After I Fall (Immortal Billionaires Book 1)

by Melissa Sercia

  “Very funny. Talk soon.”

  He patted me on the back on his way out, passing Max and Raven on their way over to my table. Cassius paused and turned around to throw me a look. One he’s given me before. It meant he took one look at Raven and knew exactly what I was doing. He shook his head as he continued to leave. But not before sending me a quick text.

  You cut our meeting short so you could get laid?

  I fired back with:

  Yes, that’s exactly what I did. Now go fuck yourself.

  I could just imagine the smirk on his face as he read it. Cassius knew me well and he was one of the few people who could call me out on my shit.

  Max bumbled over with a reluctant looking Raven a few steps behind him. “Boss! What are the odds we run into you again? I didn’t know you hung out at the Met.”

  “I have many hidden passions, Max.” I winked at Raven. “Nice to see you again. Sorry we didn’t have a chance to speak last night at the bar. Thank you again for your excellent service. Please, join me?” The blood raced in my veins. I had to count back from ten in my head to keep my dick from getting hard again. In the bar was one thing, but not in broad daylight.

  Raven gripped her coat to her chest like it was a security blanket. “Oh, we don’t want to impose.”

  “Nonsense. My business has finished and there are no other empty tables. Besides, I’d like to buy you both a drink. Get to know each other better. You’re all going to be seeing a lot more of me. I have matters that are keeping me in the city much longer than I anticipated.” You are keeping me here. With your hungry green eyes and soft lips.

  Raven inched down into the opposite chair. “You don’t live here full-time?”

  Max bubbled with excitement. “Mr. Fabiano has a sick house upstate. That’s where the real parties are. The other night was nothing compared to those.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes I thought everyone else loved my parties more than I did. Especially the staff who worked them. “Please, call me Ozi. And yes, I usually only come into the city once a month. I like the quiet and the space of my estate. The air is cleaner and there are more trees. And yet I’m just a quick helicopter ride away from the city. The best of both worlds you could say.”

  “Yeah, Mr.—uh, Ozi, has his own helipad. So freaking cool,” Max chimed in.

  Raven did not look impressed. In fact she wasn’t looking at me at all. Instead she was fixated on the menu. Most women wet their panties when they found out how much money I had. This one seemed to be bored by it.

  I gently took the menu from her hands. “Do you like champagne?”

  She fidgeted with the edge of her yellow cashmere sweater. “We’ve been drinking mimosas all day, so yes. I love champagne.”

  “Yes, let’s keep it going, girl,” Max cooed.

  “Excellent,” I said. “Let’s change it up a little, shall we? I’ll order us a round of Bellinis.”

  Max’s phone rang. “Ooh, I have to take this. I’ll be right back.” He leapt up from the table like it was on fire and stepped out of the café.

  Raven nodded and smiled. She looked amazing. “I didn’t figure you for a peach Bellini drinker,” she teased.

  Was that actual sarcasm? Maybe I was wearing her down. I flashed her a grin. “It’s all about la dolce vita, darling. The sweet life.” I signaled to the server, placed the order, and turned my attention back to her. “There are many things that I think will surprise you about me.”

  Her green eyes sparkled. A hint of intrigue flickered through them. “Everything in moderation right?”

  “Depends on what you’re indulging in. When it comes to the senses, moderation is overrated. Food, drink, sex…those are pleasures we must enjoy to the fullest.” I wanted to bend her over this table and show her.

  The vein in her neck quivered. “Too much of anything can poison even the sweetest of intentions. There is something to be said for playing it safe. To not lose yourself.”

  I leaned forward and placed my hand gently over hers. “Sometimes losing yourself is the sweetest part. Until then, you haven’t truly lived.”

  She pulled her hand away. We stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

  Max hurried back over. “So sorry about that.”

  “Everything okay?” Raven asked. Her pulse was still unsteady.

  “Better than okay. Alfonso finally called. He wants to meet up.” Max was glowing with excitement. “But I told him I have plans with my country girl.”

