by Pamela Yaye
“Hello. I’m Zoe Smith, and I’m here to see Mr. Morretti,” she said in a confident voice.
The brunette consulted her leather-bound book. “Is he expecting you?”
“No, but I have something important to return to him, and it can’t wait.”
“I’m sorry, Miss, but Mr. Morretti is in a web conference and he can’t be disturbed.”
Zoe was disappointed, but she nodded her head in understanding. Opening her purse, she took out the envelope that had been delivered to her office and wrote a short note on the back. “Can you see to it that Mr. Morretti gets this letter—”
Hearing someone call her name, she broke off speaking and glanced over her shoulder. The pen fell from her hands. Zoe spotted Romeo standing in the corridor and swallowed a moan. Holy hotness! Diavolo Sexy indeed! For a moment she couldn’t speak, could only stare at him. Romeo wore a suit like it was nobody’s business. He looked more like an Armani model than a world-renowned financier. He had salon-ready hair, a cool, laid-back vibe and a killer bod. What more could a girl want?
Butterflies swarmed her stomach, but his smile instantly put her at ease. Zoe was determined to keep her wits about her, wasn’t going to get flustered or tongue-tied in his presence like she had that morning at the taxi stand. His citrus cologne washed over, flooding her body with lust. Instead of crashing through the emergency exit and flagging down a taxi, Zoe walked toward him. Ignoring her sweaty palms and wobbly legs, she moved through the reception area with poise and grace.
“This is a pleasant surprise. Welcome to Morretti Investments, Zoe.” Lowering his head, he took her hands in his and kissed her on each cheek. “You look sensational, even more beautiful than you did this morning. Where are you going all dressed up?”
“To a movie premiere, and I’m pressed for time, so I’ll make this brief.”
“Did you receive the gifts I had delivered to your office this afternoon?”
His enthusiasm was contagious, his tone endearing, and his sincerity touched her heart. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as the tabloids made him out to be. If he was a jerk, like the gossip magazines claimed, he wouldn’t have bought her presents—presents she didn’t deserve. “Yes, and to be honest, I was stunned when I saw them.”
“Do you like the bike?” he asked, touching her forearm. “It’s the Mercedes-Benz of mountain bikes. The manager at the sporting goods store assured me you’d love it. Do you?”
“Yes, thanks. I’m sure I’ll get plenty of use out of it.” Zoe handed him the envelope. “I came here to thank you for the gifts and to return the check. I can’t accept it.”
His smile disappeared. “Please keep it. It’s my way of making amends for this morning.”
“You don’t need to. I caused the accident, not you.”
“The media aren’t going to see it that way. They’re going to blame me. Since I don’t need any more bad press, I’d really appreciate if you cashed the check and kept quiet.”
His words were a slap to the face, a powerful blow she hadn’t seen coming. The check was a bribe. Hush money. His way of buying her silence. “This is crazy,” she said aloud. “Is that how you deal with your problems? By throwing money at them?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact it is.” Sadness flashed in his eyes. “Unfortunately, I’ve learned over the years that most people are driven by the almighty dollar, so I decided to cut you a check and have it delivered to your office instead of waiting to hear from your attorney.”
Shocked by his words, Zoe shot him an angry look. “I can’t be bought.”
“So, you’re not selling your story to the highest bidder? Why not? Everyone else does.”
“I’m not everyone else.”
“Do us both a favor and cash the check. I’ll sleep better if you do.”
“I don’t want your money,” she snapped, feeling her temperature rise.
“Famous last words...”
“You don’t believe me?” To prove it, Zoe tucked her purse under her arm, raised the envelope in the air, and ripped it in half. Wearing a cheeky smile, she dumped the pieces into his palm, then flipped her braids over her shoulders. Speaking in Italian, she said, “Bye, Romeo. Have a nice life!”
Eager to leave him in her dust, she spun around and marched toward the glass door.
Romeo captured Zoe’s arm, stopping her in her tracks, and she glared at him.
