It was eerily silent with only the plants. The walls were painted blue, and it almost looked like we were outside.
“What is this place?” I asked, catching up.
“Arturo Barone’s late wife used to love plants,” Louisa said. “This room is a little memorial to her.”
The path ended in front of a life-size statue of a woman. She was beautiful, even though she was just marble. Her hair was long and swept over one shoulder, and her lips were smiling. She looked gentle and lovely.
“This is her?” I asked.
“This is her,” Louisa confirmed. “Condita Barone, mother of his children. Dead for years now.”
“She was beautiful,” I said.
And suddenly it clicked. I looked from Condita’s stone face to Louisa, and Louisa just smiled at me.
“What are you guys doing?”
I nearly jumped out of my skin. Vince emerged from the pathway just behind us. Louisa only smiled at him sweetly.
“Hi, Vincent Mori,” she said.
“What are you doing, Louisa?”
“Taking our guest on a little tour.”
“You know she can’t be in here.”
Louisa snaked her arm through mine. “I like her. She’s pretty.”
“Uh, thanks,” I said.
“Come on,” Vince said. “Get out.”
Louisa laughed and walked off, pushing past Vince. “See you later,” she said, and then she was gone.
I stared after her, surprised. “That girl is crazy,” I said.
“That girl is Arturo Barone’s daughter.”
“I just figured that out,” I said. “Why did she bring me in here?”
Vince stepped toward me. “I don’t know. But you’ve been a very bad girl, coming in here.”
“I was just following her. I didn’t even know who she was.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Still. You should know not to go places you’re not welcome.”
“How did you know we were here?” I asked, screwing my face up.
He shrugged. “Security told me.”
“You’re watching me?”
He laughed. “Of course we are. When you’re wandering around, you’re under surveillance.”
I stared at him, anger welling up in me. “You’re spying on me?”
“Not when you’re in your room, we’re not. But we can’t just let a girl from the Russian mob wander around on her own, you know.”
I took a deep breath and let it out. I hated the idea that they were watching my every move, but it made sense. They didn’t know who I was or what I wanted. They had to be careful.
It still pissed me off.
“Fine. Let’s go,” I said, moving to get past him.
He grabbed my wrist. “Not so fast.”
I gasped as he pulled me against him. I stumbled and landed with my face against his chest, my arms around him. I looked up at him, surprised, and he just grinned down at me.
This delicious, incredible smile.
Then he reached around and grabbed my ass again.
“You—” I reached back my hand and went to slap him.
He caught my wrist. “Tell me you don’t like it.”
“You can’t just do that,” I said.
“Tell me you don’t like it,” he repeated.
“Just stop,” I whispered, looking away.
“That’s what I thought. You’re dripping wet right now, aren’t you?”
“Of course not,” I lied.
But I was. Waves of excitement were bursting through me, threatening to overwhelm me.
“Liar,” he said. He grabbed my chin, tipping my face toward him. “There’s nobody watching us right now.”
“How do you know?”
“Arturo won’t allow cameras inside this room. We’re completely alone.”
Completely alone with Vince Mori, the man I wanted and needed and hated.
He pressed his lips against mine, kissing me hard.
For a second, I thought I might run.
But that second passed over, and I pressed myself against him, throwing my body into the kiss. I couldn’t stop myself, couldn’t help it. He was right: I wanted him. Every time he touched me, every dirty word, it all drove me absolutely wild.
Lust was driving my mind, pure and simple, as I kissed him hard.
We were alone in a room surrounded by nothing but green and blue as I began to lose myself in his mouth, his strong body, his arms.
12
Vince
The girl kissed me back with a frenzy I hadn’t expected.
I knew she wanted me; it was so obvious. It was just a matter of taking what I wanted. As soon as I pulled her against me and felt that perfect, round ass, I knew she was mine.
I knew she was going to give herself to me one way or the other.
I couldn’t stop myself. She tasted so fucking good, like flowers and fucking candy or some shit. It drove me wild, made my cock absolutely hard. I couldn’t resist it as I pressed my hands against her body, cupping her firm, round ass, pressing her against me.