Concealment (The Cassano Series Book 1) (16 page)

Victoria

“Oh, Caine, I’ve missed working with you down here on the main floor,” I say before I slide my empty beer bottle across the bar to him. He smiles at me with his blue eyes.

“You worked with me for four days.”

“Yeah, but you’re sweet. The Cassano brothers are uptight assholes. I need another.”

“That would make number five, and you’re drinking them fast.”

“Please.” Batting my eyelashes at him, I stick out a pouty lip.

“OK, one more, but you drink it slowly.” He gives me a point of the finger before he turns around to get the one thing that can numb my broken heart this evening.

I was beginning to think I didn’t have one of those, and I performed my job a whole lot better when I was oblivious to its existence. I’m getting depressed again.

“I’m going to go get my groove on. Can you take a break and go dancing with me at one of the clubs?” I ask him.

“No, I can’t do that,” he replies, grinning.

“You’re missing out,” I say in a sing song as I slide off the bar stool. I stumble to the right before arms grip mine from behind.

I turn my head, and a nice old man stands me back up. “Thank you, sir.” I’m off to go clubin’. Want to join me?”

He chuckles loudly. “No, no dancing in a club for me.”

“Vicky, maybe you should stay put and let me call someone to come get you,” Caine says.

“Don’t tell me what to do. All the men around me think they can make decisions for me.” I glare at him. “Well, not tonight, buddy.”

I stumble away, feeling the effects of my drinks. How many did I have at Rick’s earlier?

I hear the thumping of the bass when I reach the entrance to Caged, one of the clubs in the hotel. I wait impatiently behind the few people in line.

“I need to see ID, sugar,” the extremely tall and wide bouncer says to me. “That’s so flattering.” I dig through my wristlet, which has been hanging there all night, and find my identification.

I have to pee. First thing I need to do is find a bathroom. Once inside, I shove my way through the crowd, and man is it ever busy.

After I go pee, I’m getting a beer and finding the dance floor. I can’t even remember the last time I got the courage to dance, but I have it tonight.

***

“You’re no fun,” I say to the man who just demanded I get off the bar. OK, he had to have the bouncer remove me from the bar, but it was worth it. I got to dance my ass off for a few minutes, anyway.

The bouncer leaves, and I start to stumble, so the other man grabs hold of me. I’m against his chest, so I take a peek up at him.

“Wow, you look like someone I know. He’s uptight like you, too. What’s your name, and what gives you the right to interrupt my dancing?”

“I’m Xavier Cassano, and this isn’t Coyote Ugly. That’s down the street.”

“You’re Zev?” I ask excitedly.

“Yes, and how do you know that name?”

He views me suspiciously as he stands me upright. It figures another Cassano got to boss me around tonight. Or is it tomorrow already?

“I work in Elite.”

“I’ve never seen you before, so I find that hard to believe.”

“Why does everyone say that?” I poke him in the chest. “Adrian placed me in there himself, and because of it, my life is all kinds of fucked up.”

“Shit, you really work here. Jersey told me about you. Come on.” Grabbing hold of my forearm, Zev pulls me behind him toward the exit. “Hey, I know Jersey, too, and slow down.”

We’re soon outside the doors of the club since Zev’s a big party pooper.

Shocker.

“Who can I call to pick you up?”

“I’ll take the bus.”

“I’m not letting you walk out of here.” He points to a somewhat comfy looking chair that he’s dragged me to. “Sit.”

Geez, they’re all bossy. I plop down on the seat. There are two of them next to each other with a small table in between.

Oh, this is nice. My feet hurt from the uncomfortable heels I’m wearing, so I pull them off and drop them to the floor.

Curling up in the chair, I rest my forearms on the arm rest and my head on top of them before staring up at Zev, who briefly scratches the back of his shiny hair.

He resembles Adrian, and it’s making me sad. Simon has auburn woven throughout his brown hair like Theo, but Zev’s is ebony like Adrian’s.

I close my eyes, unable to fight the sleepiness creeping in, and the pain my heart is trying not to feel.

Victoria

After pulling the roof of my mouth away from my tongue, I swallow. There is a swooshing sound in my ears, and my stomach is queasy.

Something smells different yet familiar. It’s woodsy with a bite of citrus. I press my nose against the pillow more and inhale another breath.

My eyes snap open as I make the realization I’m not in my bed. Sitting up promptly, my eyes dart around the space. Adrian’s bedroom.

Oh, lord, what have I done?

I look next to me, and the bed is made on the other side. My dress is off, and I’m in a plain, white t-shirt. Leaning forward, I bury my hands in my face.