  Raven playfully smacked him in the arm. “Are you nuts? You’ve been talking about him all day. You have to call him back. I can get home by myself.”

  “Are you sure? You’re still not familiar with the city,” Max said.

  I jumped in. “Max, you should go. Don’t you worry about Raven. I’ll look after her.” I certainly wanted to do more than just look.

  Raven fidgeted with her sleeve again. “Yes, I’m sure. Now get out of here before Alfonso makes other plans.”

  Max jumped up and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll text you later.” He reached for his wallet and I shooed his hand away. “Thanks, boss. Make sure this one gets home eventually.” He winked.

  She rolled her eyes at him but giggled as he ambled off.

  “Well, Raven. It’s just you and me now. What do you say we indulge in one of those senses?” I let my glass linger against my lips, pushing out the tip of my tongue to meet the peach infused champagne.

  Her breath quickened. “I—um…” She looked like she was going to bolt for the nearest exit.

  I chuckled. “Relax, darling. I’m talking about food. You will join me for dinner, yes? My treat.”

  Raven let out a deep breath of relief. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. I mean… I work for you. What will people think?”

  Watching her squirm was more entertaining than I thought it would be. “And yet we’ve just had drinks together. I’m not asking for your hand in marriage, just dinner between friends. Besides, it’s a big city, Raven. The odds of anyone from Dolce Sale seeing us is very slim. I personally don’t care if they do, but if that is a concern of yours, I understand. So…will you join me?”

  I wasn’t sure if it was the champagne buzz or the high from seeing priceless works of art. Or maybe it was his full lips and perfectly smooth skin, or the way he smelled—like the night. Maybe it was all of it, but I was entranced. I should have left. I should have done a lot of things differently that day. But I stayed.

  “I’m not dressed for dinner.” I looked down at my jeans and thought as cute as they were, they weren’t exactly five star attire.

  Ozi was not phased. “It’s settled then. I’ll swing you by your place. You can change while I call ahead and let them know we’re coming.”

  “Okay. But I want to make myself clear. This isn’t a date.” I was actually excited. I didn’t want him to think it was a date but I was looking forward to getting dressed up and going out.

  Alex and I only went out on special occasions like my birthday or our anniversary. At least in the beginning. Three years into our relationship, we stopped going out altogether. He’d said it was because being at home was cozier, but it was more about him being able to watch sports on TV while I waited on him hand and foot. I loved cooking but every once in a while, it would be nice to have food cooked for me. Besides, he was such a picky eater, it was always just pasta or hamburgers. My palate always craved more.

  Ozi paid the bill at the Met café and offered me his hand. “This will be the best non-date you’ve ever had.”

  When we pulled up in front of my apartment, I didn’t invite him in and he didn’t insist. As I turned the key to my place, my insecurities set in. What in the hell was I doing? He was my boss and one of the richest men in New York City. Why out of all people did he want to have dinner with me? Was he bored?

  I loved that Piper had an old school answering machine. The light was blinking and it reminded me of one of those outdated movies when the girl com
es home to check if anyone actually likes her enough to call and leave a message.

  I pushed the blinking button and Piper’s bubbly voice came pouring out.

  ‘Hi, Raven. I hope you’re settling in! So sorry to abandon you on your first week in the city but my boss has me working overtime and it looks like I’m not going to make it home for a bit longer. My house is your house. Help yourself to whatever and I hope to see you soon. Can’t wait to hear all about your adventures! Ciao for now.’

  Anything I wanted? I wasn’t the most fashion savvy and Maplewood wasn’t exactly the epicenter of haute couture. Against my better judgement, I found myself in Piper’s closet. If I was going to go out to dinner with one of the most eligible bachelors in the free world, I at least needed to look the part.

  Looking in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. I decided on a black lace dress that stopped just below my knees and hugged every curve. The sleeves were three-quarter and the neckline plunged just low enough to show a peek of cleavage without revealing too much. I had no idea what I was doing and for the first time, I didn’t care. I was going to try to live that city life. I didn’t move here to play it safe.

