La Cosa Nostra, This Thing of Ours

by Amie Nichols

"Sorry to bother you, sir," I say quickly as both their eyes are on me.

  "What can I do for you, Harper?" I think I have just interrupted some sort of argument, by the tone of his voice. Liam looks amused at the fact Matty is upset.

  "I would like to ask you if I can do the job I was hired for. I would like to stay behind the bar," I blurt out as fast as I can while I still have the nerve.

  "I want you in VIP. Do you know all the girls would kill for that section?" he asks, seeming even more annoyed.

  "All the more reason, sir. I prefer behind the bar." Do I want this bad enough to quit over? I do, I hate being so on display, men ogling me. At least behind the bar I have cover.

  "No, I want you on the floor. Your body can make us a lot of money, my dear." He has a cocky smile as he motions his hand up and down. I feel heat on my cheeks from embarrassment. It doesn't help that Liam has not looked away from me once. Now I'm mad. I am not a fucking hooker, my body is not going to make anyone money.

  "Okay, consider this my notice then." Holy shit, did I just quit a job that I can make at least $500 a night at?

  I turn to walk out the door, both men standing up. "Matty, let the girl be behind the bar," Liam says frantically, which gives me some satisfaction. Matty seems even more pissed now.

  "Harper, this is a first for me. You are actually going to quit?" Matty asks sitting back down with a huff.

  "Yes, sir." Yes and it is a first for me also. My heart is beating in my chest so hard I feel it is visible.

  "Fine, but we are going to re-evaluate in two weeks," he spouts, wanting to have a little control, I suppose.

  "Thank you, sir." I nod at the men, leaving the room. Between the intensity of almost quitting my job, and the weight of Liam's stare, I'm pretty sure I was very close to a heart attack.

  I still have an hour till my shift starts, so I change into my uniform before I go behind the bar. I want to familiarize myself with everything. It is still early afternoon, so the club is empty. I'm taking inventory of the different liquors as I study my cocktail book.

  "That was pretty impressive," a sexy voice says behind me. I was so intent in my thoughts I hadn't heard anyone come up.

  "Oh My God!" I scream and jump at the same time. Turning around, I find Liam looking very pleased.

  "Sorry, Petal, didn't mean to scare you again. You are so jumpy," he says with a half smile. Goddammit, stop looking at me like that. And please, for the love of all things holy, stop calling me Petal.

  "Just … you keep sneaking up on me," I stutter, looking away from those fucking dark eyes that seem to do things to me. Things I didn't know were possible.

  "So tell me, Petal..." He pauses to see if it is having an effect. It is, so fucking stop it. "Would you have really quit?" He seems extremely amused with how uncomfortable his presence is making me.

  "What do you think?" Let's see if I can turn the tables, gets some balls Harper.

  "Honestly?"

  "No, lie to me." I roll my eyes, which makes him let out a low deep chuckle that makes my knees weak.

  "I have no idea. I can't figure you out, Petal. You're not like any other woman I have met. You are also the first woman ever to turn me down," he says with a wink, "but I guess a bet is a bet. Do you want me to leave you alone?" For fuck’s sake, really? Are you going to make me say it? I thought my actions were clear enough.

  "Yes, Mr. Tarseta, I am not interested in you," I say as firm as my dry mouth will let me.

  He leans on the bar so that he is almost lying on it, motioning me with his index finger to come closer. I take a tiny step, but no way do I want to be in smelling distance. This man's smell is like heaven.

  "Are you sure? I will not ask again, Petal. I beg for no one." He is talking in a loud whisper. I watch his lips move as he annunciates every word. All I can think about is kissing those lips.

  "I'm sure," I say so softly that I know he doesn't believe me. I don't even believe me. Why would it be so bad? Because you are not one of those girls. You will get your heart smashed to pieces, Harper Troy.

  He gives me the knowing smile and that fucking sexy wink again before he turns to walk out the door. I have to lean against the bar for ten minutes before I think I can stand on my own. Goddammit, why does he have to be such a man whore? I would consider a romp with him if I knew that he hadn't already slept with at least two women this week alone.

