by Jade, Ella
He lowered his gaze to my lips just as I moistened them, mustering up the courage to press my mouth to his. Before I could accomplish my mission, he ran his fingers through my hair, gripping it in his hand and drawing my face to his. Closing my eyes, I grasped his biceps to steady myself as his warm lips caressed mine. His tongue swirled around, deepening the kiss. When he tightened his hold in my hair, my insides pulsed, sending a tingle between my legs.
Releasing my hair, he smoothed it out as he slowly broke our connection. Kissing the corner of my mouth, he gently ran his thumb along my bottom lip.
“Thank you,” I breathlessly spoke. “For the car.”
“Come on, I want to flaunt you in the dining room.”
When he took my hand and led me out of the kitchen, it was as if my life had finally begun.
Chapter Five
Salvatore
Messy Looks Good On You
It had been a long Saturday night. The restaurant was packed from the moment we opened the doors until the last call at the bar. There was a wicked summer storm threatening the skies all night but that didn’t keep the customers away.
I’d come up to shower and unwind before diving into the contracts Vincenzo needed me to sign. Twenty restaurants wanted to feature the Marchelli wine on their menus this fall. As I gazed out of the windows that overlooked the lake, my cell buzzed with a call. It was late but not unusual for someone downstairs to need me. Glancing at the screen, I saw it was Joey, my driver slash bodyguard. My father insisted we all have one. Joey had been with me since I was in college. He did his job in the least intrusive way possible and for the most part, it was an easy gig. No one was taking any shots at me.
“Hey, Joe,” I answered. “What’s up?”
“Sorry to bother you so late but I have Hayden in the parking lot. She locked her keys in the car and got caught in the storm. We’re working on getting the car unlocked but I thought you’d want to know she was here.”
“Where is she?”
“I told her to wait in the lobby of the restaurant. She’s soaked and the rain isn’t letting up.”
“I’ll come down and get her. She can wait with me while you get the car situated.”
“I might have to call the service.”
“Do whatever you have to do.”
“Will do.” Joey ended the call.
I threw on my shirt, barely buttoning it and headed downstairs. Once I was in the elevator, I realized I didn’t have on shoes. I laughed at my disheveled appearance. If any of my employees were still here, they’d be in for a shock.
Once the elevator doors opened, I saw Hayden sitting on the couch in the foyer. As she tapped her fingers on the arm of the sofa, she bit her thumbnail on the opposite hand. Our kiss from the other night flashed before my eyes. We hadn’t discussed it but that encounter had been distracting me for days. I hadn’t meant to kiss her. Not so soon after meeting her but when she looked into my eyes, I got caught up in the moment. I wasn’t sure what was going on between the two of us but I wanted to explore all the possibilities with her.
“Run into some trouble?” I asked as I approached her.
“Sal.” She hopped up from the couch, a soaking, sopping mess. “What are you doing down here?”
“Joey.” I pointed out the window. “Is my personal driver. He called me to let me know you were still here.”
“I’m an idiot. I’m not used to not having to put a key in the ignition. I wanted to get my bag from the trunk and I don’t how I locked the fob in there. It was raining so hard and I... why are you smiling at me?”
“You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
“Cute?” She wiped her wet hair from her face. “There are three guys out there fixing my mess. They probably don’t think I’m so cute.”
“That’s their job.”
“To be here all night?”
“Security.”
“Oh.” She rubbed her shoulders trying to keep her body from shivering. It wasn’t working.
“You’re cold.”
“A little.”
“Come on.” I took her hand. “You can dry off upstairs.”
“I don’t want to bother you.” She stopped when we approached the elevator. ‘It’s so late.”
“You’re not bothering me. I was about to go over some contracts Vincenzo sent me today.” I entered my code and the elevator doors opened. “I’d rather wait upstairs considering I don’t have any shoes on.”
“Messy looks good on you.”
“Really?” We stepped onto the elevator.
“It makes you appear a lot less intimidating. More approachable.”
“In my bare feet, damp hair, and unbuttoned shirt?”
“Don’t forget the jeans.”
“I didn’t expect to have to come back downstairs tonight but I’m glad I did.”
“How come?”
“I’ve been thinking about you.” I led her off the elevator once we were at the loft. “About what happened in the kitchen the other night.”
“Me too.” She gazed around the foyer, moving toward the windows that gave a perfect view of the vineyards in the distance. “This is fantastic. I don’t know how you do it but when I’m here, I don’t feel like I’m in New Jersey.”
“Napa or Rome? That’s what I strive for.”
“I’ve never been to either of those places but I’ve seen pictures and yes, your vineyards rival theirs.”
“We’re going to have to rectify that.” I joined her by the window, standing close behind her. “How can you understand what I’m trying to achieve here if you’ve never been?”
“What?” She faced me, our lips inches apart.
“You’re a chef. You need to travel the world. You have to go to Rome. I’ll take you to meet some of the finest chefs. I can get you some one on one time with a few of them.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because...” Caressing her cheek with the back of my hand, I lost myself in her curious eyes. “I can.”
