Down to Business (Business Series)

by Alexander, J. C.

  I smirked. “Oh yeah? How do you plan to do that?”

  “I have my ways,” he said cocky like. “Why do you think Vivian wants to get back together? She knows what she’s missing.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Maybe she should have realized it before.”

  “I’m glad she didn’t realize it, because I might not be here with you,” he said, staring into my eyes.

  I had to smile. “You know, I never got to congratulate you on your promotion.”

  “I can think of some ways you could congratulate me.” He mumbled and pressed a kiss on my neck.

  I closed my eyes and fought the urge to give into his suggestion. “If that’s the case, I already congratulated you twice today.”

  “One more time can’t hurt,” he said, rolling me onto my back and kissing my collarbone.

  “It’s already two in the morning.” I said brushing my hand through the back of his silky hair.

  “What’s your point?”

  “We should be responsible and go to sleep so were not dragging our asses in class tomorrow.”

  “I have enough responsibility…I think I deserve one last night of fun.”

  I smiled as he pulled me against him and kissed my lips, quieting any further arguments.

  Who needed sleep anyway?

  One Month Later…

  Vinny wasn’t kidding when he said he was going to have more responsibility after taking over Mazzolas. He worked just about every day. I liked watching him handle his new position, especially when he would greet guests all professional, dressed in his suit.

  After a month of managing Mazzolas, it took a toll on him. He started sleeping through Business 101 and instead of going to the gym after class, he would take naps at my apartment while I did our homework. I began to worry that he wasn’t going to finish the semester.

  It became a usual occurrence that right after we finished in bed, he’d pass out within five minutes. I felt like everything was taking its toll on him, including Vivian. As expected, she started throwing her new position in everyone’s face. She’d make me do stupid things that she hated to do, but she didn’t know I came from a background in food service where I did everything, so I didn’t mind refilling the ice water pitcher and folding napkins. I just let her think it annoyed me to satisfy her.

  She also grew bolder with Vinny, which did bother me. She would walk up when he was talking to guests and introduced herself. She would pet his arm or rest her hand on his back, and look up at him with her fake smile so people questioned if they were together. It made me want to stick a fork in her.

  Before I knew it, mid-terms were right around the corner. Unlike me, Vinny was unprepared, so I forced him to come over and get some studying done. I might have been able to complete his homework, but he’d have to take his own exams.

  On his first day off from Mazzolas in weeks, I made him dinner, which consisted of hotdogs and French fries. He ate it like it was his last meal and before he could try to fall asleep on me, we cracked open our textbooks.

  We sat on opposite sides on the coffee table in the living room and I jotted down an outline for our mid-term in Business 101 while he played around on his phone.

  “Are you taking notes on your phone or what?” I asked sarcastically.

  He looked up and smirked. “I really don’t need this class anymore, I already got the position I am going to college for.”

  “You still need your degree. Put the phone down and get writing or no sex afterwards,” I threatened, writing more notes.

  “That’s bullshit.”

  “No it’s not, Vinny. You need to pass so take this shit seriously.”

  “It’s only midterms.” He set his blackberry down on the coffee table next to his open book and grabbed his pen. “I know all of this already.”

  “Then why did you get a D on your last pop quiz?”

  “Because I was too distracted thinking about your ass.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him and smirked. “Don’t you dare blame me for that. I can’t help it you think with your dick.”

  He grinned. “What can I say? I like my extracurricular activities more than getting good grades.”

  “Maybe we will have less extracurricular activities and more studying until your grades improve…” I threatened, pointing at the textbook.

  “Maybe we should have less of this shit and more sex…” he tossed the text book aside. “Did I tell you how hot you look taking down a foot long hotdog?”

