Baby V (Chianti Kisses #1) (21 page)

Inhaling deeply, as if it will somehow provide me with some magical answer to these questions, I nod and accept his hand. We walk into the main lobby and through the cubicles or warm, friendly faces. Approaching the executive area I can see the other board members, a.k.a. my siblings, loitering around the entrance to the board room. I instinctively seize my hand back from Dom without so much as a glance in his direction. I can feel him rolling his eyes at my concerns, but he pacifies me and leaves my hand un-held as we make our approach. In my mind,
I’
m doing him a favor. My brothe
r’
s wo
n’
t care if h
e’
s their boss, let alone that they are in a business office. They would beat the crap out of him. I can only pray that word has
n’
t gotten to them yet.

John looks especially pleased to see me, hugging me tightly before reaching past me to grasp Do
m’
s hand in a strong handshake. He had managed to do what John had
n’
t, could
n’
t... h
e’
s gotten me to agree to come to work with them and
I’
m sure Joh
n’
s grateful to him. Mike and Tony take turns with their own quick brotherly greetings.
I’
m sure they remember how daunting their first meeting was, and
I’
m thankful for all of their support.

The board room is especially long and narrow, occupied by a very expensive, gleaming, wooden table with padded chairs. The view is exceptional, overlooking Manhatta
n’
s morning skyline. Ellen and another woman are busily putting the finishing touches on a delicious looking breakfast spread. Oh good. I have
n’
t eaten yet and my stomach is starting to growl. I
was
  hoping to be as inconspicuous as possible this morning, and I do
n’
t need my growling stomach giving me away in the middle of the meeting.

I wait for others to help themselves before I join the line and fill my plate with fruit salad and a muffin, coffee in hand. Theresa has already claimed a seat and I hurry over to take the vacant chair at her side. She looks tired.

“
Good morning, and welcome to to my hell. I
t’
s too early on a beautiful summer day with excellent beach potential for me to be dragged into another one of these meetings. At least now yo
u’
ll be in here with me
.
”

Sh
e’
s not a morning person.

I sip my paper coffee cup while looking around. Dom, of course, as CEO, is at the head of the table. John, as the head of the legal department sits at his right. Tony heads up the accounting aspect of the company, and Mike is here representing logistics. Theresa is currently working in the human resources department, and that accounts for all of us. But, one seat is visibly vacant with the matching paperwork to each of ours, sitting unattended.

We wait in silence, each of us taking turn to check our watches or cell phones to measure the tardiness of the latecomer. Eighteen minutes into the scheduled meeting time, a dark haired man in a navy blue suit enters. The tension thickens.

I’
ve never seen this man before. Hell, I did
n’
t even know about his existence before an hour ago. He takes his place to the left of Dom. I divert my eyes not wanting him to catch me scoping him out. Glancing around while trying to avoid his direction, I can see from my peripheral that he is staring at me.

I squirm uncomfortably in my seat. I feel the weight of his eyes on me. I also feel the brooding hulk of the man at the head of the table as he observes the passive interaction between his archenemy and his.... what exactly
am
I to him?

I try to appear casual as my eyes make their way to the dark, and surprisingly handsome stranger. He smiles a crooked grin and parts his lips, amused with our situation. Do
m’
s jaw flexes visibly, tensing itself, and pulsing. We are getting close to the danger zone, here.

Theresa inches closer to me and mumbles under her breath.

“
Well now yo
u’
ve met prince charming. H
e’
s a douche, V. H
e’
ll do
anything
  to piss off my brother... and your brothers
.
” She stabs the innocent piece of cantaloupe on her plate.
 “
He stoops low to do it, too...
.
”

Theres
a’
s eyes drop to the table in front of her as her hushed voice trails off. Dom tires of the awkwardness in the room. He stands from his seat at the head of our table. The majority of us notice and respectfully end our own private conversations to lend our attention his way. Mike is the lone holdout that needs some additional encouragement to stop the texting on his cell phone. Apparently unaware of the many people waiting on him, Tony has to reach and confiscate his cell phone.

