Curves Envy 4 - Curvy Conquest: BBW Billionaire Romance (2 page)

He’s brought an armful of Montreal-style bagels from the number one shop in New York. Black Seed Bagels is a tiny spot located near Grand Station subway. On weekends the lines are insane, but the sometimes-excruciating wait is well worth it. These outstanding Eastern European breads are hand-rolled and baked to perfection in Black Seed Bagels’ wood-fired oven. What makes these so irresistible is the heavenly dough infused with honey. It goes without saying these delicacies are made in-house, which makes them even more sinful.

Gabriel gained a lot of brownie points with me when he showed up with my all-time favorite—their signature black seed bagel stuffed with beet-cured salmon. He really won me over when he announced he had also brought dessert—
sufganiyot
. These ridiculously fluffy and golden small doughnuts ooze with sweet jam. My love of homemade doughnuts runs so deep, I nearly jumped up and down when Gabriel pulled out the box he was hiding in his shopping bag.

Lucky for us, Marty Vogelstein, one of Gabriel’s prominent clients, owns Sugary Treats along with a fleet of successful eateries. This little gem is one of the few Jewish pastry shops in New York that makes these deadly-delicious doughnuts just like they would in Israel, where people make
sufganiyot
of this caliber on a daily basis. One call to Marty’s assistant and Gabriel was able to jump to the front of the line on a busy Saturday to bring these to Max’s penthouse.

Before I started working at
Sassy
magazine, I used to work for a woman who would do a weekly run to Sugary Treats on Fridays and she’d always grab a few extras for me. One bite and you start hearing angels sing.

Damn, these are amazing.
I’m still licking my fingers when Gabriel launches into another round of interrogation. He’s already asked me what seems like one thousand questions about the events surrounding my parents’ accident and the reasons why my paternal grandmother felt so strongly about avenging her only son and her daughter in-law’s gruesome deaths, but this time he pulls out his iPhone to record my answers.

“Candice, may I call you Candy?”

“Of course, Gabriel.”

“To friends and family, I’m Gabe. Seems you’re family now.” Max’s brother raises his eyebrows and tilts his head. Although I’m not ashamed of what I share with Max, Gabriel’s reaction makes me blush.

“Careful, bro.” Max smiles at his brother and wraps me lovingly in his arms.

“Candy is adorable. I’m teasing.”

“Consider yourself lucky, baby. My brother only mocks people he likes.”

“Thanks for clearing things up for me, Max,” I respond jokingly. “I’ll gladly call your brother Gabe.”

“On a more serious note, Candy, I want to go over key questions and I also want to record your answers. My penmanship is atrocious and since my days are filled with millions of little details, my head is constantly going a mile a minute. I want to be certain I don’t miss one small thing that could turn out to be crucial a few weeks from now. I’m going to try my best in the next hour or so to gather as much as I can. These are the preliminary stages, but on Monday morning, I’ll put two of my top legal minds on your case. Sheena Wagner and Francis Kraai are both brilliant attorneys and they’ve helped my office win many cold cases we’ve reopened when new evidence surges. Francis has a particular affection for damsels in distress and I strongly believe we need a passionate, unwavering, and unyielding force to go after the bad guys who’ve robbed you of your parents’ love.”

“Hey, bro, let Francis know Candy already has a boyfriend.”

We all laugh at Max’s possessive remark.

“Gabe, I really don’t know how to thank you. This means the world to me. My grandmother and I were no match for those monsters who destroyed my peaceful existence a few years ago.”

“I’m sure your grandmother and Nathaniel Carpenter did the best they could with what they had, but Annie’s letter and the facts you’ve shared so far suggest there’s a lot more to this story. It would have been extraordinarily expensive for you to go after them. Unless Nathaniel was willing to draw blood, your Goliath would have quickly dismissed you. My team of attorneys are like pit bulls—relentless, ferocious and inexorable when it comes to seeking justice for our clients. They won’t back down until they’ve flipped the case in every possible direction like a master Rubik’s cube player. Of course, we always work within the American legal system, but sometimes it’s a question of having the right insider contacts…”

“I appreciate all this, but…” I hesitate, uncertain how to let Gabe know I don’t have the means to pay for such accomplished lawyers.
What am I talking about, I can’t even afford a junior attorney.
“My only valuable assets are the jewelry and the apartment my grandmother left me. My parents’ estate went to pay our astronomical legal fees. I’m not sure how…” I let my words trail off, fearing I might be so close to discovering exactly why my parents died, but yet still so far—given I’m unable to afford to foot what sounds like another colossal legal bill.

