I leaned in to whisper in his ear, “I'm allergic to grapefruit. Seems you don't know me as well as you think.” Feeling mischievous, I stood up from my seat and grabbed my jacket. “Thank you for inviting me here, Mr. Mariano. I truly enjoyed our conversation.”
He gritted his teeth and stood up. “Might I convince you to stay? Perhaps we can find something that won't potentially kill you,” he rushed out. Nico seemed like the kind of man to never waver. He was confident and poised. Was it me causing him to act frantic and unsure?
I bit my lip. “I really must get going—”
“I insist.” Nico stepped closer and reached out to wrap his large hand around my forearm. “I would truly enjoy spending more time with you.”
I looked up at Nico and let out a shaky breath. “I really must get going...”
“One night,” he whispered. “I'm just asking for one night.” He leaned over and brushed his lips against my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. He was so warm, so solid.
I sensed what he was insinuating and blushed. “One night?” I asked, grinning. I bit my lip and pressed my legs together as he straightened to get a good look at me.
He smiled like a champion just winning a race. The predator had me right where he wanted me. “One night.”
Chapter Four
Nico held me in his arms as we danced to the soft music playing. We both enjoyed scotch on the rocks and an impersonal conversation for the last couple of hours. I had a buzz in my veins that was growing by the second, but I wasn't sure if it was brought on by the alcohol, or him. “Why do you have men in suits guarding you at all times?”
“My answer would tie you to me for longer than a night. Forgive me, but I need to keep my work life private for your safety.”
I nodded and wrapped my arms around his neck while we swayed to the music. I knew Nico was into some dangerous mafia shit, and it was probably wise that I didn't go searching for more information. It wasn't like I'd ever see him again. But still, I ached to understand the mystery man who saved my life. “I'm just trying to get to know you,” I whispered.
He ran his fingers down my arms and gripped my ribcage, teasing the sides of my breasts. “What would you like to know?”
“Who is most important to you?” I asked. You could tell a lot about a person by the way they loved others.
He gripped me tighter, as if my question pained him. “My brother. He's all I have. Our parents died a few years ago in an... accident. There is no one in the world I trust more. I would literally do anything for him. I've even jumped in front of a bullet or two,” he said while chuckling to himself. I tried not to jump at the casual mention of his near-death experiences.
“What's his name?”
“Lorenzo. Enzo for short,” he replied. “What about you? Who do you care most for in this world?”
I knew my answer immediately. “My cousin, Dax. He's kind of like my brother. It's just us, too. He moved to LA a couple of years ago and I miss him a lot.”
We continued to dance, and he paused to pull his phone out of his pocket and curse. “Fuck,” he growled before nodding at a suited man standing against the wall.
“Do you need to go?” I asked while pressing my cheek into his chest. I wasn't quite ready for this to end.
“I have an associate who will handle it.”
I licked my lips and squeezed him tighter. Why was I so drawn to Nico? I should be running for the hills. “Do you not get many breaks?” I asked.
“I'm always working. It's rare that I get to enjoy an evening with a beautiful woman,” he replied in a rasp. “And I'm going to be selfish tonight and let someone else handle the mess.”
I pulled away and grabbed the lapels of his suit jacket. “So that's what you do?” I asked. “Clean up messes?”
He grinned and leaned over to hover his lips just above mine. “Something like that.”
I closed the distance between us, boldly pressing my lips to his on a moan. He responded quickly, lavishing my mouth with passionate kisses, parting my lips so he could explore my tongue. Our teeth lightly clashed. His hands roamed my body, as if we weren't in a room surrounded by people. Arching my back to get closer, I lifted my leg ever so slightly, bending it at the knee so I could put my core closer to his hard cock.
“Lydia,” he whispered. “Would you like to go somewhere private?” he asked.
I pressed my forehead to his and nodded slightly, my heaving breaths coated with lust and need. One night. Nico Mariano was too intoxicating to pass up.
He slammed his lips to mine once more in appreciation, then threaded his fingers through mine to guide me across the floor of his lavish club. I stared at him, my wobbly legs shaking with each step. Something deep within me felt rattled. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff. I'd slept with plenty of men. I'd snuck out the next morning like nothing had happened, too. But this didn't feel like just one night. This felt like something more. A contract signed in blood.
“Where are we going?” I whispered when he pulled me to a hallway.
“I have an apartment above the club,” he replied huskily. “I stay there when I'm too tired to drive to the other side of the city where my penthouse is.”
I ignored the way he casually mentioned his penthouse on the other side of the city and nodded. “Let's go.”
Each step made the tension between us grow. Ignoring the men trailing at a distance behind us, we ascended a secret set of stairs, traveled down a long, low-lit hallway, and to a large set of wooden double doors, sealed with a stainless-steel padlock.
Nico spun around and addressed his guards. “No one is to bother me until tomorrow morning.”
I chewed my lip.
“Yes, boss.”
Once inside, I didn't have time to take in the decor of the room. I didn't look at the four-poster bed, the expensive comforter, or the oak desk piled with papers. I didn't notice the pistol sitting on his nightstand. Nico slammed into me and pushed me against the wall, stealing my attention for his own.
“I've wanted to do this since I saw you yesterday.”
I shoved his suit jacket off and picked at the buttons of his shirt while he tossed his tie to the floor. I was pinned under his strong body, his leg thrust between mine and pressing against my core. He bit my lip, nearly drawing blood.
“You looked at me like I was a motherfucking hero.” His palm slammed against the wall beside my head and I jumped. His other hand captured my chin, squeezing.
“Thank you for saving me,” I whispered, a sliver of fear spiking up my spine and making me tremble.
“Don't thank the villain, baby. I'm going to ruin you.”
Nico kissed me harder, his mouth open, swallowing me whole. He pawed at my dress, tearing the straps, ripping it off until it was nothing but a pile of fabric on the floor. I cried out when he grabbed my breasts with his strong, massive hands.
Soon, he was lifting me up and carrying me to the bed. Slipping off his Gucci belt, he looped the ends, creating leather makeshift handcuffs. After slipping them over my wrists, he pushed my hands over my head. “Stay just like this. Don't move until I say so,” he demanded before standing up to undress the rest of the way and fully admire me. Slowly, he stepped out of his pants and underwear. Seeing his hard cock, jerking and solid made me swallow in anticipation. He fisted it, letting me appreciate the view, before stalking closer.