Reckless (Bertoli Crime Family #2) (18 page)

"I'm damn sure going to try," Tomasso said, gasping when I reached underneath and massaged his prostate some. "Keep that up, though, and I'm not going to have a chance."

I winked at him, then let go of his cock and straddled his waist again, my breasts pressing against his face, encouraging him as I reached back and took him and positioned it at my back entrance. "Don't worry, I'm ready."

He nodded and wrapped his lips around my left nipple as I eased myself down, the momentary flash of stretching pain giving way to deep, rumbling pleasure as I sank down on his cock. We both groaned as my ass stretched and was filled by him while his lips sent sparks through my chest. I gasped when I was all the way impaled, rising up and settling back down, stretching me the rest of the way.

We started slow, his cock filling me over and over in slow motion, each inch rubbing that secret point inside me that sent dark fire through my body and straight to my heart and brain. “Oh . . .”

He smiled as my hips lifted and sank on their own, and I started to plunge myself faster and faster, Tomasso and me looking in each other's eyes as his cock filled me again and again. My clit rubbed against his hard stomach as I rode him, the dual sensations leaving my mind whirling. In the middle of the maelstrom, there was Tomasso, his breath coming faster and faster as I clenched around him. He encouraged me, his hands supporting me as I let my inner passions run wild.

We were both crying out, gasping in pleasure, and I knew I couldn't hold out much longer.

"Come for me," he groaned, his hands tweaking my nipples as I lost all control. I clenched one last time as I sank down, screaming in pleasure as I came again, my ass and clit combining to send me into a delirious seizure of climax. I felt him shudder underneath me, his cock swelling, and in an instant, I was complete and in the arms of the man I loved.

I sagged against him, both of us sweating and gasping, not wanting to get up. "That . . . was incredible," I whispered in his ear.

“It was amazing,” Tomasso said, holding me close. I could hear the emotion in his voice and breathing. "I love you."

"I love you too."

I
looked
down on the sleeping form of my daughter, feeling a tear form in eye as I looked at her beautiful hair and button nose that she'd inherited from her mother. Leaning over, I gave her a kiss on the temple and stood up, wiping away the tear. "Good night, Princess. Daddy's gotta go to work, but I'll be back in the morning to make sure you get breakfast."

My Julia yawned and turned over in her sleep, warm and content in the little one-piece outfit that we dressed her in. I found her teddy bear, a gift from her grandfather, and tucked it next to her, where she laid her tiny little hand over it. I watched for another moment before leaving, smiling as I came into the bedroom and found Luisa waiting for me. "She's sleeping well."

"She knows that she's being taken care of," my beautiful wife said, kissing me on the cheek. "Margaret is going to do a great job making sure Julia's taken care of tonight. In fact, I think she's looking forward to it. Remember how much she was beaming at dinner?"

I chuckled and reached up, fixing Luisa's tie. She always wore a suit when the two of us worked together, and she knew I loved how sexy she looked in it. "You're sure you want to do this?" I asked, brushing a speck of dust off her collar. "You know you don't have to."

"Have you ever looked up what the name Luisa means?" she asked, a smirk on her beautiful features.

"No, can’t say that I have,” I admitted, tempted to pull her close and kiss her deeper. I didn't. There wasn't enough time to do what I would have wanted if we did. “Does it mean perfection?” I teased.

"Close, but your flattery isn't quite right," Luisa said, patting my chest and checking my tie. "It means 'great warrior.' Now, how am I supposed to sit around on my ass all the time with a name like that?"

"You're going to make a great Mafia queen some day," I chuckled in reply. The two of us left the nursery that was next to my rooms in the house and headed into the main hallway, where I found Aunt Margaret already waiting. "Your niece is sleeping soundly with Mr. Bear."

"That's good," Margaret said, smiling. "I actually have some work to get done tonight, so I guess I'll be using her diaper table for my laptop. How're you two feeling?"

"I'm good," I said, rolling my neck. "My wife didn't break my neck today in practice—just twisted it a little."

"I was just trying to squeeze his head some, make sure it doesn't get too big," Luisa joked in reply, causing Margaret to laugh. "But we're feeling good. Thankfully, Julia still likes mid-afternoon naps."

