Mafia Rules (Mafia King #1)

8. ASH

8

ASH

I changed suits three times and still wasn't feeling it. "You're ridiculous," I say out loud as I look into the mirror. I pull at my tie and start over again.

"Grace!" In my state of impatience, I raise my voice toward the door.

"Yes." Grace's long, slender arm curls around the door as she peeks her head into my room.

With a gesture toward my tie, I silently plead for help.

Grace's face lights up with a radiant smile as she eagerly bounces toward me. "You’re fancy tonight.” Her fingers make quick work of fixing my tie. “There.”

“Thank you.” I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, studying every detail of my appearance. I may have more gray hairs than I'd prefer, but I still have some charm left.

“This one seems different.” Grace jumps back on the bed, watching me.

“She is.” I brush the nonexistent lint off my jacket, hoping she would take the hint and leave me in peace.

“And…” Grace smacks her gum. “Details, Ash.”

Grace had that charm that only a younger sister could have. She was hands down the most annoying, loving sibling I have. On a break from college, she is staying with me until she can face our father and tell him she isn’t going back to school—something I’ll stay out of.

“There’s not much to add. She just started working for me.” I pick up the wrapped gift for her off my side table and slip it into my pocket for safekeeping.

“My brother never does this much for a woman,” Grace says.

I couldn’t blame her for trying to get more information, and sure, this was out of the ordinary for me. I don’t know how Eve has managed to get under my skin so quickly, so I couldn’t explain it to the ever-romantic Grace. “You’ll meet her, eventually. Shouldn’t you be leaving?” I glance at the clock. The limo sent to pick up Eve and bring her here should be arriving shortly.

"I'll make myself scarce," Grace sighs, sliding off the bed. “I’ll meet her sooner than later too, Ash.”

“Yes, Grace.” My voice is even, in a I will not argue with you kind of way.

“Have fun tonight.” She nods her head to me. “You deserve something special since...”

“Don’t, Grace.” I hang my head. I didn’t want to remember her tonight. Eve deserves all my attention.

Grace comes over and kisses me on the cheek. “But not too much fun.”

I watch as she leaves, my annoyance growing as memories of Sasha flood my mind. My heart pounds as anger rushes in, and I push the memories down. Things are different now, better. I didn’t need her, and meeting Eve proves that. She makes me feel alive for the first time in a while.

_______________________________________

As I stand there waiting, my heart races in my chest, the anticipation building with every passing second, fully aware that the approaching limo holds something already precious to me. Eve has been on my mind ever since our eyes first locked. Her cheeks flushed a rosy shade as she looked at me with eyes filled with desire—even though my cock was in someone else.

I fidget with the flowers in my hand, glancing at my watch. I pace back and forth, unsure of the last time I was the one waiting for someone to arrive. She drives me crazy with her insecurity, but those eyes give her away. The potential in her glows through them.

I see the limo pulling up out of the corner of my eye. I stand up straight and take a deep breath, holding in my excitement at seeing her in that green dress, and what she’ll look like when I peel it off her curvy body, my cock hardening at that thought. I shift from one foot to the other, not wanting to greet her with a rock-hard cock.

The limo comes to a complete stop, and I make my way to her door and open it. I see her chest rise and fall before she makes a move to get out. She’s fucking breathtaking.

“Eve.” I take her hand and pull her toward me as she exits the limo.

“Ash.” Her green eyes are shielded by her long lashes, her eyes averted to the ground.

I grab her chin, her skin so soft and milky. I make her look at me, even though her presence slightly waters my eyes.

“Flowers?” She takes them from my hand, clearly needing the distraction.

“They reminded me of you.”

She smells the petals, and her face lights up. Her shoulders relax, a little more at ease. My hand slips to her waist, restraining the need to just head to the fucking bedroom and do what I want to her. But I know I have to pace myself. I want her willing and ready.

“Thank you.” She steps away from my touch, my heart taking a bit of a hit.

“We’re just upstairs.” My hand instinctively lands on her back as we walk to the doors.

“Here? At work?” Her eyes squint at me with uncertainty.

“I have a condo here too. As do my brothers.” I walk her toward the elevator. Under the fluorescent lights, I can see she’s put more effort into her appearance tonight. There’s a sheen to her skin that sparkles as we move through the lobby. I wonder how far down her body she applied it.

“Oh.” She runs her shaky hand through her wavy purple hair and takes another deep breath as we stop in front of the elevator.

I swipe my card to access my floor and stand behind her, looking her backside over. Her body is perfectly shaped. Curves in all the right places. After the doors open, I eagerly follow her inside. She turns around, her face radiant with a broad smile, clutching the flowers tightly against her chest, almost as if she's using them as a shield.

We ride the elevator in silence until the doors open right inside the living room. It’s dark, with most of the light coming from outside, the focal point being the breathtaking view of the city at night.

“This is beautiful, Ash.” She disarms, lowers the flowers, and walks over to the window.

“I rather like the view as well.” I follow, not looking outside.

“I’ve never seen the city like this.” She stops at the window, the shadows from outside marking her beautiful face in mystery.

“Are you a lifelong city girl?”

“No.” Deep in thought, a chuckle slips from her lips. “A country girl.”

“I feel like there’s a story there.” I grab two drinks from the side table and hand her one.

“I don’t really drink,” she reminds me, taking the glass. “Not that I care if you do,” she blurts out quickly in that soft voice that drives me fucking crazy.

“Try this one. It’s not dry.”

“I’ve tried to like drinking.” She giggles under the pressure of my gaze, her eyes drifting back to the city lights. “But I normally just pretend.”

My gaze falls to her lips, painted shiny red. Luscious and plump. Ready to be fucked. I shake my head. I can’t ramp up quickly, she isn’t like the rest—which is probably why I like her so much. She doesn't possess the qualities that usually catch my eye. She’s too smart to fall for my lies. She knows what she wants.

“Dinner is ready, sir,” the chef interrupts us.

“Thank you.” I take her limp hand in mine and direct her to the dining room, where candles and flowers adorn the table. It’s a formal room, yet cozy with dimmed light. Not really my style, but I trusted my decorator to handle these things. “I wish I could say I’m this artistic, but I had some help with the table decorations.”

Her hand covers her mouth, hiding her smirk at my expense. “It’s beautiful, whoever did it.”

I pull out her chair, and she sits, taking in the display. I sit next to her, observing her reaction to everything. There’s an awkwardness between us that is new. It’s as if we’re both waiting for something to happen.

The server arrives with plates, followed by the chef. They place our meals in front of us, then step back.

“Thank you. You can leave now.” I nod to them. I don’t want to share another moment of my time with Eve with anyone.

“This looks amazing.” Eve pokes the meat with her fork before taking a bite. Her eyebrows lift in appreciation. I can’t help but wonder what her reaction will be to my taste.

“I’m glad you approve.”

Her eyes shift to me, and we both know I’m not talking about the fucking chicken.