Italian Billionaire's Black Love (BWWM Interracial Romance) (3 page)

Marcus was right, the dress
was
to die for. The black bodice was covered in diamonds and lace and the full skirt was practically sheer underneath the layers. It was a little bit naughty and a little bit nice. And, there was a note.

Seven thirty tomorrow night, ma cherié. I can’t wait to see you in this dress, and I can’t wait to take it off your delectable body. -Alessandro

Well, damn.
If his words alone could leave her in knees wobbly and her panties moistening, she would be in deep trouble alone with this man for any length of time.

“Woman, is that Cavalli? Oh, any man who gives you a Cavalli deserves the dirtiest version of you!” He was looking at the card over her shoulder.

She ignored Marcus’ squealing, her gaze locked on the gorgeous dress. “I can’t keep this. It’s too much.”

“Well, what are you going to wear out with him tomorrow night?”

She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Who said I was going?”

“Bitch, please. We both know you’re going, and we
both
know your panties and that dress will wind up on the floor of some swanky downtown hotel.” He twirled and sashayed out of her office with his usual flair.

She sat back in her chair and realized she had been well and truly manipulated. All the gifts he’d sent this week were for the date tomorrow night. The shoes, the lingerie, and now the dress. “Well played, Alessandro, well played.”

***

Alessandro was feeling something he had never felt before when it came to a woman. He was nervous. Cal weaved through L.A. traffic as the limo climbed the bumpy hills, and Alessandro had sweaty palms because he didn’t know if Eve would show for their date. He wouldn’t put it past her to open the door in yoga gear or to not be home altogether. It was her feistiness that made him keep chasing her. She was refreshing and didn’t seem to worry about pleasing him, which oddly
did
please him.

She wouldn’t be an easy catch, but he would catch her. He always did. Eventually.

He didn’t need Cal to tell him they had arrived because he’d been staring out the window hoping she’d be waiting eagerly on the porch. Of course, she wasn’t. He’d consider it a win if she opened the door wearing the gown. If not, he’d be happy to help her put it on.

He took several deep breaths and rang the bell. Seconds later, the door swung open and Alessandro felt his entire body erupt in arousal. Heart pounding, blood rushing through his veins, and head spinning he took in the sight she made – a foxy rock star with curves for days. The way her breasts spilled over the top of that bodice had him aching to run his tongue along her swells. “Good God, you are fucking magnificent.”

His smile widened when a blush stole over her chest and face. “Thank you, Alessandro. You look damn good, yourself.”

“This old thing,” he smoothed the lapels in an exaggerated way.

“Yeah that old perfectly tailored tuxedo,” she scoffed with a smile. “I can practically smell the moth balls from here.”

“You are good for my ego, lovely Eve.” He couldn’t take his eyes off of her; she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her lips were blush pink with a hint of a sparkle and the gold shimmer on her lids enhanced the entrancing color of her eyes. He should look away and get his obvious arousal under control, but he just couldn’t turn away from the picture she made.

“Ready?” she asked, reaching for a see-through wrap and the tiniest purse known to womankind.

“Is there even anything in that purse?”

She laughed and he felt like he’d achieved something big. “Yes. But it’s just the basics: lipstick, lip balm, cash, a compact, and a condom.”

Alessandro began coughing as her words caught him off guard. “A condom?”

She nodded innocently. “It doesn’t have to be used, Alessandro, but it’s better to be prepared than going hot and heavy,” her voice got breathy when she said the words, “and have to stop at an inopportune moment.” That mischievous smile set him even further on edge.

“You’re killing me, Eve. But you know that don’t you?”

She nodded with a confident smile.

“But you know what happens when you play with fire, don’t you?”

The look he gave her was so smoldering, she was pretty sure her lacy thong burst into flames and turned to ash. “You get burned,” she said in a dismissive manner.

“No. I’ll make you so hot you burn for me.” His finger played with one of the ringlets falling free from her complicated updo and his other hand cupped her face. “Burn, baby, burn,” he grunted and captured her mouth in a heated kiss.

