11. Gabriella

11

GAbrIELLA

I t’s been just over a month since my epic night with Enzo and I’m expecting the memories and my desire to fade, but that isn’t happening. Not even close. Instead, I think my want and need for him has grown. Seeing him every single day during the week and sometimes even on the weekends doesn’t help matters. I’m beyond a smitten-kitten at this point. I’ve become slightly obsessed. He teases my thoughts all day and all night, and I’m not sure how much more I can take.

Someone calls my name and I glance up. It’s Friday afternoon and I’ve zoned out yet again. “Hey, Trista,” I say when my assistant walks into my office. She tends to work mostly at our other small office, holding the fort down there, while I’ve been coming here.

“I miss seeing you every day,” she says, walking up to my desk.

“I know. Same.” Standing up, I smooth my skirt down and hand her a stack of files. “No rush on these. Enjoy your weekend.”

“Sure thing. How’s it going over here?” she asks, looking around.

“Oh, okay.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound very convincing,” she says with a chuckle.

I jerk a thumb to the left, indicating the office next door. “It would be better if it weren’t for my competition next door. He’s?—”

Speak of the devil.

We both look over to the doorway where Enzo strolls in like he already owns the place which, of course, grates on my nerves.

“Hello, Trista,” he says smoothly. “It’s been a while. You should grace us more with your lovely presence.”

I struggle not to roll my eyes and Trista actually giggles. Oh, for the love of God. Is there a woman alive who can’t be manipulated by this man’s charm? Other than me?

“She has things to do over at Gabana,” I say. Of course, I do, too, and that’s why I sometimes go there before or after I spend the day here. My days are incredibly long and this past week I’ve been uncharacteristically tired. Usually I can go nonstop, but I think I’m going to need to get some extra sleep this weekend. Or, maybe I just need more caffeine to get me through the rest of this month. Once Doug makes a final decision, my load will either lighten or grow even heavier. I’m probably going to have to hire one or two more people to help Trista and I out. The last thing I want to do is run both of us ragged.

Enzo looks over at me, his dark eyes glowing with undisguised heat and it catches me off guard. All I can do is blink, unable to string a sentence together. “I need to meet with you before you leave,” he murmurs.

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the sizzling attraction. Forcing it down, I tear my eyes from his and glance down at my slim watch. “I have some things to do and will be busy right up until six.”

“That’s fine. Let’s plan for 6:15.”

I love how he puts on such an easygoing show in front of Trista. Usually, he likes to bicker back and forth over every single detail.

“Fine.” I didn’t want to be here until eight o’clock tonight, so I hope whatever it is won’t take too long.

Trista is looking back and forth between us and I clear my throat.

“Well, thanks for stopping by,” I say. “Like I said, don’t worry about that stuff until Monday.”

“Okay. Well, have a nice weekend,” she says, slowly backing out, eyeing both of us still.

I shift, uncomfortable. “You, too,” I say overly cheery.

“Don’t let her work you too hard,” Enzo adds and I frown, praying for strength.

Four more weeks. You’re halfway through this nightmare, so just hang in there. Keep it together.

I can do it. I know I can.

“Is there anything else, Mr. Rossi?” I ask coolly. “Because I have quite a few things to finish here.”

His mouth edges up in the sexiest smirk I’ve ever seen. “You work too hard, Ms. Bianche.”

“I don’t really have a choice. Not if I want to be successful and edge your ass out of here.”

“Ouch. So ruthless.”

His voice drops to a husky whisper and I think my panties flood. Damn him. Spinning around, I march over to my desk and sit down. “I don’t have time to play games, so please see yourself out.”

Ignoring him, I start typing on my laptop. But, I honestly don’t even know what I’m typing and, secretly, I’m watching him from the corner of my eye.

“See you at 6:15, Ms. Bianche,” he drawls in that raspy voice.

“Mm-hmm,” I murmur without looking up, dismissing him completely.

Once he leaves, I slump back in my seat and let out a weary sigh. Enzo Rossi is going to be the death of me. No doubt about it.

I finish up my work a little before six and take a quick bathroom break. One look in the mirror tells me I look exactly how I feel—tired. I’m also starving and barely had anything to eat all day today. Just some coffee and a blueberry muffin hours ago. I’d love nothing more than to just go home, drop down on the couch and indulge in a big cheese pizza smothered in olives.