  By the way Ozi staggered back against the town car, I could tell I had made the right choice. His lips curled into a smirk as he opened the door for me.

  “You look…amazing. Are you sure this isn’t a date?”

  “It’s not.” The way he looked at me was unnerving. It wasn’t just the dress. It was as if he could see through me and into the deepest parts of me.

  “Whatever you want to call it is fine with me, Raven, but I can’t promise you that you won’t be able to keep your hands off me by the end of the night.”

  I swallowed hard and he winked.

  “I’ll try to contain myself.”

  And then he laughed, followed by the most sincere and warmest smile I’d ever seen from any other human being.

  Maybe I was better at this than I thought.

  I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be this close to him. The way he looked at me…like I was on the menu. His fingers stroked the rim of his whiskey glass and I imagined what that would feel like on my skin. How his fingers would feel between my legs and in my mouth. His gaze burned into mine, imploring, seeking, hungry. He wanted me. Why? What was so special about me? I didn’t care. I wanted him too. I shouldn’t. He was my boss and so out of my league. For fuck’s sake, his suit cost more than my rent. Why did I agree to this?

  “Tell me what you’re thinking. I can see your thoughts are heavy.” Ozi dipped his finger into his glass and brought it to his lips, using just the tip of his tongue to lick it clean.

  My belly tingled under the heat of his stare. “I was just wondering what I’m doing here…with you. You could have dinner with anyone you want. Why me?”

  “You are correct. I can choose anyone I want, so I choose you.” It was getting harder to look him in the eye when all I could do was stare at his fingers tracing the rim of the glass. I wanted to see him lick them again. My god, what was wrong with me? This wasn’t like me. Sweat dripped down my thighs as the heat in my body turned up several notches.

  “Yes, but why me?”

  Every glance I took from him made me feel like I was on fire.

  He leaned back in his chair. The vein in his neck twitched. “Why not you, Raven?”

  “Um, I don’t understand the question.” He was teasing me and all I could think about was climbing over this table to straddle him.

  “I just thought we should get to know each other better. First the winery, now Dolce Sale, you seem to keep finding your way to me… I mean my company, of course.” He winked and took a slow seductive sip of his drink.

  I shrugged. “Coincidence.”

  “Fate.”

  Oh, he was good.

  I shifted in my chair, feeling more vulnerable than ever. “I don’t believe in fate.”

  Ozi laughed softly. “Things exist with or without belief. It doesn’t make them any less true,” he drawled. “Tell me, Raven, what brings you to New York City? You are a long way from home, no?”

  This was exactly the conversation I did not want to have. The reason I needed to keep my distance from him. It was an innocent question, but he would not be satisfied with my answer. Ozi was a man who was used to getting what he wanted and he was going to push until he did. “When I was in Italy, interning at your winery, I discovered my passion for food. For cooking. I decided then I wanted to become a chef.”

  Ozi leaned forward and I caught a whiff of his cologne—a mixture of tobacco and sandalwood. A tingly sensation rippled through me. Damn pheromones.

  “You could not become a chef in Maplewood?”

  I almost choked on my wine. “Have you ever been to Maplewood?” I asked. “Maybe if I wanted to flip burgers all day or master the grilled cheese sandwich. So yeah, no. I want to be a real chef in a five-star restaurant. And someday have my own restaurant…like you.”

  He watched me so closely, like he was analyzing my every movement. “So you left all your family and friends behind to become a chef? I admire that. I’ll tell Enzo to give you a couple shifts in the kitchen.”

  The music changed to a deeper, more tribal beat. I felt my heart race against it. “Look, no disrespect, but I don’t want any special favors. I need to do this on my own.”

  Ozi’s eyes lit up with amusement. “You work for me, Raven. I can put you in any position I want.”

