Scoring Mr. Romeo

by A. m Madden

  “Babe, you look beautiful.”

  She ran her hand down her sleek hair. “I hope so. Have you talked to Dante?”

  “Last I knew his flight was on time. He’ll meet us at the party.” My brother, much to my mother’s pleasure, was moving to the city. I think she felt that maybe us being together in the same place was one step closer to us coming home. Of course, that was wishful thinking on her part.

  “I feel so bad he’s coming straight from the airport.”

  When Kyle planned this party, I told him Dante would be in town and didn’t hesitate to invite him. Anytime my brother would come and visit me, Dante fell right in line with my friends as if he had known them for years. And the ladies… many times we’d go to a party and I wouldn’t see Dante until the next morning.

  “Nah, he’ll be fine, he just about lives out of airports. Plus, if we don’t get moving, he just might beat us there.” Sabrina glared at me. “What?” I kissed the top of her head. “I’m just kidding.” Not really. “Before we go, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  “You sound so serious.”

  I pressed the pad of my thumb over the crease between her brows.

  “I am. I just found out I have to go to L.A. next week.”

  “Okay. For how long?”

  “Just a few days, but I’d like you and Mikey to come with me.” The wheels were spinning as she contemplated my request. “Do you think you can reschedule your clients for the week?”

  “Probably, it’s a light week since many take a vacation at the end of August.” In spite of her admission, unease altered her features.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “I just want you to be sure. Traveling with a six-year-old isn’t a picnic.”

  “Well, with what I have planned all week, he’ll be too exhausted to act up. Disneyland, box seats at the Galaxy charity benefit game, Knott’s Berry Farm Amusement Park… the works.”

  Her expression slowly morphed into one filled with emotion. In the parting of her lips, the shimmering of unshed tears in her beautiful eyes, I wondered what ran through her mind. When I watched her delicate neck work a swallow, I pinched her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “Hey, talk to me. If you don’t think it’s a good idea we can do it another time.”

  She shook her head and brought a hand up to palm my jaw. “It’s not that. I just…” We gazed at each other for a long moment. I waited, allowing her the time to work through what she needed to say. “You overwhelm me, Luca. I am overwhelmed with my feelings for you.”

  A surge of joy shot right through me, and I revealed as much through the smile on my face. “I feel the same way, Sabrina. And I plan to enjoy every overwhelming minute. I plan to take you and Mikey to Italy and meet my family. I want to escape with you to remote locations while my mother spoils Mikey. My list of places we will be traveling to is very long.” Without preamble, I buried my fingers into her hair and pulled her closer. My kiss was thorough, moving from sweet and soft to crazed and needy. She gripped my wrists, her fingertips pressing into my skin in a desperate way.

  After it was clear we either needed to take it to my bed or end it, the only thing that had me doing the latter was knowing Kyle would kick my ass if we didn’t show… and I knew if I got her naked in the next five minutes, we would not be showing.

  “We need to go, now.”

  She nodded, her eyes wide and alive with lust as she tried to calm her breath. “I agree.”

  Seconds later, hand in hand, we walked out of my building into the hot humid August night. As usual, cars filled the streets, and after an annoying amount of time, we pulled into the lot at Cleary Labs. Kyle decided to have Vanessa’s party at his place of business so he could control every detail, the OCD bastard.

  After I handed the attendant my keys, Sabrina grabbed the gift we bought Vanessa and let out a deep breath.

  “Sweetheart, relax. Why are you so nervous? These are your friends, too.”

  “Not them, your brother. What if he doesn’t like me?”

  “You’ve talked to my brother via video chat. He already loves you. Just remember when you see him in person, which Benedetto you’re with. I wouldn’t want to kick my brother’s ass the first night he’s in town.” I winked and my girl smiled. Little did she know I wasn’t kidding.

  Her fingers flexed between mine. “No worries there… I’m all yours.”

  “Bet your fine ass you are.”

