Concealment (The Cassano Series Book 1) (12 page)

Adrian

After straining my neck to see the clock, I sink back into bed and savor the warmth that is against me. Victoria has wedged her body into the crooks of mine.

I breathe in her rosy scent that is still faintly there. It’s one in the afternoon, and I’m amazed I’ve slept this late.

My phone vibrates on the nightstand, but I ignore it. It’s quiet for only a few seconds before the sound repeats. Son of a bitch.

Reluctantly, I pull away from Victoria and roll over to grab it. A whimper echoes behind me and I smile.

It’s Theo. “Hi,” I say.

“Hi, what time are you coming down?”

“I’m not today.”

“Are you sick?”

“No, but I need time off.”

“OK. It’s been quiet today, but I have to leave at five o’clock. Miranda has a softball game.”

“Whatever you need to do is fine. Wish Miranda luck for me.”

“Alright, but you know, you should come watch your niece play sometime.”

“You’re right. We’ll talk later.” I end the call before he can reply. I should go watch her play, but she resembles her Aunt Aggie so much, it’s hard for me to see her.

Miranda is seven years old and is like a time capsule, catapulting me back to when my twin sister, Agatha, and I were young. It was a period when my mother was home and taking care of us. She hadn’t completely lost her mind yet.

Rolling back over, I find Victoria staring at me. “Good morning,” she says. One side of her pretty mouth is tilted into a smile, and her long eyelashes flutter.

“It’s not morning, but it’s definitely good to wake up next to you.”

“What time is it?”

“One.”

“I never sleep this late. It must be this comfortable bed and your warmth.” She looks away shyly, so I wrap my arm around her and pull her close.

My lips press to her hair. “You feel pretty good yourself.” Noticing a hard-on forming, I move my lower body away some.

“You should eat again. I can still get you breakfast if you would like.”

“That sounds good. I didn’t get to eat much of my dinner,” she says muffled against my chest.

“I’ll make it up to you.”

“Uh, you did, and it was even at the dinner table.” She giggles, her laugh reverberating on my chest. I chuckle, which only makes her laugh more.

We have fun together, and it’s usually over silly things. She causes genuine smiles to unfold, and they’re not the phony ones I have to often give as pleasantries to lead women to believe I’m interested.

“I need to shower,” she says.

“Will you eat first? I want time to have some things sent up for you.”

“OK, and thank you.” Her supple lips press to my chest. They move upward until she’s kissing my neck.

“You won’t get breakfast if you keep that up.”

Victoria’s body stiffens. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I only want to get you well.”

She rises up and looks across the room.

“You only want to get me well? I can take care of myself.”

“I didn’t mean that’s all I want, and I don’t need the constant reminders that you don’t need anyone.”

She winces, her expression seeming to be one of regret. “I’m sorry I’m being defensive.” Leaving the bed, she points to the door. “I’ll go wait in the living room.”

“Victoria.”

She’s gone before I can say anything else, and what would I have said?

I’m trying not to fuck you until you tell me your real name?

Victoria

I ruin everything. Every relationship and thing I try to do. My mouth and impulsivity do it every time. I’ll fuck up whatever this is, too. Hell, I already am by being deceitful.

That would be just fine if I was only doing my job, but no, I have to play around the fire. It won’t be long until I’m falling right into it.

I take my jeans out of the clear bag and pull them up my legs. Deciding to leave his t-shirt on, I go to the living room and sit on the sofa.

The doorbell rings, so I look around, thinking Adrian will get it. It rings two more times without his arrival, so I scramble to answer it.

Blanca, the lady who didn’t seem pleased with measuring me for my uniforms to wear in the Elite lounge, is standing at the door. A man is with her, holding a room service tray.

She blinks rapidly several times before her eyes narrow. She starts to speak, but her voice cracks, so she clears her throat.

“Mr. Cassano ordered room service. Could I have a word with him please?”

Tucking hair behind my ear, I feel completely inadequate. This slender woman is standing before me in a black pencil skirt and cream blouse, open enough to show a touch of her lacy camisole.

Blonde hair is swept into a bun, and she’s not only refined but sexy. Being I haven’t even showered, I find it annoying. “Um, let me get him.” I step aside. “Please, come in.”

I scurry away, recalling how she looked at Adrian when I was in his office the first time. I don’t want him around her, and that’s ridiculous.

