by Rayne, Piper
She doesn’t miss a beat, sliding Enzo away so she can sit next to the girls. Enzo ends up between Mauro and Dom. At least now I won’t have to feign interest in wedding plans all night.
Chapter Fourteen
Bella
The next Monday, I walk into The Mancini Ad Agency and stop at the receptionist’s desk.
I had dinner last night with my mom and Greg before they boarded a flight back to Florida, and Greg gave me the keys to the Hamptons house and instructions to follow.
The receptionist is a cute auburn-haired girl with a friendly smile. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here to see Annie Stewart,” I say. “I’m Bella Scott from down the hall.”
“Oh, it’s you!” she exclaims, her smile growing.
“I’m sorry?”
She’s busy pressing buttons on her phone, the receiver in hand, but glances up at me. “I’ve heard about you. I couldn’t go to the meet-and-greet thing, but I heard you’re really giving Carm a run for his money.”
“Excuse me?”
She puts a finger in the air. “Mr. Mancini, Bella Scott is here for Miss Stewart.” She covers the receiver. “She’s usually in his office or vice versa.”
“I don’t want to interrupt.”
She almost rolls her eyes but catches herself. “Oh, you’re not. Actually, I think Carm—”
“Tracking me down?” a guy’s voice says in my ear from behind me. A voice I recognize.
I spin around to face Carm. “No. But while you’re here, I heard you decided to do the Hamptons?”
He’s wearing what is now my favorite suit of his. It’s a dark grey pinstripe with a white shirt and a blue tie. He looks so put-together that I want to unravel him.
“Yeah. Turns out my ma is worried about me working too hard.”
“You don’t seem like a guy who cares what other people think?” I cock a hip out to the side.
“Except for his mom,” the receptionist offers.
I turn her way, having forgotten that she’s right there.
“Right. Except for my ma. She’s the only one I take instructions from.” His tongue slides out of his mouth and across his bottom lip.
“Mama’s boy. Didn’t peg you for that.” I ignore the ache between my thighs and dig out the envelope I made for him. “Here’s your key and all the instructions. Maybe try to keep your lady guests to a minimum.”
“There’s that jealous tone you get when we talk about me with other women.” A cocky smirk tilts the corners of his mouth.
“You can imagine whatever you want.”
“It’s not my imagination.” He steps forward. “It’s fact.” His eyes dip to my lips. “Don’t worry, the feeling is mutual.”
“You’re misreading the entire situation.”
“Am I?” He raises an eyebrow in challenge.
“Um…” the receptionist says.
I step back, grabbing whatever willpower I have left to be a safe distance from him. Why is he doing this in front of witnesses? If we were alone… then it dawns on me. He’s doing it now because he knows I’d never do anything with him in front of others.
Two can play this game. Be prepared to be schooled, Mr. Mancini.
I step forward so we’re almost chest to chest. “Maybe we should set some ground rules, so we don’t fall into bed together. The temptation in the Hamptons will be strong. What with my very revealing bikini. Me putting suntan lotion on my long legs, lying under the sun while sweat puddles between my breasts. I’d hate for you to be sporting a permanent erection the whole time.”
Amusement and intrigue sparkle in his eyes. “You might have trouble of your own when I air dry after my shower, droplets of water dripping down my abs, disappearing below the towel. I’d hate for you to be rubbing yourself off just to dull the ache.”
Touché.
“Bree!” Enzo’s voice calls from across the office.
My gaze moves to the receptionist, who I assume is Bree. The phone dangles in her hand, eyes fixated on us.
“Damn,” she whispers.
“Bree!” Annie makes her way out of Enzo’s office toward us. “Hang up the phone.” She takes it from Bree and hangs up.
Bree snaps out of it. “Sorry.”
“Thank you for making our receptionist unable to function,” Enzo remarks from the doorway of his office.
I glance at Carm. Are my cheeks as flushed as his? I’m torturing myself with this man.