But, no. I have to go deal with Enzo and whatever it is he wants, for God knows how long, effectively ruining my Friday night. Yawning, I open my purse, grab my compact and some lip gloss, and I quickly touch up my makeup. Nothing wrong with wanting to freshen up, I think.

At exactly 6:15, I stride into Enzo’s office and he isn’t even in there. Seriously? Where is he? There’s nothing that aggravates me more than people who mess around with my time. It’s a very precious commodity and something I don’t have a lot of so I value it deeply.

Just as I’m deciding whether or not I should walk out and say screw it, the man himself walks in and, to my complete and utter delight, he’s carrying a large pizza and the smell hits my nose causing my stomach to growl and my mouth to water.

“How did you know I would kill for an ooey-gooey slice of pizza at this very moment?” I ask, following him over to a side table where he sets the box down, my nose up, sniffing the air like a dog ready to devour its dinner. With a smirk, he lifts the lid and I moan as the tantalizing smell hits my nose.

“Guess I’m psychic,” he answers. “Or, maybe we’re just vibing on the same wavelength.”

I’m not sure about that, but, oh wow. The entire thing is loaded with black and green olives. “Olives?” Maybe we are vibing.

“Is that okay?”

“God, yes, it’s exactly what I’ve been dreaming about all day.” I scoop out a slice, blow on it and take a big bite. “Mmmm, I could kiss you right now.”

Enzo watches me eat and I stop chewing.

“You know what I mean,” I quickly amend. “Thank you. I was so hungry.”

“Gabriella, it’s okay to stop working every so often and allow yourself to eat.”

“Obviously. Today was just extra busy.”

While I devour my piece of pizza, Enzo scoops a slice out and bites into it. “I understand that better than anyone,” he says, “but you have to take the time to eat. It is good, though.”

“It’s divine,” I gush, polishing off the last bite and reaching for another. Already, I’m feeling less grouchy and I allow myself to slow down and relax. Just for a brief, but very lovely, moment. “So, what did you want to meet about?”

“Honestly, let’s forget about it. Why don’t we call it a day and just enjoy the pizza? Work will still be here when Monday rolls around, right?”

His answer takes me by complete surprise. “I thought the Great and Powerful Enzo Rossi worked on the weekends, too.” I keep my tone teasing, but I’m serious.

He shrugs a broad shoulder then removes his suit jacket, laying it over a nearby chair. My stomach does a little flip as he carefully rolls up his sleeves, exposing a beautiful set of yummy forearms.

“Normally, yeah, I do. Lately, though…” His voice trails off.

“Lately what?” I ask, tilting my head.

“I’m starting to wonder if maybe I work a little harder than necessary.”

“Anyone who’s successful knows it’s necessary.”

“But at what point is enough success…enough?” he asks, searching my face.

“I don’t know,” I say thoughtfully, pondering his question. “But, I can tell you I’m not quite where I want to be yet.”

“And where do you want to be?” he asks, voice low.

In your bed. Underneath you, feeling you moving inside of me. The thought hits me hard and I lick my lips.

When I don’t respond, he moves closer and his sandalwood scent envelops me. “Do you ever feel like something’s missing?” he presses.

“Something or someone?” I ask.

“Let’s go with someone. Maybe a significant other?”

“I’ve always done better on my own,” I say, realizing he’s cornered me against the edge of the table. My heart speeds up and I’m staring at his lips, wishing for things that I shouldn’t be wanting.

“I don’t know.” He’s so close and my fingers twitch, wanting to lift and wrap around his neck. To drag him down and kiss him hard. I have to clench my hands into fists to prevent that from happening. “I think we’re damn good together, Gabriella. And I think we definitely deserve more than one night.”

I swallow hard, knowing it’s the truth. Unable to stop myself, I push up onto the balls of my feet, grab his face and jerk him downwards. My mouth collides with his and we kiss with all the pent-up ferocity that’s been building up these past four plus weeks. It’s hot, needy and completely out of control.

Enzo’s hands grab my hips and he lifts me up onto the table, shoving the pizza box aside. Flashbacks from his kitchen flood my head and I remember when he lifted me up onto the island and the wicked things he did to me. God help me, but I want him to do those same things to me again. Right here, right now.