He said he has never dated anyone at work. Hmm … I guess I should’ve been more specific with that question and asked if that included having sex with staff.

I’m almost to Adrian’s room when he walks out and smiles. Damn. He’s in a snug white t-shirt and grey pajama pants that are low on his hips.

“I answered your door. I tried not to, but the bell kept ringing, and I’m sorry, but—”

He grabs hold of my shoulders.

“It’s fine, Victoria. You can answer the door.”

“But Blanca is here.”

“That’s OK. Come on.” He takes hold of my hand and leads me behind him. I pull it away about the time we hit the living room.

“I work for you, Adrian. This looks bad enough as it is.”

He grimaces and walks to the foyer. I hear talking before the food service man passes by and treads to the dining room.

Thank god my panties aren’t laying in there.

He leaves and Adrian returns, scowling.

“Everything OK?”

“It’s fine. Sometimes Blanca forgets her place. Come eat.” His hand stretches out for mine.

“So, what is her place exactly?”

“She’s an assistant to Theo and me.” His angry tone gives me the impression I should drop the subject, so I do and take a seat at the dining room table.

After several minutes of silence, I can’t take it anymore. “Your mood has changed. What’s wrong?”

He looks up from his plate and lets out a long breath. “I’m tired of others thinking they know what is best for me.

“I’m thirty-five and own this place, yet I feel everyone around me is trying to dictate my life. I’m sick of it, and it’s time for it to stop.”

He squeezes my fingers and a smile appears. It doesn’t arrive at his sad eyes that now seem like abysmal wells of mystery again.

“It’s my fault. I’ve been too passive, almost on auto-pilot for several years now. I like that you stand up for what you believe in at that very moment.”

“It has its pros and cons.”

“What do you want in your life, Victoria?”

“I want to know my existence made someone or something in this world better.”

His eyes light up. “That’s exactly what I want. But what do you desire for yourself? You deserve happiness, too.”

“Says the single man who lives where he works.” I smirk, but he doesn’t respond with a smile.

“I’m sorry. God, I feel like all I’m doing is apologizing. I seldom have deep, personal conversations with people. I guess I’m not very good at it.”

Nervously, I pick up the juice box he’s ensured I have again and take a drink. I feel like a child and not from this juice. “Actually, I avoid these talks if at all possible.”

“I normally do, too, but I don’t want to with you. I don’t understand it, but I have a feeling you get me.”

“I should go.” I throw my napkin on the table and stand, but he pushes his chair back just as fast.

“Stop trying to leave.” The doorbell rings and I sigh. Who the hell is it now?

He hurries from the room, so I sit, letting the chair swallow me. I wish I could hide under the damn thing.

His words traveled straight to my heart, and it’s almost painful how spot on he is to how I feel and think. It’s as if we’re one and the same, only dealing with our issues in different ways.

I loved the game Memory as a child. I feel as if I’m playing it now and have turned over my heart’s match. The little card shows Adrian’s beating anatomy that matches mine.

I’m euphoric until I realize there is one subtle difference. Then I feel broken–alone again.

The difference is I’m a cop, and he might be a criminal. I guess the contrast isn’t so subtle after all.

“You have to stay now, or you’ll be plagued with guilt after I purchased all these items to make you comfortable.”

My head whips around, and Adrian is holding three rectangular paper bags with handles on them.

“I don’t like that you’re spending money on me.”

“Can you say ‘thank you’ with a smile for once?” He gives me a pitiful look, and I’m already feeling guilty, so I stand and approach him. Leaning up, I kiss his cheek.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, you can shower. There are a few different outfits in here, along with other stuff you might need. I’ll carry them to the bathroom for you.”

I follow and join him in the master bath. The image of him in the shower with me intrudes on my thoughts.

“I’ll leave you alone,” he says after setting the bags on the long vanity. He ruffles his thick hair and approaches the door.

“Do you want to shower with me?” The question, full of urgency, is out of my mouth in lightning speed. He doesn’t move for a beat that feels like a few too many.

Pivoting, he looks conflicted as his dark eyes meet mine. “You’ve been reluctant to even spend time with me, so I’m trying to slow down.”

My head nods ridiculously fast.

“Right. I–I have been concerned since I work for you. I’m sorry.” Adrian is out the door, and I feel foolish since my last word is said to the door.

He could’ve screwed me last night but didn’t, and I instigated us messing around once in bed. He didn’t try anything this morning.