HAYDEN
My night had taken an interesting turn. Not only had I locked myself out of my new car but I’d showered in Sal’s bathroom and now I was in his bedroom. I hadn’t seen any of this happening when I came to work today.
I slipped on the shirt he’d left for me while he tossed my clothes in the dryer. It made it to my mid-thighs, covering the fact that I didn’t have any underwear on. They were in the dryer too. Oh well! I’d have to suck it up until my car was unlocked and my clothes were dry.
When I met him in the living room, he sat by the gas fireplace drinking a glass of wine. He’d removed his shirt, leaving him in nothing but those flattering, tight jeans. My body tensed and my throat went dry when he turned to face me, revealing his long, lean form. If his back muscles weren’t impressive enough, now I had a full view of his taut chest and defined abs. Six of them to be exact. My breath hitched in my throat when his gaze fell over me.
“Hey.” He motioned for me to join him in front of the fire. “I know it’s June but you were cold. I hope the shower helped.”
“It was great. There’s enough room in there for two people.” Shit! Did I say that out loud? “I mean, it’s very spacious. I’ve always wanted to experience that.”
“A shower for two?”
“No!” Why was I always so awkward around him? “I meant the rain faucets or whatever they’re called.” I took in the loft, trying hard not to slip into that goofy schoolgirl mentality when I was with him. “Your home is beautiful. It’s immaculate. You didn’t even know I was coming.”
“I’m not here much.” He laughed. “I guess I like things in order.”
“I’ve noticed.” I gazed around the spacious apartment. “It’s much bigger than I anticipated.”
“Thank you.” He handed me a glass of wine that he’d already poured. “Dominick and Gianni are good at designing spaces. No one in my family wanted me to live here but I insisted that my work would require me to be on deck all
the time.”
“Why didn’t they want you to live here?”
“My father wants us all on the property of the main house. Dominick and his daughter Gia are there. Gianni and Angelique and Vincenzo and Nadia too.”
“All in one house?”
“No.” When he laughed, his sculpted jaw relaxed and I spied his subtle dimples on each cheek. “That would be something. The property is big. There’s enough room for each of us to have a house. Santino and I are the only holdouts.”
“How come?”
“Santino likes living in the city. So did Vincenzo but after he got married, he decided to move back home. As I said, I want to be close to the winery. Living at the main estate can be a bit...” He sipped his wine as I joined him on the sofa. “Let’s say it lends itself to my father’s line of work.”
“The work that you stay out of?”
“There really is no place for me in his business. I’m content with the winery.”
“What about your brothers?”
“All completely legitimate.”
“I know that’s not entirely true.” I’d see them on the news and in the papers. “Didn’t Vincenzo get shot last summer?”
“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He shrugged. “He and Santino are lawyers. Dominick and Gianni run a construction company. My father is very close to retirement. It’s my mother’s wish that none of us follow in his footsteps.”
“You all seem very close. Your mother beams when she talks about her boys. She’s very proud of you.”
“She’s supportive, loving, loyal. We’re all lucky to have her.”
I tasted the wine he’d given me, trying not to think about the woman who had given birth to me. She was a far cry from Jennie. “This is delicious.”
“It’s a new blend for the summer. We’re offering it on the menu this week.”
“Do I taste blueberries?”
“Impressive palate you have. I didn’t want the berries to be overwhelming. I wanted it light for the summer.”
“Rocco said you’re very hands on when it comes to choosing the wines.”
“I’ve spent a great deal of time traveling the world, learning what works and what doesn’t.”
“I can tell.” I took another sip. “You have a knack for detail. It shows in every corner of the winery.”
“It’s my life.”
“I’m happy to be part of it. I’ve been searching for a long time for someplace where I could fit in. The staff has been welcoming. Rocco and your mom are wonderful. You’ve put so much confidence in me. It’s helping me find my way with my career.”
“I see some pretty fantastic things in your future.” He took my glass from me and set it on the coffee table next to his. “I hope you’ll let me show you them.”
“I’m still getting used to the idea of someone wanting to help me as much as you do.”
“The talent and ambition you possess amazes me.” He rested his hand on my thigh. “I’ve never seen such potential. We’re fortunate to have found you.”
“It’s the opposite. I’m the lucky one.” I didn’t open up to many people but with Sal it was different. I trusted him. “I’ve been alone for a long time. I don’t have much at all. My family is scarce. I haven’t seen my mother in years. I’ve been getting by on my own.” I inched closer to him because I needed to feel him next to me. “I’m strong but I’m tired.”
“You can surrender some of that burden.” He cupped my cheek in his hand. “I can make it better.”
“I believe you can and that scares me. I don’t know how to surrender.”
“Let’s start like this.” He tightened his hold on my face as our mouths collided. This kiss was more forceful than the other night. The need evident from both of us. “I can’t stop thinking about kissing you.”
“Neither can I but I’m afraid I’ll ruin what’s already developing between us.”
“I believe in taking chances.” He kissed my jaw. “I’m well thought out. Calculated even.” He trailed his lips to my neck while his hand on my thigh soared higher. “I’ve played out the scenarios in my head and you know what conclusion I’ve come to?”