Swiveling in the other direction, I pull another envelope out of my bag. “Here’s your keys for the Hamptons.”
Annie takes it. I’d imagined her hugging me when I delivered her the key to her summer dream, but she’s still gauging what just happened.
“Carm, can I talk to you?” Enzo asks, nodding into his office. “It’s about Ma.”
I’m pretty sure that’s brother talk for get-your-ass-in-here.
“I also have Dom’s key. Not sure what I should do with it?” I pull the envelope out of my purse and hold it between us. “Thanks for finding him by the way. It really helped with the cost, which was nice.”
Annie watches as Carm heads over to Enzo’s office while I stick to my tactic of ignorance is bliss. If I keep acting like nothing happened, maybe people will forget it. Hell, if I’m lucky, maybe I will too.
“I can take it. We were all surprised he agreed to it. He’s a total workaholic, but between us, I think he’s heartbroken.” She eyes the two brothers as they disappear into Enzo’s office. “The guys say I’m wrong, but I know the signs a helluva lot better than them. My guess is he won’t be great company, but he’ll pay and he’s always willing to help with anything. You two will probably get along well.”
I nod.
“I’m not suggesting—I mean, you and Carm, well…”
“There’s nothing between us.”
“There’s something,” she counters, a smile playing on her lips.
My eyes betray me and glance at the office where I can see Carm sitting on the couch, arm stretched along the back as though he hasn’t a care in the world.
Yeah, Annie, you’re right. There’s something, but we’re going to act like there isn’t. It’s best for everyone.
“It’s just the head-to-head competition getting to us.”
“When we get to the Hamptons this weekend, remind me to tell you about Enzo and me over a glass of wine.” She’s smiling as though there’s some reason I’d be interested besides just getting to know her better. I’d love to hear her story, but if she thinks it’s going to change my mind about Carm, she’s wrong.
“When are you guys heading there?”
“Oh!” Her eyes widen. I love how excited she gets. She’s the total opposite of Evie. “We should start a group chat. My phone’s at my desk. I’ll start it, but your friend Evie, you can add her?”
“Sure.” I adjust the strap to my purse on my shoulder.
“Maybe my friend Mae and I could ride with you and your friend?” she asks.
“Sure.” I don’t mind as long as I don’t have to spend three long hours in a car with Carm.
“Perfect.” She leans forward. “Enzo might get pissed, but you know that makes the sex that much better.” Her eyebrows shoot up and her body shivers as though she’s thinking about it right now.
“Make-up sex for the win?” I chuckle.
“Oh, we won’t really fight over it, but he’s going to argue with me about it and I might put up a small fight because he loves it when our debates turn into hot sex. Just think, if you and Carm ever…” My hand covers her mouth and she stops talking, so I let it go. “Your secret is safe with me.” She winks.
I shake my head. “Nothing will ever happen between Carm and me. You can get that thought out of your head right now.” I point at her then spin and leave the office, Annie’s giggle trailing behind me.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, the door of my main office opens.
“Look who finally decided to cross the line… I
guess it’s not true what they say. Salt won’t keep demons out.” Max pushes her chair out from her desk and crosses her arms.
I pick up my bottle of water from our small break station and turn around to watch the show.
“Max, I presume?” His gaze veers to mine for a moment.
“Carm, I presume?” she says in a fake excited tone. “I knew your ads were airbrushed.”
His nostrils flare and I giggle. He swivels toward me. “We need to talk.”
“Do we?”
“You have to make an appointment,” Max chimes in.
“When is she available?” he asks through gritted teeth.
“She’s on her break now. Would you like to have a seat?” She picks up the basket of cookies my mom sent. She gives him a saccharine smile. “Cookie while you wait?”
I have no idea how Max does it, but I’m biting my lip to keep from laughing.
He turns to look at me again and throws up his arms. “Seriously?”