The meeting is finally set to get underway. Dom thanks us all for rearranging our busy schedules to make it in for this last minute gathering. The stranger continues to stare at me with hooded eyes, surveying me through his steepled fingers resting on the wooden surface. A cold chill shivers through my body and I can only hope it was
n’
t noticeable.
I’
m pretty certain h
e’
s aware of his effect on me.
I’
m uncomfortable and he knows it.

Dom continues with the meeting agenda. W
e’
re informed of the acquisition of the Miami marina and how thanks to the hard work of Mike and his team over in logistics, we would be able to cut costs and expenses on our South American shipping routes.

“
After a few last minute surprises during our negotiations, we were able to pull it all together. Apparently the selling party was made aware of some recent inter-office emails detailing
exactly
  how high of a purchase price we were willing to consider. With the importance of a new Miami hub along our newly proposed and HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL latin american business proposals, you can imagine how high that price was. How could they have gotten this information, you ask
?
”

Huh? This meeting is now veering in a totally different direction that what I expected. We all look around at each other uncomfortably. What exactly is happening here?

E.J. sits back in his chair with his hands clasped together, avoiding the occasional glance in his direction from his fellow board members. H
e’
s not interested in them right now. H
e’
s fixed on me.

“
We tracked down the source of the leaked emails to a new hire in the data entry department. H
e’
s been terminated and the District Attorney is currently reviewing the situation
.
” Dom pauses and turns his attention to Emilio.

“
This is only the latest event in a series of sabotaging efforts to derail the stability of ATH. One of our trucks was hijacked at a particularly vulnerable point en-route last month. This shipment was insured by one of our longterm and largest insurers. Unbeknownst to us, the
y’
ve been re-evaluating our contracts to determine whether or not to continue a business relationship with us due to economic changes. The loss of cargo was large enough to convince them to drop us. Our rates have also increased with the remaining companies willing to insure us, and we have no choice but to absorb the increases. Which means lower dividends this quarter. The client that hired us to transport the goods in that lost shipment has decided to use another transport company. They were the number three electronics manufacturer in the country and one of our biggest clients
.
”

Dom stands rigid as he delivers the discouraging information.

“
But, w
e’
ve faced tough times before. This company was founded through the blood, sweat and tears of two men with nothing but a vision and a drive. Those qualities have been passed on to us, and we will persevere. Like any other obstacle that pops up in our way, w
e’
ll beat this one down and push forward, steamrolling anyone that gets in our way. John was able to head down and help get things on track, and the deal was saved. Tha
t’
s what we do. We jump in and help each other when needed. Now V is in the mix with us, and w
e’
re one person stronger. God help anyone that ge
t’
s in our way. Now, le
t’
s get to work
.
”

Who knew a CEO could be so damn sexy. I think
I’
m going to actually like this whole work thing.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

One hundred pink balloons. One hundred blue balloons. Tony and Cecily could help things out by simply finding out the sex of the baby, right? Nope, so this has got to be an equal opportunity event. I place the last few balloons down and stand back to take in the vast array of floating plastic. Perfect.

“
Babe, where do you want this?
,
” Dom carefully enters the party room balancing a giant bottle shaped cake with another waiter.

Although he was
n’
t due back from Miami until after the party, he managed to surprise me by flying home early and showing up just in time to lend a helping hand. I stumble out of their way, offering them clearance and plenty of space to maneuver over to the large central table as I point to it. I close my eyes tight and find myself holding my breath as the cake is lowered to the surface.

“
Done! There. That was
n’
t so bad
.
”

I exhale. The waiter leaves us to join his coworkers in setting up the last remaining decorations before the guests begin to arrive for our luncheon. I step closer.

“
I told you... Do
n’
t call me babe when people can hear you. This place is gonna be crawling with our family and friends in a matter of minutes, Dom. The last thing I need today is for you to give us away. W
e’
ve made it this far without anyone catching on. Do
n’
t screw it up now
.
”

Dom shakes his head in mock exasperation.
 “
Whatever you say, babe
.
”

I reach out to playfully smack him, but he slips away, ducking behind Ariana as she joins us, carrying a box of freshly delivered corsages.