  The party was booming, Kyle had thought of everything. Purple and white balloons and streamers adorned the lab, along with a happy birthday sign draped along the far wall. All the tables were decorated with candles and party favors marked each place setting. There was a small tended bar in the corner and waitresses passed around trays of hors d’oeuvres.

  Kyle, Vanessa, Jude and Brae had cocktails in hand and were laughing. Meanwhile, others that I didn’t know, but I assumed were Kyle’s employees, mingled about.

  My friends, who had turned into lovesick puppies, brought a smile to my face—especially since I was now in the same category. Thinking back to our crazy college days, I never would’ve guessed that any one of us, not to mention all of us, would fall in love.

  I thought for sure Jude would be marked as a confirmed bachelor, yet he was the first to fall. Kyle, although he had a brilliant mind, wasn’t too smart when it came to the opposite sex. And me, well, I never thought I’d be so lucky for a woman like Sabrina to love me. Yet, there we all were, happy and utterly entranced by the three best women in the city.

  It was a shame Desiree couldn’t be at the party. Kyle told me he offered to buy her an airline ticket back to the states, but unfortunately, she was tied up in a court case.

  “There you are!” Brae beamed.

  “Hey guys.” After obligatory hugs and kisses, I turned to Vanessa. “Happy birthday.”

  “This is for you,” Sabrina said handing her the square box wrapped in pink paper.

  “Thank you for coming, you didn’t need to bring me a gift.” Her eyes scanned the area behind us. “I thought your brother was coming? I can’t wait to meet him.”

  “He’ll be here soon. Where’s Cassie?”

  Brae glanced at her Gucci watch that Jude bought her as an, I missed you, gift when he was away on business. The man needed an intervention. He was verging on Oprah’s level of gift giving. “She should have been here by now. I hope she’s okay.”

  “Sparky,” Jude said coming up from behind and roping his arms around her waist. “She’ll be fine. I’m sure she’s stuck in traffic.”

  Sabrina was in awe of our surroundings. “This is unbelievable. What an incredible place to work.”

  Kyle grinned when he heard Sabrina’s compliment. “Would you like a tour? Actually, I have a couple boxes of product for you to bring to the salon.”

  “Really?” My girl’s face lit up. “Thank you and yes, I’d love a tour.”

  “I’ll take her.” I put my hand on the small of her back.

  Vanessa sidled up to Kyle. “Sweetie, let Luca give her the tour.” She winked at me. “Just so you know, stay clear of the table in the fourth floor conference room… it isn’t very stable.”

  Sabrina’s cheeks flamed. Kyle smacked Vanessa’s ass. “Whose fault is that? One sniff of the new fall scent and she was all over me like a wetsuit on a surfer.”

  She laughed. “Whatever, you loved riding my wave.”

  On that note, I took Sabrina by the hand and lead her out of the room. “Don’t mind them.”

  Sabrina snickered. “I’m surprised it wasn’t worse. Do you think they think we’re going to have sex in one of the rooms?”

  “I think, yes.”

  One by one I showed Sabrina all the different labs the building housed. Each one impressed her more than the last. The air was filled with various scents, but they all seemed to come together in a way that soothed.

  When we came upon a small conference room, Sabrina closed the door. She popped up on her toes and began
to pepper my skin with kisses. Did they pump an aphrodisiac into the vents? “So,” she said in a sultry tone. “Since they think we’re having sex…”

  “Are you saying you want to have sex with me right now?” She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “Be careful what you admit to, Miss Ricci. I left my apartment with a raging hard-on, and I know for a fact my dick wasn’t happy I ignored it.” I pulled her firmly against my hips proving I was already game. “Ti amo.”

  The apples of her cheeks deepened in hue with her blushing. “Okay, bad idea especially if you’re going to speak Italian. We’ll wait until we get home.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “I agree.”

  After completing the tour, we made our way back down to the party. Music played, forcing the guests to chatter louder than before. Sabrina and I helped ourselves to a glass of wine when a blonde blur flew into the room. “Oh. My. God!”

  All eyes went to a disheveled Cassie.

