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Alicia
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Over the next week I’m often surprised by how easily Cesare and I fit together. I genuinely love cooking for him and his brothers; I’m enfolded in their circle as easily as if I were always a part of it. Enzo brings gelato he made for dessert one night. On Friday night I come into the apartment to find him already there making stuffed shells. I’m ordered into a chair with a glass of wine while Enzo prods me to give up all my dirty secrets and shares a few of his own. While I read the text from Dante telling me he won’t be joining us tonight as he has other plans, Enzo tells me he already knew. It’s the reason he was cooking the stuffed shells, they’re Dante’s favorite and Dante will be pissed he missed out on them.
When Cesare comes upstairs without any prompting, my breath catches in my chest at how relaxed and happy he looks. Cesare is a little freer with his touching and small kisses, even wrapping his arms around me as we watch a movie with Enzo on the sofa after dinner. Once we’re home I revel in his sweet lovemaking.
Opening my eyes, I sigh at the idea of a long day without Cesare. I’m lazy, moping a little as I try to figure out what to do with myself. After brushing my teeth and getting dressed in comfy clothes, a T-shirt and cotton lounging pants, I stumble down the hallway in desperate need of coffee. Passing by the open door of Cesare’s workout room, I pause. Wait, what? I back up. I’m not imagining it. Cesare is beating the stuffing out of the heavy bag until he sees me. His smile has my heart pounding like a drum throughout my entire body down to my fingertips. Awe fills me all over again that this gorgeous man wants me, thinks I’m beautiful. It’s all there in his smile, in his eyes.
“Hey lazybones, you’re finally awake. I was wondering if I was going to have to wake you up when I went in for my shower.”
“I would have loved for you to wake me up before you came in here for your workout—” As I step further into the room, Grover sees me and barks a welcome. “Grover? What is he doing in here with you?” Grover gives me a smug look as Cesare picks him up, holding him close. What?
“We’ve been getting to know each other in the morning. After going through a half dozen different dog treats, Claudine recommended bacon, and he finally got closer than a foot to get the bacon. A few more bacon talks, some belly rubs, he’s good. I was concerned about him being happy here with his fearing men. I didn’t want him miserable. I figured I would give it a try. He does tricks too.” Setting the small dog down carefully, Cesare takes him through sit, speak, shake, and a hilarious rollover session. After each one, instead of food Cesare gives Grover the scratch behind his right ear that makes his little back leg shake.
I’m beyond touched Cesare would take the time out of his day to try to bond with Grover. I’m sooo totally not blinking back tears right now. “How funny, Bethany taught him all of those, except the rollover when he first came into the house. I’m feeling like a bad pet owner. I kind of let all the playing happen only when he asks for it, which hasn’t been often. He looks so happy playing with you.”
Cesare shakes his head. “I’m just new to him. Once he gets used to me he’ll ignore me unless he wants something. Let me go take a shower to get this sweat off me.”
He’s gone before I can protest. I consider joining him in the shower but my stomach grumbles. Next time, I promise myself. In the kitchen I’m seriously concerned about not being able to find a regular coffee pot. I have no idea how to work the tiny coffee pot Claudine uses to make coffee. Frustrated but starving, I crack a few eggs. I know Cesare likes scrambled eggs too, so I make enough for him. I’m separating the eggs on two different plates when Cesare appears. He’s wearing a plain white T-shirt and black sweatpants and he looks delicious. “Smells good. I do the wheat toast please, just one slice.”
I nod and grab one for him and two pieces of white toast for me and drop them in the toaster. “Do you know how to make coffee in that thing? I’m in serious need of caffeine but I have no idea how to work it.”
Laughing, Cesare nods. “I’ll do it now.”
“It can wait until after we eat. I’m starving. Let’s eat then do the coffee. I want to watch you do it so I can make it myself.”
“Your wish is my command.”
As we sit down, I’m trying not to look at Cesare all gooey-eyed. It isn’t easy though. “So what are you doing home? Are you not going to work or are you going in later?”
“I’m not going in today. I figured I could work for a few hours in my office. There are a few things I need to do, they shouldn’t take too long.”
“I could help you, if you need me to. If you don’t think it would annoy Hannah.”
“That would be great. There are some things you could do that would make the work go faster.” After eating he very slowly and patiently walks me through making espresso. Work ends up taking longer than he planned when a call comes in from a client asking about specific properties. I can’t help, so I check the clock to see it’s past time for lunch and leave his office for the kitchen.
While I’m defrosting chicken breasts, I get a text from Dante asking me if I’m busy and if he could come hang out. As I worry about cramping their relationship, Dante comes into the kitchen. “What’s the matter?”
I shrug. “Am I like, in the way or something?”
Dante grabs my shoulders, his face serious. “Don’t even think like that. I love you here. You are the answer to so many prayers I’ve had for Cesare. We’re close, yes, I probably spend way too much time over here because I’m bored and at loose ends. When I found out Che didn’t go into work today, I wanted to run over here and kiss you. Do you know how many years it’s been since he didn’t go into work on a Saturday? I can’t remember, I honestly have no memory of it. Don’t even go there.”