  Liam doesn't make another appearance that night. Monica calls in sick. I feel jealously in the pit of my stomach at the thought of them being together. God, I hate this. How can I be jealous, why am I jealous?

  The night goes well. It's busy so my 20% comes up to $700. I can actually go to the grocery store and buy food that doesn't require to just add hot water. Even though the late nights are going to take some time to get used to, I think that I can have money saved up in no time. I'll need it for vet school. That is if I get accepted into one of the limited work study slots. My advisor thinks it won't be a problem if I keep my grades up, so no matter what, school has to take priority.

  I get the next two nights off. Which I think is Matty's way of punishing me, not letting me work the two busiest nights of the week. However, John tells me to enjoy the weekend because he is scheduling me the next three Friday and Saturday nights.

  Chapter 7

  I call Tara to see if she wants to go clubbing. She's been asking me almost every night for a month. I owe my girl a night out.

  Tara jumps at the chance to go clubbing and I wear my favorite black dress. It is longer than the skirts that I wear to work, but not much. It is a tight dress with spaghetti straps. It's simple and sexy. I don't know if it is because I have been around the Italian sex god, but I've been feeling extremely, well, horny. All I know is that I want to get my drink on and dance the night away.

  We go to one of the upscale clubs downtown. Even though there is line down the block, all we have to do is walk up to the bouncers and flash them our smiles. They've always let us right in. Pretty girls always get to the front of the line, because clubs want the pretty girls in black dresses and fuck me heels in their clubs. It draws in a higher standard of men; men that pay more and buy lots of expensive drinks. I'm not saying I'm proud of how we get into the nicer clubs in Chicago, it is just part of the game and we play it.

  The club is loud, the dance floor is hopping. Tara and I usually get a couple of drinks in us and scope out the place before we start dancing.

  "Let's go up there," Tara says pointing to the second level, which is a catwalk type level with booths that line the back. Up there you could really scope out the whole club. I shrug, sure, why not. We head for the stairs, but are stopped by a bouncer who tells us it's only for VIPs. Showing him our best pouty face he just says, "Sorry girls," and shakes his head.

  We are just about to turn away to go find a table on the main floor when we hear someone yell. "Gino, let them up." I look up at the familiar voice. There is none other than Liam, standing about half way up the stairs. Oh for crying out loud!

  He stands there, not in his usual suit, but casual in blue jeans and a tight black t-shirt with his tan muscular arms bulging at the hem. It looks like his sleeves are cutting into his massive arms.

  "That's okay, Mr. Tarseta, we'll just find a seat down here," I yell up at him.

  "Harper, get your ass up here," he yells back, sternly ordering me. I'm pissed at the order, but goddamn turned on at the same time. Just when I think I am going to walk away showing him my middle finger, Tara squeals and bounds up the stairs.

  As she passes Liam, he nods at her with a smile. I start up the stairs feeling a little betrayed by my friend. When I reach Liam, who is still standing halfway up the stairs, I catch a whiff of that cologne making my belly tighten.

  "Are you following me, Mr. Tarseta?" I ask, his face very close to mine making it very hard for me to breathe.

  "I own this club, Ms. Troy, so I guess I could assume the same thing from you," he says in his smooth sexy voice that is really start
ing to annoy me. Why does he have to be so damn sexy all the time? "Come have a drink with me, Petal," he says with that wicked half smile. He places his hand on the small of my back, leading me the rest of the way up the stairs. The heat I feel from his hand on my back is very concerning. I can already feel my panties getting wet. I do not want to give in to this guy.

  Tara and I scoot into the half-moon booth and Liam sits next to me. Close, too close, his leg brushes up against mine, making my breath hitch. A man comes, sitting in the booth next to Tara he looks at us like we are fresh meat.

  "This is my cousin, Tony, Tony this is Harper and I'm sorry..." he stops when he realizes he doesn't know Tara's name.

  "Tara," she gushes, handing her hand to Tony. He too has the dark Italian thing going, but he is not so much muscular as he is hefty. Not fat just, you know, hefty.

