6. Enzo

6

ENZO

A fter leaving Doug Holloway’s office, I tip the valet for watching my car, then get inside and consider what I’ve done. Was it a dick move? Sure. But that’s the name of the game. If Gabriella wants to play with the big boys then she needs to realize she won’t always win. That’s a lesson everyone has to learn. Even I did. It comes with the territory. Sorry not sorry.

Turning my car on, I still smell her delicious honey scent. Uncharacteristic guilt floods me, but I quickly shut it down. I refuse to feel bad about taking advantage of a good opportunity and wanting a chance to make more money. She’s doing the exact same thing.

When she first walked into Holloway Corp. and saw me, her caramel eyes lit up and she started to smile—like she was truly happy to see me. But then a shadow flickered over her beautiful face and she shut down fast as she realized why I was there.

“You had every right to call Holloway and set that meeting up,” I grind out, spinning around the corner and heading toward Hudson Yards. I spend the rest of the ride home trying to convince myself that I did nothing wrong. But, I know deep down that it’s not exactly true. Gabriella confided in me and I took full advantage.

Dammit. Now is not the time to develop a conscience. I need to take responsibility for my decision and accept that her feelings are going to be hurt. Especially after Doug sells Holloway Corp. to me. Because let’s face it, Gabriella doesn’t stand a chance of beating me. She’s too new at the game and I’m just too damn good at it already.

What does it matter, though? We’re over. It was a one-night stand and nothing more. It’s not like we’re in a relationship or she’s my girlfriend or, God forbid, we’re in love or something crazy. She took off after a great night of sex. Am I still a little peeved that she ran off like a thief in the night without so much as a goodbye? Yeah. But, whatever. That’s life.

It was more than a great night, though. It was fucking epic on every level and just the thought of what happened between us makes my dick hard. A part of me was hoping maybe we could have a replay before she left. But if she wanted to extend our tryst, she never would’ve run out on me. Right? Unless she panicked and freaked out.

Shit. Was there a possibility for round two? Well, not anymore, I tell myself. By going behind her back for Doug’s company, I pretty much sealed my fate. Any future nights with Ganriella aren’t going to happen. That look in her gorgeous caramel eyes tells me everything I need to know—she hates my guts.

I don’t let myself have regrets, but I’m beginning to wonder if I shouldn’t have interfered and, instead, allowed her to do her thing. But that’s not who I am or how I’ve become so damn successful. I love a good challenge and Gabriella practically threw the gauntlet down at my feet.

Once I arrive home, I pull my suit jacket off, toss my tie and unbutton my shirt. Maybe I should go for a run and work out this nagging in the back of my head that won’t seem to go away. That annoying little voice that keeps calling me a traitor.

The truth is I have no loyalty to Gabriella or her troublemaking family. Just because we had sex doesn’t mean I owe her anything. We’re both consenting adults and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. End of story.

Or, so I keep trying to tell myself.

Swearing under my breath, I strip out of the rest of my clothes, pull on a t-shirt, shorts and running shoes and go work off some of my stress. After a long run through Hudson Yards, I should feel better.

Over two hours later, I don’t feel any better. I spent part of the time sitting down at the pier, mulling over my thoughts, and the rest of the time running like a maniac. By the time I get back home, I’m a panting, sweaty mess. And still as confused as ever about what I’ve done. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I gulp it down. Then I crumple the plastic bottle up, toss it in the garbage can and tear off my sweat-soaked t-shirt. As I’m mopping it across my forehead, someone starts pounding on my door.

Not expecting anyone, I stalk across the warehouse and throw the door open. Surprise flits through me when I see Gabriella standing there. And, does she look pissed. Her eyes widen and slide down my naked chest. I can’t help but smirk.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” I ask, leaning a shoulder against the doorframe, ridiculously pleased to see her.

“You are a first-class asshole,” she announces, sending me a death-like glare and crossing her arms which only manage to lift her perfect breasts up higher, snagging my attention. “Up here, Mr. Rossi.”

The snap in her voice turns me on and I slowly drag my focus up, remembering how delicious those mounds of flesh tasted. I meet her gaze and my smirk turns into a full-blown grin because she’s all fire and brimstone. And it’s sexy as hell. I love the way her brown eyes flash and she takes her index finger and points at me like she needs to instill her point further. She doesn’t touch me, though, and I’m a little disappointed by that. Although if she poked me with that long fingernail of hers, she’d probably do it hard enough to break skin. Or, at the very least, leave a decent mark. Just like the ones she left on my back.

I shift, my shorts growing uncomfortably snug, and cross my arms. “You seem upset,” I comment, keeping my tone light and easygoing. Which, of course, only infuriates her more.

She snorts. “Upset doesn’t even begin to cut it.”

“Why don’t you come in and we can discuss—” But she’s already pushing past me, heels clicking angrily along the floor. When she spins to face me, it’s absolutely glorious. She looks all wild-eyed like some kind of avenging angel.

“You had no right to go behind my back and do that! I spoke to you in confidence and asked for your advice, trusting that you wouldn’t use it against me.”

“I don’t recall signing an NDA,” I drawl. Of course, that makes her even more angry.

Her eyes narrow and her small hands clench into tight, little fists. “This little stunt tells me everything I need to know about you,” she hisses. “And, clearly, you can’t be trusted.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask, getting annoyed and worked up at the same time. Why is this all my fault? And why am I so damn attracted to this vixen? “If I recall correctly, you’re the one who invited me out and wanted my expert advice. So I gave it to you.”