Shit, he seriously is trying to refrain from us doing anything further.

I’m hitting on my boss, who I’m investigating undercover, and he turned me down. Could I be any more irresponsible or desperate?

Adrian

I shouldn’t have walked out on her. I turn back toward the door and glide a hand through my hair.

Victoria is keeping such a monumental secret, but what I’m doing at this casino is a bigger betrayal.

I plan to never tell her the truth, so why should I expect her secret to be revealed before we have sex?

My rejection probably made her feel like shit, too, and that’s the last thing I want to do. The door swings open and Victoria freezes.

We stare at each other. Her eyes tell that she’s torn between right and wrong.

Fuck it.

I have to have her before she bails on me, and I feel that coming. I’ll go insane if I haven’t explored every inch of her before she disappears from my life, a thought that is already painful.

Grabbing her face, I slam my lips to hers and walk her back into the bathroom. She pushes on my chest, our lips separating.

“Adrian, you don’t have to do this. I understand.”

“No, you don’t. You couldn’t comprehend how much I want this.”

“Promise me something …”

“OK.”

“Promise me that no matter what the future holds, you’ll trust that this time between us was real. Believe that I wanted you, too.”

My head falls against hers. That’s exactly what I needed to hear. This isn’t an act for her. Victoria does care. Sliding my hand to the nape of her neck, I kiss her forehead.

“I promise.”

Taking hold of her t-shirt, she pulls it over her head. Nipples harden before my eyes, and I want to feel them in my mouth again.

As I eye them, she begins taking off her jeans, so I strip bare and go to the shower to adjust the water.

Once the temperature is right, I look through the bags of stuff I had sent up for her. I remove shampoo and body wash and hand them to her.

Her body is trembling, so I open the glass door to the shower again. She steps inside and turns to me with doe eyes.

“Why are you nervous?” I ask.

“This is embarrassing, considering I’m in my thirties, but I haven’t showered with a man before.”

I grin at her. “I get a first with you?”

“It appears so.” Her face flushes as she breathes fast and heavy.

“Turn around. I’m going to wash your hair.” For the next ten minutes or so, Victoria and I take turns washing each other. She blushes the entire time I’m touching her, and it’s endearing how nervous she is.

Allowing herself to be vulnerable with me, she’s not the tough cop right now, and I’m extremely pleased.

After we’ve rinsed off, she gazes at me and drags the corner of her bottom lip through her teeth. Yeah, I’m not waiting any longer.

“Although I’d like to give you another first right here in this shower, our first time is going to be in my bed.”

I reach out and grab us towels from the warmer.

“I like your bed.” She gives me a sultry look as she takes the white cotton from my hand.

“Good thing since you’re about to spend several more hours in it. I plan to get to know every speck of you, Victoria.”

“You have permission to get to know me better but not for hours. I have to go to work soon.”

“Oh, you’re off tonight. I told Blanca to make sure Shannon has someone cover for you.”

“You did what?”

That tone didn’t sound sweet. I take a glimpse at her and she’s pissed.

“I thought you could use the rest. You passed out less than twenty-four hours ago.”

Her hands find her curvy hips, and I’ve seen that look before, already from her and from every other woman I’ve managed to piss off in my lifetime.

“You sure thought I was well enough to fuck for hours in your bed.”

“Victoria, don’t do this.”

“Don’t do what? Make my own decisions?”

I’m getting pissed. “I didn’t know you were going to throw yourself at me when I told her to take you off the schedule. I was worried about you.”

“Throw myself at you?! I’m leaving. This is going to keep happening as long as I work for you.” She steps out of the shower and begins dressing.

“Even if you weren’t my boss, I’m beginning to think you would try to control the rest of my schedule,” she spouts.

“Oh, please, you act like we’re in a relationship, and I’m trying to control your every move. I was only being considerate.”

Her towel smacks me in the chest.

“I never said anything about being in a relationship, you asshole. I want off of this fucking floor.”

As my jaw tightens, I wrap my towel around my waist. I swear I want to tie her up and fuck her until she gets this defensive bug out of her ass.

Gagging might be necessary, too, so she can’t run her smart mouth. About the time I’m stepping out of the shower, she’s stomping out the bathroom door, slamming it behind her.

Fine. Her ass can leave. Maybe she’ll quit the hotel and casino for good, and my problem will be solved.