Sophia’s look of confusion made it clear to Daníella that her friend wasn’t aware of Giovanni’s rampages at the hotel last week. She probably wouldn’t be aware as well if it weren’t for Carlo.
“But don’t worry, we have extra liability coverage just because of him,” Amalía stated with a laugh.
Sophia shook her head. “I can’t figure out why he has such a bad temper at times.”
“Because Giovanni is a control freak, and when his control is tested, he doesn’t know what to do,” Tierra supplied.
Sophia shook her head. “We are going to have to work on it.”
“Trust me, you won’t have to do too much to help him with his anger,” Talía stated with a snicker.
Sophia gave Talía a dirty look when she realized what was being referred to. “I will be so glad when you meet your match.”
Talía shuddered as if the thought was distasteful. “That is an awful thing to hope for, Sophia.”
“What, for you to meet a man who makes you fall head over heels in love with him? It isn’t a bad thing,” Sophia murmured with an innocent look. “As a matter of fact, you deserve to fall in love.”
A look of displeasure fell over Talía’s face. “That is such a mean thing for you to say.”
“You may feel that way, but you need a good man,” Sophia replied with a shrug.
“I agree. As I have said before, I would relish having a man who can make me forget my name,” Talía stated, her expression wicked.
Sophia frowned. “I still say sex is overrated.”
A mixture of gasps, laughs, and choking sounds came from around the table. Daníella tried to stop choking by taking a sip of water. Amalía was the first to recover.
“Considering your lack of experience, I will try not to take offense at your statement.”
Daníella nodded. “When you experience the first jaw-clenching, body-convulsing, mind-blowing orgasm, you will rue the day you uttered those words.”
Sophia rolled her eyes. “I know what an orgasm is.”
“There is a difference between an orgasm and an orgasm,” Daníella clarified.
“And I bet Giovanni will be the man to help you learn the difference,” Talía added with a smile.
Sophia began to blush deeply, bringing her hands up to cover her cheeks, trying to hide it, but it was of no use. Daníella laughed, and Sophia stuck her tongue out at her in response.
“Well, if he does, I’ll make sure not to tell any of you.”
Tierra laughed. “That’s the thing about a good orgasm. You don’t have to tell anyone. It shows.”
“You guys are awful,” Sophia responded with a growl of frustration.
“No, we’re good to you because we are trying to help you,” Daníella said, leaning over to give Sophia a tight squeeze.
“Yes, but you all seem to be having a lot more fun than I am,” Sophia retorted, her expression full of irritation.
Daníella smiled. “Oh come on, you know you are having a good time enticing Giovanni.”
Sophia couldn’t keep a smile off her face. “Yes, it has been fun.”
A worried expression appeared on Sophia’s face. “Although I think Giovanni might have said something to Rafaello and Vincenzio.”
“I hope not. I always thought my brothers were overprotective, but yours are even worse,” Amalía responded with a groan.
Daníella gave Sophia a sympathetic look. “Why do you think Giovanni has said something?”
“Because Rafé made a strange comment about me bringing the guy I’m seeing over to dinner.”
Daníella laughed before she could stop herself. “Trust me, if that’s all Rafé asked you, then Giovanni hasn’t talked to him.”
“I agree. Otherwise Giovanni, Rafaello, and Vincenzio would be splitting shifts to follow you around at night to rough up innocent victims,” Talía stated.
Even Sophia had to laugh at the statement. “You have a good point. But, then again, why would Rafé ask me?”
Daníella leaned closer to Sophia. “You remember the mental makeover Tierra was talking to you about?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you have made it,” Daníella said with a grin.
In a short amount of time, they’d helped boost Sophia’s self-confidence to a level it had never been at. It was obvious in everything Sophia did. Even her walk had changed.
“I know I couldn’t have done it without you guys,” Sophia murmured.
“Trust me, it has been our pleasure,” Tierra stated.