Neither of us misses the double entendre. Because, yeah, I gave it to her good, all night long. Gabriella shakes her head and huffs out a breath.

“I trusted you,” she repeats.

“First mistake, Bri. You don’t trust anyone in the business world. You’ll end up disappointed. Probably bankrupt, too.”

“Don’t call me that,” she snaps. “You lost that privilege, Mr. Rossi.”

“Why did you run out?” I ask bluntly, unable to stop the question from leaving my mouth, wanting to get to the heart of the matter. Because it’s been bothering me more than I’d like to admit. Actually, it’s driving me fucking crazy. Normally, I have to shuffle women along and kick them out. I guess my ego is bruised. And, my stupid feelings are hurt, but I would never tell her that.

Her brow creases in confusion. “What?”

I’m not sure why my question throws her for a loop.

Moving closer, I hold her gaze, and ask again. “Why did you run out the other morning without so much as a goodbye or, hell, even a note.”

“I thought we were both under the impression that what happened between us—” She waves her hand back and forth. “—was a one-night stand.”

“It was,” I say between gritted teeth.

“Then why would I hang around? It’s not like I was expecting you to make me a farewell breakfast and then drive me home.” She tilts her head, studying me closely, expression unreadable. “Do you invite all your one-night stands to hang out the next morning?”

“No.” My voice is a low growl and I get what she’s saying. There’s no reason I should be pissed about what she did. In fact, I should be relieved.

“Then what’s your problem?”

Before she can figure out the truth, I brush her off and change the subject. “How did your meeting go with Holloway?”

Her mouth curves up. “Excellent. I hope your over-inflated ego is ready to lose Holloway Corp. to me.”

I throw my head back and laugh. Damn, she’s marvelous. Moving closer, I reach over and tip her chin up. “Don’t hold your breath, Bri.”

She pulls away and glares at me. “I said don’t call me that and don’t touch me.”

“But, I enjoy touching you. And, if I remember correctly, you like it, too.”

“I do not.”

“Liar.” When I take a step closer, she backs up. We keep it up until the back of her legs hit the coffee table and she’s momentarily trapped.

“I’m not lying. I couldn’t hate you more,” she seethes.

“I’m talking about the other night,” I say, my voice dropping and turning husky. “When my head was between your legs and my tongue was?—”

“Stop!” She shoves past me and shakes her head so hard, I see several strands pull loose from her bun. When she spins back around, I can’t help but be completely enamored by her fierceness and beauty. No doubt about it. Gabriella Bianche, although a pain in the ass, is one in a million.

In fact, I’m so attracted to her that I’m one step away from grabbing her, yanking her into my arms and kissing her senseless. Except, I have a feeling she wouldn’t appreciate that and I’d probably wind up getting slapped. But, it would be well-deserved and probably worth it. All I want to do is take back up where we left off, but she’s pretty upset. Still though, I do what I do best and push things.

“Can I ask you something?” Her response is a look that can only be described as wishing immediate death upon me. “Did you enjoy our night together?”

A muscle flexes in her cheek.

“Maybe I’m mistaken—and please correct me if I’m wrong—but when you were screaming my name, I was under the impression you were having a pretty good time.”

“You are such a jerk. Why do you keep talking about that? This isn’t about that. I told you something in confidence and then you went behind my back and stole my idea. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t be upset if I’d done the same thing to you.”

“That’s business, honey. Welcome to the big leagues.” I know it sounds callous, but it’s the truth.

“Wow. You are an even bigger asshole than I thought.”

“Why? Because I’m doing my job?”

“Because you went behind my back and you’re trying to steal my deal!”

“If you want Holloway Corp. so badly then you’ll have to beat me fair and square. I can recognize a good deal, too, you know.”

“You never would’ve known about it if it weren’t for me!”

I shrug a shoulder. “What’s your point? You want me to thank you? Just back out and hand you the sale? Forget it. That’s not how things work. I’m a businessman, first and foremost. I’d be a fool not to try and snap this up.”

“You’re definitely a fool,” she states in a very agreeable voice, and I roll my eyes. “And you never answered my question. If our roles were reversed and I did this to you, would you be upset? What would you do?”

I take a minute to ponder over what I’d do if things were the other way around. The truth is I’d turn absolutely cutthroat if someone came after the company I’d set my sights on. “I’d crush you,” I state simply.

Her eyes widen a little then she slowly nods. “Well, then I guess that’s what I’m going to do.”

“Do you have it in you? That kind of ruthlessness?” I ask, searching her fiery face. She’s so damn gorgeous, it almost hurts.

Gabriella sashays right up to me and lays her hand on my bare chest. “I think you’re forgetting who I am…who my family is and what we’re capable of,” she murmurs, voice a mere whisper. Then she twists my nipple hard and plucks out a few hairs for good measure. I flinch, watching her spin around and walk away.

Goddamn, she’s amazing.

My attention dips to her pert ass and I’m practically salivating. Gabriella grabs the door handle then pauses and glances over her shoulder. “Prepare to go down, Rossi.”

“Bring it on, baby,” I respond, rubbing my smarting nipple.

She throws me a challenging look then walks out, slamming the door behind her. While part of me is contemplating murder, another part of me thinks I might be falling in love with the spitfire. And, I’m not sure which is worse.