  I threw my pen at him. He blocked it with his arm and jumped up to retaliate. I screamed and tried to hide behind the throw pillow on the sofa, but he tackled me, tossed the pillow aside, and tickled my sides until I thought I would pee myself. It was the one time I was glad his phone rang. I was so exhausted from all my laughing and squirming I just laid there and listened to him talk. It was some supply company calling to tell him that his order for Mazzolas was going to be late. He told them that if they didn’t get the shipment there on time, he’d never order from them again. Once he hung up, he turned back to me and draped his arm around my shoulders.

  “It’s so hot when you act like an asshole,” I teased, pinching his nipple.

  “Ow!” he laughed and dug his fingers into my stomach, tickling me again. I smacked his arm repeatedly in a fit of giggles until the front door opened all of a sudden and Lindy came in carrying an armload of groceries. She glared at us, some hair draping over right eye. “Please don’t tell me this is how you two have foreplay.”

  Vinny jumped up and grabbed the heavy bag of groceries from her. “We were just getting to the foreplay, thanks for interrupting.”

  “I really don’t want to listen to you two going at it again tonight. Can you go screw your brains out someplace else, please?”

  I followed the two of them into the kitchen and helped put away the groceries while Vinny got a bottle of water from the fridge. “I really need a vacation.”

  “Me too.” I blinked and turned to him. “You know what? We should go on a vacation after midterms are over.”

  He looked to me with interest. “Where are you thinking?”

  “I don’t know, maybe a weekend get-away somewhere. There are always travel deals on the web.”

  He crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter, his brow furrowed in thought. “You know, I might be able to arrange something. I know some people in Atlantic City.”

  My heart did a flip. Lindy and I both looked up at the same time.

  “I’ve always wanted to go to Atlantic City!” Lindy cried like it was her vacation.

  “Let me make a phone call,” he said leaving the kitchen.

  Lindy grabbed my arms and jumped up and down. “You’re going to Atlantic City! How fun! You have to gamble for me.”

  I laughed. “I can’t. I’m not twenty-one yet.”

  “I’m sure Vinny can get you a fake ID. You have to learn how to win at the roulette table for me. We are still going to Vegas for my twenty-first like we always said, so you better know what you’re doing by next March.”

  I glanced over my shoulder, hearing Vinny’s voice as he talked on the phone. I wondered if he was calling one of his family “friends”. I knew the mob had connections in casinos because I watched all the movies, of course.

  Lindy and I peeked around the corner to see what he was saying.

  “Yeah, I forgot,” he explained. “I’ve been busy. It’s for school, Vivian.”

  Vivian! I narrowed my eyes. Why the hell was he calling her?

  “I need to do this for extra credit. Running a casino has to do with business.”

  He paced to my open textbook on the coffee table and stared down at it as he listened to whatever she said.

  “Two weeks from now. Have your uncle call me. I gotta go, I’m busy studying for mid-terms. Bye.”

  He hung up and looked up at us. I tried to hide my annoyance, but I couldn’t help it. “She’s your great connection? Really?”

  “Her uncle is a manage
r at the Seaview. It’s one of the best hotels in Atlantic City.”

  “I’d be happy to stay at a Motel 8. I don’t need the best hotel. Why would you even involve her? Now she is going to get all nosy.”

  “Would you calm down? Jesus. I was trying to do us a favor.”

  “Well we don’t need any favors from her,” I snapped. “Going on vacation two weeks from now wouldn’t make sense for mid-terms since they are before then, so why would you even use that excuse?”

  “If you were actually listening I told her it was for extra credit. I covered my ass.”

  “Did you tell her I was going too?”

  “No,” he said as if I was crazy. “It’s none of her business.”

  “What if she decides to invite herself since you’re supposedly going alone?”

  “Okay,” Lindy said putting her hands up. “Both of you calm down. This was supposed to be a fun weekend.”

  “Why can’t we go next weekend?” I asked, crossing my arms.

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Because it’s the weekend of the Rangers game she bought us tickets for.”

  I threw my hands up and walked into the kitchen.

  “They are center ice seats!” he yelled, following me. “What do you want me to do?”

