“But if they hurt me?”
“Then it’s their loss, but in all honesty, Vin, it sounds like, to me, you already like them a whole lot. You’re just letting Conan keep that control you just said pissed you off back in New York. He still has a hold on you and always will if you don’t cut those binds and break free.”
She lifted her glass, and so did Vin. “A toast, to your amazing trip to Hawaii and may you come back with six new boyfriends.” They clicked glasses, and Vin chuckled.
“Hey, wait a minute.” She raised her glass again. Vin did the same.
“To you and the Corbias brothers and coming back as a six-pack with a shot of Vin.”
“Oh, brother.” Vin giggled after she took a sip from her glass.
Chapter 7
Venetia should have known that when the Corbias brothers said they would take care of her traveling arrangements that they meant on their private jet. She was polite, despite her worry that this was a setup to get her to spend time with them and to pursue this attraction. What she hadn’t expected as the jet took off and they all remained in their seats around the spacious cabin was that a certain sight would bring back an emotional, upsetting memory. It did though, and she tried to hide it best she could.
She looked to the right where Apollo sat. She could see only his arm on the armrest, the thick, expensive gold watch, and the sleeve to the jacket he wore. She leaned back. The seat belt sign remained on, and she closed her eyes.
In her mind, she imagined that day Conan had taken her to Florida. She didn’t want to go. He had gotten in late, had been gone for four days with no phone call, no explanation of where he’d been or what he was doing. When she asked him about it, he ignored her. She knew not to push him. When Conan’s temper flared, there was hell to pay. She had heard him talking on the phone. It had something to do with his father and a business deal gone wrong. She didn’t get any details, and she honestly didn’t care. Conan thought money and power were everything.
She remembered him not talking to her and sitting in the large, white leather seat on the plane, and all she could see was his arm and watch. He’d called her name.
“Venetia, come here.”
She didn’t want to. She just wanted to ignore him and get over her anger. She was contemplating leaving him, but she knew it would be difficult to do. Her brother Aaron worked for him. It was how they’d met. She needed to talk to Aaron and make him understand what was going on and that she didn’t want this relationship anymore, but Aaron had become distant. She thought now about his death and knew that Conan was to blame. An overdose and drug deal gone wrong the detectives said, but even her brothers, all cops, and one of whom was a detective, thought otherwise. It had been Conan. Even if he hadn’t pulled the trigger himself, he had ordered the hit.
“Venetia,” he called her again, and reluctantly she got up from her seat and headed toward Conan.
She clenched her eyes tight, imagining that moment when he reached out so fast she screamed and he had her by her hair on her knees between his legs.
“Are you done being a bitch?” he snapped at her, still holding a fistful of her hair at the scalp. She held on to his hand, trying to pry his fingers to release his hold so her scalp stopped burning.
“Please, Conan,” she begged.
He smirked, and his grip loosened. “Put your hands on my knees and kneel in front of me.”
The tears rolled down her cheeks, and she shook as she glanced behind Conan and caught sight of Maddor, his bodyguard.
“Eyes on me,” Conan ordered, and she looked up at him. He stared at her, squinting, analyzing, and she waited for his punishment. “Kiss me.”
She slowly lifted up to touch her lips to his, but he gripped her breast and squeezed. She cried out.
“You’re in a lot of trouble, Vin. A lot of trouble.” He stroked her hair from her face and tugged hard. “You need to learn to not ask questions and to keep this pretty little mouth shut.”
“Yes, Conan.”
He smirked. And just stared at her. Looked at her face, her blouse, which had opened up, revealing her breasts and bra. She wanted to pull it up, but she feared that Maddor would see her body, but then Conan spoke and broke the silence.
“Touch me.”
Her eyes widened. She looked past him, and Maddor looked up from the magazine he held and stared right at her. That man was capable of anything. She knew that. She had seen his temper, saw the gun and knife he always carried. How could Conan ask this of her?
He brought her face to his crotch. “Undo my pants and do it.”
“Maddor,” she whispered as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“He can watch, but he can never touch what’s mine. Non one can.”
He undid his zipper and exposed his cock, then grabbed her head and shoved her down.
“Venetia, Venetia.”
She gasped and jerked forward, only for strong arms to grip her. She reacted, her mind fuzzy, still caught in the nightmare from her past, and she swung her fist.
“Whoa. Easy, it’s me. Jesus, Venetia, it’s Roman.”
She suddenly realized that it was only a dream. She frantically looked around the cabin. All six of them were looking at her strangely. Roman wiped the tears from her eyes. She gripped his wrist, and he froze in place with his palm against her cheek. The tears flowed, and she looked up into his dark blue eyes.
“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I was… It was a nightmare.”
“It’s okay. It’s over now, and you’re here with us. We’ll protect you.” He took the seat right next to her and remained holding her hand. She turned toward him, unable to resist the strength of his shoulder, his presence, and she closed her eyes and willed the memories away. She had suppressed so much she was losing control. Why now? Why here with these six men?
Her mind replied instantly. Because I trust them, and I want them. Fighting it will only make the memories stronger.