“Tell me.” I ran my palms along his heated chest, taking my time to explore every dip and rigid muscle. I wanted to explore all of him.
“There wasn’t one scenario that didn’t have us coming out stronger on the other side. Together we can have it all.” His fingers skimmed my inner thigh on his way to my hip. “I can take you to the top professionally but it’s the intimacy of you personally that I crave.”
“I want to take that leap with you.”
“Let’s do it.” He bit my bottom lip, tugging on it until I initiated the kiss. It was long and slow and ignited a chain reaction. Before I realized it, I was in his lap, straddling him. His hands were in my hair, his lips against mine as we moved into one another.
Kissing me harder, he moved his hand along my throat. When I thrust downward, he lifted his hips, driving his erection into my bare center. The simulation pushed my arousal into overdrive. It had been a long time since I’d been with someone.
“Ah...” I draped my arms around his neck as his jeans covered erection brought me to near climax.
The rough stubble of his jaw scraped against my chin and neck while his fingers worked the buttons of my borrowed shirt. He slipped it from my shoulders, leaving me naked when it fell behind me. I pressed my exposed flesh to his, taking pleasure in the hot sensation we created between us.
Raising me slightly, he kissed and licked my breasts, taking a nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it. He took his time, pleasing me until I plunged into a weightless sensation of elation. When he blew on my nipples, a slow awakening spread from my core, shooting between my legs. As he increased the pace of his hips, I spiraled into a long, hard release, trembling in his arms.
When I opened my eyes, he kissed me. Gentle and as charming as ever. “Should we take this to the bedroom?” His voice was smooth and confident. “There’s so much I want to show you.”
I slid from his lap, standing and extending my hand for him. He licked his lips as he took in my form.
“You’re amazing.” He joined me, taking my hands in his. “All of you.”
“I’d like to see all of you.” I pressed my lips to his. “The bedroom?”
“Lead the way.” He smirked. “I’ll be right behind you, enjoying the view.”
Chapter Six
Salvatore
We Could Take Care of Each Other
Inside my bedroom, I couldn’t get enough of her. Once my jeans were off, we tumbled onto the bed, laughing at one another’s eagerness. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d wanted someone like this. Not just in a physical sense but connecting with her emotionally. She was beautiful but it was so much more than that. There was something about her that drew me in. A desire for her that I couldn’t resist.
“It’s been a while since I...” she whispered.
“Me too.”
“Really?”
“You don’t believe me?” I took her hands and pinned them above her head.
“It surprises me.”
“I could say the same for you.” I lowered my lips to her neck, taking my time to kiss a path to her full, sexy breasts.
“I’m selective.” She wrapped her legs around my hips, brushing my cock with her hot, wet center.
“I am too.” I released her hands. “I need more than sex.” Fondling her arm with my fingers, I continued my journey down her side and to her hip. “I want more than sex with you.”
“I’m really glad I locked myself out of my car.”
“That was a fortunate circumstance.” Reaching into the nightstand, I took out a strip of condoms. I hadn’t needed them in a while but I kept them there in case. I was glad I had. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Can’t you tell?” She bit her lip. “There’s no place else I’d rather be.”
“I like
having you in my bed.” I sheathed myself in the latex, joining her again. “I might not let you leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
We faced one another as I kissed her, taking my time to deepen our bond. The desire between us was front and center. Slithering my hand between us, I pushed my fingers inside her. Hot, damp, ready...
“Sal...” she moaned between kisses. “I want...”
“What do you want?”
“Us.” She reached down, taking the base of my shaft in her hand, pumping it.
“I can give you that. I can give you anything.” I hitched her leg over my hip as I inched closer, entering her. “Hayden.”
“Hmm...” She moved with me, allowing me to feel all of her.
Being inside her, creating a link that we could build on made me want her more. Running my hand along her side, I caressed her neck and cheek, kissing her with everything I had. When she rolled on top of me, I took her slender hips in my hands, gazing up at her as she rocked into me.
“You’re a goddess.” I lifted her up and brought her back down, coating myself in her arousal. “So perfect.”
She glanced down at me, her long dark hair flowing over her breasts as she rode me hard and fast. The determination in her violet eyes bore into me. It was as if she really saw who I was. Has anyone ever looked at me this way?
“Sal!” She yelled out. “I’m going to...”
She clenched around me, surrounding me in her warmth. Watching her climax was at the top of my favorite things to do. Reversing our positions, I slipped inside her. I made a mistake. Being inside her was definitely at the top of my favorite things to do.
Taking her legs, I draped them over my hips as she locked her ankles behind me, digging her heels in I slammed into her. Bracing myself on my forearm, I let loose, pounding into her at a relentless tempo. Her quick breaths filled the room as a cool sheen of sweat covered my back.
“Hell!” I moaned as I released, slowing my pace and catching my breath. I dropped down on her, burying my face in her hair. “Wow!”
“Tell me about it.” She quietly laughed. “That was amazing.”