My Mr. Beautiful: Eternal City Love, Book 1

by Passarelli, Caterina

  We lay back in the grass to look up at the sky, and Leo reaches for my hand.

  “Have you ever been in love?” I hear myself ask before I realize it was probably too soon. Why couldn’t I just keep my thoughts to myself?

  “No. I don’t believe in love.”

  “Did I hear you wrong? You don’t believe in love? I didn’t know it was something that you had the choice to believe in or not.”

  “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  “Because it’s love. Love is everywhere. Parents love their children, and children love their parents. Husbands love their wives, wives love their husbands.”

  “Well, that’s where I’d have to stop you. I don’t believe in marriage, either.”

  “No marriage for you … or others?”

  “I don’t really care what others do, Elena. No marriage for me.”

  I keep my eyes on the sky and take in what I just heard. This must be what he meant by no long-term anything when we talked in his office the other day. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ready to wear a white dress anytime soon, but I did make that stupid wish in the Trevi Fountain.

  We run back to the villa in silence. When we walk through the door, Gemma lets us know that lunch is ready and she’ll serve us outside by the pool. We sit down at a patio table, and some delicious lemonade and paninis are placed in front of us.

  “Is something wrong, cara?”

  I am not about to talk about marriage or a future with Leo again after he told me he doesn’t want it and I still agreed to come here. I knew what I was getting myself into, so how can I be upset? This is my fault and I know it. But it doesn’t make this any easier on my heart—which is already growing a strong attachment to him.

  “Nope.”

  “A one-word answer from the woman who always has a lot to say. I would say that does mean something is wrong.”

  “Not a thing. I do think that it’s time to head home, though. I have to be at work tomorrow to open.”

  Back to reality and enough of this make believe.

  “Back in America, what did you do for work?”

  “I dabbled in a few things here and there,” I say, giving him a wink and picking up my empty plate to bring back into the house. Leo grabs his plate and follows behind me.

  “If you don’t want to share your past with me, Elena, that’s okay.”

  “It’s not that I don’t want to share, it’s just that it’s not that exciting compared to yours.”

  “Okay, bella, I believe you. And I’ll tell Mateo to bring the car around, but just so you know, you can always stay as long as you like.”

  10

  Wednesday morning rolls around, and it’s back to Stella’s. Marco teaches me how to make panettone this morning before we open. The customers start to flock in, and we get into our usual rhythm. It’s not until I feel his eyes and smell his body wash that I know he’s in the building. I turn around, and he’s staring right at me over the counter.

  “Ciao Signor Forte! Mi chiamo Marco. It’s a pleasure to meet you. We are honored that you enjoy Stella’s.”

  Marco rushes up to him like he’s a celebrity. Well, I guess he’s kind of a celebrity here.

  “Thank you! It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard great things about you from Elena.”

  I can’t get over Leo’s sexy look today: stubble on his face, a black leather jacket, a tight gray t-shirt, dark jeans, and a pair of Converse. He definitely doesn’t look like he’s heading to the office.

  He catches me looking him up and down like he’s a piece of meat. Damn, he is hot.

  “Where are you headed … or is this the new look for the office?”

  “I don’t have to go into the office today. I have a phone conference at one, but a three-piece suit isn’t required for that. I was hoping you could skip out on work to join me. I brought my motorcycle.”

  “Well, that does sound like fun, but some of us can’t blow off work.”

  I laugh, picturing myself on the back of his bike with my thighs pressed against his back and my arms wrapped around his chiseled chest. Damn. Who knew he’d be my real-life Italian version of Jax Teller?

  “Earth to Elena. Where do you go when you space out like that?”

  “Space out? I was just deep in thought.”

  “Well, Spacy, I really wanted to spend time with you today because I have to go out of town until Saturday for work.”

  He hasn’t left the building yet and I realize I already miss him. Wow, I don’t think I have gone that long without him since we’ve met.

  “Are you telling me this because you are going to be so desperately lonely without me?”

  “No, because I know you will be so desperately lonely without me.”