“Maybe I misjudged you—”
“Damn right you did. I don’t want your money.”
His face softened. “I’m sorry. Do you forgive me?”
Romeo pretended to wipe an imaginary tear from his eye, and Zoe giggled.
“You have the best laugh. It’s warm, loud and lively,” he said, caressing her arm.
His cologne washed over her, and her temperature spiked. What’s the matter with me? Why am I acting like I’ve never been in the company of a man before? And why the hell am I making googly eyes at him? Damn, I’m worse than those female paramedics!
“Where is the movie premiere?” Romeo asked.
“Anteo spazioCinema.”
Glancing outside the window overlooking the sidewalk, he cocked an eyebrow. “Where’s your date? Isn’t he waiting for you outside?”
“I don’t have a date.”
A grin dimpled his cheek. “You do now.”
“No thanks. I don’t need one. My colleagues will be at the movie premiere, and they’re flying solo, too. We’ll keep each other company.”
“I look forward to meeting them.”
“No offense, Romeo, but you have a lot of relationship drama, and I don’t want any of your girlfriends hunting me down for hanging out with you.”
“Everything you read in the tabloids isn’t true,” he countered.
“True, but if you were my brother, I’d sit you down and set you straight about women.”
“And if I were your man?”
“As if you could be so lucky!” Zoe quipped. “Keep dreaming, Morretti!”
Romeo chuckled long and hard, and the sound of his hearty laugh made her smile.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he pointed out, stepping forward, a mischievous expression on his face. “If I were lucky enough to be your man, what would you do with me?”
Lock you in my bedroom and throw away the key!
Noise filled the air, drawing Zoe’s attention across the room, and she peered over his shoulder. Attractive women in designer dresses and impeccably groomed men strode through the reception area. Romeo greeted them as if they were family members, rather than his employees. “I should go,” she said, noting the time on the contemporary clock hanging on the wall. “The premiere doesn’t start for a couple more hours, but I want to get there early.”
“Zoe, I’d be honored to be your date tonight.”
The matter decided, Romeo asked the receptionist to retrieve his briefcase from his office, and as he waited for her to return he showed Zoe his favorite photographs in the reception area. He told her personal stories about his celebrity friends, his family members. Zoe could tell by the warmth in his voice that he was proud of his successful cousins and siblings.
“I brought your coat and cell phone as well, Mr. Morretti.”
Taking the items from his receptionist, he nodded and smiled. “Grazie.”
Needing some fresh air, Zoe ordered her legs to move and marched out the front door. The breeze carried a heady scent and cooled her overheated body. She searched the street for a taxi, but didn’t see any on the road. She suddenly feared she wouldn’t be able to shake Romeo.
“This is going to be fun. I haven’t been to a movie in years.”
“The premiere of Amore in Tuscany is by invitation only,” Zoe blurted out.
“Don’t worry. The director is a pers
onal friend of mine. He’ll be thrilled to see me.”
“Are you always this confident?”
Romeo winked. “I have every reason to be. I know everyone in this town.”
“But you don’t have a VIP pass,” she pointed out. “You’ll be turned away.”
“No way. It’s not going to happen. I have friends in high places.”
“Is that supposed to impress me?”
“No. I’m just stating a fact. Furthermore, you strike me as the kind of woman who cares more about a man’s heart than who he knows. Is that a fair assessment?”
Distracted by his closeness, she couldn’t think straight, and like a balloon in the sky, her thoughts wandered. To regain control, Zoe took a deep breath and clasped her hands in front of her. Good. Now she couldn’t rip his suit from his body and have her way with him. It was an outrageous thought, one that caused her mouth to dry and her sex to tingle.
“Right this way, Zoe. My Lamborghini is parked around the corner.”
