by Pamela Yaye
“Let’s just jump right in. It’s more fun that way.” Winking lasciviously, Nicco picked up two miniature glasses and handed one to Jariah. “Per un rapporto di lunga e prospera. Cheers!”
To a long and prosperous relationship? His toast threw her, made her wonder exactly what he was referring to, but she dismissed the thought from her mind. Of course he was talking about work. She was his assistant, and it didn’t matter that she secretly lusted after him.
As they tasted the wine samples, Nicco questioned her about the flavors and brands she liked the best, and even fed her caviar. Enjoying herself immensely, she listened to the female steward relay relevant information about each brand and vineyard.
“We need a moment to discuss in private,” Nicco announced.
“Of course, no problem, I’ll get out of your hair.” Christi hustled around the table, snatching up the empty food trays. “If you need anything, just press zero on the phone and I’ll be back before you can say Cabernet Sauvignon!”
The steward left and closed the door behind her.
“Are you still mad at me?”
Nicco’s question caught Jariah off guard, but instead of lying to make him feel better about acting like a jerk, she told him the truth. “I didn’t appreciate what you said, but I’m not the kind of person to hold a grudge. I can move past it, but the next time you disrespect me you’ll be looking for another executive assistant.”
“Don’t hold back. Tell me how you really feel,” Nicco joked, returning his empty glass to the table. His attempt to lighten the mood earned him a frosty glare. Undeterred, he moved closer until they were face-to-face. “Do you feel better now that you’ve given me hell?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.”
His gaze held her hostage, refused to let her go.
“You’re like a steel magnolia. Soft on the outside, and hard as metal on the inside.”
“I don’t know if I should be flattered or offended.”
“You’re not just any girl, Jariah, you’re special and I hate the idea of you hooking up with guys online. If you want to go to a show, or a movie or out for dinner, I’m your man.”
“You’re not my man, Nicco. You’re my boss.”
“I love when we’re together,” he confessed, brushing his knuckles against her cheek. “You make me feel things I’ve never felt before.”
“I—I—I do,” she stammered, taken aback by his confession.
“Yes, you do.”
Jariah stopped breathing. Her hands were shaking hard and fast, and she was so nervous she couldn’t stand still. This can’t be happening. I must be dreaming.
“When you’re around I can’t think straight.” He sounded conflicted, as if he was struggling with a moral dilemma. “I think about you all the time, and when we’re apart I wonder what you’re doing and if by some stroke of good luck you’re thinking about me, too.”
Her internal alarm blared inside her head. Nicco was playing mind games with her— just like Mrs. Reddick said he would—and his pitiful attempt to lure her into bed was sickening. Disgust must have clouded her face because he cupped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. “I’m not bullshitting you. I’m for real.”
“No, you’re not. You’re a player who gets off on screwing your staff,” she shot back, determined to speak her mind. “How many of your subordinates have you slept with over the years? Five? Ten? Twenty?”
His face fell, and his eyes darkened with contempt.
Guilt troubled her conscience. She’d gone too far, said too much, and when Nicco dropped his head and raked a hand through his dark, lush hair, Jariah wished she had bitten her tongue. “You have a reputation, and—”
“I know, but instead of believing the hype, why not get to know me for yourself and form your own opinion? I haven’t been a Boy Scout, but I’m not the man whore people make me out to be on social media.”
He took another step closer and lowered his hands from her cheek to her waist. Swallowing hard, Jariah pretended she wasn’t affected by his touch, but she was—in every way—and her aching breasts and moist clit proved just how much she desired him.
Something Mrs. Reddick said weeks earlier came back to her. “What happened to your previous assistant?” she asked. “Why is she no longer working for you?”
“She found a better gig, I guess.”
Jariah heard Nicco’s cell phone ring, and welcomed the interruption. Their conversation was getting heated, and she needed a moment to clear her head. She expected Nicco to slip out of the room to take the call, but he didn’t. Instead, he took out his iPhone, switched it off and placed it on the table. “Now, where were we?”
