Chapter 1Ciara

Chapter 1

Ciara

Lying here in the dark thinking about my best friend's wedding and that irritating brute Luca, made me so irritated. I have never met a more insufferable man in my entire twenty-nine-year existence. And trust me, I have met quite a few men. It started with the walk up the aisle as he insisted that we locked arms. Having us walk up together was a last-minute decision due to Alessandro's addition to the wedding party, so it was never planned or rehearsed.

As he locked arms with me, the remark he made in my ear made me want to kick him in the nuts. "It will be us next, so try catching the bouquet."

That sonofabitch implied that we'd be getting married next. Then he had the audacity to tell everyone that would listen that I was his girl, following me around like a lost puppy. My trying to shake him was like someone trying to get rid of their own shadow, that was how he stuck to me all day. It wasn't like we were dating. Since that moment in the kitchen when I told him to back away, we hadn't had another moment until the wedding.

Things had been hectic with Neve grieving the loss of her baby while planning the wedding and assisting Nando with starting his business expansion. I was there with her every step of the way to hold her hand, be her admin assistant, her sister, and her friend. Sometimes I even played the role of her mother. I didn't even have the time to take a piss, let alone to think about Luca, who had returned to Chicago to take care of business. Since Sam had come to replace him, I thought he wasn't coming back. I had no idea that the bastard was still interested in me. I had no time for a relationship either, and was solely concentrating on being an integral part of Ferdinando's team.

I accompanied Sam on a few missions, and I could see that he had eyes only for Nieja, who was in a relationship with the owner of the reception venue. How long that relationship would last was yet to be seen. Neve and I had a bet that it wouldn't last past eight months, six of which were already gone. If things go my way, I'll be a thousand bucks richer in two months.

I must have fallen asleep because a knock at my bedroom door drew me out of a very sexy dream with a masked hunk who had a man bun and beard. He'd just licked my clit while rubbing his thick dick when the knock startled me.

"Damn it," I cursed under my breath. "I can't even catch a damn break, even in my sleep."

"Ciara," Cory knocked and called my name. "There's a man here to see you."

"What time is it?" I yelled, stretching and swinging my feet off the bed.

"It's nine," Cory replied. "I'm heading out to my study group."

Picking up my robe, I held it in front of me as I rushed to the door and yanked it open. I had some amount of pride in not wanting my brother to see me in a state of semi-nudeness. Usually I wouldn't care, but it wasn't appropriate for him to see me in this particular sleepwear which imprinted my pussy too well.

"It's Sunday, why are you meeting your study group today?"

"Because I couldn't meet them yesterday … the wedding and all, we agreed to meet today," he informed me casually. "I'll be back before noon."

"Did you eat?"

He nodded. "I made breakfast. I left you a portion. See ya."

"See you later."

And just like that he was off. It was when I turned around to head back to bed, tossing the robe away, that I recalled him telling me there was a man there to see me. Who the hell dares show up at my apartment without notice? I was no introvert, but I loved my sleep. Only Neve and Nieja were allowed to show up unannounced, and neither of them were of the male species. I was curious to see who possessed the balls to do this on a Sunday morning no less.

I stomped down the passage in my bare feet, my boobs jiggling like jelly under my t-shirt. I didn't give a fuck that I was wearing my shortest shorts where my ass was feeling the breeze, and my pussy was half hanging out. Upon reaching the door I paused to control my irritation, but it didn't work so I yanked the door open, only to see Luca standing there.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked.

Luca gave me a sheepish grin while brushing past me as though he owned the damn place. "Good morning to you too."

"What the hell'r you doing?" I was shocked that he waltzed into my living room without an invitation, setting a bag and cup holder on the coffee table. "Get the fuck out now."

"I brought you breakfast. Thought you might be tired after yesterday."

"My brother already made me breakfast," I replied with a sweet smile, my voice dripping with honey. "So, you may stuff your breakfast up your ass."

After setting the food on the coffee table, he straightened and met my stare. Without breaking the gaze, he started moving towards the door … or so I thought, until he came up to me, his body too damn close. With our eyes still locked, he moved even closer, but I would be damned if I coward away from him. I stood my ground, my heart starting a slow heavy drumming that reverberated in my ear.

"Listen closely sweet cheeks," he murmured. "I don't know what your deal is, but the more you sass me, the more turned on I get."

"You crazy pervert," I hissed. "Get outta my house."

"Not until I've eaten," he hummed. "I'm starved, and it appears you won't let me eat you."

The bastard leaned over and kissed my cheek before turning and sauntering back to the coffee table. Damn, his lips burned my skin and left a tingle there … as well as other places that I wish not to mention. With my anger boiling over, I slammed the door and stomped to the kitchen to get my breakfast as I too was hungry.

The smell of bacon and waffles aroused my appetite but when I walked over to the stove and saw what my brother left me, I wanted to gag. The bugger made oatmeal with raisins and cut up apples. I hated oatmeal and he knew it. Where the hell was the bacon and waffles coming from? Marching back to the living room, I found Luca eating – waffles and bacon. I stood there for a moment, not knowing what to do. I couldn't eat the oatmeal because I just wouldn't be able to get it down.

Without an iota of remorse for how I treated him earlier, I walked over to the sofa. "Scoot over and hand me my breakfast."

With a smirk he picked up the bag with the food and handed it to me, along with a coffee.

I took it and said, "Thanks."

In silence the both of us ate our breakfast, while I mulled over the fact that he knew exactly what I liked. Waffles, bacon, eggs, fruit bowl and coffee with just a tad of cream and one sugar. This was either creepy or sweet, that Luca knew this. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I did enjoy the food. After I'd finished eating, I emptied the coffee cup and set it on the table.

"How much do I owe you?"

He'd finished and leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed. "A kiss would cover it."

I chuckled as I leaned close to his face, our noses almost touching. "My kisses are way more expensive, certainly worth more than a measly breakfast."

Before he could respond, the doorbell buzzed. I laughed at the look on his face as I stepped back and hopped to the door. I was surprised to see Alessandro standing there, his good eye trailing lazily over me before coming back to meet mine.

"Alessandro, what are you doing here?"

Luca moved up behind me. "Yes, what are you doing here?"

"I don't see that as any of your business," Alessandro replied. "But I'm here to see Ciara."

"About?" Luca demanded.

I turned to Luca, "Step back and stay out of this. Come in Alessandro."

"Call me Sandy," he said as he stepped through the door.

I trotted back to the sofa and grabbed Luca's jacket that he'd thrown over the backrest. "You, get out."

"What did I do?" he protested as I pushed him towards the door.

"You exist," I grinned as I beckoned Sandy inside and pushed Luca out. "Bye!"

"That wasn't necessary," Sandy said, jutting his head towards the door. "I should have called first, but I don't have your number."

"What can I do for you?" I asked, inviting him to sit.

I was still wearing my shorts and t-shirt, not giving a shit that his eyes constantly strayed to my crotch and boobs. I knew what my body did to the opposite sex, but that wasn't my problem. So long as they didn't touch me without consent, we were good.

"Look, I spent my life working for Mercado and haven't been around many women, so what I'm about to ask you is quite embarrassing."

I narrowed my eyes, ready to give him a piece of my mind, but I wanted to hear where he was taking this. "What are you talking about?"

"My friend is getting married, and he insist that I bring a date. I was wondering if you'd accompany me."

I relaxed my shoulders and threw my head back, roaring with laughter at the sheepish look on his face. The man looked mean as the devil, yet here he was looking like a little kid who has never kissed a girl. His skin turned to the color of cranberry sauce as I continued to laugh at his discomfort.

"Yes," I answered. "I'll be your date."