Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

V alerio

As soon as I climbed out of my Maserati, Tony appeared out of the shadows. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know if Ms. Michaels will tell you but I think she had a pretty horrific meeting with her father. She was crying the entire time as I brought her home."

I studied Tony and grimaced. "I knew I should have gone with her."

"She's tough, boss. I hope you don't mind me saying that."

"Yeah, she's tough but she also was coerced into something she'd wanted no part of initially. Incidentally, what you've overheard is to be kept completely confidential. I hope I can trust you with that."

"Yes, sir. Of course you can. But I ain't blind."

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning you two are meant for each other."

I had no idea what to say to that.

He seemed flustered. "Maybe I overstepped my bounds. If I did, I'm sorry."

"Nonsense. You did nothing of the kind. Maybe you're right." I slapped him on the arm. "Get out of here and go home to your family. I appreciate you letting me know."

"Can I give you a piece of advice, Mr. Royal?"

"Sure you can." The man was ten years older and had worked in one capacity or the other for either my father or myself for years. Hell, he'd been around when I was a kid, mostly running errands at my father's office as a very young man. He had a wife, three kids, and four grandkids at this point. I could afford to and should listen to him and any advice he had to give.

"I adored your father and one reason was because he never lost sight of his family. When your mother died, he was crushed but instead of pulling away, he fought to keep the family intact. I know you didn't see it because you were so young, but it was tough on him. Even I knew it then as young as I was. And you having cancer nearly killed him."

"I appreciate you telling me that."

"What I'd trying to say is that your dad loved all of you and I know he was tough, but you didn't get to see him gushing over your mother first then staying right by her side when she was sick. He fought your stepmother coming into his life but when she did, I noticed a spark in him I thought had been buried with your mom. After he accepted he could love again, the way he doted on Mrs. Royal was something I aspired to."

I could tell by his eyes he wasn't quite finished.

"Anyway, that spark I mentioned? I've never seen it in you. Until now. That woman sobbing her heart out in there adores you and you adore her. I get why you're forming an arrangement but don't fool yourself. There's more there or the two of you wouldn't be here. Take care of her. Nurture what you already had building and for God's sake, don't let the spark die. You will never forgive yourself."

As I absorbed what he'd just said, my thoughts drifted to the beautiful woman I loved calling my cupcake. To anyone else, it would seem silly or beneath me, but Tony was right about everything. "You're a good man, Tony. And you're right. But don't tell anyone."

He laughed and nodded. "Your secret is safe with me. Good night, sir. Make her smile. That can light up a room."

"Yes, it can." I waited as he walked away, trying to figure out what to say to her. As soon as I walked inside the house, I was struck by the quiet. Selena loved music. She was almost always playing some crazy type of music or band I'd never heard of. The quiet told me far too many things.

Our deal had broken the relationship with her father. That hadn't been my intent at all.

I closed the door and headed for the kitchen, jerking off my jacket and removing my tie. Tonight, the world could fucking go to hell as far as I was concerned.

I would take care of my cupcake, the women I did adore.

After unbuttoning my shirt and rolling up the sleeves, I found a bottle of wine I knew she'd enjoyed, shoved a wine opener in my pocket, and yanked two glasses from the rack. Then I went on the hunt. I'd meant what I'd told her. I would hunt her down if she dared attempt to leave me under any circumstances.

Hell, maybe I was falling in love with her.

I finally found her in the office I'd set up for her. As soon as I walked in, I could tell how upset she was. She had her laptop and the one brought from my father's estate open, but her head was in her hands. The fact she hadn't detected my presence let me know the extent of her sadness.

I moved silently toward her desk, gently placing the wine bottle on the desk's surface.

She finally lifted her head and immediately did everything she could to hide the fact she'd been crying. With her not being vocal, her eyes imploring mine, I sensed it was bad. Very bad.

And I was furious, not just as a businessman but as a person who cared for her deeply.

Remaining quiet, I opened the wine, pouring two glasses. When I pushed one across the desk, she shook her head as if she didn't want it.

"Take it. Now."

"Why?" she asked, her voice more pitiful than I'd ever heard. "We don't have anything to celebrate."