“We weren’t anywhere.” Jariah pressed herself flat against the wall and propped a hand on her hip to prove she meant business. It didn’t matter that she yearned for his kiss, or that her body was on fire—they could never be lovers, and nothing he said or did would ever change that. “I won’t sleep with you. Not today, not tomorrow, not next week.”
“That’s not what I’m about. This isn’t about sex or about me trying to play you, either. This is about me wanting to spend time with you after hours, outside of the office.”
His words gave her pause.
“Mi sono rettilinei. Voglio a corte, Jariah.”
“Court me?” she repeated, amused by his words and the boyish expression on his face. “What is this? The Elizabethan era?”
Nicco chuckled. “I want to get to know you better and I think going out on dates a few nights a week is definitely the way to go, don’t you?”
He flashed a broad grin, one that made Jariah’s heart flutter and dance. Fidgeting with her hands, she dropped her gaze to the plush beige carpet. Not because she was embarrassed, but because she didn’t want Nicco to read her like a book. She wanted to get to know him better, too, behind closed doors, and feared he’d take one look at her and see the truth in her eyes.
“No one has to know we’re seeing each other. It’ll be our little secret...”
Fear and excitement filled her. Their conversation was getting more outrageous by the second, but damn it, if flirting with him wasn’t turning her on. Why does the thought of sneaking around with Nicco excite me? Jariah wondered, confused by her feelings. What is it about him that makes me nervous and giddy at the same time?
“Let’s do dinner and a movie tomorrow night,” he proposed. “I know you have to drop Ava off at her grandparent’s house, so I’m cool with meeting you at the theater.”
“Aren’t your brothers flying in tonight?”
“No, they’ll be here tomorrow night. If you’re not busy, I’d love if you could join us for dinner,” he said. “They’re going to love you, I just know it.”
Jariah’s body was humming with excitement at the prospect of going on an honest-to-goodness date with Nicco, but she played it cool and pretended as if she wasn’t completely sold on the idea. “I’ll think about it and get back to you.”
“What’s there to think about? I’m not inviting you to Vegas for a weekend of booze and debauchery, I’m inviting you to dinner and a movie.”
Laughter fell from Jariah’s lips. “The last time we made plans to meet you were late, so forgive me for being leery about taking you up on your offer.”
Nicco wore an innocent face. “You must have me confused with someone else, because only an ass would make a beautiful woman like you wait.”
“I wholeheartedly agree!”
“Mi piace il tuo intelligente, bocca fresca, e che splendido corpo di vostro.”
You think I’m hot? Seriously? No way! But I’m a size eight, not a size two and you have a thing for thin women with big, fake boobs!
“I’ll be at Paragon Theaters at six o’clock sharp, and if I’m late I’ll owe you a massage.”
His
breath tickled her ear, and when he trailed a finger down the length of her cheek, Jariah swallowed a gasp. His touch made her wet and desperate for more.
“Would you like that?” he asked, leaning into her, his smoldering gaze probing and intense. “Would you like to feel my hands all over your body?”
You have no idea.
Electricity crackled between them, causing the air in the room to swelter. Nicco seized Jariah around the waist and drew her right up to his chest. Then, the unthinkable happened—he kissed her. He brushed his lips against her mouth, gently at first, but the kiss quickly evolved into a passionate, desperate plea. Nicco kissed her with urgency, with a passionate, ferocious heat.
They’d crossed the line, jumped headfirst over it, and now there was no turning back.
Burying her hands in his hair, Jariah grabbed a fistful of curls and stirred her fingers around his dark, lush locks. Playing in his hair increased her sexual hunger. Finally, after weeks of stolen glances and lascivious smiles, she knew just how delicious his mouth tasted. And it was better than she’d imagined. Beyond her wildest dreams. His lips were flavored with wine, carried a hint of spice, and the intoxicating blend made her delirious with need.