Relief fills me. “Okay, I won’t. I’m making lunch. Have you eaten yet?”
“Not in several hours. What are you making, do you need help?”
“I was thinking penne pasta with some pesto and chicken. You want to do the pesto?”
“Sounds good.”
We work together, with Dante’s usual teasing about me and Cesare. We’re almost done when I look up to find Cesare watching us from across the island bar. “There you are.”
“Here I am. Sorry about that. All work is done though. Lunch looks good. I’ll get the wine.”
Dante spots Grover, who is following Cesare. “Man, he is a little dog. I thought you were joking. Hey buddy, how’s it going, Grover?” I’m shocked Grover goes to Dante, who is kneeling with his hand out for Grover to sniff it. Grover allows Dante to pet him then whimpers. “I’m not giving you food, buddy. I don’t care if you like me. If you want food, Che is your man.” Grover shoots away from Dante to put his paws up on Cesare’s legs. “Smart dog.” Dante laughs as he goes to the sink to wash his hands.
“Food’s on.”
While our lunch is a lingering one, it’s over when Dante receives a text that has him leaving with a smile. I try to help clean up but Cesare refuses, pushing me toward the sofa to sit. Following orders, I go. Grover comes to get pets now that he knows food isn’t happening. There is an enormous television on the wall, only I’m not interested in watching television, I’d rather watch Cesare.
My heart sinks a little when Cesare’s cell phone goes off. I wonder if it’s more work. It only takes a few seconds for it to become clear it’s not work. He lowers his voice but I hear him say, “My uncle.” A shiver goes up my spine at what it could mean. Ending the call, he looks up at me.
Nerves stretched beyond bearing, I ask, “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Sighing, he crosses the room. With a quick movement, he scoops me up as he sits on the couch, settling me into his lap. “I had someone look into the Kelsey issue. My instincts were right: she wasn’t done with blackmailing your sister. She kept another file of your sister’s admission. While my guy was able to get to a file and corrupt it, we’re not sure if it was the only recording. If she was smart, it’s not. From everything he’s found, she’s not very bright. However, when it comes to cutting her off and getting your sister out of her sights, we can’t assume anything. Her father’s name sounded familiar, Phillip Kane owns the building my uncle runs what I guess you would call a brothel out of. Kane knows what’s going on and gets a cut as well as special privileges. They were able to get proof of this. I’m thinking we have Kane bring the hammer down on his daughter to verify there is no other recording and have her put Bethany in her rearview.”
With his arms around me, I lay my head on his shoulder. How did I get this lucky? Even as fear lingers over Bethany, the look in Cesare’s eyes has me now feeling a slight twinge of sympathy for Kelsey for what’s coming at her. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Bethany screwed up; it’s nothing all that different than what most kids her age might have done. You love her and want to protect her. I understand completely.”
“If you’re going to threaten Phillip with making the information public, you’re going to reach out to your uncle to let him know first, right?” I’m not exactly happy his uncle has a hand in the sex trade. It’s one thing to run numbers and gambling but something different to run people. I struggle to keep the distaste out of my voice.
He nods. “Since it won’t be a bluff, I need to warn my uncle. For the record, my uncle doesn’t run women they come to him. He provides a safe place for them to do business and gets a cut for that. If a woman wants to stop working, they stop. If they don’t want a particular customer, they don’t have to take him. I’m not defending him. I just want you to know the way he sees it, he provides a service to both the women and the men. It’s not just him exploiting women.
“I’ll admit it was a surprise when Diego told me. The last I knew, for my uncle and cousin it was strictly gambling and some loan sharking. Apparently a few women came to him asking for protection. Since they were women in the neighborhood, after making sure he wasn’t stepping on anyone he did it.”
Tension eases out of me. I can’t imagine a life where the only way to support yourself is to sell your body. I could imagine how terrifying it would be to not have anyone watching out for you. Shrugging, I press a kiss to his cheek. “I’m not in any position to judge anyone for the things they do. I need to call Bethany.”
Shaking his head, his arms tighten around me. “Not yet. Let me reach out to my uncle. Kelsey was planning to wait until your sister thinks it’s all behind her. There is no immediate threat. This might all be resolved without Bethany needing to know what’s going on.”
Pressing up from him, I meet his eyes. “I might not need to call Bethany now to let her know, but she will know the complete shitstorm what she did caused and how other people covered her ass. She needs to know so hopefully she never does something so stupid again the rest of her life.”
A chuckle rumbles out of his chest. “Damn, you’re scary when you’re pissed. How did she think you got the money in the first place?”
“Before I made the payment, because I knew she wouldn’t take the money any other way I told her not to worry about it. Once the money was paid, I told her the truth. It was a crazy, stupid thing to do that could have ruined everything. It was a chance I was willing to take because I thought it was worth it. However, if she screws up again or doesn’t make the most of this chance, then it was all for nothing.”