"Yeah, we do. Life. Come with me. Do not say no. I won't accept that at all." I grabbed the bottle and headed for the door, waiting as I studied her beautiful face. All the light she emitted had been sucked out of her. All the hope she'd had for the future had been stripped away.

I'd been a part of the reason. I intended on making up for everything that had occurred and more.

If only she'd let me.

"Now, Selena. Business can wait."

"No, it can't. We need to find out who murdered your father. I need to be ready when the tests come back. We have to make a plan. What about this New York firm?"

"Everything can wait. Period."

She glanced from one screen to the other before a look of resignation crossed her face. She stood and I was fearful she'd pass out. But she sucked in her breath, grabbed her glass with a shaky hand, and followed me.

I led her to the smaller deck with a perfect view of the ocean, nodding toward one of the chairs.

While she obeyed without question, she was tenser than I'd ever seen her. I sat down beside her, placing the wine between us and allowing her some space. I hated that she was deathly quiet.

"Families can be difficult. When I was sick, my father almost never visited the hospital; my birth mother, who was still alive then, remained by my side almost one hundred percent of the time. She lost weight yet did what she could to keep a smile on her face. I developed a real hatred for my father at that point, determined never to talk to him again. I made myself a promise I'd never be like him under any circumstances. She sat me down one day just after I was released after the first remission and explained my father was a devastated man and that he'd believed he was the reason I'd gotten sick."

"Why?" she managed to ask in her small voice.

"Because his mother had cancer, his brother as well. He couldn't face what had happened to me and didn't want to see me like that. While she didn't say he was right in never coming to visit, she helped me understand my father had simply shut down. It took a long time to realize his coping skills were what they were. Unfortunately, I think I'm more like my dad than I thought I was."

She seemed thoughtful, reflective, and turned her head back toward the ocean. The next few minutes were full of silence as we enjoyed our wine. It was funny to think that all I really wanted was to have her by my side. Maybe it was cathartic more than anything. Whatever the case, I was pushed to a point that my anger needed to go away. She needed to learn she could not only trust me, but also rely on me.

"My father fired me. I think he also sent me out of his life."

Her voice was somewhat stronger but that didn't make what she was telling me any easier. But right now, I knew I had to keep my mouth shut.

"I always loved Daddy. He seemed so strong, as if he could conquer the world, but seeing the look in his eyes was just… well, it was soul crushing. It was like I was betraying everything. Him as a man, as my boss, and as his daughter. I haven't been able to think or even breathe since I saw it."

I reached over, doing nothing more than taking her hand into mine, surprised when she allowed the gesture.

"I'm sorry, honey. I didn't intend for that to happen."

"I know you didn't, Valerio. You might be many things, but you've never been cruel to me at least. I'm a big girl and I made the decision not because you forced me but because I wanted to. It took me until a little while ago to realize that. I don't know what to make of it or what you think, but I want to be your wife. Maybe just short term but it makes me happy. So does finding the monster who did this."

"I don't ever want to force you to do anything you don't want to do."

She twisted in her seat so she could study me. "I promise you that you're not. I just… I just feel a bit lost. I hope you understand I'm not all together right now. But I'll regroup."

I pulled her hand to my lips, kissing her knuckles. "Baby. You can do anything you want or don't want and I'll support you. We are in this together. Okay?"

"Okay. I believe you."

"Can you trust me?"

She brushed hair from her face and nodded. "I think I trust you more than I do myself."

"Don't be so hard on that cupcake girl of mine. You're pretty special. Now, come here."

"I am here."

"Right here." I pointed to my lap and she flushed the cutest shade of pink.

She purposely took a couple of sips of wine, ignoring me as if she could do that for long. I allowed it until I couldn't take it any longer, taking her glass and mine and placing them on the side table. Without hesitation, I pulled her into my lap and when I did, she laughed.

"What is this?"

"This is called me giving a shit about you, my sweet Selena. You are a rock but right now, I'm going to comfort you."

She pressed her hand on my chest and gave me a slightly saucy smile. "What if I want more?"

My nostrils flared from the way she was tempting me. "Be careful what you ask for."

