Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

S elena

Asshole.

Jerkoff.

I was still fuming by the time I got back to my apartment. However, the first thing I did was call my father. I hadn't been able to admit what an idiot I'd been. It was far too embarrassing. I'd simply accepted the job with some caveats that he and I could talk about later. I was too angry to go over them on the phone.

But Daddy had been thrilled.

I'd also pushed off any concept of a start date for a solid week. I needed time to phase out at the bakery and get my shit together.

I also wanted time to spend on learning everything I could about Progressive Media.

And Valerio's father.

And Valerio.

"Gah," I hissed and the moment I turned around, I was forced to stare at the box that had been on my doorstep when I'd arrived back from the infamous lunch.

It was from him.

Him, the man who'd lied to me. Okay, he hadn't technically lied. We'd both agreed not to share our names, but I had no doubt he'd known who I was.

But what if he hadn't?

Nope. I wasn't going to think that way.

As I continued pacing the floor, I found myself drawing closer and closer to the table where the box was sitting. What in God's name had the man sent me?

Oh, fine. I needed to know so I could send it back, maybe after cutting whatever it was to ribbons. I stormed into the kitchen, grabbing a pair of scissors from one of the drawers. When I returned to the living room, I attacked the box as if whatever was inside needed to be killed.

How dare the man make an ultimatum at the end? How dare he think I was going to wait for him?

Then what are you doing?

"Shut up, little voice." I stabbed at the box, uncertain if I cared whether or not I damaged whatever it was. When I noticed the special box located inside the cardboard exterior shipping box, I was more floored than I'd admit to anyone.

Intimissimi was one of the more expensive ladies' lingerie stores in the city. I found myself staring at a coat-size box for a solid five minutes before finding the courage to lift the lid. The lovely tissue paper was carefully positioned and folded. Why were my hands shaking as I peeled both sides away?

Unless he'd gone shopping right after our fight in the restaurant, he'd ordered whatever was nestled inside earlier.

I sucked in my breath as a series of vivid colors splashed into my periphery of vision. "Oh, my God."

As I held up likely the sexiest lace bra I'd ever owned and a matching pair of panties, I felt a bead of perspiration forming. The dazzling plum was only one of…

"Shit."

The man had purchased a dozen sets, all in different colors. Was he kidding me? What had Valerio thought he would accomplish?

I couldn't help myself, brushing my fingertips across the dazzling array, hating myself for doing so. This was… He was…

Oh, God.

Sexy.

Infuriating.

Dangerous.

Merciless.

Every attribute spelled disaster. I flew to my laptop I'd placed on the kitchen table and thumped down in the chair. I'd brought a pad and pen from my even more crowded little office, determined to make a list of all the unscrupulous things Valerio, his father and brothers had done to achieve such tremendous success. I'd compare notes with the financial sheets and other contract information my dad was going to send later in the day.

The one thing my father had taught me from day one was when you had an enemy, find their weakness and exploit it. I had a feeling the sexy clubs might be his. It took me a little while, but I finally found a link to one of them.

For the most part, you had to be a member of their club or have been a previous guest to obtain a log-in code that would give you access to anything more than the glossy website with limited photographs.

"Royal Players Club," I whispered.

Of course, the Royal boys would highlight their best features including the resort and outlying buildings, the fabulous Caribbean Ocean waters skimming a perfectly pearlescent shoreline. And the flowering trees and shrubs, with thousands of flowers, were a sight to behold.

Five stars all the way, at least from what they identified on the main page.

Top chefs.

All the amenities you could ever want.

Both islands were accessible by the small airports and by boat.

I bet the boys made a fortune. Forget about the wealth management firm. They touted among their hundreds of clients Hollywood celebrities, multimillion-dollar recording artists, corporate moguls and even politicians, some flying in from states across the country.

The men were millionaires several times over. All three were also considered the most eligible bachelors certainly in San Diego, likely all of California, and maybe every state west of the Mississippi.

The three had been on the cover of Fortune Magazine not once but twice. Where the hell had I been?

Not paying any attention.

That had been my issue working with my father before, maybe because he'd kept me busy with grunt work. No longer.

The knock on the door startled me more than I cared to admit and a part of me wanted to ignore both the sound and the man. I knew Valerio was standing on the other side of the door.

I could smell his venom while sitting in the kitchen.

Did he really think he was going to convince me to go away with him?

Fat chance in hell.

Maybe having another chance to make that perfectly clear would suit my mood. I wasn't some poodle who would follow the man blindly.

I took long strides to the door, throwing it open.

He was turned around to face the opposite direction, still in the same dress clothes he'd been wearing at the restaurant.

"What do you want?" I demanded, taken aback by his sinful and powerful cologne.

As he slowly turned around, I tried not to react, but it was tough.

Especially since he had a rose in his mouth. One beautiful and probably perfect rose. Very slowly he removed it, twirling the stem as he crowded my space.

"Don't push me or I'll call the police," I snapped, slapping my hand against his chest. Why did he have to look so damn good?

"Please do. I'd love to hear what you plan on telling them."