My laugh bubbles out. “Grab a cookie to calm down.” I nod toward my office. “Come on in.”
“Sugar are my favorite, so I wouldn’t take one of those if I were you.” Max eyes his hand in the basket.
“I like to live dangerously.” He snags a sugar cookie, unwraps it, and takes a big bite right in front of her.
“Ugh… disgusting.”
He smiles as he chews and rounds her desk to my office.
“I don’t suggest pissing off Max,” I say, shutting the door after he enters.
“Justin will calm her down later,” he says, sitting in the chair in front of my desk.
My forehead wrinkles and I take a seat. “What?”
“Justin, my assistant. I think they’re fucking.” He crunches the cellophane into a ball and shoots it into my trash can.
Cocky bastard makes it too.
“They are not. Justin is far from Max’s type.”
He shrugs as though he doesn’t really care either way. “Opposites attract.”
“That’s like opposite species.”
“Hey, my boy has game.” He swallows his cookie and rests his ankle on his knee.
I shake my head. “What do you need?”
“This.” He wags a finger between us. “Let’s figure out how we’re going to live together in the same house for forty-eight hours every weekend.”
I lean back in my office chair. “I figure like everyone else. It’ll be an adjustment, but we’ll figure it out.”
He shakes his head. “I say we agree that we won’t bring other people back.”
“I highly doubt I’m the one who will make that a problem.”
“I’ll go to the chick’s house.” He shrugs.
“Why would you feel the need to sneak around? I’m fine if you bring someone back.” My chest squeezes painfully as the words leave my mouth, but if I keep lying, I’ll be good.
“Believe me, crazy shit happens out of jealousy all the time and I’ll admit right now, if you show up with some guy, I might lose my shit.”
That’s almost sweet. It kind of makes me want to bring someone home to see what he’d do.
“Why would you lose your shit?” I shake my head. “Never mind.”
He looks behind him through the glass then back at me, leaning forward in his chair. “Listen, I’m gonna shoot straight right now. I want you. I want you under me, above me, next to me. I want your ass in the air, on all fours, pussy wet.”
My eyes widen to the point that I probably resemble a Dollify character.
“But I’m not the love ‘em and stick with ‘em kind of guy, so that means we have to remain platonic.”
I sip my water, hoping it soothes my suddenly dry mouth. “You assume I wouldn’t say no to you?”
He stares at me long and hard, his thumb trailing across his bottom lip.
God, why is that so damn sexy? I try to keep a shiver from revealing my desire.
“You know you feel the same.”
I lean back in my chair, the picture of relaxation. I hope. “I don’t.”
“Come on. It’s just us.”
I could be an adult and admit that he’s right—I want him to take me however the hell he wants—but I can’t give him that satisfaction. “I’m just joking around. It’s a game.”
His gaze dips to my breasts, probably doing a nipple check. Ha ha, I have a bra, a cami, and a blouse on. You’ll see nothing today, buck-o.
“Okay then, you’re cool if I bring a girl home?” His expression is a challenge.
“For sure.” I shrug. “You’re paying rent too. I can’t dictate the rules.”
He stands from his chair and presses his hands on the back. Those long fingers that could reach so far into me I’d be writhing.
“Then I’ll see you Friday.” He winks, heading to the door.
“Can’t wait.”
He nods, trying to appear as though he knows I’m lying, but he really has no idea. I might be getting good at this game after all.
Chapter Fifteen
Carm
I sit in the back of Enzo’s rented SUV, still trying to figure out whether Bella is lying about this attraction between us being one-sided. I’m almost positive she’s lying, but I can’t be sure.
“You’re quiet for the first time ever in your life,” Dom says from the shotgun position. Asshole called it first.
“How’s Ma feel about us canceling Sunday dinners for the entire summer?” I ask. There’s no way we’ll make it back to the city in time.
“She told Annie she’s okay with it, but that Blanca is now her favorite.” Enzo looks at me in the rearview mirror.