Talía rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “So when do we put this plan into effect?”
“We can do it tomorrow. It gives me time to get a couple of extra outfits together for work,” Sophia responded.
“Sounds good,” Amalía said.
Sophia’s eyes widened. “When do you think I need to make it known I have a date?”
“Not too soon. As a matter of fact, I think you should just make the implication that you do,” Amalía replied.
All eyes turned to Amalía with interest. “What do you mean?”
“Give your watch a few glances and smile. Then before you leave work, go out to your office and change clothes. Make sure Giovanni sees you leave. That way there is no question as to it being the same outfit you are wearing the following morning.”
Sophia frowned. “But what will everyone else think?”
“Sophia, I don’t think anyone else is going to care or notice, other than Giovanni and us of course. Besides, everyone else knows what is going on, and they find it amusing,” Tierra stated.
Sophia’s eyes widened in shock. “So this is why the staff has been laughing at Giovanni when he becomes a tyrant?”
Amalía nodded. “The staff is glad to finally see a woman who has Giovanni running around in circles instead of the other way around.”
“Everyone is more than excited to see you taming Giovanni,” Talía added.
Sophia shook her head. “I don’t want to tame him. I like the bad boy streak in him. I just want him to take interest in me as a woman.”
“Well, trust us, he had definitely taken notice.” Amalía responded with a laugh.
Daníella enjoyed the rest of her lunch trying to keep up with the conversation, adding a comment or two when she could, as they finalized the plans that were going to get them through the week of torturing Giovanni. She found immense pleasure in helping Sophia. Giovanni and Sophia would make a good couple.
By the time they left the restaurant, Daníella couldn’t stop smiling. Her smile widened as a male guest stopped Sophia after they entered the hotel. Daníella’s mouth dropped open in surprise when Sophia gave the man a flirtatious smile, and then she saw Giovanni out of her peripheral vision. Sophia was a better actress than Daníella realized. After Giovanni stalked away, Daníella waited a moment before heading toward Carlo’s office. She didn’t want to take the chance of running into Giovanni when he was like a grizzly bear. Carlo was sitting there smiling as if he’d been waiting on her.
“Ciao, bella.”
“Hi. Were you waiting on me?”
“Yes, Giovanni just walked into his office and slammed his door, so I figured you all made it back from lunch.”
She walked over to him and sat down on his lap. Carlo gathered her close as soon as she did. “What did you have for lunch?”
“Minestra di maiale.”
“Sounds good.”
“It was.”
He leaned forward and placed a brief kiss on her lips. “Although not as good as you.”
She smiled. “I would hope I taste better than soup.”
Carlo leaned back in his chair. “If you close my door, I’ll show you what else you taste better than.”
Daníella wasn’t sure what made her get up and walk over to close the door, but she did and locked it for good measure. Turning around, she leaned against the door staring at him. Carlo smiled at her.
“Are you having second thoughts?”
; She gave a brief shake of her head. “I just want to savor this moment as I do with all of the moments I spend with you.”
As long as she and Carlo had been married, they had never done what he’d just proposed in his office. Carlo had been the one to introduce her to lovemaking, and even though she had been afraid to take their intimacy out of bedroom, he had eventually coaxed her into trying it.
Her eyes closed at the memory of their first time in the kitchen. He’d come home from work, and she been in the kitchen finishing up dinner. The familiar look of desire had come over his face, and she’d barely had time to turn off the stove before he had her in his embrace. She could still feel the contrast of the cool cabinet beneath her bottom and the hot contrast of Carlo between her thighs. A sensual shiver went through her body, and her eyes opened.
