Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Isn’t this just a sex deal?” she asks, her voice filled with embarrassment.
The grin forms on my face. “Are you blushing right now?”
“Do you have a thing for me turning red like a tomato?”
“Definitely.”
“I suppose as far as fetishes go it’s not bad.”
Suddenly curious, I ask, “Do you have any fetishes?”
“Nope, sorry to disappoint you.” I like the teasing tone in her voice, and it warms a cold spot in my chest. She sounds curious as she asks, “Do you have any?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” I lean back against the tree and shove my free hand into my pocket. “We got sidetracked. If you don’t miss the idiot, why were you crying?”
“Wait a second.” It sounds like she’s moving, and she lets out a heavy sigh. “Before I tell you anything else about myself, I have a couple of questions.”
“Okay.”
“Is this real?”
“What do you mean?”
“The money. The deal. I don’t understand why someone like you who is rich and… obviously attractive has to pay for sex. Especially such an outrageous amount.”
“I’m not paying for sex,” I correct her. “If that were the case, I would’ve fucked you in my office and gotten my fill.” I swear I can feel the heat of her blush coming over the line, and the thought alone is enough to feed my obsession. “I paid for you, Laurie.”
“You’re going to have to dumb it down for me. What does it mean?”
A grin forms on my face as I look at my family gathered around the barbecue. I’m probably the topic of conversation.
“You’re looking at this the wrong way, Laurie. Sex is easy to get. I paid because I wanted to make it clear I’ve claimed you. Men like me don’t make gestures like this on a whim.” My voice lowers with possessiveness and obsession, “I want to keep you close and learn every single thing about you. This isn’t some fleeting arrangement that ends once I’m done fucking you. It’s a serious commitment between us.”
“A relationship?” she gasps. “Look, I just got out of a three-year relationship that sucked ass, and I’m not re–”
“Laurie,” I cut her off. “You already accepted the money and agreed to the deal. There’s no going back.”
“I know, but–”
My patience slips, and I snap, “No buts!”
“Food is ready, beddu mio,” Mom suddenly says. “Come eat with us.”
I’m so absorbed in the conversation, I didn’t even notice her.
“Is that… Are you married?” Laurie asks, her tone distressed.
“It’s my mother,” I explain. “And to set your mind at ease, no, I’m not married. You’re the only woman–” My sentence cuts off because I’m actually not sure how to describe what Laurie is to me, and telling her she’s my obsession might not go over well.
“Oh. Good.” She lets out a breath of relief. “Well, you better go eat.”
“Get some sleep, Laurie. I’ll swing by tomorrow.”
“Quick question. Can the two men please leave? I don’t want to hide in the bedroom all night, and they make me very uncomfortable.”
“Okay. But don’t try anything stupid like running away.”
“Yeah-yeah,” she mumbles before her tone turns snarky. “I’ve had my fill of being manhandled and tossed around, thank you very much.”
After she ends the call, I send Paulie and Marco new orders.
Adriano: Move down to the lobby. No one goes into the private elevator unless you’ve vetted them and Laurie doesn’t leave the hotel.
Paulie: Yes, boss.
Marco: Understood.
Walking to where my family is sitting down at the outdoor table, I message Laurie.
Adriano: They’re leaving.
I’m surprised when she reads the text instantly.
Laurie: I appreciate it. Good night.
I hesitate for a moment before replying to her.
Adriano: Sleep tight, La mia farfalla.
Reaching the table, I sit down beside Little Ricky.
Mom is squashed between my father and Tiny, the way it’s always been. He’s been Mom’s guard since she married Dad, and wherever she goes, he follows.
Big Ricky and Tiny might be old, but they still guard my parents, and I’ll never take that away from them.
That’s why I have them all living on the same property as me. It’s so I’m in control of their security because I’d lose my fucking shit if anything happened to the four of them.
Mom reaches across the table and places a big scoop of the creamy potatoes on my plate. “Eat, beddu mio.”
“Thanks, Ma,” I murmur while I help myself to some of the meat before Little Ricky and Tiny eat it all.
As I take a bite of the potatoes, Mom asks, “Were you talking to Laurie?”
I nod and shove some garlic bread into my mouth to save myself from having to speak.
Mom narrows her eyes at me. “You sounded impatient with her.”
Christ.
I swallow the food, then say, “Leave it be, Ma. Don’t get involved.”
Dad lets out a chuckle, which makes the rest of the men laugh.
“You plan to marry this woman?” Mom asks with a raised eyebrow.