Today was unseasonably warm out. February, and the air a good seventy degrees. Spring was right around the corner and she couldn’t wait for it to arrive. She longed for continuous warm days, outdoor activities and working on her tan.
Today she was heading into Cambridge with Salvatore and Finn. They were off from work and asked her to lunch. They wanted her to meet someone. They hadn’t been specific about who, but they seemed nervous, sort of.
The last three months Finn and Salvatore each took time to spend with her alone and together. She was getting past the whole fear of being attracted to them, and just taking her time. Thanks to Alana and the therapy sessions, Missy Ann came to realize that she did care for Salvatore and Finn in a romantic way. That it wasn’t just because they saved her, and she felt protected by them. It was more. The attraction was mutual, their patience commendable, and she trusted them in every way. She didn’t flinch when they touched her. In fact she cuddled closer when they held her, or placed an arm around her shoulders.
She still tended to overanalyze things. Like a few days ago when they asked her to go to lunch with them. Finn seemed on edge and Salvatore was definitely nervous. But as she accepted their invitation and their need to keep who she was meeting a secret, they appeared calmer. It was like they made a step toward something they had worry or concern over. It made her antsy, but she trusted them and every day when she felt the fear, or awoke in a cold sweat from a bad dream, she thought of them and was able to calm herself down and get back to sleep.
She heard the doorbell ring and jumped.
She was still jumpy.
She headed downstairs and got to the door. She peeked through and saw it was Salvatore and Finn. Opening the door she let them in, they stared at her and she smiled.
“Hi, come on in. I just need to grab my purse,” she told them and when she started to turn Finn took her hand.
“Slow down,” he said and chuckled. He looked her over, holding both hands and then smiled down at her.
“You look beautiful,” he said and she felt her cheeks warm as she lowered her eyes and pressed her hair behind her ear.
“Thank you,” she said, glancing up, taking in the sight of the two most handsome men she’d ever laid eyes on. Decked out in dark jeans, dress shirts and looking gorgeous. She felt her heart pounding inside of her chest.
He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead.
When he released her Salvatore pulled her close.
“Absolutely gorgeous.” He kissed her cheek and she hugged him.
She really wanted them to kiss her. She wanted to feel their lips against hers, and feel more of the safety, security and love she felt whenever they were close. But they were being patient. Giving her time to feel safe and to trust them. She was starting to think that maybe she would need to make the first move.
“Let me grab my stuff,” she said and Salvatore released her.
When she was ready they let her out first and she locked the door and headed to their burgundy SUV.
As she sat in the backseat and they talked to her about her week, she tried not to focus on them leaving Chance. But as they got onto the highway and headed further south she became a little antsy.
Salvatore turned around from the passenger seat.
“We’re heading into Cambridge, to a nice place down by the water. We’re here with you and won’t leave your side,” he said to her, holding her gaze.
She gave a soft smile, trying to be brave and not allow her anxiety and fears to surface. She was getting better at it, but Salvatore and Finn always knew when she was scared or on edge.
“So what’s the place called?” she asked.
“You’ll see in just a few minutes,” Finn said to her and Salvatore turned back toward the front.
As they got off the exit ramp the multiple signs for the marina district came into sight. She could already see the boats, the high sails on some of them and of course the many shops. As they maneuvered through the town, and an area she never was in before, they came into a marina that was crowded. There looked to be no place to park as they came closer to a large restaurant on the water, right beside a docking area and numerous yachts.
“Oh my God, this is beautiful in here,” she said and sat forward in her seat as Finn found a parking space near the back of the place. She saw the large sign, and felt her gut clench. “Connelly’s,” she said aloud and then looked at Finn and Salvatore. Finn turned off the ignition.
“Come on, we have reservations and it looks to be pretty full in there today,” he said to her.
Salvatore opened her door and helped her out. He kept a hold of her hand as they made their way to the side walkway that led to the outside tiki bar area. Tropical music was playing, some Jimmy Buffett she believed, as they made their way toward the hostess desk. But before they even got there someone called out Finn’s name.
Salvatore squeezed her hand as two very attractive men approached. She swallowed hard as Finn gave both men a hug and a slap on the back. The men smiled but couldn’t seem to keep their eyes off of her. She squeezed Salvatore’s hand and he pulled her closer, brought her knuckles to his lips, and kissed them.
“You’re safe,” he whispered and she swallowed hard again.
“We’d like you to meet Billy and Antonio. Our brothers,” Finn said to her and he placed his hand on her shoulder and pressed close to her.
She was shocked. She knew they had brothers but they didn’t seem close to them. Or maybe she just thought that because Finn and Salvatore never introduced them to her before.
She was surprised but she put on her smile and reached out to shake the first brother’s hand.
“I’m Billy, the youngest brother,” he said and stared at her lips and then her eyes. She felt an instant attraction to him, and damn it, he seemed to feel it too as he remained holding her hand and then brought it to his lips to kiss.
“My pleasure to finally meet you, Missy Ann,” he said.