Eve was powerless to fight against the sexual onslaught his kiss was causing. His mouth was strong and his tongue tasted like citrus as it invaded her mouth, sweeping over her teeth and tangling with her tongue. His mouth tasted and explored every inch and dark corner of her mouth. She weaved her fingers through his hair and she heard a moan – it was her. She pulled back. “Alessandro,” she panted and fought to keep her breathing under control. His lust-addled gaze stirred a war within her – she should lean in and take more of the kiss he offered or pull back and get through the evening with her lingerie still on?

“You taste even better than I thought you would. Sweet, a hint of spice and cinnamon, and something that’s uniquely Eve.” His smile was that of a man confident he’d be satisfied before the night was out. “I can’t wait for a longer taste of you, ma cherié.”

“Who says I’ll let you have another taste, Mr. Scotti?”

He laughed, loving that haughty voice she took on to keep him at a distance. “I do, of course. You enjoyed that kiss as much as I did, maybe more judging by that moan I heard.”

She sucked in a breath. “You did
not
just go there!”

His hand rested on her thigh and slowly climbed higher. “Oh, I plan to go further,
deeper
later tonight.”

Even though her body wanted everything his eyes were promising, she had enough sense to swipe his hand away. “Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll get a kiss better than that one at the end of the night.”

He leaned in until their breath mingled and nipped her bottom lip. “A man can hope.”

***

Eve had been so shaken and so turned on by that kiss she forgot to ask where they were going until it was too late to turn back. She hated these pseudo highbrow galas where rich people patted themselves on the back for wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars under the pretense of helping the underprivileged. It was disgusting and she was well and truly stuck.

“We’re going to the STEM Gala for Girls. My company has a table and I’m a major benefactor,” he said with more than a bit of pride in his voice.

“Of course, you do,” she grumbled, less than thrilled about the abrupt change in her feelings. She should have known he wouldn’t take her on a real date. All billionaires did was network, schmooze, and make deals. He didn’t have time to date and this proved it. “Let’s get this over with, then.” She straightened her dress and her posture, grabbed his arm, and walked the red carpet with Alessandro Scotti.

His brows furrowed at the swift change in demeanor. “Is everything alright?” he asked through a smile, hundreds of cameras taking their image from just a few feet away.

Eve’s smile was dim and absolutely fake as she answered, “I’m fine. Just peachy.” At least, she would be when this night was over.

With a hand on her lower back, Alessandro guided her up the carpet and into a large ballroom dripping with wealth and luxury. “Obviously, you’re not fine. Tell me what it is.”

She turned to him with a tight smile. “It doesn’t matter now. Let’s do this. Okay?”

Alessandro wanted to fight her, but he knew she could be stubborn and he guessed if he tried to push, she would bolt. “Fine.”

“Great.” She snagged a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and scanned the room. The women were draped in diamonds and the finest fabrics money could buy. The men were huddled in circles bragging about business deals and trying to top each other with outrageous purchases and trophy wives. She stiffened when Alessandro grabbed her elbow and guided her to his table. At the front, of course.

Alessandro made introductions at the table, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Eve. Something was eating at her and he didn’t like it. He hated that he even cared whether or not she was happy. She was smiling, but it was tight and forced, nothing like the lively smile that lit up her beautiful face. He would get to the bottom of it later, but now he needed to put his game face on. “I need to make the rounds,” he told her and disappeared into the crowd.

And there he goes, folks, off to rule more of the world
. She sat back in her chair and got comfortable as the couples at the table either made their way to the dance floor or talked shop. They had just arrived, yet she was already bored as hell.

“And what is it that you do, Eve?” The question came from a pretty blonde with a too large nose.

“I own a chain of beauty salons.” She watched the woman try to figure out what to say in response, a blank stare on her face.

“How nice.”

She said condescendingly,
Eve narrated to herself. “Yes. I think so.”

“How do you know Mr. Scotti?”

The woman leaned forward, too interested in the answer, so Eve gave her the answer she wanted. “He stalked me until I agreed to go out with him.” That was enough to make blondie rejoin another conversation.
Thank goodness.

