?”

  “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you!” The associate producer, a stout Polish man with fleshy cheeks, rushed over and grabbed Angela around the waist. “No time to waste! We’re live in sixty seconds!”

  Chapter 16

  Madison’s Steak Bar, a popular restaurant in the heart of downtown Chicago, was packed with chic, fashionable patrons every night of the week. Tables were close, only an arm’s length away, but diners didn’t seem to mind. Conversations were loud and spirited, and laughter flowed freely around the cathedral-shaped dining room. Crystal chandeliers, milk-white carpets and cozy booths gave the space an old-world feel, one that fit the mellow atmosphere perfectly.

  “Want the last bite?” Demetri held out his spoon. His eyes were glued to Angela’s lips, and he wore a devilish grin on his lean, handsome face. “This is the holy grail of gelato, baby. It doesn’t get much better than this!”

  Leaning forward, Angela parted her lips and slowly sucked the rich, creamy dessert off of his silver spoon. “You’re right. That’s good.”

  “I’m glad you suggested this place. It’s nice, and everyone here is real chill.”

  “My dad and I used to come here all the time. We’d eat, watch the game and talk and laugh for hours,” she said, a wistful expression on her face. “He’s a long-distance truck driver, so I don’t get to see him much, but when I do, it’s just like old times.”

  “The next time your dad’s in town, I’d like to meet him.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m hot for his daughter, and I plan to be around for a very long time.”

  Angela giggled and shook her head incredulously. “Demetri, you’re crazy.”

  “Not crazy, just grateful to have a second lease on life.” His demeanor was calm but his gaze was intense. “I’m just a regular guy who fell in love with an extraordinary girl who completes me in every way.”

  “Stop playing around.”

  “I’m not playing, Angela. I mean every word.” He touched a hand to her cheek. “I have everything a man could want. Wealth, fame, more money than I could spend in this lifetime. The only thing missing from my life was you.”

  His cell phone rang, but he didn’t touch it. Instead, Demetri continued stroking and caressing her skin. Angela loved when he did that. He looked right at her when he spoke, no matter what he was doing or what was going on around him. He always gave her his undivided attention. Angela liked everything Demetri was saying, and she felt the same way, but she couldn’t return the sentiment. Not because she didn’t love him, but because the risk was too great. If Demetri ever found out about her past, he’d dump her like yesterday’s trash. And she’d never be able to survive his rejection. It was better that they just hung out and had fun, rather than get serious. But when Angela told Demetri that, the smile slid off his face.

  “What are you saying? That you don’t see us together for the long term?”

  Angela opened her mouth, but a booming male voice spoke over her.

  “Sign this to Hakeem,” the speaker barked. A scrawny, middle-aged black man with tattoo-covered arms tossed a receipt down on the table. “And I’ll need a picture with you, too.”

  Demetri kept his eyes on Angela but spoke to the dark-haired stranger in the wrinkled
Chicago Royals jersey. “Now’s not a good time. I’m talking to my girl. Come back in an hour.”

  “Just hurry up and sign it. I don’t have all day. I’m about to get up out of here.”

  “Then leave. No one’s stopping you.”

  “I told my son I’d get your autograph, and I’m not leaving without it.” The man pressed his palms down on the table, getting right up in Demetri’s face. His fast, heavy breathing filled the air, and his booming voice attracted the attention of patrons dining nearby.

  In seconds, there was a crowd gathered around the booth. Cell phones flashed in Demetri’s face and the dining room was abuzz with excited chatter. “Signing this receipt is the least you could do,” the stranger snarled, baring his teeth. “You played like crap last season. Hell, I’ve seen Little Leaguers play better!”

  Demetri shot to his feet. The veins in his neck were throbbing, his hands were curled into fists, and his eyes were dark with rage. Angela stood and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Baby, let’s go. He’s not worth it.”

  “Chump, scram before I make you a knuckle sandwich to go.”

  Angela recognized the voice behind them, and when Rodney elbowed his way through the crowd and stepped forward, she felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Her kid brother was a foot taller than the belligerent stranger and outweighed him by at least fifty pounds. The expression on Rodney’s face could scare the Devil, and when he folded his broad arms across his muscled chest, the man gulped.

  “Never mind,” the stranger said, backing away from the booth. “You’re not my son’s favorite baseball player anyways. Jeter is.”

  The crowd dispersed, diners returned to their seats, and by the time the busty female manager hustled over, the dining area had returned to normal.

  “Thanks, kid. What’s your name?”

  “Rodney Kelly.”

  Demetri glanced at Angela and then gave a slow nod. “It’s good to meet you, Rodney. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Only half of it’s true. My sister exaggerates!”

  “Rodney, what are you doing here?” Angela demanded, sitting back down in the booth.

  “I came to see you.”

  “Now’s not a good time.”

  Shaking his head, he threw his hands up in the air. “When is? I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for weeks, but you won’t return my calls. We need to talk.”

  “I have nothing to say to you.”

  “Fine,” Rodney said. “I’ll talk and you listen.”

  “You guys need some privacy.” Demetri squeezed her hand, then lowered his mouth to her ear and dropped a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be back. Don’t rush. Spend as much time as you need with your brother.”

  Angela started to protest, but Demetri strode off. Her eyes followed him through the dining room and off into the TV-filled lounge. He took a seat at the L-shaped bar and made himself at home among the other patrons who were chatting, sipping wine and cheering on the Royals.

  “Have you been getting my messages?”

  Angela nodded and stared absently out the window. Golden lights sparkled in the night. The view of the Chicago skyline was nothing short of spectacular. Angela wished Demetri was beside her instead of her brother. Rodney was trouble, and she suspected he’d tracked her down to hit her up for money. Again.