  I turned around, crossing my arms. “Tell her to take her tickets and her courtesy and shove them up her ass.”

  Lindy put her arm around me. “She’s PMSing.”

  “I am not PMSing,” I said, stepping away from her and looking at Vinny. “I’m just sick of Vivian. I’m tired of tip toeing around and kissing her ass.”

  “Do we really have to go through this again?” he asked with a sigh. “I’m so sick of this conversation.”

  “Just forget it. I don’t need to go on vacation. Maybe Vivian can help you with your mid-terms, since she’s so great at solving all of your problems.” I said, leaving the kitchen. “Have fun at your hockey game next weekend.”

  “God dammit, Autumn, why the fuck are you being like this?”

  He followed me to my bedroom where I promptly turned in the doorway and threw my arms up against the doorframe, denying him access. “I think we’ve studied enough today. Isn’t it your nap time?”

  He frowned at me, looking defeated. “Look if you want me to call her and tell her never mind, I will. I just wanted to treat you to something nice for once, but if you don’t want me to do that, I won’t. I’m sorry.”

  I frowned, feeling the familiar lump invade my throat. “I know. I just hate her Vinny.”

  He pulled me against his chest and squeezed me tight. “You know I don’t want to be around her, but maybe I can use this opportunity next weekend to talk to her about giving me back my share of Mazzolas.”

  I pulled back and looked up at him. “Why don’t you get one of your mob friends to kill her? I promise I won’t tell where you hide the body.”

  He laughed and leaned in to kiss me. “You’re nuts, you know that?”

  I smiled and leaned up accepting his kiss. “It’s only because I love you.”

  He shook his head and smiled. “I think I’m going to go take a nap.”

  “Okay.”

  I expected him to pack up his things and leave, but instead he brushed past me and threw himself down on my bed.

  I watched him from the doorway and crossed my arms, hiding a smile. “You know, if you keep sleeping here, Lindy’s going to ask you for rent.”

  “It’s in my wallet,” he said, pulling the pillow under his head and closing his eyes.

  I shook my head and laughed. “Sweet dreams, Vinny.”

  I closed the door and went back out to the living room to clean up our books.

  Lindy watched me from the corner of the sofa with a smile. “You two fight like a married couple.”

  I looked over at her and rolled my eyes. “We wouldn’t fight at all if it wasn’t for Vivian.”

  “Who cares about that bitch? He loves you. He wants to book a two-night stay at the Seaview, A room there is like three to five hundred dollars a night. That’s love.”

  “That doesn’t matter. He has money to burn.”

  “Yes it does. He never treated Vivian to a vacation. He took her to dinner sometimes, but they never went on a trip anywhere. He didn’t even want to do Cancun last year for spring break. When they fought, he would walk right out the door, every time. When you’re pissed, he fights for you. He doesn’t want to lose you I really think he loves you, Auti.”

  I zipped up Vinny’s backpack and set it near the door. “I know he does… but it’s hard not to be jealous. I don’t want him to spend time with her, you know how she is.”

  “I know, but do you really think he’d cheat on you?”

  I contemplated her question, going with my gut feeling. “No.”

  “Then stop worrying. He’s your boyfriend. He only has eyes for you, he hasn’t slept in his dorm in two weeks because he can’t get enough of you.”

  We glanced over as my cell phone dinged on the coffee table signaling I got a text. The only two people who texted me were in the apartment, so I felt confused when I picked it up. To my surprise, it was from Vinny. It was a screenshot of a confirmed hotel itinerary booking for two-weeks from today for a suite at the Seaview. The message below it that read:

  VIVIAN HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. I LOVE YOU.

  “Why are you smiling like that?” Lindy asked and leaned over to see what I was looking at. She took my phone and stared at it, then touched her heart. “Aww! You’re one lucky bitch.”

  I elbowed her and took my phone back. “Remember when you who told me he wasn’t good enough?”