I’ve spun completely out of control. Generally impulsive, yes, but never have I been as irresponsible as I was last night.

Zev!

The memories of dancing on a bar flood my mind. Shit, I met the mysterious Xavier Cassano while drunk off my ass.

Looking to the clock on the nightstand, I see a piece of paper taped to the front of it. “
JB”
is handwritten on the outside.

I have a feeling it’s for me. Reaching over, I pull it free. When I glance down, I see the small garbage pail next to the bed.

Humiliation is operating the jackhammer that’s going to work on my head. I rub the front of it, trying to ease the pressure before I open the note.

I told you to take better care of yourself. Your reckless behavior could’ve gotten you hurt last night.

I’m in my gym. I would prefer you stay, but I’ll understand if you choose not to.

P.S. There are juice boxes in the refrigerator.

I flip the note over to read the initials again on the front. “
JB
.” Juice Box. Wow, what a sexy nickname. Actually, I guess it’s sort of sweet.

Straight to the restroom I go. The stuff Adrian had purchased for me during my last stay is sitting on the counter.

A sting of guilt intertwined with more humiliation crawls wickedly through me like a spider, its web growing by the minute.

There’s a bottle of water and pain reliever next to the faucet on the sink. I take two and brush my teeth with a new pink toothbrush.

A shower is next, but it’s cut short as the heat makes me sick. I barely step out and get a towel around me before I’m hurling into the toilet.

Water is dripping everywhere and running down my legs. This is disastrous. I hear him come in before he touches me. He holds back my soaked hair that is splattered in vomit.

This situation keeps getting worse by the second. Once I’m sure I’m done, I stand and close the toilet seat.

“Sit,” Adrian says as he turns my body.

“Bossy much?” I stare straight ahead, unable to make eye contact with him.

“Are you this contrary
always
?”

“Thank you for helping me. This is so embarrassing. I haven’t been myself since meeting you.”

I let my eyes roam from his black gym shorts to the V trailing up over his hips. Glistening sweat covers his rock-hard abs and chest, and when my eyes reach his, they’re staring at me intently.

“You’re holding vomit.”

“You’re checking me out while I’m holding vomit.”

We both chuckle, and warmth not only spreads to my face but to my heart, as well. Adrian picks up the glass of water with his free hand and holds it out to me.

“Take some sips. Do you think you could get back in the shower if I keep the water cool?”

“Yes, I don’t think there is anything left in my stomach.”

“Then get in, and I’ll wash away the vomit.”

“I have to brush my teeth again first.” I step in front of the mirror, and Adrian never lets go of my hair.

“You don’t have to keep holding it. It will be washed off of me soon enough.” We’re staring at each other through the mirror, and even feeling like death, I want to have sex with the gorgeous man.

Adrian

Letting go of Victoria’s hair, I turn on the shower while she brushes her teeth.

It’s as if we’re reliving what happened at the beginning of the week, but I’m praying for a better outcome this round.

I was shocked when Zev called me last night. I had just gotten into bed, but I jumped out of it and dressed in a flash after he told me he was with Victoria.

There she was, curled up in a chair in the lobby. Sitting next to her was my brother with a shit eating grin on his face.

“I have to say I’m impressed. You definitely stepped out of the box. There is nothing submissive about this one.”

“Did you touch her?” I asked him aggressively.

“Damn, bro, no I didn’t touch her. She wasn’t exactly being cooperative, so although she’s hot as hell, I was too busy trying to keep her from causing a scene.

“Good thing she told me she knew you, or it might’ve happened. She looks about my age …” My asshole brother’s gaze then perused her body. “Like I said, ‘hot as hell.’”

“Stop looking at her like that.”

“I’m just screwing with you, Ace,” he said with a chuckle. “Jersey warned me you weren’t yourself with this one.”

“No, I’m not, and I don’t think this is her normal behavior, either. I’m taking her upstairs. Can you help me with the elevator?”

Once I had Victoria in my bed, she opened her eyes and focused on mine.

“Thank you for finding me, Adrian, and giving me another chance. My heart broke when you left me earlier.” It was the only words she spoke before passing out.

I removed her wig and combed my fingers through her hair. Damn, I wanted to touch her, especially after removing her dress.

I was also confused over everything that had happened and unsure of what she would want, so I thought it best to sleep in another bed.

Hearing her gargling mouth wash brings me out of my daydream. She turns and bites on her lip.

“Um, how are we going to do this? I’m only wearing a towel.”

I stalk toward her, never taking my eyes off of hers. “I’ve seen you naked. Get in and let me wash your hair.”

Victoria obeys, and I step in the shower behind her. “Aren’t you going to undress?” She’s peering down at my shorts.