  Brae scurried toward her. “Are you okay?”

  “No. I just got into an accident with an obnoxious Uber driver and an even more obnoxious tourist. No, obnoxious is too kind for that… that… jackass.”

  Vanessa and Brae flanked each side of their friend, scanning her body for injuries. “Sweetie, are you okay?” Vanessa repeated Brae’s question while frisking her.

  “Yes, my car isn’t though. I can’t believe this.” As she went on about what went down that caused her delay, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

  On my screen was a text from Dante.

  Running late. Wacko hit my Uber. Just filling out paperwork. Will be there soon.

  Sabrina picked up on the oh, fuck look I sported.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I flipped my phone so she could read Dante’s text. And in less than three seconds, she sported the same oh, fuck look that I had. “Should you warn her?”

  “No. This one needs to play out on its own.”

  In a matter of minutes, things were about to get crazy. All I could do was hope my brother survived the wrath of Cassie Brooks.

  The End

  You can get to know each of these hot book boyfriends in:

  Finding Mr. Wrong, Jude Soren’s story.

  Taming Mr. Flirt, Kyle Cleary’s story.

  Scoring Mr. Romeo, Luca Benedetto’s story.

  Craving Mr. Kinky, Dante Benedetto’s story.

  Details for each book can be found on the author’s websites.

  www.ammadden.com

  www.joanneschwehmbooks.com

  Read Chapter One of

  and meet Kyle and Vanessa.

  Chapter 1

  Kyle

  The crowing of an irate cock in the distance caused a spontaneous snort laugh to escape my mouth. My best friend Jude had a hate/hate relationship with that cock, and the fact that rooster chose to keep crowing every five minutes couldn’t be more hilarious. I warned my friend when he told us they planned to get married on his future in-laws’ farm that it would be a bad idea. Did he listen? No.

  Another squawk, another snort, and when Jude shook his head I couldn’t be sure if the rooster caused it, or me. The way the minister cleared his throat, and the bride-to-be, Brae, glared at me over Jude’s shoulder, supplied all the confirmation I needed.

  I didn’t dare look behind me at my other best friend, Luca. If he were on the verge of losing it as well, Jude would kick our asses. A flip of the coin won me the coveted best man responsibility. Jude couldn’t decide between Luca and I. When I won the toss, the asshole groom said, “Best two out of three?”

  Jude Soren had no faith I could play the part of best man, and proving him right I had to force every muscle in my body into lockdown mode to keep from laughing again. When I met Vanessa’s eyes, the sight of her lips curling over her teeth to keep from losing her shit had my body convulsing. Clearly, the maid of honor had the same sense of humor as I did.

  I felt like a kid again when I’d get a fit of hysteria in church. But instead of my mom pinching my arm, a solid punch to the middle of my back by Luca made matters worse.

  The squeak that escaped my lips caused the bride and groom to stare at me, as did the minister and Brae’s bridal party. “Sorry,” I mumbled while looking down. I could also feel the eyes of every guest attending this wedding on me, including Jude’s family who flew in from Sweden.

  The warm Indian summer day made for a perfect wedding day, but it also caused me to break out into a sweat. It felt like we’d been standing in that tent for days, and not minutes. Because of the unprecedented warm temperatures for October, the inside of the tent felt like a sauna. The combination of flowers and about a hundred different scents of perfume and cologne were giving me a headache… an unfortunate occupational hazard.

  It felt like an eternity passed after the happy couple said their vows. The minister recited a good portion of prayers. As he went on and on, absolving us all from our sins, I ran a finger between my shirt collar and my damp skin.

  Dammit, when will this end?

  I wanted out of that tent, and I’d love a feisty brunette to be the one to settle me down. My eyes caught Vanessa’s eyeroll as the minister droned on and on. Christ, he could talk. Her audible sigh almost initiated another snort laugh. She made an even worse maid of honor than me a best man. Since Brae also couldn’t pick one out of her three best friends, Vanessa won her role today by drawing the longest straw.