  “Well he made you cry…I don’t put up with guys hurting you. But it looks like your crying days are over. Well, sad tears anyway.”

  “I’m going to go thank him.”

  Lindy rolled her eyes. “Oh God, I know what that means. Do I need break out the ear plugs?”

  “I’m not loud!” I said, heading toward my bedroom.

  “Loud enough! These walls are thin you know.”

  “Yeah well I’m making up for all the times I had to listen to you and Tyler!” I yelled back from the hall.

  “I forbid you to say that name in my presence!”

  I slowly opened my bedroom door to find Vinny lying on his back, shirtless in my bed. I walked over to the bedside table, set my phone next to his, and climbed on top of him. His hands moved up and down my sides and he kissed me.

  “Thank you.” I said, pressing my forehead against his and looking into his eyes.

  “You’re welcome.” He whispered back.

  “There’s only one problem.” I sat up straight, pulling my shirt off.

  “What’s the problem?” His gaze chased up and down my body before he reached up and slid my bra straps down my shoulders.

  “My boss might not give me the time off. He can be a real pain in the ass.” I teased with a smirk and tossed my bra aside.

  He swallowed and his gaze turned playfully seductive. “Do you want me to send some of my guys to kick his ass?” he murmured while his hands cupped my breasts. “You know, I have the mob connection like in the movies.”

  I choked back a laugh and moaned instead when he pinched my nipples between his fingertips.

  I reached down with a smile and unfastened his jeans. “I don’t think that will be necessary…”

  “Are you sure?” He sat up on his elbows and his warm tongue moved across my left nipple, sending a tidal wave of heat through me. I arched my back and pulled at a handful of his silky black hair, which he retorted with a bite to my nipple. I cried out as searing pain translated into pleasure. I raked my nails over his shoulders, leaving faded pink lines on his perfectly tanned skin.

  “I’m really…really…sure…” I said, between breaths.

  My heart pounded as he rolled me onto my back and sat over me. He pulled my pants and underwear down and his eyes turned devious as he reached over to my bedside table where I kept our cond
oms. I smiled up at him before I caught a flash of silver and white out of the corner of my eye. I glanced over to see the fuzzy white handcuffs Lindy bought us as a gag gift being dangled over my head. I had only used them one time and it wasn’t for sex. I had fastened his wrist to the headboard as a joke while he was napping so he could not go to work.

  My heart pounded extra hard as he took my wrist in his palm.

  Anxiety pinched at my stomach. “Vinny, what are you doing?” I said, releasing a nervous laugh.

  He grinned at me, looking like a dirty cop as he slid the cold metal cuff around my wrist. It closed with a soft click.

  “You’ve been a pain in the ass today. I think it’s time for some payback.” He reached for my other arm and I giggled and hid it behind my back. He pulled it out and lifted both of my arms over my head, sending a ripple of excitement through me.

  “Vinny!” I tried to lower my arms and realized he had cuffed both my wrists around one of the bars on the headboard. My jaw dropped.

  He chuckled at me and took his phone off the nightstand. “Make that face again.”

  I gasped and laughed. “Vinny, quit! No pictures. Someone might see.”

  “Just make the O face again. It was priceless,” he said with another laugh and held up his phone to my face.

  I narrowed my eyes at him and gave him my best bitchy face.

  He took a picture. “Hot.”

  I wrapped my legs around his waist and used all the strength in my thighs to push him off me. Shock hit me like a splash of cold water as he tumbled off me and onto the floor.

  “Oh shit!” I yelled, lifting my head and trying to see where he landed. “Vinny?! Are you okay?”

  He stood up beside me laughing. “That was fucked up.”

  A knock on the door startled us both. “Are you guys okay? What the fuck was that loud bang?”

  “Were having some rough sex, is that okay with you Lind?” he shouted.

  She screamed and complained about needing her earplugs before she stormed off.

  I laughed hard and continued to do so even after he was back on the bed and lying next to me.