“You knew I was going to let you get away with it.” A thumb strokes the bottom lip I’m biting.
“I hoped, but it wasn’t right and it wasn’t fair. I’m not sure I could say one hundred percent I wouldn’t have done it if I had to do it all over again, but I do know I regret the hell out of it. I hate the way I took advantage of what was happening between us. It also makes me feel like shit that I’m just another woman who took money from you, and I’m using my body to pay you back for it.”
His hand is in my hair, pulling my head back. When I still hide from his eyes, scared of what I’ll see there, he tugs hard. Ouch, I give in. It’s there in his eyes. I couldn’t look away if I wanted to. “I don’t regret it. I don’t want you to either. You offered yourself to me long before money was an issue. My need for control wouldn’t allow me to accept what you offered. I hated the idea of you knowing I was willing to give in to my need for you over my previous promises to myself and Dante. Seeing how it upsets you, I’m sorry I put my pride before you. You deserve better than that. You didn’t take money from me. You borrowed it and you put it back. There was no harm done.
“I would like to think even if I hadn’t spent the last six weeks hard for you, I would have understood enough to let the matter drop and done no more than move you to a position where you didn’t have access to funds. I don’t know either. What I do know is I’m glad you did it. I’m glad you gave me a second chance to accept what you offered weeks ago. That’s all I did, that’s all you did. I don’t care how we got here—all I care about is that we are.”
Blinking fast, I don’t trust myself not to say the wrong thing, so I do the only thing I can and pull him to me to kiss him. I might have started it, but in only seconds Cesare is in full control. He demands everything. I don’t dare deny him, don’t want to deny him. With a moan I try to get his shirt off. His hand goes over mine. “Not yet, greedy girl. We have somewhere to be.”
Thinking is hard. “What?”
Cesare is up, carrying me to our bedroom. “We have plans for the day.” In my closet he slides me slowly down his body. God, I want to climb him like a damn tree. “Get dressed. Something nice.” Then he’s walking away. What?
Ugh, I thought men were supposed to be oversexed. Hugging the memory tight of what Cesare said and meant, I sigh as I try to find something nice. As soon as I see it, I smile.
***
Cesare
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Leaving Alicia to get dressed isn’t easy. I want nothing more than to take her back to bed and stay there for the rest of the day. Only after the bullshit thoughts she shared about guilt and paying me back with her body, I know it’s even more imperative I show her I want more from her than sex. Rolling my neck, I fight the tension running through me. What do I want from her? Everything. Fuck. My stomach knots, this isn’t—is it? Damn it. My fingers fumble with tying my tie. No, I can’t think about this now, not yet. Fuck it. I toss the stupid tie away, I look fine without one.
As I walk out of the closet, I find Alicia leaning against the bed in the black dress she wore the night she offered herself to me. She’s even wearing the silk stockings. The brat. “Tonight will be a long one, know that now.”
I love the way her eyes light up at the promise. I’m a lucky son of a bitch for all the ways Alicia revels in her hunger for my body. There is no hesitation in asking for what she wants from me. Yes, tonight I think we’ll be taking her education deeper.
It’s not until we’re in the limo Alicia asks where we are going. “To the Art Institute to see the exhibit you mentioned to Decker Holt. This is the last weekend. I hope it isn’t too crowded.” I don’t like crowds.
Her smile is the reward I had no idea I wanted. “You remembered?”
“Of course, you appeared to genuinely want to go.”
“I did, I kind of forgot it was going on. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. After we get done here we have reservations for dinner.”
Her small hand wraps around mine. “No work, an exhibit, and dinner. Tonight is going to be very long indeed.”
“Yes it will.”
***
Alicia
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I swear I’m floating all night long. My feet never touch the hard concrete or the creaking wooden floor of the Art Institute, or the plush carpet of the decadently expensive restaurant where I taste caviar for the first time. I’m not a fan, although the champagne is right because tonight is a night for celebration. Cesare doesn’t resent I took the money and put it back. All he cared about was that it brought us together. Everything he does for the rest of the night proves his words all over again.
We spend hours roaming the Art Institute as he peppers me with questions about not just the art I like, but everything from my childhood to what my favorite color is, the kind of things I thought were too little for him to care about. I demand a tit for tat, and I love when he admits the raven tattoo on his bicep was because of reading the poem by Poe and having a nightmare when he was twelve, so it was a way of facing his fear. Cesare admitting his fears, even those from the past, is a way of letting me in I never thought he would.
In the car on the way home, I can’t take my eyes off Cesare. Pressing his lips against the back of my hand, he says, “Talk to me.”
“This day, I don’t want it to end,” I admit. “It’s silly, I know. Thank you for today.”
His smile causes a shiver to run through me. Hungry, predatory, wet heat rushes through me in anticipation of the promise in his smile. “Alicia, this day isn’t over yet.”