  “I’m sorry I took—”

  “Don’t you mean stole?” she said, cutting him off. “You betrayed my trust, Rodney, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive you.”

  He drew up a chair, straddled it and sat down. “I didn’t know what else to do, Angela. I was desperate and I needed the money fast.”

  “For what? To buy drugs?”

  “Drugs?” A frown jammed between his thick, dark eyebrows. “I don’t sell or use drugs. Never have, never will. That’s not my speed.”

  “Then what did you steal the money for?”

  Rodney stared up at the potted lights and then down at his big, beefy hands. “I—I—I took the money to pay off a bookie,” he blurted out. “I bet on the Indy 500 and lost big. Icepick said if I didn’t pay up he’d hurt Pops, and I got...scared.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I couldn’t. I’m always screwing up, and I didn’t want to let you or Pops down again. But I’m going to pay you back every penny of that money, sis. I swear.”

  “How, when you don’t have a job and spend all day hanging out with your friends?”

  “I don’t kick it on the block anymore,” he said. “Dad let me move back in if I promised to straighten up, and I’ve been searching for work all week.”

  Angela didn’t speak, just nodded her head. She saw Demetri, sitting alone at the bar, and smiled when he glanced her way. He wore a concerned expression. She thought about the things he’d told her about his family, about all the messed-up things his relatives had done to him over the years. They’d sold him out to the tabloids, applied for credit cards in his name and pilfered items from his estate when they thought no one was looking. He’d forgiven each one, no questions asked. “You can’t choose your relatives or decide who is worthy enough to share your last name,” he’d said one afternoon while basking by his Olympic-size pool. “Your family is God’s gift to you, even the crazy ones, and you’re supposed to love them no matter what.”

  His words played in her mind now, but Angela still wasn’t ready to forgive Rodney.

  “I better let you get back to your date. Your man’s been sitting at the bar a long time.”

  “Demetri’s not my man. We’re just...just hanging out.”

  Gesturing to the bar with a flick of his bald head, he broke into a grin that revealed his dimples. “Does he know that? Because he looks mighty sprung to me,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “He’s not watching the game. He’s watching you!”

  “Demetri and his brothers are doing my show next month. We just came down here to discuss the details of the interview.” She could tell by the look on Rodney’s face that he didn’t believe her. Angela wasn’t surprised. She didn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth, either. Their relationship was different from anything she’d ever experienced before, but Angela wasn’t going to tell her brother or anyone else that she was in love with Demetri. “We have a good time together, but it’s nothing serious.”

  “That’s too bad. I thought I was finally going to have a brother-in-law and some nieces and nephews to spoil and shoot hoops with!”

  “Don’t worry, Rodney. I’m working on it.”

  Angela’s face held a serious expression, but inside she felt downright giddy.

  “My man!” Her brother jumped to his feet and bumped fists with Demetri. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about!”

  Her cheeks burned red when Demetri slid back into the booth and draped an arm over her shoulders. He whispered in her ear in a sexy tone that caused desire to consume her body. Then he lowered his mouth to her lips. She tilted her chin and kissed him back.

  “We should all hang out sometime.” Demetri fixed his gaze on Angela but spoke to her brother. “Rodney, are you as crazy about the Royals as your sister is?”

  “Naw, basketball’s more my sport.”

  “Cool. Maybe we can check out a play-off game.”

  “Sounds good.” Rodney took his cop-style sunglasses out of the side pocket of his faded, blue jeans and slid them on. “I have to go. I have a job interview tomorrow, and I have a hell of a time waking up in the morning.”

  “I hear you, man. If it wasn’t for your sister, I’d stay in bed until one o’clock!”

  The men chuckled.

  “’Bye,” Rodney said, flashing two fingers, and then he turned and strode off.

  Demetri took out his wallet, dropped several hundred-dollar bills on the leather billfold and grabbed his
jacket. “Rodney, hold up. I think I’m going to need your help.”

  “To do what?” he asked, a quizzical expression on his face.

  Demetri pointed at the front window. A group of twentysomethings, holding their cell phones in the air, stood pressed against the glass, frantically snapping pictures. “Think you can clear a path from the front door to my Bentley?”

  Rodney grinned and puffed out his chest. “You don’t even have to ask.”

  Chapter 17

  Demetri settled into his favorite leather chair and propped his size-twelve feet up on the chocolate-brown ottoman. He had a glass of Veneto in one hand and the remote control in the other. Demetri couldn’t recall the last time he felt this relaxed, this happy.

  The French doors, leading out onto the deck, were open, allowing the intoxicating scents and sounds of spring to fill his game room. Autographed baseball jerseys were displayed on the navy blue walls, barstools and low-hanging pub lights gave the space a cool, sophisticated feel, and the multicolored area rugs complemented the decor perfectly. Demetri owned every arcade machine known to man, dozens of table games and had over ten thousand video games in his collection.

  Demetri turned on the ninety-inch wall-mounted TV, and when a commercial for Eye on Chicago came on, a grin exploded onto his mouth. These days, that was all he seemed to do. Eating breakfast with Angela in bed, watching the sunset on his balcony and luxuriating in his Jacuzzi was all it took to make him break out in an ear-to-ear smile.

  Taking a sip of his wine, he cast a glance at his team. Todd was sitting at the bar, devouring his second bowl of penne, Lloyd was reviewing the terms of his new five-year Gatorade contract, and Nichola was typing on her beloved iPad. Demetri didn’t want to kick them out, but it was time to bring their weekly meeting to a close. He wanted to be showered and changed by the time Angela arrived for their date. Though, if she wanted to join him in the shower he wouldn’t mind. His grin doubled in length at the thought of making love to her in the middle of the afternoon.