  “Look at you with the smart answers now. The tables have turned.”

  I notice the place is starting to fill up again. Leo notices a line begin to form, too.

  “Well, I don’t want to hold you back from work, but I do want to give you this,” he says as he hands me a red envelope. He leans over the counter and kisses me quickly, winks, and walks out the door.

  Just my luck! Signora Lucca watched the whole thing!

  “Elena! You didn’t tell me you knew Signor Forte! Even though he’s a beautiful billionaire, don’t give up on my doctor. I’m telling you, call him.”

  “Grazie for your advice, Signora Lucca. Do you want me to make your usual?” I put the envelope in my back pocket and get back to work.

  After a steady stream of customers, I find a moment to myself and take out the red envelope that’s been burning a hole in my pocket. I pull out a black invitation …

  You’re Exclusively Invited!

  Leonardo Forte’s Birthday Bash

  Saturday at 10pm

  Club Luciano

  He came to invite me to his birthday party. Who knew a man like Leo would even have a birthday party. I haven’t been there yet but I know Club Luciano is a posh, upscale club. Looks like it’s time to go shopping!

  I stride into the club feeling like a million bucks! I should, considering I blew a ton of money on this outfit. I have on a tight red floor-length dress with a long slit up the leg. It’s sweetheart-cut, which gives me room to display a big black crystal necklace. I carry a black Jimmy Choo clutch to match the necklace and I’m wearing black stilettos.

  With my VIP invitation, I’m able to skip the long line of people standing outside the club, but I don’t see anyone I know inside so I head straight to the bar. I find a spot to weasel my way up, and a gorgeous bartender greets me. He has on a tight black t-shirt and jeans that show off his muscular arms, which are lined with tattoos. He has crystal clear blue eyes, and his long black hair is tied back into a low ponytail.

  “Ciao, bella! What can I get for you?”

  “I’ll take a vodka and Red Bull, per favore.”

  He hands me back the drink, and I take out some cash.

  “It’s on the house.”

  “Grazie!”

  I sip my drink and feel a warm hand on my lower back. I quickly turn around, ready to fight off the bar creep, when I look into Leo’s stunning green eyes. Now this man puts that bartender to shame! Leo is wearing a pair of black jeans and a silver button-up with a black blazer on top. He is still rocking his stubble; however, it looks like he’s trimmed it. His dark brown hair is spiked forward on the top.

  “Well, hello, birthday boy,” I say and lean in for a kiss.

  He puts my drink on the bar, pulls me into him, and deepens the kiss. I feel like he’s staking his claim in front of the bartender and anyone else watching. His hands roam over my dress, and he grabs my ass and presses me into his firm body. I feel his bulge harden against my belly. Would it be wrong to skip this party?

  “Aren’t you going to introduce us to your little friend?” says a woman with a thick, high-pitched Italian accent.

  I pull away from Leo’s kiss and see a tall brunette with long ombre hair next to me, eying me. She’s wearing a cute black mini-
dress with everything on display—from her long olive legs to her full cleavage. Didn’t anyone ever tell her to leave anything to the imagination?

  “I’m Victoria,” she says, extending her hand to me.

  “Elena, nice to meet you,” I say, shaking her hand back.

  “Come on, Elena, let me bring you to the VIP area to meet the rest of my friends.”

  Leo cuts off Victoria’s introduction and escorts me towards the back of the club past a roped-off area. I spot an Italian A-list couple that I saw on this week’s cover of TMZ Italia—the article must have been wrong because they look very much together! I see two politicians standing around a tall table in what looks like a heated debate, their wives looking bored behind them. I spot a few more singers, actors, and A-listers; it’s like I stepped into a glamorous wonderland!

  “Leonardo!”

  A short Italian man dressed in an impeccable Gucci suit comes rushing up to us and embraces Leo with a hug and traditional European double-cheek kiss.

  “Luigi, I’d like to introduce you to Elena,” he says as he pulls me closer into his side. It doesn’t slip past me that he doesn’t include a title when he introduces me—definitely not ‘girlfriend.’