  "What would you like to drink, Petal?" Liam leans over very close to my ear like he is telling me a secret. A shiver runs through me as I feel his hot breath on my ear.

  "Rum and Diet Coke," I answer as I turn my head toward him, which is a big mistake because he is still really close. I lean back to put some distance between us.

  He smiles at me and tells the waitress our drink orders.

  "So where is Monica tonight, Mr. Tarseta?" I ask, hoping that bringing up his girlfriend will back him off.

  "Don't know. Why the fuck do you think I would know or care about that?" he says now leaning back himself to take me in and what he thinks is a very stupid question.

  I just shrug, why do you think asshole?

  "Do you think we are a thing?" he asks, laughing. "We used to fuck, that was all." He says it so casually it turns my stomach. Thank you, Italian sex god. At least there is something I don't find attractive about you.

  "So by used to, you mean on Tuesday?" I am a little taken aback by his candor, of course nothing should shock me with this man.

  "You noticed that, huh?" he says, like he had been caught with this hand in the cookie jar. Of course I noticed it, you made it very obvious.

  "Well I saw you left together, it's not like I was watching you or anything." I have no idea why I just said that, but it makes him smirk a large pretentious grin.

  "I took her home, but I did not fuck her." He says it like he is about to admit some major secret to me.

  "Why is that, Mr. Tarseta?" Why the hell did I just ask that?

  "Because, Petal, ever since I laid eyes on you, I can't think of anything else but you," he says, now leaning toward me, whispering his secret to me. Holy fuck, what a secret it is. I feel my whole body tighten. Even though I am turned on as hell, I need to get my guard up. This guy has heartbreak written all over him. Besides, he is my boss.

  "I thought you were done. You don't beg, remember?" I throw his arrogant comment back at him.

  "I'm not begging," he says with an eyebrow raise. "I was just stating a fact."

  "We're going to go dance," Tara says, following Tony out of the booth, she bounces after him leaving me alone with Liam.

  "Well I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you are just not my type." I turn to him keeping my legs squeezed together, hoping I am strong enough to get through this.

  His head goes back and he lets out a loud, throaty laugh that is so cocky and egotistical. So why the hell is it turning me on more?

  "Okay, Petal, so you're going to pretend that every time I get close to you, you don't stop breathing." He proves his point by putting his arm around the back of my seat, touching the nape of my neck. Of course, my body betrays me and I tense up immediately, my breath hitching.

  His pompous smile, his black knowing eyes just make me angry. Before I can say anything, he takes his other hand, wrapping his fingers around my neck. He starts to rub his thumb along my jaw and pulls me to his soft lips. As our lips touch, it is like a fire has started. His tongue slides into my mouth; he tastes like whiskey and mint. He moves expertly, manipulating my mouth with his lips and tongue. He sucks on my lower lip before breaking the kiss. I slowly open my eyes to see his dark eyes staring back at me. I'm speechless from what was the best kiss I could ever imagine. All I want to do is crawl on his lap and beg for more.

  "Now you are going to tell me that you feel nothing," he says still rubbing his thumb along my jaw. It's enough to make me come to my senses.

  "Look, Liam, you're a good looking guy, and a great kisser. I'm just not that girl. I'm not the girl that you can use then throw away." I inhale deeply trying to get the words I want to say out. Why am I fighting this again?

  "That's the first time you've called me Liam. I like it." It's like everything I just said went in one ear and out the other.

  "Look, this isn't going to happen. I can't have a one night stand with my boss," I say, breaking his contact with me and scooting away from him.

  "It's more than that." His jaw tenses and I can tell he is not pleased that I moved away from him. This man does not like rejection.

  "Really, then what is it?"

  "I don't know. All I know is since I've met you, I have thought of nothing else but you. I don't think I will get you out of my system until I fuck you." He says the rudest, most horrible thing I think any man has ever said to me. Right then, Mr. Italian God became very much resistible to me.

  "Thank you, Mr. Tarseta, for making this so much easier for me," I say, scooting around to leave the booth. As I stand up, Liam is next to me. I can see he just realized what an asshole remark he has made, even for him.

