Chapter 10 Anna
ANNA
The private limo service lets us out, and we quickly get into the back seat of Addie’s brother’s car a couple blocks from home.
He tucks us under a blanket before jumping back into the driver’s seat and making his way through the gates, and into the back of the house, parking by the bush that will allow us cover as we get out and make our way inside.
Andrew opens the refrigerator and pulls out a beer once we’re all safely in the house. “Glass of wine or something for the fugitives?”
Addie pushes against his shoulder. “Thank you. I mean it.”
He puts a bottle of wine on the kitchen table and gets two glasses from the cabinet. “You know, if Massimo Roselli got wind that I snuck his sister-in-law out of the protection of his guards, he’d fucking slice my tongue out and leave me in the water with a cement block tied around my ankle.”
I roll my eyes at Addie’s younger brother. “You’re so dramatic. They don’t do that anymore. They’d just toss you into an incinerator.”
Addie covers her ears. “Do not say shit like that in front of me.”
I laugh. “Relax, I’m kidding. Besides, I’m a grown woman, free to do what I want.
Massimo Roselli is not the boss of me. I’m just living there until I get my life back together, but it’s best for everyone if he doesn’t know I slipped out while staying with Addie, so thank you for your help, Andrew. ”
He points to Addie. “You still owe me, big time. Night ladies,” he says, heading out of the room with his beer.
I turn to Addie. “I’m sorry you had to involve him.”
She laughs. “It’s no big deal. You should see the schemes and double dates he’s wrangled me into over the years. Andrew owes me big time, not the other way around.”
My phone buzzes. I slide it from my purse and glance at the screen as butterflies dance in my belly.
Message: “Night, princessa.”
My face splits into a smile. Addie gestures to my phone. “Who is that, the guy from the club?”
“Yes.”
She takes a sip of wine. “And what was his name?”
I sigh. “Ever the lawyer. You know the rules. No names.”
Addie narrows her eyes. “I’ll see if I can weasel the information out of Valentina. Rules or no rules, she’s my friend. It’s one thing to have a meet up at the club, but you gave him your personal cell? I honestly didn’t think I’d have to tell you not to do that.”
I stand. “On that note, Ms. Lawyer, I’m heading to bed. I get enough of the third degree about every second of my life at home, Addie.”
Her face falls and I regret the words instantly. “I’m sorry, it’s just it’s the first time I’ve felt like this in, well, ever honestly. It might just be a hookup but it’s an exciting, dangerous and seductive experience. Let me bask in my happiness. You can be all nosey and shit tomorrow.”
She laughs and shoos me away with a hand. “You know your way up to the guest suite. See you in the morning.”
The minute I’m snug in bed my finger traces over his message. I could see him again. All I have to do is say yes to Addie and ask him to meet me there. He said he’ll call. His message tonight wasn’t looking for a conversation. But every time I look at the word princessa the butterflies dance.
Still, maybe he was probably just trying to be polite.
Maybe he calls everyone pet names that make females flutter.
No matter what. I’m not about to be one of those clingy women.
Surely someone so experienced can have his pick of anyone with far more sexual skills and prowess than me.
But the words on the screen must mean he’s thinking about me. Right? I click the keyboard gently.
Message: Goodnight.
The length of the day, the emotional and pure physical toll of the day draw me under, pulling me into a deep sleep. When morning comes, I pat the silky comforter, looking for my phone, and am flat out amazed that for the first time in I can’t remember, I slept through the entire night.
No dreams, no waking up for a gazillion reasons that I never even understand. Just pure blissful sleep. I smile and stretch. I may need Mr. D and his special treatments more than I realized.
Addie and Andrew are talking downstairs when I reach the kitchen. “See you two later,” Andrew says. “I’m running late or I’d stay and harass you more about last night.”
I grin. “Go, have a great day. Don’t let the good guys win!” I say, settling into a chair and pouring a cup of coffee from the carafe on the table. “I slept all night long!”
Addie’s eyes raise as she munches a piece of English muffin. I butter one for myself and plate some fruit and scrambled eggs. She pushes the strawberry jam my way. “You needed a night out.”
After breakfast, Addie gives me a hug as Massimo’s driver pulls up outside the Dunlap estate. “See you next week if you decide to go. I’m hanging out here all week, so let me know.”
