Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83881 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
I watched realization dawn on their faces, and they all began to laugh. Irene leaned over.
“Do you want to be rescued?” she asked in a pseudo-whisper. “I could trade places with you.”
“No, I could never ask someone to bear this torture. I must endure.” She looked at me and winked. “Besides, I like the pool at the villa, and Dante is pretty good as kidnappers go. Easy on the eyes and such. He even makes dinner on occasion.”
Again, there was a lot of laughter. George clapped me on the shoulder. “I bet she keeps you on your toes.”
“That she does,” I agreed. “I never know what she is going to say next.” I pulled her close and kissed her head. “You are going to pay for that later, Little Bee.”
“I hope so,” she whispered. “Highly sought-after? Really?”
“You are,” I insisted. “By me.”
She laughed and kissed me.
Her supposed joke broke the ice, and it set the tone for the evening. The women wanted to know about her baking, and they all chatted. I spoke to the men at length about the gallery and its direction. I had few investors left since I had bought them out, but I trusted these men, and they trusted me. It was pleasant and easy and was more social than anything. They were rarely in Naples and I was rarely in Canada, so it was good to catch up in person.
Walking home in the dark night, I wrapped my arm around her, nestling her close to my side.
“You were brilliant tonight, Brianna. Gave me a heart attack at first, but you were funny.”
“I knew they wouldn’t take me seriously. No one ever will, but what a great story. It certainly gets their attention.”
“That it does.”
Back at the condo, I poured a scotch and tugged off my tie, sitting on the sofa and looking out the glass doors. Brianna joined me, wearing the pretty robe I had bought her, her necklace still glinting at her throat.
I pulled her to my lap so she straddled me. I traced the glittering piece of jewelry.
“I’ve never had anything so beautiful,” she said.
“I want to surround you in beauty.”
Our eyes locked, and I saw her emotions clearly. There was more than lust. More than teasing. It was right below the surface, and I wondered if mine reflected the same toward her.
“Thank you for coming with me,” I murmured as I slid my hands up her legs, delving under the red silk. I cupped her ass, lifting an eyebrow. “Bare, Little Bee? Was there something you wanted?” I dipped my fingers between her legs, feeling the slick wetness of her desire. “You want more ravishing?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Here?” I asked, my cock already on board. “You want to ride me?”
She placed her lips by my ear. “I want your cock inside me, Dante. Now.”
It was the dirtiest thing I’d ever heard her say.
So I gave her exactly what she wanted.
BRIANNA
I walked around Dante’s gallery, transfixed. It was incredible. The natural light made the space bright and beautiful. The gleaming bronzes, statues, and other items were dust-free and shown off to perfection. The paintings hung in ways to draw your eye. All sorts of precious metals, jewels, and other items were stunning. I didn’t know how to take it all in. Three floors of beauty that only grew in splendor as you went higher in the building. I slowly perused the walls and display cases, no one bothering me. He had introduced me to his staff, so they knew who I was and left me alone. I put my coat and purse in Dante’s office, not taking a chance of hitting anything.
He was different here. The closer we got to the gallery, the more I felt Dante the businessman coming out. He walked faster, his shoulders straight. His suit was cut to perfection, his gait sure. He still held my hand, although he didn’t walk as close to me as before. Entering the gallery, I felt the last of my Dante fade away. His voice was cooler, stern. His posture was erect, and I felt the authority rolling off him. He was polite and charming but removed. It reminded me slightly of the first time we met, except even then, he had teased me. He escorted me to his office, set back with glass on the top floor, overlooking the entire gallery. Two security guards were on the doors, and everyone coming in was scanned. I found it a little intimidating, but he assured me the people who commissioned him to sell their art appreciated the extra measures he took.
I played a little game as I went around, trying to pick out which pieces in the gallery were his. Several were marked not for sale, but I knew a few were on loan, while some belonged to him.