“It’s not wise for us to shower together naked when you don’t feel well. Now, turn around. We’ll do this quick, so you can eat something and rest.”

She pouts. “It’s not like I have the flu.”

“I’m trying to be considerate here.”

Her shoulders slump as she turns to face away from me. “Sorry again,” she mumbles.

After lathering my hands with shampoo, I wash her hair. While massaging her scalp, she whimpers, and the sound heightens my awareness of how close I am to her perfect, naked body.

She’s lost in how good she’s feeling, and I’m fantasizing of all the ways I could make her feel even better.

My soapy hands glide down her arms, and bumps rise to the surface of her skin from my touch. I kiss along her shoulder.

“Fuck, I want to touch you and taste you. Please, get out. The clothes I purchased for you are in the bedroom next to mine, and I’ll order breakfast as soon as I’m out of the shower.”

Victoria turns and gazes at me. Her green eyes as lush as a rainforest are tilted up, water beading on her lashes as if they’re a vine.

“You’re still mad at me,” she says.

“No, I’m preventing you further embarrassment by ensuring you don’t vomit during sex.” My lips twitch with a smile.

“You believe me about Rick?”

“Yes.”

“I thought for sure you would never forgive me. Thank you.”

Feeling like the betrayer, I kiss her forehead, needing this conversation to end.

“Out.”

***

Victoria is at the dining room table taking a bite of toast when I find her. A juice box sits next to her small plate.

“I hope you don’t mind that I searched your pantry for bread. I figured it’s all I could stomach this morning.”

“Of course not.”

After eating breakfast, I fix us both coffee, and we sit in my living room. She rests against the arm of the sofa with her smooth legs across the thigh area of my pajama pants.

She’s in denim shorts I had sent up the other night and a pink tank top. Sipping on her coffee, she tucks damp strands of hair behind one ear.

Her expression is seductive, and I get the vibe Victoria is feeling a touch better already.

“What are you thinking about?” I ask.

“What happens next?”

“What occurred after I left Rick’s?”

“I told him I cared for you, and his driver gave me a ride. I had him bring me here instead of home.” She stares across the room.

“Maybe in a way I was trying to be near you. I meant what I said. I didn’t mean to hurt you, and I don’t like him.”

Her eyes find their way back to mine, and she bravely gazes into them.

“Please quit working here. I can’t take watching another man eye you the way I’ve seen them do. I’ll help you find another job.” My hand slides behind her ear and into her hair. “Smile for me.”

From trying not to, she grins bashfully and leans into my hand as my fingers massage her scalp. “This sexy smile … I declare it exists only for me.”

“OK.”

“OK, you’ll quit?” I ask with wide eyes. Due to her typical defiant behavior, I’m surprised by her response.

“Yes, but not until I finish out this schedule.”

I’m frustrated that I have to compromise here, but I guess I can deal with it another week.

“Fair enough. After that I declare this body will only model ‘nighties,’ as you call them, for me.”

Victoria’s arms cross, grin brightens, and eyes display mischievous that makes my dick twitch.

“Are we rethinking the uniform choice?”

“Only for you, Juice Box. You’re the only woman I’ve ever noticed wearing it.”

Faintly hearing a phone ringing, her eyes grow rounder. It’s hers and is on the nightstand in my bedroom.

“Shit.” Victoria is off of me in a flash and running out of the room. A minute is all I can wait before I’m behaving nothing like myself and strolling down the hallway.

Propping my shoulder against the doorframe, I watch and listen. Her back is to me as her left butt cheek and leg rest on my bed.

Her right leg is dangling off, looking smooth and toned. Damn, I can’t wait to touch her again, and she’s on my bed.

“Um, I stayed with a new friend from the hotel.”

Pause.

“No, not the guy from the party.”

Pause.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I should’ve called or texted. I have to hang up, but we’ll talk later. I’m going out with Cicely tonight.”

She’s leaving and going out after what happened to her last night? Ending the call, she buries her face in her hands.

“Is there a problem?”

Her body twists around. “Um, I was supposed to let a friend know I made it home OK after the party and I didn’t, so they were worried. I was irresponsible last night in many ways.”

I take a seat on the bed next to Victoria and move her hair over her shoulder, giving me access to her neck. “Then I declare you can only be irresponsible when alone with me,” I mumble in her ear before my tongue is tracing it.

She giggles as her body shivers from my touch. I love what I do to her. Badass Victoria, succumbing to her vulnerability with me.

Falling back onto the bed, I take her with me. She curls up against my body, her arm snaking around my waist.

I knew I was lonely before Victoria invaded my world, but I had no idea how much so until I missed her.