For a split second, Jariah considered fleeing the private tasting room, but she was helpless to resist his kiss, and his sweet, sensuous caress. Her ear throbbed. Tremors erupted inside her body, and she could feel the blood rushing to her tingling sex.
Devouring his lips, she inclined her head toward him and boldly gave him everything she had. A wild, primal hunger took over her body. Hot with lust, she locked her arms around his neck and pressed herself flat against his solid, toned physique.
Standing chest-to-chest, their lips, mouths and hands greedily explored each other’s flesh. The kiss was long overdue, and not only well worth the wait, but the best thing Jariah had ever experienced. His lips were pure ecstasy, and more addictive than Godiva chocolate. She felt alive, energized, and the more they kissed and stroked each other, the harder it was to keep her head. Her lust veered out of control, had her saying and doing things out of character. Nicco was the world’s greatest kisser, a pro when it came to pleasing a woman with his lips, and Jariah craved him in ways he couldn’t imagine.
“You knew from day one this was bound to happen, right?” His voice was a husky growl, but he stroked her cheeks with loving tenderness. “From the moment we met, I knew it was just a matter of time before we surrendered to our desires.”
The truth got stuck in her throat. Yes, deep down, Jariah always knew this day would come but she never imagined it would be so soon. Her mind and her body were in turmoil, and the cravings of her flesh warred against her morals.
“I want you so bad it hurts,” Nicco groaned, between each passionate kiss. “I want to rip off your dress, bend you over the table and love you until I’m spent.”
At the thought, a fierce, powerful contraction erupted between Jariah’s legs. She should have been offended, appalled by his crude, raunchy talk, but she was so turned on by his words her body was a raging inferno. Every breath was a fight. In public, Nicco played the role of the wounded, misunderstood bad-boy to the hilt, but behind closed doors he bore a different persona. He had a softer, gentler side, one she was wholly attracted to, and Jariah couldn’t imagine anything better than making sweet love to him.
The more she rubbed herself against him, the more urgent his kiss. They were connected, finally experiencing the joy of each other’s mouths, hands and bodies. She felt wanton, naughty, and couldn’t rein in her hot, weak flesh.
Caught up, Jariah couldn’t bring herself to stop kissing him, to quit rubbing her full, aching breasts against his chest. His touch was out of this world, like no other. Jariah felt a hint of his tongue, just the tip, and all but lost her mind. She clung to him desperately, held him tight.
“From the moment I saw you, I knew you were ‘the one.’” Nicco took her hand and placed it over his heart. “I felt it in here, deep in my soul, and over the past few weeks my feelings for you have only gotten stronger. You’re all I think about, Jariah, and every night when I close my eyes I see your beautiful face.”
Stunned, Jariah felt her mouth gape open. His confession and the strength of his gaze blew her away. There was no way, after working together for a month that his feelings could be so deep, so intense. He was playing. Had to be.
Why is it so shocking? her conscience asked. You feel the same way and the only reason you’re not sexing him on the couch is because your unmentionables don’t match!
“I’ll never, ever do anything to hurt you, Jariah. You have my word.”
Jariah didn’t speak, couldn’t vocalize her feelings. His words penetrated the thick walls around her heart, and the kiss he dropped on her lips brought a girlish smile to her mouth. Her throat was dry, her legs were shaking something fierce and her sex was throbbing so hard she ached to feel him deep inside her.
Pulling herself together, she surfaced from her sexual miasma and pushed all thoughts of making love to Nicco out of her mind. “We’re getting way ahead of ourselves,” she said, determined to be the voice of reason. “It was just a kiss. It didn’t mean anything.”
“You’re wrong. It meant everything to me.”
Me, too, but I’m terrified you’re going to hurt me.
Taking her hands in his, he tenderly kissed each palm.