“I will,” I call back before walking outside to get into the back of the black limo. The driver holds my door open and then closes it before getting back into the driver’s seat. “Home Miss Anna?”
“Yes, please.”
Sophia and Massimo are soaked in sweaty running gear as I enter the dining room. “You two need a shower,” I tease, holding my nose.
Sophia rolls her eyes. “That’s exactly where I’m headed. “How’s Addie?”
“She’s great. She has a big case this week, second chair.”
Massimo nods. “She’s getting quite the reputation. Ferocious in the courtroom. Not many better in my opinion. Did she ask you about signing on with the firm again?”
“She did and I gave her my standard answer.”
Massimo laughs. “When are you going to give in and come work for us? The Rosellis aren’t so bad, I promise,” he says, hugging my sister tightly from behind.
I shrug and give him a grin. “I may be getting close. It’s the business I know, we’re all family, and it makes sense.
But we’re going to have to talk about the living arrangements at some point.
I can’t keep mooching on the two of you.
You need your space as a newly married couple, and I definitely need my space. ”
His dark eyes narrow. “In time, Anna. It hasn’t been that long. You can’t rush some things. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to shower before we begin offending the dogs.”
I laugh. “Yes, you do. And try to keep it quiet in there. You know I can hear you all the way on the other end of the house? Just one more reason I need my own place.”
“We’ll talk,” Massimo quips, but he’s already got his hands all over my sister and my living space is the last thing on that man’s mind right now.
I head down to the gym to release some pent-up energy, and in all honesty be one floor removed from the noise those two lovebirds make.
An hour on the treadmill and a few rounds of weights and I’m ready for a shower myself.
Then, I plan to dig into the business documents that Massimo gave me over a month ago.
See if working with the numbers puts a spark of life back into my mind and sluffs the cobwebs from my brain.
Six months. That’s all the time I’m giving myself, and that time is up.
Dinner here at Massimo’s estate is always an explosive occasion, depending on which brother comes for a meal and what trouble they’ve been in or caused.
It’s definitely not dull, and it’s clear that they all have come to love my sister, which makes me feel good that she’s been able to put Papa and the past behind her.
She deserves happiness and Massimo certainly gives her that.
My mouth waters as they pass the dish, steamed to perfection and drizzled with lemon and olive oil.
The tastes of the handmade pasta, fresh San Marzano tomatoes and basil come through in the pasta al pomodoro, served with a small serving of veal scaloppine with white wine and sage, along with baby artichokes.
I’ve just finished dinner and reached for a second glass of wine imported from the Roselli vineyards in Italy when my phone buzzes with a message from Mr. D.
Message: Are you in your bedroom? With no panties?
I can feel my cheeks heat. Hell, no I’m not in my bedroom, it’s six thirty. I told him nine thirty or ten. I can’t remember but it wasn’t right in the middle of dinner time with the Roselli family. My cheeks heat but I also don’t want to tell him no. “Excuse me, I’m going to take a call.”
Massimo is in a heated discussion with his brother and Sophia just nods, inhaling a breath because things don’t heat up often between Massimo and his brother Leandro but when it does, it’s nothing short of explosive.
Clearly, it’s a good time because they are not paying me any mind at all.
I message Mr. D back as I head up the stairs.
Message: Heading there now. No panties.
There’s no reply, even as I reach my bedroom, nothing. My disappointment is palpable, but that doesn’t stop me from locking the door and shedding my clothes as I get into bed. And when my phone rings something deep inside ignites with anticipation. “Hello?”
“Princessa, you please me greatly with how perfect you are.” That deep gravelly voice in my ear makes me so wet that I can barely think of anything to say.
“You’re in your bedroom now?”
“Yes, in bed with no clothes on.”
“Next time, when I call, you’ll go to your bedroom and kneel with nothing on at all. And when I call, I’ll give you instructions, yes?”
My heart beats so fast I think it’s going to thrum right out of my everloving chest. “Yes.” It comes out on a breath, more like a question instead of an answer.
“Tell me you like that, princessa.”
I fucking love it. “I love it.”
I can almost imagine those deep dark eyes. His deep voice penetrates the dark. “Do you have the bedroom light on or is it off?”
I swallow through my nervousness. “It’s off and I’m under the covers.”
“We’ll work on your aversion to being on display when I see you next. For now, that will do. Is your pussy wet?”