  “It’s nice to meet you Luigi,” I try to spit out as Luigi pulls me from Leo and plants the same double-cheek kiss on me. He seems nice enough, but his soggy kisses and grabby hands send off a gross vibe.

  “Elena, it’s nice to meet you, bella,” Luigi says as he gives me a look up and down. I feel uncomfortable under his stares—he’s clearing checking me out in front of my date. Leo notices a shift in my stance and holds my hand, giving it a little squeeze of assurance.

  “Glad you could make it, Luigi,” Leo says as he pulls me along to work the room. We say ‘Ciao’ to plenty of nice people, and after making the rounds, he and I settle into a back booth by ourselves.

  “What are you thinking, cara?”

  “Your friends are really nice … and very glamorous.”

  “No one as glamorous as you. You look absolutely stunning tonight,” he says as he scoots closer so our legs are right up against one another. He pushes my hair off my shoulder, behind my back, and leans in to trail kisses down my neck. His stubble rubs my neck but, instead of irritating my soft skin, it turns me on.

  “You and public places. You are always trying to get me into trouble, Birthday Boy,” I say as I trail my hand up his thigh. His eyes giving me a smoldering look.

  “I think you are the trouble here,” he whispers into my ear as his hand lands on the slit of my dress and slowly trails up my leg. Why does my body always turn on me when it comes to giving Leo the upper hand?

  He continues to run his fingers up and down my thigh, just barely missing my sex. With his other hand, he grabs my chin and pulls me into a passionate kiss. His tongue thrusts into my mouth and swirls around my own.

  “Leo,” I manage to get out a moan. His large hands push my thighs apart. I grab his blazer and pull him in closer.

  Before I can let him peel my black lace panties down, he takes matters into his own hands and rips them off. Leo starts to massage my clit with my own juices, and then he slips a finger inside of me. My sex is throbbing. I want to scream out, but I bite it back, remembering where we are. He slips another finger inside and then sucks on my earlobe. I can’t hold back, I shut my eyes and surrender to what he’s doing to me. Thrusting his fingers in and out, I let go. After I finish convulsing, he takes his fingers out of my sex and, without breaking my gaze, he sucks on them. Oh my gosh.

  “How do you always do this to me?”

  I lean in to give his cheek a kiss.

  “Your juices are so sweet. And you, my dear, are so lovely.”

  My skin feels flushed and damp. I can’t believe I’ve let him take me in public … again.

  “Okay you sex maniac, I need to excuse myself to go freshen up in the bathroom.”

  Leo laughs and smacks my ass as I slide out of the booth. I don’t forget that I am now without panties, where did he put those? Thank God there was a tablecloth covering us, or Italy’s rich and famous would have gotten quite the R-rated show!

  In the bathroom I take a second to give myself a hard look in the mirror. What am I doing? Letting a super-hot billionaire finger me at his birthday party in a crowded club full of influential people. This is not what I’m used to. I mean, it feels amazing, but this is so far out of my comfort zone. If I don’t pull it together, I am going to get more attached than I already am and it’s going to hurt like hell when we have to split up.

  But what if we don’t have to split up?

  Am I crazy? Why did I just think that? Of course we have to break up. He doesn’t believe in love, marriage, or being anything other than ‘lovers.’ I still don’t quite know what that means for us.

  But do I need marriage? Maybe I can settle for being on his arm for as long as he’ll have me. I remind myself that after tonight’s party we need to talk again.

  I leave the bathroom and walk over towards the VIP area when I spot Victoria and Luigi standing at the bar talking loudly. I turn to head over to where I left Leo when I hear Victoria’s high-pitched voice ring out.

  “I can’t believe he brought that broke-ass, trashy American to his birthday party.”

  “And to think this guy could have any woman he wants. What a waste!” Luigi adds, looking just as stuck-up and annoyed as Victoria.

  What the fuck? They turn around to start walking back to the roped-off area, and I quickly duck back into bathroom before they can spot me.