The man was positively infuriating. I tried to keep my resolve but if I didn't step away from him, I'd become drunk on the scent alone.

The moment I took a step backwards, he took advantage, coming inside and slamming the door. He glanced quickly at the box of goodies, grinning as if he had won a point or five in some vicious game we were playing. When he held the rose in front of me, it was all I could do not to use it to slap him across the face.

If only it had thorns.

I took it, involuntarily taking a deep whiff. The gesture I would have considered lovely just a day ago. Not now. If it did have thorns, I had a feeling he'd poison the tips.

He glanced around my apartment with obvious distaste. "I think we need to start over."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"You're hardheaded."

"You're a liar."

"I am no such thing and if you stop being angry with me for long enough, you'll figure it out. Are we destined to be friends given who our fathers are? That's up to you, Selena."

"Well, we're certainly not going to be anything else."

"I have no intention of being your enemy. We work in the same industry. That doesn't mean we can't work together."

"Are you crazy?" I folded my arms across my chest, giving him a haughty look. "Your father is out to destroy mine. I've seen the accounts. I know he's trying to steal several contacts my father worked hard to obtain. I am not. Going. To. Allow. That." To add emphasis, I pressed my index finger against his chest.

He slowly lowered his head, that sexy grin highlighting his dimples I'd adored before and hated now.

"Likely, cupcake. I see you received my gift. I'm glad. Every color will look marvelous on you."

"Take them back."

"Not going to happen. I ruined your bra and I am a man of my word."

"Like you have honor?" I threw at him.

"I do have honor, Selena. Maybe that's tough for you to fathom in the business world and not your cupcake business but I assure you that if you want to be successful, you need to garner respect. The best way of doing that is to have honor."

I stared at him incredulously. "I'll take that under advisement. Now, get out."

"That's another thing that isn't going to happen, at least until I'm good and ready to leave. Now, I need to ask you, what do you think you're going to be doing at your father's business? Baking cupcakes?"

He was goading me, his eyes sparkling as he challenged me to a duel. I refused to take the bait. "Very funny, tough guy. I have an MBA in business with minors in marketing and finance. I think I'll handle his business just fine."

"I'm impressed. Not just a pretty face."

"It's a shame all you are is one yourself."

"Oh, how touching," Valerio said as he pressed his hand against his chest. "I feel honored."

"Don't be. Even some snakes have an attractive face."

"Ouch."

I even hated his laugh right now, maybe because it was causing the same intense reaction as the night before. Hunger. It was spiraling out of control and I had a bad feeling he could smell my desire from where he was standing.

I was a sicko.

He continued to crowd my space until there was nowhere to go unless I wanted to fall on my back across the couch.

"Just get out," I managed.

"Nope." He dared to lower his head, breathing a hot swath of air across my face. God, was everything about him sinfully incredible? Even his breath smelled like peppermint. "Here's how it's going to be, cupcake."

I hadn't expected the bastard's actions. He cupped my face, his large fingers highlighting his strength. Then without hesitation or asking me if that's what I wanted, he captured my mouth.

The kisses from the night before had been passionate, but this one was… breathtaking. There was really no other way to describe it. The way he was controlling my mouth was amazing, dominating every inch, especially my tongue.

First, I smashed my fist against his chest with all my might but he wasn't letting go. Although when I almost wiggled out of his hold, he used his other hand to fist a section of my hair.

Who was this guy, some Neanderthal?

As much as I fought it, I was pushed into the same indulgent feelings I'd had the night before, wanting to be close to him. However, the nagging voice in the back of my mind reminded me several times that nothing good would come of it.

He was irresistible in so many ways, perhaps even more so now that I knew who he was.

Or maybe I should say what he was.

As my mother might have said in her day, he was a cad.

I almost choked from the thought, suddenly realizing in the flutter of rippling passion, I'd dropped the rose.

While I had no idea how long the extreme intimacy had lasted, the moment he pulled away, I had two distinct desires.

To slap him and to pull him in for another kiss.

I did neither, backing away and pressing my hand across my lips as if disgusted.

He was obviously happy he'd caught me by surprise, taking a deep breath as if he couldn't get enough of my perfume.

"Are you curious about the deal I have for you?"

"Not in the least. I suggest you go before things get ugly."

He laughed. "You're going to play hardball. I like that even more than the provocative cupcake girl. So, be ready tomorrow at eight in the morning."

"For what?"

"You're going away with me, so pack a bag. And I assure you that I won't take no for an answer."

"Where?" I don't know why I bothered to ask. I had no intention of going anywhere with him.

"Paradise."

"I'm not going anywhere with you, especially to some kink club."

"That's exactly what you're going to do, my little cupcake. Which is something I can tell you've been craving much like I was craving sweet and creamy buttercream frosting. Once we're there, I assure you that you will surrender to me in every way imaginable."

Yes, he'd stunned me for all of three seconds but the moment he'd walked out the door, acting more like the arrogant ass I knew him to be, I rushed toward the table, grabbing the box of lingerie and pitching it against the door.

Great. Now I'd been reduced to throwing tantrums.