"Those are a blessing," Margaret said. "I caught one myself, only an hour or so, but if the princess wakes up, well, I'm not exactly in my twenties any longer."

"You still look twenty-nine to me," I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "But seriously, thanks for looking out for Julia tonight."

"We're a family. It's what we do."

Luisa and I headed downstairs, stopping in the kitchen to arm ourselves. "So what's the job tonight?"

I smiled, knowing my wife knew exactly what the job was. She just liked to act that way so that we would go over it before going to work. "Not a big deal. Some punk named Teddy Maguire, who's bringing in some bad shit to the University District, trying to peddle some doctored-up study drugs to the college students."

Luisa shook her head in good humor, perplexed by the American obsession with drugs. "Like some Adderall or whatever it is he's calling it can replace decent study and a good night's sleep. In any case, we find him and?"

"And put the fear of God in his heart. Or at least the fear of the Bertolis. Seattle and Tacoma aren’t welcome zones for him. The pistols are just in case he gets stupid," I said, handing Luisa her Beretta. "You ready?"

"Ready," she said, sliding it into her holster. "By the way, after work, you mind if we stop off at the Starlight Club?"

"The Starlight? Why?" I asked, grinning a familiar smile at the little play. We had gotten into a habit of it, and it was a great way to blow off some steam after a night's work.

"I think I'd like to dance a little for my husband. I'm sure Terry can get us a VIP room—don't you think?"

"I'm sure. One question, though. What are we going to do when your brother gets here next week?"

Luisa shrugged and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "We'll figure out something. I'm just glad that my dad is trying to make amends for his behavior last time you were in Brazil."

We left the house and went out to our car. "Hey, who's driving tonight?"

Luisa held up her hand. "I believe it’s my turn. You drove last time."

"No way. You drove last time. I'm sure of it," I replied, smiling.

She crossed her hands over her chest and raised an eyebrow at me. "So how should we settle this?"

"Rock, paper, scissors?"

My lovely wife considered it, then nodded. "Deal. Ready? 1 . . . 2 . . .”

I
squirmed
beneath the silken sheets, the last vestiges of an earth-shattering orgasm coursing through my sweat-covered limbs. My breasts rose and fell below the sheets as I tried to catch my breath and regain control. After a while, my racing pulse slowly started to calm down as the tremors slowly receded. At last, a sigh escaped my lips as my body was flooded by a rush of hormones.

It was always this way.

He takes me, ravaging my body for everything that it’s worth . . . and then leaves. It’s a game he plays. He wants to leave me in a state of desperation, aching for more of his touch. Aching to feel his lips all over my body. He leaves, knowing that I’ll still be there when he comes back, wanting every piece of him.

Bastard.

I should’ve left him. I had every right to. But whenever I think I’ve finally had enough, I make up reasons why I can’t. Maybe it’s because he's one of the richest men in the country. Maybe it’s that incredible swagger or that cocky grin that says he can fuck any woman he wants. Or maybe it’s because I like feeling his eight-inch cock plowing through me like no tomorrow.

The truth is, being with him is a huge ego boost for a girl like me. He’s handsome, powerful and mysterious, and I’m a small town girl with dreams of becoming big in the fashion world. Being with him is downright intoxicating. Addicting. And I can never get enough.

There’s just one problem . . . he’s my stepbrother.

A
fool
. That’s what my mother has always called me for choosing a career in the fashion industry. Why can’t I aspire to work in a real industry with more stability? She’d ask.

“Because that’s always been my dream, Mother,” I’d say.

“Well, sorry to tell you, sweetheart, but dreams don’t pay the bills.”

Then she’d go on to berate me, telling me how much of a mistake I was making with my life. It got so bad that after I graduated from college and got a job as a personal assistant for one of the most popular designers in the city, Christine Finnerman, we had a huge falling out. I don’t know what it was with her and my pursuing my dream of fashion.

Every day, she would call me to tell me that it wasn’t too late to turn around and do something else with my life. She would offer alternatives to my career choice—all of which I hated with a passion. For a while I put up with her not-so-subtle suggestions, but I was infuriated every second that I had to listen to her complaining, and it took great effort to hold it all in. I mean, isn’t it a parent’s duty to encourage their child's hopes, dreams and aspirations? Not so for my mother. She seemed to take a special kind of glee in telling me I was doing it all wrong.