Zoe didn’t move. She’d never brought a date with her to a work function, and wondered what her colleagues would think if she showed up at the theater with the bad-boy businessman. Though she knew what her boss would do. Aurora would take one look at Romeo, in his tailored designer suit and diamond watch, and break out in song. Arriving to the premiere with Romeo would definitely put her on Aurora’s good side, but Zoe had mixed feelings about taking him up on his offer. On one hand, she was excited about spending the rest of the night with him, but she was worried about attracting unwanted attention. The media would be out in full force tonight, and Zoe shuddered to think what bloggers would write about her. They made an unlikely pair, and she could almost see the headlines now: Italian Heartthrob Arrives at Movie Premiere with American! Romeo Morretti Romances Plus-Sized PR Director! Opposites Attract in Milan!
“Zoe, what’s wrong?” he asked, a note of concern in his voice. “Why are you stalling?”
“Because I’d rather go to the premiere alone.”
“Why? What do you have against financiers? We need love, too, you know!”
A giggle tickled her throat. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”
“Please don’t deny me the joy of escorting you to the premiere. I promise to be on my best behavior, and I won’t give you any trouble whatsoever.” He clasped his hands together, as if in prayer, and spoke in Italian.
Please, beautiful? You won’t regret it. His voice was full of warmth, and his expression was sincere. “Fine, you can come, but no monkey business. Understood?”
“You have my word. I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
Romeo squeezed her forearm, and her mouth dried.
“We should go,” Zoe said, wishing her sultry, throaty voice didn’t betray her need. “The theater’s across town, and I don’t want to be late for the premiere.”
“As you wish, bellissima. And don’t worry. I’ll have you there in no time.”
It took supreme effort, but Zoe fell in step beside him, matching him stride for stride. Romeo was, without a doubt, the sexiest man she’d ever met. And when he wet his lips with his tongue, Zoe moaned inwardly. Her palms were slick with sweat, and she was so nervous about being alone with him in his sports car, she was quivering. She’d been on numerous blind dates since moving to Milan, but none of the men she’d met excited her. They were all successful, clean-cut guys who were exactly her type. But there’d been no chemistry. No magic. No fireworks. No sparks. When Romeo placed a hand on her lower back, electricity shot through her veins. Zoe then knew she was in trouble.
Chapter 7
Romeo stood with Zoe and her colleagues at the wraparound bar inside Milano Cocktail Bar listening to Aurora and Davide Bordellio entertain the group with titillating stories about last year’s Christmas Wonderland Ball. He quickly decided he liked the couple. They finished each other’s sentences, and were down-to-earth. The couple were friendly and sociable, and when they welcomed him to the “Casa Di Moda family,” Romeo chuckled. “I had to practically beg Zoe to let me tag along, but I’m glad she eventually relented,” he said with a grin. “Everyone’s real laid-back, and I’m having fun.”
Nodding, Zoe gestured around the room with her hands. “Everyone is. The dance floor’s packed, guests are chatting and snapping selfies, and the line at the dessert table is out the door.”
Romeo raised his glass to his mouth and tasted its contents, but his gaze never left Zoe’s face. In her navy jumpsuit and studded pumps, her look was the perfect blend of sophisticated and sexy. Her outfit flattered her fine womanly shape, and her red-painted lips were a turn-on. Romeo noticed heads turn as Zoe swayed to the beat of the music playing in the lounge, and he stepped forward. He wanted to be as close to her as possible, and wanted everyone else in the lounge to know she was taken. Thoughts of kissing her ruled his mind, but Romeo didn’t act on his impulses. He didn’t want to blow his chance with her. If he came on too strong, she’d show him the door.
“This is one of the best lounges I’ve ever been to,” Zoe said, swiveling her hips like a dancer in Rihanna’s latest video. “DJ Bella is amazing. I love this set!”
Romeo swallowed hard. It was hard to focus, impossible not to stare when Zoe was moving her body in such an erotic way. She danced with such confidence that he couldn’t take his eyes off of her or concentrate on what she was saying.
“I heard DJ Bella will be at the Christmas Wonderland Ball along with Andrea Bocelli and Il Divo,” said one of Zoe’s male colleagues. “It’s going to be the party of the year.”