“
Here, V. These were just dropped off. Where do you want them
?
” Ariana takes the time to inspect the corsages in their plastic casings.

“
Hmm.... Someplace cool, I think. I do
n’
t want them to wilt and w
e’
ve got some time before
I’
ll need them. Where can I put them
?
”

The young girl looks thoughtfully at the flowers, contemplating a temporary home for them.
“
How about the wine cellar? I
t’
s kept cool enough for the wines, but not as cold as the fridges. I
t’
ll be perfect, I think
,
” she suggests.

I nod.
 “
Fantastic. I can take them, can you make sure the seating cards are set out
?
”

Ariana places the brown box gently into my arms and continues on to complete her task. I take a brisk pace through the back hallways and down the service corridor to the depths of the building, to the large walk-in room-sized wine cellar. The lighting is dim, illuminating the old brick walls with a soft, warm hue. The hundreds of glass bottles lining the wooden shelved racks reflect flickering, dancing sparkles as I walk past them. I see an empty space just large enough for the floris
t’
s box on the far wall. The clicking of my high heeled soles echoes as I head deeper into the cavernous vault.

Without any warning, strong arms grab me from behind, reaching around to cover my mouth.

“
Shh... we do
n’
t want anyone to hear us now, do we...
babe
?
”

I drop the box into the empty nook and swing my body around to face the huge man brooding over me. In one continuous motion I hook my arms around his thick neck and pull it down to my longing mouth.
I’
ve been staring at his gorgeous lips all morning under the watchful eye of too many bystanders to act upon the urges drawing me to him.

I draw his tongue into my mouth with deep promises, offering him what
I’
ve been waiting nearly a week to give him. H
e’
s been flying back and forth between NY and Miami, overseeing the new marina there. This last stretch has been one of his longer trips, though, and
I’
ve been longing for him day and night.

“
Mmm... baby, I missed you, too
.
” His mouth covers mine with scorching heat, tongues sparring, at war with each other to prove wh
o’
s need is greater.

My fingers slip through his thick, freshly cut hair... urging him do tha
t
“
thin
g
”
 
he does, when he wraps himself around me, cocooning me within.

I fight an imaginary battle within, whether to steal my lips back from him long enough to speak, or to keep them pasted to his, where the
y’
ve been begging to be for days and days.

His slick tongue moves to coat my lips, and then my skin, claiming inch after inch as his.

“
I thought you were
n’
t coming home
 ‘
till tonight
?
”

Dom groans into the crevice below my neckline.
 “
I could
n’
t wait any longer. I needed to see you
.
”

I nudge my head down to take his mouth back from my cleavage.
I’
ve just gotten these lips back,
I’
ll be damned if
I’
m gonna give them up so easily. Sensing my eagerness, Dom smoothes his palms over and around my hips, cupping my ass in each hand and pulling up. My legs instinctively swing themselves around to balance myself as he swoops me off the ground.

Dom carries me blindly over to the nearest wall, pressing me into its hardness. The chilled wall stings against my screaming, heightened, exposed flesh. I need this, I need him. Phone calls and text messages can only do so much.

“
You look beautiful, I ca
n’
t keep my hands off you, V. Tell me to stop of you need me to, I do
n’
t think
I’
ll be able to on my own
.
”

His teeth are closing around my skin, teasing it in between. I inhale deep, processing the sensation as it borders on exquisite pain.

“
Do
n’
t. Stop
.
” I thrust my hands down to the front of his dress pants, searching for the tiny metal handle.

“
Babe... wha- wha
t’
re you doing
?
”

I place my finger over his lips.
 “
Shhh... I finished chapter four
.
”

I drop to my knees, tugging at the expensive fabric, commanding it down. Dom had found the naughty pink book hidden under my pillow one night a couple of weeks ago as he was giving me some
 “
busines
s
”
 
pointers. It turned into a make-out session in record time.

I wrangle the pant legs down, exposing his thighs and the black boxers beneath.