“Nicco, you’re a great guy, but—”
Wincing as if in physical pain, he pressed a finger to her mouth, and nodded solemnly. “I know. You don’t have to say it. If someone found out about us it would ruin your reputation.”
“That’s not it,” Jariah said, smiling sadly. “I’m a single mom.”
A frown marred his features. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Ava and I are a package deal, and that will never change.”
“I know, and that’s a plus, not a minus.”
“Nicco, I’m not interested in having an office romance or a tawdry summer fling. I want to get married and have more children.”
His smile was pure sin. “Sounds good to me. Want to start practicing right now?”
“I’m serious,” she said, struggling to keep a straight face.
“So, am I.”
“You’re ready to be in a committed relationship?”
“Three months ago, I couldn’t fathom settling down, but since meeting you, it’s all I can think about. Crazy, huh?”
“Insane,” she breathed, her head spinning faster than the ceiling fan above them.
“Think you could get used to me being around 24/7?”
Are you kidding? In a heartbeat! But instead of speaking her mind, she asked the most logical question. “What now, Nicco? Where do we go from here?”
“We’re going to kiss and make out some more.” Nicco dropped his gaze to her cleavage and slowly licked his lips. “Is that okay with you?”
Jariah heard the word, “Absolutely,” fall from her lips, and raised her mouth to meet his kiss. As they came together, a young, breathy voice filled the air.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but I’ve been knocking on the door with no success.”
Over his shoulder, Jariah peeped at the female steward, standing inside the doorway. Her face gave nothing away, but she sensed the woman’s displeasure.
Despite the pep talk, Jariah felt a stab of guilt and was embarrassed about getting caught fooling around with Nicco. She tried to move out of his arms, but he tightened his hold around her waist and gave her a peck on the lips. “What is it?” he asked, tossing a glance over his shoulder at the steward. “I’m in the middle of something.”
“I know, sir, and I apologize for the interruption, but you have a phone call.”
“Take a message.”
“I think this is a c
all you’ll want to take,” the steward said. “Someone’s been shot.”
Chapter 12
“Shot!” The word exploded like a bullet out of Nicco’s mouth. He snatched the phone out of the steward’s hand, put it to his ear and stalked over to the window. Curious and concerned, Jariah stared at Nicco, hoping that everything would be all right. She knew from past conversations that he was a proud mama’s boy, ridiculously close to his brothers Demetri and Rafael, and that he was concerned about the break-in at Dolce Vita. Had there now been a shooting at the restaurant? Was someone he loved fatally hurt?
Hearing a noise behind her, Jariah glanced over her shoulder. The steward cut her eyes, and pursed her lips in disdain. Tossing her hair over her shoulders, she turned and stomped out of the room.
What was that all about? Jariah stared down at her clothes, realizing her boobs were on display, lace push-up bra and all, and cringed. By now, the entire store would know she’d made out with Nicco, and that made her feel cheap, dirty. I should have exercised more self-control.
More? Her conscience mocked. When it comes to, Nicco, you have no self-control!
A sudden thought occurred to her, increasing her anxiety. Was this a setup? Had Nicco brought her to the wine boutique to help him select wines or to put the moves on her? His words flooded her mind.
You knew from day one this was bound to happen, right? From the moment we met, I knew it was just a matter of time before we surrendered to our desires.
Jariah knew then without a doubt that Nicco had planned this little jaunt to the wine boutique for one reason and one reason only: to put the moves on her. Feelings of guilt and shame engulfed her, and her head throbbed in pain. Was Mrs. Reddick right? Was getting her into bed nothing more than a game to him? One she would inevitably lose?
“Son of a bitch! How could you be so stupid?”
Nicco’s harsh, biting tone made Jariah flinch. Pacing the room like a caged animal, he yelled into the phone with such ferocity the windows shook.
“Gerald, don’t give me that crap. I pay you very well to ensure things like this don’t happen,” he roared. “Was Mr. Sarmento badly injured?”