Then, Eve had to endure three separate attempts to pick her up. One man was genuinely interested and nearly as handsome as Alessandro, but his attendance here made her question the quality of his person. The other two were just out looking to score with Alessandro Scotti’s sloppy seconds or after fucking a black chick. Either way, she wasn’t interested and excused herself to go to the bathroom.

Even the bathrooms were nicer than her apartment, so she took her time, using the thick lotion offered and retouching her makeup. She could stay in here all night, and she probably would have if a gaggle of stick figures with collagen lips hadn’t paraded in a cloud of cloying perfume and ruined her quiet moment. One woman,
the brave one
, Eve named her decided to ask the question everyone wanted to know. “Aren’t you here with Alessandro?”

She nodded and continued to touch up her lips, uninterested in the woman or her silly questions.

“I guess you’re his new
flava
,” she said, looking around her circle of friends for the giggles she desired.

“And, I guess you’re not.” More giggles came from the friends and were met with an icy stare.

“You won’t be for long.” She crossed her arms defensively.

“And, you still won’t be the flavor he wants. It gets you, doesn’t it?” She turned around to face the group. “I’ll bet he’s been with a few of your friends over there and still not you.” The group quickly quieted. “I’m guessing the brunette and the redhead, they have the assets Alessandro seems to
enjoy
.” She dropped the lipstick into her clutch. “As fun as it’s been to talk about why Alessandro will never fuck you, it’s time I got back out there.” She pulled the door and said, “Maybe if you were less bitchy and ate a steak once in a while, he might be willing to give you an audition.” She heard the gasp mixed in with the giggles as she exited the bathroom.
Women giggling. Seriously.
She shook her head in disgust.

Out in the ballroom, she quickly spotted Alessandro in the middle of yet another group of tuxedos and shook her head. He would probably spend most of the night networking and she understood it was important for all businesses. But this was supposed to be a date. A date he’d worn her down to accept.

Suddenly, the anger she tried to keep a lid on all night bubbled to the surface and she took a few steps in his direction and stopped. No, she would not make a scene. It wasn’t worth it. This was their first and only date, so a scene wouldn’t be appropriate, and Eve didn’t
do
scenes. She just moved on and she never looked back. She pivoted on her heels and walked slowly so no one would notice until she was through the ballroom doors, through the hotel doors, and out on the street where several cabs sat waiting. “Hollywood Hills, please.”

She couldn’t get home fast enough.

Chapter Four

There was nothing Alessandro hated more than these balls and galas he was forced to attend. It was important to keep A.C. Scotti in the press, especially good, philanthropic press, so he donned his tailored tuxedo and played the game. Most of the time, he was at the center of one group or another, tossing out advice and quips to keep the vultures entertained. Tonight, he wanted nothing more than to go to the woman he’d brought with him and hold her tight against him on the dance floor.

The last time he spotted her, she looked bored to tears, and he was pretty sure she was still angry. At what, he had no idea, but he would before the night was over.

“Hey, boss,” his assistant Jared interrupted another golf swing story and pulled him aside. “Your pretty little date seems to have disappeared.” He looked around nervously, unwilling to be the bearer of bad news.

“What do you mean she disappeared?” He knew, but he needed to hear it.

“Well, the doorman says she caught a cab about an hour ago, so I guess it would be more accurate to say she left.”

An hour?
He couldn’t believe so much time had gone by and he’d left her alone all that time. No wonder she went home. “Dammit!” Alessandro knew Eve would be beyond pissed at him, and she probably wouldn’t want to see him ever again. “I need to get out of here, to go to her.”

Jared hesitated, but he was on the job. “Sorry, boss, but you have to give the keynote speech tonight and it starts,” he paused and looked at the clock on his phone, “in about thirty minutes.”

Alessandro’s shoulders slumped in defeat. Alessandro Scotti didn’t
do
defeat and he wouldn’t do it now. He would sulk for a moment into a smooth glass of whiskey and give his damn speech. Then, he would regroup and make Eve his. “Let’s go get a drink, Jared.”