  For the record, Vanessa should have been a supermodel. Her long brown tresses fell like silk over her shoulders. The way her green eyes sparked to life when she spoke could have any man forgetting his own fucking name. But her tall, lean body could make a man beg. The thought of her long legs wrapped around my waist had me acting like a male dog chasing a female dog in heat.

  Personality wise, the chick couldn’t be more opposite of Brae and her friends. She loved partying, dancing, and having a good time… my kind of woman. She also had a thing for nicknames. She dubbed Jude, Mr. Wrong, the day we met at the game show where I pranked him into participating, and until now the name stuck.

  We’d been out a few times with the lovebirds. Vanessa nicknamed me Mr. Flirt, which suited me fine since that was all I’d done from the moment I laid eyes on her.

  A few passionate moments passed between us on the dance floor when we all hung out at a bar called Dispatch. Another time we made out in the engine room on the yacht where Jude and Brae had their engagement party. Every one of our encounters, four to be exact, had been steamy foreplay… that was until last night.

  During the rehearsal dinner, Miss Vanessa Monroe blew my cock, and my mind, in the coatroom. I couldn’t wait to see her today and hoped to take the flirting to the next level. The next level in my mind meant being horizontal, if and when the damn ceremony would fucking end already.

  I should’ve been happy and elated for Jude. After all, those two pledging eternal devotion today wouldn’t be happening if not for me. Long story short, I pranked him and then he wanted to kill me. My little stunt sent him to a deserted tropical beach for six weeks with a complete stranger. Within a year, Jude went from plotting my death to planning his wedding to Brae.

  I couldn’t relate to the way Jude stood beside me while staring at his bride, like his very existence depended on her. I’d known Jude Soren my entire adult life, and this man making goo-goo eyes was an imposter.

  Sure, Brae was a stunning brunette and just his type. But I couldn’t help but wonder if she drugged him while living on that secluded beach. He left a cocky prick and came back a sap in love.

  Of course, I was happy for my best friend who claimed he found the love of his life. Did I believe he did? Fuck, no. With almost eight billion people on earth, how could one person be destined as a soul mate?

  The scientist in me argued that mathematically finding love with one person didn’t make sense. I believed in love, but to love just one? Again, fuck no. Things like curiosity, creativity, statistical thinking, and logic meant something better was at the next discove
ry.

  Discovering new things was the reason for my existence.

  In my job, that next discovery translated to a beaker filled with an exotic combination of liquids ready to be made into an intoxicating scent. In my personal life, that next discovery could slam into me at every turn. I met beautiful women all the damn time, and I was supposed to choose one forever?

  Yeah, no.

  There were too many decisions in this world, whether it be in the cosmetics creation process or in choosing my next lay.

  Applause brought me back to the Hallmark movie we were forced to endure. Party time. As the only groomsman, Luca offered his arm to Brae’s two bridesmaids, Cassie and Desiree. I followed behind with Vanessa.

  The short black dresses they each wore complemented their bodies. Where Cassie was blonde, small, and petite with some impressive curves, Desiree was brunette, taller, and slimmer, similar to Vanessa.

  I admired the two women walking ahead of me, with Luca sandwiched between them, before looking down at the hottie on my arm. “Damn, Brae has some beautiful friends.”

  “Why, thank you,” Vanessa chirped beside me. I couldn’t help but smile at her. Most other females would have taken offense to my declaration.

  Leaning toward the gorgeous woman whose hand rested in the crook of my arm, I took an exaggerated whiff. “Miss Dior?”

  Her head snapped toward mine. “Why did you just sniff me?”

  Before I could explain, the happy newlyweds were getting ready to greet family and friends. Vanessa released me and stretched her arms out to Brae. When she leaned over, I appreciated her long toned legs. The short black dress hugged her assets, and by assets I meant her perfect tits and great ass.

  With the women in some sort of female huddle giggling, I held my hand out to the groom. “Well, you did it, Soren. Again, you’re welcome.”

  “I already thanked you a million times,” Jude said as he shook my hand. “You’re fired by the way.”