“
V... you do
n’
t have... baby, you do
n’
t have to do this here
.
”

His voice may be telling me he does
n’
t need this right now, but his body tells me differently. The hardened, rounded, pink flesh peeks its way through the slit in the cotton. Holy crap.
I’
ve felt this part of him against me over and over, even daring to reach in and massage it before, but
I’
ve never actually seen it. Scratch that,
I’
ve never seen one
at all
before.

I gulp hard, as the growing flesh engorges itself. My widening eyes drift up to Do
m’
s anguished face. H
e’
s waiting, watching to see if I have what it takes to finish what
I’
ve started. I think hard, trying to remember the tips offered within the pages of my very own how-to guide. My mind draws a blank. I ca
n’
t recall any of the advice, techniques. What the hell do I do?

His eyes comfort me, quell the panic before it fully sets in. His hand inches behind my neck, fingers moving to massage the tenseness, infusing a calm into my body. My shoulders relax, my gaze softens and fixes on the growing limb in front of me.

I move myself closer, brushing my lips across the softness of his head. His sharp intake of breath draws my attention north. His eyes are closed tight, lip bitten between his teeth. I can do this. I can show him how much I want to do this... for him.

I free my tongue from i
t’
s chamber, gliding it up the trunk, tasting him.

“
Fuc
k….
”
 
He hisses.

His fingers apply a pressure to my neck, kneading. I do
n’
t need my little pink book. I just need him. I take the circular ring of the tip into my mouth completely, closing my stretched lips to a seal, I work myself down.

My mouth fills beyond capacity at the sheer size of him, but I manage to reach past the half-way point. Not knowing what to expect,
I’
m surprised at the effect i
t’
s having on me. My pulse races. My skin gets clammy and heated. An unknown inertia takes hold of me, hugging and caressing his being with my mouth. My tongue searches for some way to speak to him through my movements.

I’
ve explored the entirety of his extension in my hands, committing its geography to memory, learning which places excite him most. His breaths quicken. I feel the muscles of his thighs tense and tighten. His throaty sounds fill the basement chamber with deep echoes.

His fingers are now woven through my hair, communicating his wishes. Their gentle pressure presses into me most as my tongue returns to the hidden areas that illicit the loudest moans. I brave myself to take in more of him, controlling my breathing to allow for the intrusion. My throat is filling with an unfamiliar sensation. I repeat the act, allowing it to become accustomed.

Never having done this before, I use his noises, his movements as a gauge.
I’
d say by the looks of it,
I’
m a fast learner.

“
Hey... V... you down here
?
”

Shit!

Dom pulls me up from the floor, my feet dangling under to gain a footing. With no time to hide his lower half, he turns instead with his back facing the cella
r’
s chamber as Tony unassumingly walks in on us.

~*~

“
Vodka, neat
.
”

The bartender eyes me suspiciously, but ultimately grants my wish. I
t’
s one in the afternoon. W
e’
re  in the middle of a baby shower. I can see the cause for his hesitation.

I use my fingers to pinch the tip of my nose closed as I throw back the minuscule amount of liquid. The taste of vodka is growing on me, becoming tolerable as its effects settle in. But the smell? The smell is still disgusting.

“
Tha
t’
ll be the last one for her today, Lorenzo
.
”

My balance waivers. I grab hold of the brass knobbed ornamental piece nearby to steady my sway.
I’
ve already had two small glasses of the beverage as Dom rudely interrupts my feeble attempt at numbness.

The baby shower is in full swing, but I ca
n’
t bring myself to join the festivities. Tony was tactful enough to discreetly turn and leave us after discovering our tryst, but I know i
t’
s just a matter of time before he confronts Dom. H
e’
s too good of a man to do it in public, especially at his wif
e’
s baby shower. But, he truly is going above and beyond by pretending that nothing has happened at all, laughing it up and joking with Dom just as much as with the other guys gathered in the front dining area of the restaurant.

Tha
t’
s going to make it all the more terrible when the two of them finally drop the facade. The
y’
ve been best friends their entire lives. This is going to cause irreparable damage, and
I’
d rather not be sober for it. My one and only experience with a hangover was not pleasant, but compared to the looming family drama about to strike, it seems like a viable alternative.