She nibbled her bottom lip and then the other brother took her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you finally, Missy Ann,” he said and nodded to her. She felt the same tingling sensation travel from her hand to her arm, but this brother—Antonio, they said his name was—seemed way serious and sort of intriguing for some reason. Maybe it was the way he carried himself. Or perhaps the fact he had such black hair, dark eyes and even wore a black dress shirt with designer jeans. He seemed a little classier, almost arrogant.
“It’s nice to meet you both, too. I had no idea I was going to be meeting Finn and Salvatore’s brothers tonight. So this is your restaurant?” she asked them.
“Amongst other things,” Salvatore said and she wondered what he meant but then Finn pulled her closer and kept a hand on her waist.
“How about a drink while we wait for our table?” he asked her.
“Wait? Seriously, Finn?” Antonio said to him and Finn smirked.
“I’d like to show Missy Ann the tiki bar and the view of the water,” he added.
“We can do that, if she so pleases. I have the table by water, dock side in the corner where we usually entertain our personal guests.”
When Antonio said that she couldn’t help but wonder if those guests were women and what exactly they did with them. That uneasy, insecure feeling began to surface. Her insecurities about what level of interest Salvatore and Finn had in her just raised up again even though only a short time ago she wondered what it would feel like to be kissed by them, and to be their woman.
“Join us,” Salvatore said to Antonio and Billy.
Finn held her hand and Salvatore remained close by as they walked toward the bar and the live band. Salvatore pulled out a stool for her to sit on as his brothers ordered drinks and ordered her a glass of Chardonnay. It was odd, but as she asked for the glass of wine she noticed Antonio looking at her as if she were trying to be sophisticated or was knowledgeable of wines. It made her feel out of sorts or more so out of his league. Could he be a bit arrogant?
Her mind scrabbled to figure out what type of man he was as they sat there talking.
He was older, had a hard firm expression like Finn always seemed to have, and he seemed distrusting. Well, join the club, mister, because I’m pretty distrusting, too.
She was grateful for Salvatore’s hand on her shoulder and Finn’s hand on her knee as he took the seat next to her.
She listened as they discussed the restaurant, the new storefronts being built further down, and the start of a small set of town homes on the waterfront. She took the time to compare the men’s features while noticing the similarities as well as the differences in them. Billy gave her a wink or a smile often, seeming more sociable and calm than all the brothers, while Antonio seemed to look at her as if through a microscope.
* * * *
Antonio was pleasantly surprised at the gorgeous young woman in front of him. He knew his brothers were paying special interest to a certain woman and that they both wanted him and Billy to meet her. He asked Billy if he knew anything about this woman, and if Salvatore and Finn had checked her out, did some investigating into her to ensure she wasn’t some bitch on the prowl. They were all worth a lot of money. Although Finn and Salvatore had a smaller share in the businesses and properties they owned, they were still well off.
Sophia tried to pull the wool over their eyes. She wasn’t as young, or as strikingly beautiful as Missy Ann, but that didn’t mean shit. Women couldn’t be trusted.
He took a sip from his martini and looked her over. Despite the sweater she wore, he could tell she was well endowed and seemed to hide her body. If the skirt she wore weren’t so slim fitting, he wouldn’t be able to tell she had a nice figure. But he knew his brothers well. There were certain characteristics that stood out to them. To the four of them when they shared women. His heart hammered inside of his chest. Were they sleeping with her? Was she interested in a ménage or having the experience of one? Hell, he’d help his brothers fulfill the young woman’s fantasies.
His gut tightened. It didn’t feel right. Why was he acting like a dick and thinking with his dick? His brothers liked this woman and wanted them to meet her for a reason. Finn said it was Salvatore’s idea. Salvatore who had been the one hurt the most by Sophia and her lying manipulative ways even though it was Antonio she tried to destroy with those lies.
“So, Missy Ann, what do you do for a living?” Billy asked her.
Antonio saw her face go flush and she looked embarrassed. Surely the woman worked. What the hell were his brothers thinking? Or maybe they were only thinking with their cocks. The woman didn’t work to support herself, what the hell was she after? Hello? He felt his anger get to him.
“She’s in between jobs right now. She’s been going on some interviews but they haven’t worked out,” Salvatore said and he caressed her shoulder.
His brothers were pampering her, catering to her with affection and care. It was like they were walking on eggshells around her. Who was this woman? Did she have something on them already?
“Well, what exactly are you looking for as a job? You’ve finished college, I presume?” Antonio asked with an attitude and he knew he affected her. Her face flushed and she seemed shy, inexperienced. Perhaps his brothers found that attractive and she played it up? He didn’t trust anyone and especially women.
“I have my MBA and a degree in hotel and restaurant management. I’ve been looking into jobs with anything pertaining to managing hotels, upscale restaurants, and even business firms dealing in the hotel and restaurant industry.”
He was shocked that she had her MBA and what her interests were. If she had done any research on them, perhaps it was their business she was after?
“Interesting. What other credentials do you have?” he pushed.
“She graduated in the top of her class. She was working for a company in Charlesburgh but needed to take a leave of absence. She was let go,” Salvatore said.