  "No wait, I didn't mean it like that," he says, now holding onto my wrist. I twist it to free myself from his hold.

  "I don't care how you meant it." I turn to leave and he doesn't follow, thank God for that. I find Tara who whines that she is not ready to leave.

  "Just one more dance," she says, grinding up against Tony.

  "You want to join us," Tony says with a slimy look in his eyes. I shake my head.

  "Tara, I need to get out of here," I plead with her. Tony says he'll take her home. I look at Tara who seems more than fine with that option and I make her swear to call me when she gets home.

  Stepping outside the club, I see a string of cabs waiting for fares. I am just about to step up to one when a shiny black Viper revs up in front of me. I stop to admire the very nice car when the driver door opens and out steps Liam. Should have known, this car suits him very well.

  "Harper, let me take you home," he says as girls leaving the club start swooning over him standing next to his very expensive sports car.

  "I can manage to get home on my own," I say, without waiting for a response I climb into the nearest cab, give the driver my address, and we're off. I glance behind as we drive away and see a girl coming up to Liam, no doubt telling him he can take her home.

  Chapter 8

  I go to work Sunday night hoping Liam doesn't make an appearance. I change in the locker room, with it being a Sunday night there isn't anyone else in there besides Donna. "Hey," I greet her when she steps besides me.

  "So rumor has it you were spotted with Liam last night at Flame's." She is not asking, she is confirming that I was at the club last night with Liam.

  "I was there with a friend and we ran into him," I tell her, pulling on my stockings, adjusting my skirt.

  "I just want to warn you because I kind of like you," she says. I'm not sure how I am supposed to take this. Was that a compliment?

  "Warn me about what?" I ask her, buttoning up my shirt.

  "He's dangerous. I've heard that his last serious girlfriend, Chelsea Waters, went missing. Before she went missing, she was seen with a very beat up face," Donna tells me, looking in the mirror next to the lockers fluffing her bleached blond hair. So now it's a girlfriend, not a wife.

  "Thanks, but I'm not his girlfriend and never will be, so I think I'll be safe."

  "Well, I also need to tell you that someone told Monica you were kissing him last night, she is pissed," Donna says in a loud whisper. Oh fucking great, if this job didn't pay so well I would be out of
here. I don't need this shit. Donna leaves, telling me to watch my back.

  I just shut my locker when the door opens. I turn expecting to see Monica with a knife, which makes me chuckle to myself. Bring it on bitch.

  It's not Monica, it's Liam, with his suit jacket draped over his arm. He locks the door before walking toward me, throwing his jacket over one of the benches. Slowly he starts to roll his shirt sleeves up to mid arm, showing off his amazing, tanned, muscular forearms. God help me, please give me strength.

  I turn away from him, not saying a word. The heat from his body almost touches me as I feel him get closer. I start to step away from him, but he places one hand on my hip. The other arm goes around my shoulders and he pulls me to him, slamming my back into his hard chest. I wonder what I should do. Do I scream? No, he's not hurting me.

  "I can still taste your lips on mine. I can still smell your arousal from last night. I didn't sleep at all, thinking about you," his hot breath on my ear as he whispers. He brushes his lips on the shell of my ear, the hand that is on my hip moves to my belly. Using his fingers, he manipulates his hand down my skirt. I want to scream for him to stop, but I can't. His breath heavy in my ear, he moves under my panties inserting his middle finger inside me. I moan with pleasure, my breathing heavy.

  He slides his finger out spreading my slick arousal to my clit, moving in small tortuous circles. "Tell me to stop!" he quietly orders in my ear. "Tell me you want me to stop and I will never look at you again," he whispers, his hot, frantic breath on my cheek.

  I don't say a word. All I can do is arch my back into him, moving my hips in time with his finger as he circles my clit faster. I bring my hands up to his forearm that is around my neck, my head pressed into his shoulder. I feel his cock, large and hard, against my back. He moves more franticly now, I can't help the moaning coming out of my mouth.

  He cups my jaw and slides his index finger into my mouth as I draw closer to orgasm. It's like nothing I've ever felt. Sucking on his finger to keep from screaming, I hear him groan in my ear.