* * * *
“What the hell was that all about?” Ace asked Titan.
“I don’t know, but she was in a dead stare at Apollo’s arm and his seat. It was like it reminded her of something.”
“Her fucking ex. He must be wealthy if he has a fucking jet,” Ace stated.
“Let’s hope nothing else reminds her of him from here on out. She said she was never in Hawaii. Let’s make it a vacation to remember.”
“That’s all good, but she’s working, too.”
“Not the way Apollo has things planned. This is going to work out just fine.”
* * * *
“Oh my God,” Venetia said aloud for the tenth time since arriving in Kauai. Ace placed his hand on her shoulder, and she immediately looked up at him.
“Isn’t it gorgeous, Vin? It’s like being in another world.”
She lifted her camera up and took some more photos. It seemed like once the plane landed she jumped back into professional mode and started taking pictures. She also wrote notes down. Ace couldn’t help but to enjoy her excitement, and he couldn’t wait for her to see the suites. All private luxury retreats with personal concierge, indoor and outdoor pool, and all the amenities anyone with money could ask for.
“Okay, Venetia, I want to go over a few things with you as we drive to the property.” Apollo took out a portfolio. He was really trying to be efficient and play this off as total businesses. They did want her to do the job, but they all agreed with her eye and special talent that she could wrap this project up in a few days. The additional time was for her to relax and get to know each of them.
“Okay, Apollo. Shoot,” she said, and Ace smiled.
“So, as we head through to the private properties, you’ll notice a small luxury hotel that is only three stories. Each floor has a penthouse suite that sleeps twelve.”
“Twelve? Holy God, how big is it?” she asked.
“Big.” Roman placed his arm over the back of the seat she was sitting on in the limo.
“Whenever you get started, I think
the entrance to the place should be incorporated into the video, but use your discretion. This main objective for the commercial is to entice the wealthy. Each luxury suite is isolated and secure. The distance between each one allows for privacy but also security. We have high-tech cameras located on the beach, and every suite has their own private beach blocked off by the natural vegetation of the land. Here is an itinerary starting tomorrow.”
He handed her a sheet of paper.
“Itinerary?”
“Yes. The first three days you will experience all the pampering and amenities offered to guests staying in the suites. You’ll have a personal chef to cook anything you like, whether it is native to the land or from the States. This is a check-off list and blank space to fill in the things you require and, of course, the meals you know you want to try. I starred some as suggestions or recommendations from my brothers we think you will enjoy.”
“We want you to try everything. You can work out in the private gym or the one at the main hotel, or even jog along the beach on the path that runs along the perimeter of the water and back down to the beach,” Roman stated.
“Where will you guys be staying?”
“In one of the other suites,” Titan said and then looked away.
Ace could tell that he was having a hard time with this. Titan was still upset that she hadn’t called them after the boat ride. When the car stopped, Garvan opened the door and then helped Venetia out.
Ace smirked as her mouth dropped open.
“It’s gorgeous, and look at the ocean right there and the plants and flowers and the stepping stones. Oh, God, it’s huge, Apollo. How many people can stay here?”
“It has eight bedrooms so it can sleep sixteen, and there are eight bathrooms as well.”
They followed her up to the front entryway and then inside. She walked right to the open doorway and into the main living area where there was a living room that opened up to a patio with loads of cushioned chairs and a disappearing horizon pool that looked as if it fell right into the ocean.
“We’ll have your things placed into the bedroom of your choice, although I suggest the front view that overlooks the ocean. It’s technically outside and the glass above allows you to enjoy the stars and the sound of the ocean in the distance,” Roman suggested.
“I can’t believe this. It’s amazing, guys, absolutely amazing. I don’t even think you need some fancy video or brochure. I think it speaks for itself.”
“We need to capture its appeal, Venetia,” Garvan said to her.
“We should get going to the other suite and give her time to rest. You’re probably tired from the flight.” Titan began to turn.
“I’m too wired to be tired. Besides, this place is too big for just me. Maybe you all could just stay here, too. That way as I get ideas and ramble on you could turn them down or tell me I’m on the right track.”
Titan’s eyes widened, and Ace felt his heart racing. This, they hadn’t expected.
“Are you sure that you’ll be okay staying here with us?” Apollo asked.
“We will all have our own rooms and our own bathrooms. You guys can do whatever you need to do, and I can do my thing.”
Apollo called out to the driver, and three concierges started carrying in the luggage.
“Place Miss Lockatelli’s things in the main master bedroom on the right please,” he said, and Venetia smiled.
“Can I look around?”
“This place is yours for the next two weeks. Make yourself at home and whatever you want or desire just ask for, and we, or the concierges, will provide it,” Apollo told her, and she started following the concierges through the house.
“I did not expect that,” Ace said to his brothers.
“I have to admit that I was hoping for something like this. The thought of being so far away from her was starting to set in, and I didn’t like the feeling,” Roman said.
“Well, things could work themselves out after all. We take our time, and we just let it happen. The point of this trip is to gain her trust and to let her get to know us. We need to break down those walls,” Apollo said.