  I held my breath as his words conjured up an image of him bending me over the back of this chair. “Um…”

  “I’m speaking about the restaurant, of course. Unless you had something else in mind.” He leaned forward and placed his hand over mine. The heat from his skin sent shivers up my back. My god, what was happening to me?

  I snatched my hand away. “Let’s keep this professional.”

  He laughed. “I’m only joking. I would never cross the line. I like to help all my employees achieve their dreams in my restaurant. Max started out as a food runner, now he’s one of the top bartenders in New York City. If you would like to try out the kitchen, the opportunity is there for you.”

  “I’d appreciate that. Thank you,” I stammered.

  “Excellent.” He raised his glass. “Here’s to you pursuing your dreams, and me possibly getting a new chef.” He winked and clanked my glass.

  “Cheers.”

  “Saluti.”

  I couldn’t help but notice the whispers and stares from the tables around us. Ozi was practically famous in this city and they were probably wondering what he was doing here with someone so small time like me. The staff, on the other hand, fawned all over us. They brought us course after course of raw oysters, seared foie gras on crusted bread, steaming bowls of lobster bisque, caprese salads with pastel colored heirloom tomatoes and fresh burrata. The main course was just as decadent. We had filet mignon in a blackberry wine reduction. Though the portions were small, the food was so rich and luxurious, I thought my belly would burst.

  The white-gloved server placed an extravagant plate of dessert bites in between us—macarons, petit fours, truffles, and profiteroles. “Oh, wow. I can’t possibly—”

  “You must. Juliet’s pastries are world famous. I’ve been trying to poach their pastry chef for years.” He bit into a dark chocolate truffle and golden caramel oozed out and onto his lips. He closed his eyes as he licked at it, chewing slow to savor every bite.

  “If I put anything else in my mouth, you’re going to have to carry me out of here,” I teased.

  “That can be arranged. Close your eyes.” His voice was low and breathy.

  I hesitated, looking around to see who was watching us now. “I…I really shouldn’t.”

  “Trust me, Raven. You won’t regret it.” He smiled, dangling the chocolate near my lips.

  I shuddered. Every inch of my skin was tingling, the hairs on my arms raised. He gazed into my eyes as if he could see deep into my soul. “Trust has to be earned,” I murmured.


  He inched closer—the half-bitten truffle so close, I could smell the sweet buttery caramel. “This is how it begins.”

  My breath caught in my throat. I wanted to taste it more than anything. The music pulsed around us, a melody of haunting violins and crashing cymbals. My heart fluttered as I gave in and closed my eyes.

  “Open your mouth, Raven.” His voice was sensual and seductive.

  I did as he said and parted my lips. The sweet gooey caramel slid across my tongue and as he nudged the truffle into my mouth, the tip of his finger grazed my lip. It sent a tingling sensation all the way down to the wet spot between my thighs.

  I wanted more—more dark chocolate, more luscious caramel. More of his sticky sweet touch. I felt like I was losing my mind. When I opened my eyes, reality set back in. The whispers intensified and one table even snickered as they watched us. Yet Ozi only fixated on me. But no matter what the onlookers assumed, there was no way I was going to sleep with him tonight.

  I would break her down and make her surrender. Make her beg for it.

  The way she licked her lips…it took everything I had not to throw her over this table and fuck her till she could barely stand. If I had any wonder about her wanting me too, well, I didn’t have to wonder anymore. She was timid and it was clear that she had never known true pleasure before. Love, perhaps, but not true pleasures of the flesh.

  Fuck those who gawked at us. Let them whisper. They were just jealous. Most humans were. I had her right where I wanted her—literally eating out of the palm of my hand. I didn’t give a shit about the rules or Enzo or even that she worked for me. I was a predator. Once I got a whiff of her scent, I couldn’t stop hunting her even if I wanted to.

  After paying the check, I stood and rushed to help her with her coat. Monster or not, I was still a gentleman. “Let’s swing by my place before I take you home. I have a limited reserve Bordeaux I want you to taste.”

  Raven leaned back on her high heels and arched an eyebrow at me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Maybe another time.”