“I think she’s always been Ma’s favorite. Hell, even Annie might have surpassed me,” Dom says. To my surprise, he hasn’t had his phone out the entire ride.
I groan when I see the brake lights on the girls’ car. “Why are they stopping again? Is there another damn windmill? A three-hour trip is going to take us five.”
Thankfully, they just slow down before speeding up again and taking the next right turn.
Enzo laughs. “Someone’s pissy. Maybe you need to get laid.”
“I plan on it. This weekend.”
“Just remember it’ll be a long summer for all of us if you and Bella can’t coexist,” Dom warns.
“What do you know? You’ve never even met her,” I grumble.
“I know she gets under your skin. If you’re planning on getting laid and it’s not Bella, it’s only going to cause the rest of us a headache. I’m half-tempted to fuck her so you can’t and the whole thing will be over.”
Bile rushes up my throat. The thought of my brother’s hands on her, touching her like I envisioned doing as I stroked myself every night this week, makes me physically ill. Maybe I can’t have her now, but after this whole Bond Street competition is over, perhaps it’s a possibility.
Enzo raises his eyebrows at Dom, and Dom chuckles, rolling down his window. The breeze coming in helps settle the nausea swirling in my gut.
After a few more turns, we pull into the driveway of a house that is mad money. The house is surrounded by trees, secluding it from nosey neighbors, and the ocean is its backyard.
The girls get out of the car and take a second to gawk at the place.
Bella drove. Of course she did. Control freak can’t not have her hands leading the way. She bends over the trunk and the headlights from our vehicle light up her ass that is presently in a pair of tight shorts showcasing its perfection.
“You’re fucked,” Dom says, glancing back and opening the door. “Wipe the drool off your chin before you get out.”
I wish I could fight my brother this once, but I can’t. He’s right. I’m not sure how to get Bella Scott out of my system—other than screwing her out of it and thereby screwing myself out of a very lucrative contract. Sleeping with Bella would be distracting, to say the least and I don’t think I could trust myself to do everything in my power to win if I had her in my bed.
* * *
&n
bsp; After we’ve toured the house, we all pick our bedrooms. On the plus side, mine is on an entirely different floor than Bella’s. On the bad side, I got stuck next to the lovebirds.
“No moaning all night, you two, and my brother is not God, so I’d appreciate you not referring to him as such.” I point at Annie, who’s already on her second glass of wine, her arms wrapped around Enzo’s waist.
“I can’t promise that. To me, he is God.” She looks up at him.
Enzo leans down and gives her a chaste kiss. “That’s right. Let’s go see how hard that headboard can hit his wall.” Enzo pretends to escort her out of the room, but they stop short, laughing with one another.
“Stop being a buzzkill, Carm. I thought it was going to be him.” Mae, Annie’s sidekick, points at Dom, who’s nursing a beer while he scrolls through his phone.
The room laughs, and Dom picks up his head. “Some of us need to make money.”
He up and leaves the room. Too bad my big bad older brother isn’t in touch with his feelings.
“Let’s go out,” Evie says.
Evie’s platinum hair is cut to her chin. She’s cute, but she’s Bella’s friend and the evil eye I keep getting from her tells me she’s not going to be joining my fan club any time soon. She’s obviously not the one to help me get Bella off my mind.
Hey, give me a break. I’m desperate for options in this unchartered ocean.
Mae instantly agrees. She and Evie are practically the same person. “I’ll go get ready.”
Bella sighs, still sipping her wine.
“We’re out,” Enzo says.
He and Annie head outside. Probably going to have sex on the beach. God knows how many sexual positions and places they’ll knock off their bucket lists this summer.
And yes, that is jealousy.
“What about you?” I ask Bella, who looks much like Dom did, her thumb scrolling down her phone screen.
“I’m tired. Long week,” she says to her phone, not me.
“Want a back rub?”
She looks up from her phone. Success. “No.”