“Gabe, I’ll take care of your fees on behalf of Candy.” Although Max is addressing his brother, his eyes are locked into mine. “Baby, we can’t let these monsters get away with this.” His words touch the deepest part of me and a tear of relief rolls down my cheek.

“I can’t believe I’ll be able to avenge my loving parents.”

“I know my brother and he’s never afraid to draw blood. I think we need this in your case.”

“God. I want nothing more than justice.”

“And you’ll get it. We’ll make sure of it.”

“I wish my grandmother was still here.”

“She’ll be celebrating up above when all this mess is over. Right, Gabe?”

“Max, it won’t happen overnight, but Sheena and Francis are ferocious in cases such as these.”

“I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Candy, we have a long haul in front of us. I know you’re supposed to leave with my brother for Brazil in a few days and my best advice is for you to enjoy yourself. Our country is majestic and the best place for you to recharge your batteries. There’s no point in worrying about anything more because you’re now one of our top clients. I promise we’ll take good care of you.”

“Thank you, Gabe, from the bottom of my heart.”

“Candy, you heard the man. A few days in Rio is exactly what the doctor—I guess I should say lawyer—ordered.”

Chapter 2

The week in Rio is indescribable. How can you use simple words to depict heaven on earth? I still can’t believe we’re leaving this paradisiac land in less than forty-eight hours. I’ve so thoroughly enjoyed myself during these last eight days, it wouldn’t take much to convince me to stay forever.

Travelling alongside Max has been a real eye-opener. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t utterly impressed by the swanky private jet with full service and personal chef. I honestly felt like I was in an episode of the eighties smash drama
Dynasty
. Although I doubt my parents had even met when the show first aired on TV, my mom was a huge fan of the gloriously over-the-top trials and tribulations of the fabulously wealthy Carrington and Colby clans. Just like she needed her weekly dose of
Murphy Brown
, she also had to keep track of Alexis Carrington’s latest bitchy moves. She watched the reruns for years with me on her lap.

Max definitely has a “champagne wishes and caviar dreams” lifestyle. His penthouse in New York is breathtaking and it’s no surprise his place in Rio matches such opulence. Max’s luxurious apartment in Rio is located in the Lagoa area—the third-most expensive neighborhood in all of South America and the most exclusive neighborhood in the capital city. Not only is this one of the most idyllic spots I’ve ever visited, Lagoa is also home to an insanely beautiful water bed known as the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, which is surrounded by a four-mile path encircling the lagoon. Since the adorable little open-air cafés and quaint local restaurants offer stunning views of the lagoon, Max insisted on us indulging in as many as we possibly could. After our delicious and satisfying meals, we’d stroll hand in hand every night admiring the enchanting sunset until Max’s need to devour me became too overwhelming and we’d have to rush back to his place so that we could give free rein to our carnal desires behind closed doors.

Enjoying the scenery hanging from Max’s arm and reveling in multiple mind-blowing orgasms night after night was only half the fun. Work was equally entertaining, since I had a blast at Rio Moda. Although not as illustrious as Rio Fashion Week, this dazzling event is still the second most important fashion event in South America’s largest country. I was shocked to witness how curvy Brazilian women flaunt their assets without any shame and these Latin beauties don’t hesitate when it comes to draping their delicious bodies with very revealing couture. Everywhere I turned, there was a constant reminder that being a big beautiful woman was something to celebrate. All in all, my work vacation in Rio has been dreamy, and I would have been fully satisfied had it stopped right there. I was floating on air relishing every blissful moment thinking nothing could surpass the last week when a last-minute goal from a rookie player changed everything a few hours ago. Nothing could have prepared me for the last few days in this vibrant South American city—not even a psychic.

