CHAPTER NINE

GIANNA

W hat? No.

Braxton is leaving the country.

He can't leave. I don't want him to go.

Panic slices through me as I try to think of a million reasons he should stay.

What about being pregnant? Fuck, that's physically impossible to know right at this moment and that would be a bitchy thing to say. I don't want to trap him. I want him to stay, and he was just about to ask to see me again.

He wants me too.

Think, Gianna. Think.

I could confess my love. I'm not, but I am in love with his sensational cock. And the way he works his mouth over me is very lovable. And as fucked up as it sounds, I love that he's not slithering on the floor under my feet wanting something from me.

Except my body.

Many women would hate it. Me? It's the biggest turn-on ever and I don't want him to disappear before I've enjoyed all that we are to its fullest potential.

One night was not enough.

The entire shipment? That's four hundred million fucking dollars.

I overheard some of his conversation and saw James lift a brow. He doesn't trust Braxton, but it's his job to distrust everyone who comes near me. It might be why he announced my father wanted me home. I know it's not worth arguing over. But I'm not without ideas of my own, and I've learned to manipulate situations to survive in this tough world I was born into.

But if he's just going for one or two days, then perhaps I can wait.

"It could be months. A large trade has been...interfered with." Braxton answers as he glances around.

A month?

No, damn way.

Braxton is my new...sex toy. Actually, I'd even go so far as to say I really like this man. He's broody, unavailable, and independent of my family.

In other words, perfect.

I tug him toward my car and indicate to James, who opens the door for us. Braxton climbs in after me.

"Giana, I have to book flights," he says, his hand sliding between my thighs. "Kidnapping me is fucking sexy but not today, sweetheart."

"Maybe you should kidnap me?" I smile innocently, fluttering my lashes.

He cups my pussy. "You trying to get me killed?"

I giggle.

Lord, I never giggle.

"Keep looking this sexy and I might just kidnap you," he purrs as his tongue drags down my neck.

"Come home with me." I suddenly blurt out.

He straightens and stares at me in surprise.

"So your father can kill me quickly? No thanks, princess."

I shake my head at him. "No. I heard what you were saying. I know it's none of my business, but perhaps my father can help."

God, what am I doing?

This is the opposite of what I want...and yet the thought of him climbing out of the car and out of my life has my heart pounding.

Braxton sits back against the leather and places an elbow on the window. Then turns to me. "Gianna I like you. Last night was fucking incredible. I'll be back in a month. Maybe two. Three tops."

Three?! God no.

I chew my lip unhappily.

"I will call you, take you for dinner. Like I should have."

Heat caresses over my skin as I take in his words.

Like I should have.

As if he feels he should have courted me. Is there something here between us? I thought I'd imagined the way I felt when he entered me. Clearly, I wasn't alone in my feelings.

I'm pretty sure a man like Braxton is a fuck-and-run guy. Yet here he is, promising to wine and dine me.

Before I overthink this, I reach out and place my hand on his thigh. "Come for dinner. Meet him, then if you feel comfortable, I will let you men talk."

Braxton stares at me for a long while, and I can almost see the wheels of his brain going a hundred miles an hour.

For the first time in my life I am happy to use my father when it comes to a man.

This man.

"Tell me why." He demands in a husky voice, his steel-blue eyes flickering.

I hesitate.

"Tell me why, Gianna."

"I want to see you again," I whisper.

"I want to taste you again," he replies, dragging my hand over his rock-solid cock.

"Then it's a win-win." I smile.

"How exactly do you see this going? Are you going to tell Frank ‘The Fire' Baldassare that I'm the man who fucked you all night?" Braxton asks with a single brow raised.

Shit.

He has a point.

"I'll tell him we've been dating." I remove my hand and twist my body. "It will be beneficial if he thinks you have feelings for me."

"I'm not fucking using you," he growls. "I might be involved with nefarious shit, but I will not lie to your father."

I want to kiss this man.

So I do.

I reach up and grab his face. "Convince my father you love me, and he might very well let you do anything you please."

I'm well aware I'm doing the exact thing I hate—men using me. But this time, I'm doing it for myself. I want Braxton and am using both of them for my pleasure.

God, it feels great.