Finally, I could take no more. The feelings that I’d been holding back had boiled over and I soon started getting into shouting matches with my mother, saying things better left unsaid. Of course, none of these arguments ever ended well, and we ended up not speaking to each other for weeks at a time.

It was so bad that when her wedding came about, I didn't go. She was marrying some filthy rich guy that she'd callously divorced my father for.

I figured if she thought I was such a failure, then she wouldn’t want me showing up at her wedding, embarrassing her in front of her high-class guests.

In truth, I also didn’t go because I was still angry about the divorce. My mother had up and left my dad without so much as an explanation, simply stating that she wasn’t happy in her marriage and hadn’t been for a very long time. I thought it had more to do with the new man she was seeing, who had a far, far larger bank account.

After all, my mom has always had a taste for the finer things in life, you understand.

It didn’t seem to hurt my father, however, since he had a new girlfriend half his age within a week of the divorce. My father, it seemed, had already been dipping his toes in the younger pool way before things turned south in his marriage. Perhaps it was the real reason why Mother left him. Whatever the case, despite being angry about the divorce, I didn’t approve of my father’s behavior either. The girl he was with was around my age and dumb as a sack of potatoes. To make matters worse, he had plans to marry her and start a family. Out of distaste, I started shunning my father’s company as well, because when it came down to it, I couldn’t tolerate a girl that was basically the same age as me being my stepmother.

So here I am, in a big city, parentless, with only my dreams and aspirations to guide me.

* * *

A
sharp voice
snapped me to attention.

“Where is my coffee?”

I froze, a stack of papers filled with clothing designs, measurements and fashion models bundled in my arms. Slowly, I turned around to see Christine Finnerman, my boss, leaning against her desk, her palm resting against the polished wood. She impatiently tapped on her desk with her immaculate nails, making a clack, clack, clack sound.

As usual, she was dressed as sharp as a tack. A white dress wrapped around her matronly frame, fitting her like a glove, and a shiny black belt circled her waist, giving her shapely figure a va-voom appearance. She was wearing black glossy heels I’d contemplate killing my mother for, and not one bit of her shoulder-length hair, which is a striking pepper gray, was out of place.

“I’m sorry, Christine,” I said when I could finally manage, trying to push down the anxiety that was suddenly rushing up my throat. “I was just about to get it. I didn’t expect you to arrive ten minutes early.”

Christine eyed me with contempt reserved for a dog. “One should always be prepared for the unexpected, especially in this industry.” She paused for dramatic effect.
Hurry up
. I swear she spoke the last words with her mouth closed.

“Right away.”

Scrambling in my three-inch Christian Dior heels—a job perk that I particularly enjoyed—I made my way to my desk that’s in the adjoining room to Christine’s office. I threw the stack down on it, breathing in and out, trying to catch my breath. I was wearing a tight black dress that makes it difficult for me to breathe as well as move because it’s a size too small. Christine told me that at a size eight, I’m fat by industry standards, so I’d started trying to squeeze into smaller dress sizes, hoping that the discomfort would encourage me to lose weight.

Once I thought I could breathe again, I scurried over to the professional Keurig machine that sat in the hallway leading up to Christine’s office. A few seconds later, I’m setting down a steaming mug on her desk.

I stepped back and beamed proudly as if I'd just won a nationwide competition. “Will that be all?” I asked her, my tone respectful.

Christine didn't even bother to look up at me as she flipped through the pages of a fashion book. “You may go,” she said, motioning her hands as if she was shooing a fly.

I turned away, feeling dejected. I hated how Christine treated me, but I was used to it. I saw my tenure as her indentured slave as a necessary sacrifice. As one of the most powerful women in the fashion world, working for Christine would open up many doors for me.

And once that door opens, I’m going to run through it, slam it, and never look back.

I made it to the door before Christine spoke again. “Oh, and Victoria, I need you to call Adam Pierre to tell him I won’t be attending his show next week.”

I turned back around, my mouth agape like a frog. “But . . . Adam throws one of the biggest shows in the industry,” I dared to protest. “You can’t just not show up.”

Christine looked up from her book, her expression sharp enough to cut glass.

It was the only answer I needed.