When the news broke at one-sixteen this afternoon that the Brazilian team has qualified for the
Copa América
, the entire country went bonkers at another chance to claim the coveted South American Football Championship. The fervor of the Brazilian people was fueled by the fact their team came this close to not making it. Young goalie Fernando Hernanes put the winning goal in their long-time adversaries’ net with five seconds left before the whistle, ending a long battle between Brazil and Argentina for the last spot in the championship. The twenty-year-old has now officially been crowned a national hero for his strategic kick.

It’s such a big deal even the president, Marcela Luisa Lucas, went on television to declare today a day of unbridled celebration. Offices, shops and restaurants closed immediately after the announcement was made and all of Rio is now having the party to end all parties.

Since I was a bit taken aback by this madness, Max had to enlighten me by explaining why the country was so overjoyed—for Brazilians this victory is like the Super Bowl final times three hundred. By four o’clock, Max decides to throw all caution to the wind and join the festivities.

We’re making our way through the city along with the rest of the inhabitants by foot. Even cab drivers are far too busy enjoying the moment to attend to customers. I’m sure my beaming face must reveal my excitement because Max jumps at the opportunity to tease me.

“Have you ever been to a Brazilian party, love?”

“I don’t think I ever have,” I tease back.

“You know the American expression, ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?’”

“Of course, who doesn’t?”

“I’m warning you right now, a Brazilian party makes festivities in Vegas look as tame as a choir practice. You’ve not walked on the wild side until you’ve partied here.”

His words detonate inside me and a million feelings rush through my body as he holds my gaze.
Am I ready to walk on the wild side?

After what seems like an eternity, we finally arrive at the heart of it all. When I look around me, I’m dumbfounded.
How the heck could they make this happen so fast?
I haven’t got a clue how the Brazilians managed to pull off a major concert within such a short window, but here we are crammed into a sea of tens of thousands of exuberant fans inside the Maracanã Stadium—home to some of the most historic games in history.

Since I know little to nothing about football, or soccer as we call it, Max gives me a crash course as we push our way through the partygoers. When we arrive inside, I’m amazed at how many jubilant people surround me, but at the same time, I’m delirious at the idea of experiencing this moment with the man of my dreams.

As a stroke of genius, Enrique Iglesias happened to be in Brazil when the news broke and he agreed to feature in this star-studded concert. When the MC steps on stage to announce the first act, the crowd goes mad and so do I. Since Lexi has single-handedly been responsible for my Latin music education, I immediately start swaying my hips following the cue of the sexy bodies encircling me when the guitarist plays the first few chords and I nearly lose my head when Alexander Delgado, lead singer to the Cuban reggaeton group Gente D’ Zona, calls out for the drop-dead gorgeous Spaniard singer to step on stage to perform their monster hit
Bailando
. To honor the hosting country, Enrique invites local sensation Luan Santana to perform the Portuguese version of the song.
I didn’t think anything could top this week, but this takes the cake for sure.
I’m completely in my zone with both eyes closed in some sort of a musical trance when Max whispers in my ear.

“I didn’t know you could dance.”

I slowly open my eyes before turning around, still inebriated by the spicy rhythm. I look up at him and I can’t help but smile flirtatiously. “I don’t know if I’ll ever win a dance competition any time soon, but I can hold my own.”

“Clearly you can.”

I swerve to face the stage again and I step back just enough to brush my ass against Max. I’m greeted by his growing desire and my body shivers.

“Hmmm, I like your ass against me,” he murmurs, low and warm into my ear.

I daringly reach behind me, slide my hand between us, and palm him right there in the middle of the stadium. He exhales a warm puff against my neck, whispering,
“Foda-se, sim, baby.”

“What did you just say?” I can’t understand a word of Portuguese, but whatever Max uttered in my ear sounded dirty as hell.

“Fuck, yes, baby.”

“You like?” I respond, turning my head to the side.

“From the rolling of your hips and the boldness of your actions, I bet there’s a vamp inside you dying to come out and play.”