"Mmm… I'll keep that in mind." She lowered her head slowly as I'd done with her so many times, enjoying teasing me by keeping her lips just close enough, my hunger exploded off the charts.

Yet the moment she finally acquiesced to our intense attraction, allowing them to touch, I pressed my hand on the back of her head. I wanted to taste her, protect her, and most of all, I wanted to make love to her.

Yes, she was mine but not just for a year.

Forever.

Selena

For as devastated as I'd been, to be sitting on Valerio's lap, feeling the heat of his body, I almost melted. Maybe it was an inappropriate response given the way my father had acted.

Or the fact my mother had refused to take my three phone calls. Whatever the case, at least this man, the least likely in my mind to give a shit, obviously did. I could easily tell when someone was playing me.

Or lying.

He wasn't.

I needed him right now more than I cared to admit and the kiss was amazing, but his possessive hold was exactly what I needed. It was as if he was more committed than ever to keep me safe and to do what he could to make me happy.

Not all women were that lucky.

He swept his tongue inside, tenderness exuding from every pore in his body. But there was a building fire as always between us, a need that transfixed and overshadowed everything else. To see him break from his shell, more determined than ever to make me a part of his life was incredible.

And enlightening.

I was falling for this man. For good, for bad. For richer and poorer. I'd meant what I'd said to my father. I wanted to be with this man more than I wanted almost anything else.

So, for a few hours I'd allow myself to shove aside the heartbreak.

As the intimacy turned into utter fevered need, I squirmed on his lap, completely aware he was fully aroused. With my hand still on his heart, I noticed it was beating as rapidly as mine. It was crazy how I felt with him, so freeing.

He sucked on my tongue, making tiny primal noises that kept me electrified. I'd never been kissed like this before, a man sucking all the air from my lungs. I tangled my fingers in his hair, savoring the precious moments of just being with him. Was I still a little crazy, especially in turning my back on my family? Maybe, but they didn't understand and I couldn't seem to find the right words to explain it to them.

Instead, I basked in the glory of the moment, unable to keep from reaching inside his shirt, marveling in the heat coming from his body. I could hear a moan ripping from my throat, even though he caught it.

When he rose onto his feet with ease with me still in his arms, there was no resistance on my part. I wanted him with every synapse of my being. As he carried me inside, he took his time, never breaking the kiss. He seemed to know his way around the house instinctively, heading down the hall to his bedroom, not mine. Once inside, he gently eased me onto the bed, crawling beside me and planting his hands on either side of me.

How could such a ruthless man act so gentle? I was marveling in every moment while I unbuttoned his shirt, ripping it from the tight confines of his pants. When I pressed both hands on his chest, only then did he pull away, both of us gasping for air.

"What do you want, cupcake?" He was breathless, perhaps more so than I was.

"Everything."

"Then that's what you'll have." He backed away, ripping off his shirt and shoes, tossing the items aside before kneeling on the bed, wasting no time in ripping off my shirt as well. His hands fell on top of mine as I struggled to unfasten my jeans, tearing them off along with my thong with ease.

When I was fully naked, he crushed his full body weight on mine, shifting back and forth to tease me while his eyes twinkled.

"Don't tease me or else," I murmured.

"Hmm… I accept the challenge." While he repeated the move, he kissed my cheek. Then my chin. And as he moved along the side of my neck, I fisted his hair with one hand, the comforter with the other. Yes, it was sinful he was still wearing his trousers but he was still the sexiest man alive.

As he peppered my chest with kisses, taking his time, I closed my eyes and lolled my head. Nothing should feel this amazing. A smile finally crossed my face as the tension began to ease. I was lost in the sweet moment while he continued his intimate trail, alternating between rough licks and more powerful kisses. When he reached my legs, I almost stiffened but was able to laugh since he was tickling my skin.

"I plan on feasting for hours," he growled.

"We might get a little hungry."

"Oh, you're the perfect food."

Why did he seem to know exactly what to say when I needed something special the most?

And why was it that every part of me felt as if I'd been lost and he'd found me, rescuing the woman I'd ignored and had hated for all these years?

Perhaps because I was falling in love with him.