  What a bunch of shit talkers. I try to hold back my emotions because, after all, this is Leo’s birthday party and I will not let anything ruin this day for him … even his pair of super crappy friends.

  I decide it’s safe to leave the bathroom after I regain my composure. Let’s try this again.

  I walk behind the ropes of the VIP area and notice that there’s plenty more people in the room since I stepped out. Couples dance, drinks flow, and everyone is having a great time. But where is the Birthday Boy? He’s not in the booth, so I start to scan the room.

  Spotted! He’s standing in the corner of the room with his back to me. My eyes would be drawn to that sexy ass anywhere. I walk towards him when he steps to the side and I notice he’s not alone. He’s standing with none other than supermodel Gabriella Rossi. And he’s not just standing with her … they are kissing! Her hands are on his biceps, holding herself close to him. His hands are on her waist.

  The entire room seems to go into black tunnel vision, and I swear I am going to faint. I have to leave before he sees me! They pull apart and turn around, but I duck behind the bar inside the VIP room.

  “Scusi, are you okay?”

  Hot bartender man catches me crouched down behind his bar looking like a damn fool! I’m trying hard to hold it together and not let my confusion and heartbreak show.

  “Oh, you know, just playing a game of hide and seek.”

  I peek over the bar to make sure the coast is clear.

  He crouches down next to me, and I can smell his Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue cologne.

  “Who are we hiding from?” he says up close to my face with a little smirk.

  “Just some jerk. I think he’s out of sight now. Thanks for letting me hide out behind here. It was nice to meet you.”

  I stand up and run out of the club before I can even hear his reply or he can see the tears slide down my face.

  11

  I wake up Sunday morning and wish that I were the kind of person who is really good at sleeping in. I want to spend all day in bed, warm under the covers, hiding from the rest of the world. I roll over and grab my phone to check the time and find I have 50 missed calls and 25 missed text messages—all from Leo. After running out of the club last night, I took a cab home and shut my phone off before crying myself to sleep.

  I’m too tired to cry any more tears so I get out of bed and head into the kitchen. After making a protein shake, I prop open
my laptop and write a quick email to my best friend Sophie back home. Before I can hit ‘send,’ my phone rings, and Sophie’s name pops up on my caller ID. Great minds think alike.

  “Hey Sophie! What’s going on, girl?”

  “Elena! How the hell have you been, you sexy bitch? I haven’t heard from you in weeks.”

  Oh, how I missed this girl! Sophie is the toughest chick I know. We met in the seventh grade when we had a bunch of classes together. We weren’t the typical girls who had superficial “BFF” bracelets—we were true friends thick and thin, without needing to display it to the world.

  “Girl! I’ve missed your sassiness so much. Things are going good over here in beautiful Italia. How’s life back in the mitten?”

  “Same ol’ shit. Now, for real, spill the beans! What the heck have you been doing? You find yourself a hunky Italian stud to shack up with yet?”

  “Do people really say ‘shack up’? How old are you?”

  “Ha-ha, real funny. You know what I mean. Answer the question.”

  “Yes, there was a stud, but that’s over now.”

  “Over? What for? Did you have a one-night stand? Whoa! Italy has changed you, my good little friend.”

  “Slow your roll, Sophie. You are out of your mind.”

  I crack up; my best friend is officially pazza.

  “Stop dancing around the topic here. Tell me about this mystery man.”

  “His name is Leonardo Forte, and it was a quick fling that ended last night after he pretty much made a clown of me at a club.”

  “Wait, wait. The Leonardo Forte—the billionaire?!”

  “Wait a second … how the heck do you know about him?”

  “We learned about him in my marketing class. I even wrote a section about him in my senior business proposal. What the heck is going on with the sexy billionaire? Tell me before I fall over.”

  “Okay, okay, don’t get your panties in a bunch. Here goes—”

  I launch into the whole story, sparing the TMI sex details, and end with the humiliating scene in the club where Leo cheated on me with a supermodel in front of everyone. Does it count as cheating if we were just ‘friends with benefits’? I’m so torn about what I’m allowed to feel right now.