“I’ll get right on it,” I squeaked.

I scurried back to my desk and flopped down in my seat. Blowing strands of hair out of my eyes in frustration, I took a deep breath and picked up the phone. Did I mention that I really hated working for Christine? I consider myself a pretty headstrong girl who can speak up for myself whenever I feel like I’m being mistreated, but in the face of Christine Finnerman’s wrath, I became a doormat—mainly because I so desperately needed my job.

I quickly dialed Pierre’s number.

“Bonjour?”

I was surprised when Pierre himself answered. Usually he had some lackey to handle his affairs, but when Christine Finnerman was calling, I guess even if you're the busiest honcho in town, you have time.

“Mr. Pierre?” I asked nervously. “This is Victoria Young, Christine Finnerman’s assistant.”

“Ah yes, Victoria,” Pierre said in his heavy French accent. “Christy has told me a lot about you.”

None of it good, I’m sure.

Sweat beaded my palms. “I’m sorry to tell you this, sir, but Christine has informed me that she must cancel for your upcoming show.”

Pierre let out a gasp, sounding like he was choking on a hot dog. “What? Impossible! If she doesn’t show up, it’ll be a disaster.” I could hear frantic movement through the phone and a rustling of papers. “Where is Christine?” he demanded a moment later. “I must speak to her.”

I glanced up from my desk. Christine had made it absolutely clear that she wanted to cancel. If I went inside of her office and tried to convince her otherwise, I might be out of a job. She doesn't have patience for employees questioning her decisions.

“I am very sorry, Pierre,” I insisted, “but Christine must respectfully decline. Perhaps I can call around for a replacement for you?” Of course I’m just blowing hot air. As one of the biggest names in the fashion world, one couldn’t simply replace Christine Finnerman.

Pierre’s breathing was erratic. “What will it take?” he rasps. “What will it take for Christine to show up?” The sounds of tears in his voice tugged at my heart strings. “My reputation is riding on this.”

I took a deep breath, feeling bad for the man. But what could I do for him?

“Please, Victoria,” he begged me. “Get her to speak with me.”

It wasn't lost on me that here was a powerful man himself, begging me to get my boss to listen to him.

And that’s why I’m working for her. Because in the eyes of the fashion world, Christine Finnerman is God.

I sat there listening to Pierre’s pathetic begging, not sure what to do. Finally, I could take no more. “Hold on,” I told him. I got up from my desk and took the phone with me.

I made it to Christine’s office doorway when the telephone line went taut. I couldn't move any further. Normally I'd have just put him on hold. I don't know what had come over me.

What am I doing?

I placed the phone against my hip to block out sound.

“Christine?” I dared.

She looked up at me and my heart jumped in my chest. “What is it, Victoria? Have you told Pierre that I'm not coming?”

“Uh,” I mumbled. Then I took a deep breath and gathered my courage. “I’m sorry, Christine, but he's adamant that he speaks with you—”

“Since when does telling a client that I will not be attending mean that you must listen to his pathetic whining and feel honor-bound to go against my orders, hmm?”

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I fumbled for an answer.

“But,” Christine continued, “Since you’re fairly new here and quite easy to influence, I’ll forgive you—just this once.” She sat back in her seat and appraised me with her frost-blue eyes. “Now tell me, what does Mr. Pierre want?”

I pushed down the anger that rose in my throat at her insult. “He wants to know what it will take for you to attend.”

Christine stared at me for a long moment. “There is a designer by the name of Amanda Kersey. Heard of her? Terrible designer with clothing that looks like a blind woman designed it and models that look like they’re meth addicts straight off the streets. Anyway, a trusted advisor told me she used choice words in speaking about me . . .”

Christine’s words trailed off, but her meaning was clear. She gave me a direct look to drive her point home, and I shook involuntarily at what she wanted me to do. Much like me, Amanda Kersey is young and starry-eyed. She's a popular upcoming designer, who I’m sure has a lot riding on this.

And with one word, Christine destroys her.

My immediate urge was to hang up the phone, tell Christine to kiss my ass, and then walk out of her office for good. But as a newly-graduated twenty-two-year-old who was estranged from both parents and alone in a big city with a lease to pay, I couldn't afford to piss off such a powerful woman.