Zoe’s face lit up. “I’d do anything to see Il Divo perform live. I’m their biggest fan!”
Romeo finished his appetizers, then handed the empty plate to a server. A cut above the rest, Milano Cocktail Bar was the most popular restaurant-lounge in the city, and the Hollywood-theme decor was a hit among the crowd. There was a red carpet, shiny helium balloons, life-size cutouts of the characters in Amore in Tuscany, and film tape hanging from the ceiling. Romeo thought the movie was a predictable romance with a weak plot, but Zoe loved it. She had gushed about her favorite parts of the film as they’d driven from the theater to the lounge. The entire restaurant had been rented out for the after-party, and the space was packed with celebrities, business executives and entertainment reporters.
Aurora touched Romeo’s forearm. “You should come to Casa Di Moda for a private tour. Davide and I are incredibly proud of our business and everything we’ve accomplished over the last nine years. We’d be honored to have you visit the fashion house.”
Romeo considered her words. Mentally reviewing his schedule, he realized he had several meetings and a business lunch on Monday, but decided to juggle his schedule to accommodate Aurora’s request. Not because he wanted a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion house, but because he wanted to see Zoe again. “I’m free on Monday at ten o’clock,” Romeo said, consulting the calendar on his cell phone. “Would that work for you?”
Aurora bobbed her head. “I’ll make it work.”
“Great. After the tour we’ll have lunch at the Four Seasons. My treat.”
Everyone at the bar cheered except Zoe, and Romeo frowned. Bothered by her lackluster response, he studied the expression on her face. Why wasn’t she excited? The Four Seasons restaurant, La Veranda, was a magnet for professionals, and Romeo was confident Zoe and her colleagues would love the eclectic menu and quiet ambience. “I hope you’re the one giving me the tour,” he whispered in her ear. “Because you’re my favorite of the Casa Di Moda staff.”
“I have meetings all morning, so I won’t be back at the office until late.”
Romeo kept his feelings in check. Played it cool. Pretended not to care even though he was disappointed. His emotions must have showed on his face, though, because Zoe smiled sympathetically and patted his forearm.
“Don
’t worry. You’ll have a great time at Casa Di Moda. Aurora and Davide are awesome. They can answer any questions you have about the business.”
Romeo nodded, but he wasn’t going to Casa Di Moda on Monday if Zoe wasn’t there. Bent on seeing her, he made up his mind to visit the fashion house in the afternoon, making a mental note to adjust his schedule. Listening to Zoe and her colleagues talk about their plans for the rest of the weekend, Romeo realized it was going to be hard to get close to her. To romance her. She had a busy social life, and everyone wanted to spend time with her. He was anxious to get Zoe away from her colleagues—especially the male associate designer who was staring at her cleavage—but before he could ask her to dance, she spoke to her friend.
“Let’s check out the dessert table,” Zoe proposed, linking arms with a graphic designer with frizzy hair and red eyeglasses. “I’m craving something sweet.”
Look no further, Romeo thought, hiding a grin. I can satisfy your sweet tooth and more.
Applause and whistles filled the lounge, and Romeo glanced over his shoulder to see what the commotion was. He didn’t recognize the scantily dressed women posing for pictures on the mezzanine, but Zoe did, and cheered as the trio sashayed into the lounge.
“The cast of Guilty Pleasurers just walked in, and they’re wearing the outfits I sent them from Casa Di Moda’s holiday line,” Zoe explained.
Romeo had never heard of the show, but he wanted to know more about her, so he listened closely to everything she said about the program. It sounded silly, like one of the ridiculous shows his sister, Francesca, enjoyed watching, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Romeo was a news junkie, and wouldn’t be caught dead watching reality TV. But learning more about Zoe’s interests and hobbies was the first step to achieving his goal, so he didn’t judge.
“I’m going to snap some pictures of the cast, ask them to record a personal message for Casa Di Moda fans, then upload the images on our social media pages. Wish me luck!”