“I call the bedroom next to hers,” Garvan said and hurried away from his brothers.
“Wiseass,” Roman said, but then he followed, and Ace knew he would take the one on the other side of her bedroom.
“This is going to work out fine. It has to,” Zane said, but Ace noticed that Zane and Titan were very quiet and didn’t look too convinced that it work out at all. He prayed they were wrong because the more he was around Venetia, the stronger his feelings grew and the more he wanted to make her his woman.
Chapter 8
Venetia awoke to a glorious sunrise and the sounds of birds and other exotic creatures. She rolled over onto her belly and looked out through the glass to see the ocean and the waves. The bright blue, orange, and pink sky was like nothing she had ever seen before. Situated before the beach was an abundance of green grass and other vegetation indigenous to the area, colorful and appealing to the eyes as well as the nose as she inhaled, uncertain if that was plumeria or orchids.
She slowly got out of bed, made it quickly, then looked for her strapless bra. A glance at the clock and she knew she had an hour before the start of the itinerary that Apollo had arranged for her. She was utterly impressed with the place as well as with the fact that the men had built it, owned it, and got to come here whenever they wanted. She quickly got washed up and dressed, even impressed with the luxurious bathroom with all the marble and stone plus the woodwork and native materials. She gathered her camera and a couple of spare batteries. When she got back later, she would find a spot to set up the computer station so she could edit the photos she took each day and delete the ones she didn’t need.
As she walked down the hallway, she saw another sitting area. There were four large, wide lounge chairs in light brown wood with thick, comfortable-looking white cushions on them. To the right of that was a pavilion covering a set of four wicker recliners and a fire pit table. She set her camera bags down by the steps before she went closer.
She walked out to take a look, and to the right, between a set of hedges, she could see another bedroom and bathroom. Her eyes widened, and she quickly looked away to make sure that no one had seen her. Was that Roman taking a shower?
Her throat instantly went dry, and she couldn’t help but to take another peek.
Her heart hammered, and her nipples hardened as the soapy water cascaded down his muscle-chiseled body and straight to his cock. When he grabbed a hold of it, she gasped then looked back to see him stroking it with one hand while keeping his palm flat against the stone wall of the shower with his other hand. She felt her pussy clench, and her mind drifted to thoughts of making love to him, to all of his brothers, but then the tears hit her eyes and the fear gripped her tight.
“Venetia?”
When Titan said her name, she turned around so fast she nearly lost her balance. She recovered quickly and walked down the steps to meet him and hoped he wouldn’t know what she had been doing.
He squinted at her expression and reached out under her hair to her neck and bent down. “You’re crying?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“Don’t lie to me. I’ve caught you doing that twice. Once on the plane and now. What were you thinking about?” he asked her insistently.
She didn’t know what came over her, but as she stood two steps above him, making her almost eye level with him, she shook her head. “It’s just so beautiful here.” She looked away, and he moved his hand to her cheek.
“You look beautiful standing here with the sunrise behind you and the ocean in the distance.”
She felt her cheeks warm. “I don’t know about that.”
He looked as if he wanted to say more, but then he pulled his bottom lip between his teeth.
“Hungry for breakfast?” he asked.
“Yes, and to start my day.” She winked. She pulled away and grabbed her bag with the
cameras in them. She was trying to be strong, and after her reaction to seeing Roman naked and trying to find relief in the shower, she wondered when it would become too hard to resist them. Was she the cause for him to find his own relief? The thought made her face heat and her pussy throb with need.
As she and Titan walked into the kitchen and the spread of food, the four other men caught her focus. Apollo reading documents. Garvan watching the NASDAQ on the flat-screen. Zane fixing a large plate of food, and Ace meeting her halfway, taking her hand then kissing her cheek good morning. She stood there like a mute, wondering if activities could be so normal every day if she gave in to her desires and let them in? Could they be this perfect? Could it really work? Or would she be a just for now?
* * * *
“Where is she now?” Apollo asked one of the managers. He was in the conference room, along with Garvan and Roman, discussing the changes and concerns of the management and staff. They were tossing around ideas about adding amenities and activities at the main hotel, as well as providing other events.
“Miss Lockatelli is photographing the gardens right outside,” the manager said.
Apollo glanced at his watch. “It’s past lunchtime. Have someone go out and tell her to meet us—”
“I’ll personally invite her to join us for lunch instead of ordering her to,” Garvan said and gave Apollo a stern look.
Apollo exhaled and then licked his lower lip. He waved his hand for Garvan to go meet with her, and then he went back to business.
“It will take time, brother,” Roman said to him.
Natalie, one of the older managers, who had been on staff from the start, smiled. “She’s a very young and beautiful woman. She seems sweet and outgoing, too. So far the staff who have assisted her or spoken with her think she is quite lovely.”
“Thank you, Natalie. This is unchartered waters for Apollo and the rest of us,” Roman said to her, and the other managers nodded.
A Six-Pack & a Shot at Love [Love on the Rocks 1] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 11