When her gaze met his, she wasn’t surprised to see the same look of desire. She pushed herself away from the door, slowly making her way toward Carlo. He stood up but didn’t make another move until she was within arm’s reach. He lowered his mouth to hers and proceeded to kiss her. It was a kiss that spoke of need and full-blown desire. Daníella slipped her tongue into his mouth, wanting to taste him and deepen the kiss at the same time. A gasp escaped her as he pulled her down onto the carpet. Carlo rolled over so that she straddled him. She automatically reached for his shirt, tugging it from his waist. Her fingers moved through his buttons quickly. He helped her by shifting upward so she could remove it. The last thing Daníella wanted was for him to get wrinkled. With his shirt gone, there was nothing to obstruct her view of his gorgeous, bared chest.
Knowing where his erogenous spots were, she lowered her mouth to his nipple and was gratified with his intake of breath. She switched to his other nipple before distracting him with slipping his belt loose, then unbuttoning the waistband of his slacks. Shifting to the side, she urged him to lift his hips before pushing his pants and briefs down to his ankles. She was too impatient to go any further. Carlo’s sharp gasp filled the room, and she leaned over and took him into her mouth. He bucked against her involuntarily. Daníella smiled to herself as he grew harder.
“Daníella,” he groaned before reaching for her. He used his strength to drag her up his body, only succeeding because she allowed him to.
“If you don’t stop, I’m not going to last long enough to get inside of you.”
She gave him a wicked grin. “We wouldn’t want that, would we?”
Leaning back from him, she tugged her own shirt free from the waistband of her shorts. Daníella revealed the pale pink bra she wore to him, and he groaned again. Knowing the sight of her alone turned him on, Daníella wanted to up the stakes. She undid the clasp of her bra before letting it slide off her shoulders. The sight of her beaded nipples seemed to make Carlo’s control dwindle.
“Daníella, I need to be inside you now!”
His urgency had her lifting her hips so she could pull down her own shorts and panties. He leaned to the side, reaching into his back pocket for his wallet. By the time she came back over him, he had the condom in place and was reaching for her. He filled her with one thrust, making her bite back a moan of pleasure. She was more than ready for him, and because of it, he slid so deep she had to close her eyes.
Carlo pulled her downward so her body was flush with his, taking her mouth in a brutal kiss. Their bodies began to move together, in unison, causing her to gasp into his mouth as he touched all of her in the right spots. It wasn’t long before she careened over the edge, shouting her pleasure into his mouth. He followed closely behind her, growling his own pleasure. It was several minutes later before either of them moved. Carlo was the first to be able to shift. Daníella moaned in response.
“I never knew carpet could feel so comfortable.”
He chuckled at her comment. “That’s because you aren’t lying fully unclothed on it.”
Daníella lifted her head slightly, poking him in the side. “I don’t know. It feels pretty plush to me.”
His hand came up to squeeze her bottom. She gasped in surprise.
“You feel pretty plush yourself.”
She laughed, and Carlo pulled her head down for a kiss.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you, too,” she replied before laying her head on his chest.
Now if I could get you to tell me why you called our relationship off, I could know what I need to do to keep our relationship from falling apart again.
Chapter Fourteen
Daníella almost killed herself trying to get to the hotel. Last night Sophia had stayed at Talía’s place to set their plan in motion. Daníella was dying to see Giovanni’s response to Sophia’s arrival this morning. A sigh of relief escaped her she saw Sophia hadn’t arrived yet. Daníella hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep last night, and therefore she’d overslept this morning. Now that she had made it to the hotel in time, she could relax. Daníella saw Carlo behind the front desk and made her way over to him.
“Buongiorno.”
She smiled when he looked up in surprise at the sound of voice. “Buongiorno. What are doing here?”
“Trust me, you just have to watch and see.”
Carlo looked at her in puzzlement as he came around the desk. “I take it that this has something to do with Sophia and Gio?”
Daníella nodded. “Have you seen either of them?”
“Giovanni is probably enjoying his last cup of coffee,” Carlo responded after a glance at his watch.
A frown appeared on his face. “Sophia is running a little late.”
“I’m guessing this is a part of an elaborate scheme of some sort.”