“Why the leave of absence?” he pushed and she looked to Finn and Salvatore.
“She had her personal reasons, Antonio. Is the table ready?” Finn interjected.
Antonio looked at her with more questions than before.
“Sure thing. We’ll head to the table,” he said and then they took their drinks. He watched Finn remain close to her and escort her to the back of the restaurant and their private booth.
* * * *
“Lay off of her with the questions,” Salvatore said to Antonio, giving his arm a shove as they walked.
“Do you two even know who this woman is and what she’s after? Her shy routine isn’t winning me over.”
“Listen, there are things we need to talk about. Things maybe we should have discussed with you first but we wanted to see if you felt an attraction. If not, then so be it. Finn and I want her in our lives.”
“You mean in your bed,” Antonio snapped at him.
“Jesus, Antonio, stop thinking that everyone is after your money and your possessions. She isn’t like that. She’s sweet, shy and she had some tough experiences recently and isn’t up to defending herself against aggressive questions putting her on the spot. Be nice,” he said as they met the others by the table.
Salvatore took the seat right next to Missy Ann while Finn took the seat beside her. He noticed Billy was watching her too and he hoped his brothers would ease up and just relax and get to know her. Perhaps Finn was wrong about waiting to tell them how they met Missy Ann and what she went through. But when they discussed introducing her to Billy and Antonio their concerns were whether they would like her because there was an attraction or because they would feel that protective instinct they all had.
He wasn’t sure, but his nerves were getting the better of him. If Antonio kept up the negative comments and questions then this could turn into a complete disaster.
* * * *
Missy Ann began to relax a little more with Finn and Salvatore present. There were little things that Antonio or Billy said here and there that indicated they were distrustful. She could understand that to an extent. But Antonio seemed arrogant to her, almost like he was trying to break her down and make her confess to an ulterior motive. He was too intense and hard for her liking. But because of Finn and Salvatore being so close she felt more confident than when she was alone.
As the appetizers came and Antonio suggested another wine, she felt compelled to challenge him a little. It was obvious by the way he looked down upon her as he asked which year she preferred in a very expensive white Chardonnay that he was either trying to call her out on her wine knowledge or trying to show off. Either way, he was being a jerk and she didn’t like feeling interrogated.
“Actually, if I could be completely honest with you, Antonio,” she said to him and paused before she continued.
“Yes,” he said, squinting at her, holding her gaze as the waiter stood there watching.
“I don’t like either of those years or the vineyard. Their best barrels of wine were in both 1987, which you’re very unlikely to have on your wine list, and the 2001, gold label. Which I believe is a bit higher than this wine list you carry here.”
He raised one eyebrow up at her and she glanced at the wine list and trailed her finger along it.
“But, I see you have a Duck Horn, 1998. That will do just fine for this establishment,” she told him with a flair of arrogance that shocked even herself.
She placed the menu down and watched him glance at the waiter. He gave a nod and the waiter smirked as he walked away.
She felt Finn’s hand squeeze her knee but she never released her gaze from Antonio’s.
“Impressive choice, Missy Ann. You’ve surprised me on both your knowledge of wine and your attitude. I must say, this side of you is a bit more intriguing then the shy, passive side.” He took a sip of the wine, finishing off his glass.
Shit. Now he’s going to ask more questions. How could I let this man, this stranger get me all riled up? I don’t even know him. Hell, I don’t even like him.
As
she thought those thoughts her gut clenched and her pussy reacted. Holy shit, she was out of her mind. Why would some pompous know-it-all jerk turn her on? Because he was brothers with Salvatore and Finn? Really?
“So, Missy Ann, how do you know so much about wines? Did you take some classes or attend informative seminars at wineries?” Billy asked her.
She focused her attention on him and couldn’t help but find the man very attractive too and also a bit arrogant. Or maybe it was confidence, as he leaned back and gave her those sexy eyes while he let them roam over her lips. She felt it and she knew he was good. Hell, they were older like Finn and Salvatore. This was intimidating but once again she pulled from Salvatore and Finn’s presence.
“Well, I had to work while I attended college. Even with a scholarship I had extra expenses and it’s just my dad and me. My mom passed away when I was eleven. Moving out to New York to attend school, I had the opportunity to work for some fine establishments. In those four years I worked in Manhattan, in the meat district, and even in the Village. I went from mid-grade restaurants to very upscale steak houses. I did the Italian cuisine in Little Italy and then the whole top of the line, very exquisite places.”
“You couldn’t hold down a job in one place?” Antonio asked very seriously.
She chuckled. “No, I wanted to gather as much insight into the restaurant business as possible to determine this was the right course of study to take.”
“Well, what did you learn?” Billy asked her as the waiter placed down the wine glasses and poured each one.
“I enjoyed most aspects of running the business, although I found the finances most intriguing and difficult. I was handling budgets, correlating supplies, payroll, and expenses to meet a certain number. In a few of the places as I determined my strengths I actually helped them to save more money and to profit more. I learned a lot and then I went on for my MBA.”
Town of Chance: Attacking Innocence [The Dare Series 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3