I’m tired of overthinking everything and I give in to sensation. Enzo’s lips trail down the side of my face, lightly licking and sucking, exploring my neck. It feels so good. He makes me feel feminine and oh-so desirable. As his hands tug my skirt up, I lean back, propping myself up on my elbows, watching. Unable to tear my attention off the gorgeous man now parting my legs and sliding the fabric of my panties aside.

The moment his fingers touch me, trailing up and down my wet slit, I make an incoherent sound. Yesss.

“I’ve been dying to touch you again, Bri,” he says, sliding a finger inside my body. Another one immediately follows and I can’t speak as he begins thrusting them in and out. Grabbing onto his tie, I yank him forward and kiss him deeply, passionately.

When his thumb begins circling my clit, all bets are off. My body begins to shake and tremble, the approaching orgasm building fast. Our tongues tangle and the kiss is deep and sensuous. No one has ever made me lose control this fast or this thoroughly.

Tearing my mouth away, I cry out as everything in my lower body pulses then tightens deliciously. “Oh, God!” I gasp. My inner muscles clench around his fingers and he smothers my cries with another kiss. Waves of pleasure roll through me and I pull his tie so hard that I’m scared I’m going to choke him. He slowly, gently removes his fingers from my body, brushing them across my sensitive clit, and locks gazes with me. Once the orgasm passes, I loosen my hold and grin sheepishly.

“Sorry about that,” I murmur, straightening his navy tie.

“Never apologize for coming on my hand.” He presses a kiss to my lips. “Or my mouth. Or my cock. Watching your release is the most beautif-”

Knock, knock, knock.

I jerk back from him then hop off the table, hurriedly yanking my skirt back down. Enzo curses under his breath, makes sure I’m decent then stalks across the room and throws the door open.

“What?” he practically snarls at the poor housekeeper.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to grab the trash.”

Now that my orgasm has passed, reality comes crashing back and I realize what a stupid mistake I just made. I can’t allow myself to trust Enzo Rossi and I certainly can’t allow myself to let him finger fuck me in his office. God.

Feeling like a fool, I lower my head and bolt out while the cleaning woman empties the trash.

“Gabriella! Wait!”

I hear him chase after me, but I ignore him and hurry back into my office where I grab my purse. It’s time to flee the scene of the crime. I can’t even look him in the eye as I close my laptop and prepare to hurry past him.

“Bri, please,” he pleads. “Can we just talk?”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“I disagree.” He grabs my upper arm, forcing me to turn, but I look everywhere except up into his face.

“Honey—”

“Don’t!” I snap. “You’re just trying to confuse me.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Let me go.” I jerk my arm out of his grasp and skirt around him.

“Bri!”

But, I ignore him and race down to the elevator.

“Don’t run away from me!”

Too late. I hop into the elevator and repeatedly hit the close door button. He skids to a halt right in front of the closing door and grabs it right before it can fully close.

“Please, talk to me,” he pleads, but I can’t.

“Just let me go…please,” I beg.

He locks gazes with me then finally relents. “This isn’t over,” he says, then releases the door. After it finally closes, I sag against the wall and want to cry.

God, I feel like a fool. He’s just using me. Trying to throw me off-balance so he can win Holloway Corp. I know he’s a master manipulator, so why do I succumb?

Squeezing my eyes shut, trying to calm down, I remember there’s a meeting with the Five Families tomorrow. Great, that’s all I need. The last thing I want is to see him and my cousins. Who knows what kind of chaos might result. I can’t think about that right now, though. I’m still too wound up from having Enzo’s fingers inside me and his tongue down my throat. If the cleaning woman hadn’t interrupted us, I know things would’ve gone further. I’d probably be bent over his desk right now and he’d be thrusting deep.

Would that be so terrible? a wicked part of me wonders. During the moment, it’s divine, but afterwards is when all the doubts fill my head.

It’s been a little over one month that we’ve been working together and I’m not sure how much more I can take. He’s driving me insane in so many ways and a part of me wants to surrender while another part of me wants to crush him. He’s my opponent. But, he’s also the best lover I’ve ever had.

The battle between my head and my heart is on, and I’m not sure which one will win when it comes to Enzo.