Daníella didn’t get the chance to reply because Giovanni came around the corner. She greeted him, and he greeted her back. He was in a good mood, but it wouldn’t last for long. As if cued by Giovanni’s appearance, Sophia came rushing off the elevator and into the lobby. Daníella’s own mouth dropped open at the sight of Sophia. Talía had outdone herself. Sophia looked like she had rolled straight out of her imaginary lover’s bed and ran to work.
From her rumpled dress to her smudged makeup, Sophia was a sight. Daníella struggled to keep a smile off of her face as Sophia neared them.
“I’m so sorry for being late.”
Daníella played the scenario up. “Did you have a late night?
Sophia surprised all of them with sultry laugh. “Something like that.”
Daníella could see Giovanni’s blood pressure rise before her eyes. Sophia apologized again quickly before excusing herself to freshen up. Daníella took another glance at Giovanni and had to bite the inside of her cheek from laughing. He watched Sophia walk away from them. As if Sophia knew Giovanni would be, there was an extra twist in her hips. Daníella gasped as she spotted a pair of lacy panties hanging out of Sophia’s purse. Daníella knew exactly when Giovanni spotted them.
“Are those her underwear?” Giovanni growled under his breath.
Daníella almost lost control of herself. “Uh, I’m going to go help Sophia.”
She rushed off to join Sophia, leaving Carlo with the tough job of keeping a straight face. Sophia had just reached the door of her office when Daníella caught up with her. Daníella was barely able to push Sophia inside and lock the door behind them before she collapsed in laughter.
Sophia was smiling as well. “I take it the plan worked?”
Daníella nodded as she gasped for breath. “The panties hanging out of your purse were brilliant.”
Sophia giggled. “It was Talía’s idea. She also did my hair and makeup.”
Daníella shook her head as she wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes.
“If I ever need tips on how to tease a man, I swear I’m going to go to Talía for advice.”
“So do you think it really worked?” Sophia asked again.
Before she could answer Sophia, the wall shook as a door was slammed. The foulest profanity either of them ever heard followed. Daníella looked at Sophia in shock when s
he realized it was Giovanni.
Before she could stop herself, Daníella began to laugh again. Sophia just smiled as she began changing into her work clothes. Giovanni’s tirade went on the entire time Sophia dressed. A look of concern appeared on Sophia’s face.
“Should I go talk to him?”
Daníella shook her head. “No. As a matter of fact, ignore him for the rest of the day.”
Sophia gave her a worried look. “I’m not sure I can do that.”
Daníella squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Sure you can. You just talk to him when you have to and only about work.”
“What if he asks me about last night?”
“Then you tell him if he really wanted to know, then he should have been with you last night.”
Sophia’s mouth dropped open. “What if he takes me up on the offer?”
“Well, that is what you want, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Sophia nodded nervously. “You’re right.”
Daníella squeezed her hand again. “I’ll walk you out.”
Sophia led the way out of her office. They could still hear an enraged Giovanni as they walked by. Amalía came around the corner with raised eyebrows.
“Looks like everything went as planned.”
Daníella nodded. “The expression on Giovanni’s face was priceless.”
Sophia smiled. “I think the plan might have worked a little too well.”
Daníella shook her head. “Keep an eye on her. She might be tempted to apologize to Giovanni for making him see what has been in front of his face the entire time.”
Sophia shook her head. “I’m not going to apologize.” A small smiled appeared on Sophia’s face. “I kind of like this.”
“The two of you have a good day. I told my family I wouldn’t be more than an hour late. I need to say good-bye to Carlo,” Daníella responded
“We’ll let you know if anything else happens.”
Daníella nodded as she headed back toward the offices. She smiled as Giovanni swore again. When she reached Carlo’s door, she knocked. He called out for her to enter. There was obvious amusement in his voice. She entered the office as he shook his head.
Morris, Stephanie - Unfinished Business [Indulgence 3] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 15
