CHAPTER 7 #2
“You know my last name and I don’t even know yours.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes I do.” Now, he stood in front of me.
“Fine.” I nodded in agreement.
“Antonio,” he finally said, his deep voice laced with something unfamiliar. “Your last name?” he tilted his head to the right. I quickly grabbed both of his hands, examining them. Perfect .
“It could’ve been De Luca if you weren’t such a pain in my ass,” I shook my head, and the corner of his mouth lifted into somewhat of a smile. “But now I’m stuck with Valentino,” I said with the most Spanish pronunciation.
“Nirah Joy Valentino,” he said and butterflies spread throughout my stomach.
“I know right. Who names their—what?” I suddenly froze. My brows drew together as I looked up at him. “How do you know my middle name?”
He looked down at me as though he had been waiting for me to ask that question. Something inside of me shifted, and my danger signals went haywire. No, just breath, Nirah.
“I’ve heard Marco say it,” he vaguely answered and even though my mind didn’t want to believe him, my body relaxed and my heart rate was back to normal. Sounds promising enough.
“Well, I strongly think that our parents wanted to humiliate us,” I said, brushing off the eerie feeling.
“Our?”
“Yeah, I have a brother, remember?” I asked and he slowly nodded in remembrance. “A twin brother actually.”
“Yes, I remember. Still can’t believe there’s two of you.”
“Relax, cowboy. He doesn’t swing that way but if you do, go for it,” I smiled.
“And how did they humiliate him?”
“We don’t speak of him. He’s simply, forgotten.” He seemed intrigued and I couldn’t miss this opportunity. “You’re starting to fall in love with me again,” I playfully sang. “Do I need to remind you about Loren?”
The muscle in his jaw ticked in subtle frustration. “You remember anything else?” he asked and my brows knitted together.
“I remember how short he was, not very tall. Tragic. I know.”
“How short?”
“Probably 5’7? I don’t know.”
“Do you still keep in contact with him?”
“Oh no, sweetie. I have grown to have standards. Thank the lord for that,” I smiled and a small yawned escaped as I covered my mouth. “I think I should…” I said, before getting interrupted by yet another yawn.
“Get to bed, Nirah,” he nodded.
I smiled, extending my hand. “Well, it’s not a pleasure to officially meet you Antonio De Luca.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he said, and I stood up, still holding onto his hand.
There was barely any space between us and as I stared into his eyes, my heart rate increased— dangerously .
Truth be told, I didn’t want to let go of his hand. His palm was rough, like a man who was used to working with his hands. They were big too.
His skin was warm, and it all settled in my core, stirring up feelings I would definitely be regretting in the future.
* * *
Because it was a Saturday, my body naturally woke itself up at seven in morning.
I sat up, yawning as I stretched my arms in the air. I glanced around the room, and the soft sun rays snuck into the room through the cracks in the curtains. I could’ve sworn I even heard birds chirping.
I skipped into the bathroom and brushed my teeth, washed my face and tied my hair into a low ponytail before I headed downstairs, only this time, I threw on his sweatpants.
Antonio and the tall, buff, robot of a man both seemed taken aback when I entered the kitchen. “You’re up early, strutting into my kitchen.”
“And you’re up early—in a suit —in your kitchen.”
“Cesar will be driving you back to the club,” he said as I headed for the fridge.
I scoffed. He must be joking. “Unless your middle name is Cesar, I’ll have to pass,” I said as I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge.
“I don’t know if you know this, but my trust issues started with men and unfortunately…
” I paused, taking a deep breath in. “God, I really dread saying this; you’re the only man I trust right now.
No offense, Cesar,” I said, glancing over at him.
“I’m sure you’re a swell fella,” I smiled.
“I have more important things to do today, then drive you around.”
“Well, you were the one who kidnapped me and brought me to your house so yes, you will drive me,” I nodded, plopping down on one of the kitchen stools.
“Or, I could just stay here for a few hours while I wait for you to get back, I mean this place is amazing,” I looked around.
“Cesar and I could even bond and then maybe I’ll let him take me to the club. ”
A breath of frustration left his lips. “If you don’t get in the car with Cesar, I’ll throw your ass over my shoulder and carry you out myself.”
I mischievously grinned. “Oh, don’t tempt me with a good time. Maybe then I can get a good look at that beautiful ass of yours. He has an amazing ass, don’t you think?” I asked Cesar .
Cesar’s body stiffened. “Uh…” he awkwardly trailed off when he saw both me and Antonio look over at him. “I don’t…”
I sighed. “Never mind.” He’s clearly not agreeing with me.
Antonio ran his tongue on the inside of his cheek as though he was mentally—maybe even physically—calming himself down.
“If you’re not downstairs in an hour you’re walking because Cesar and I have work to do.”
“It’s a pleasure doing business with you,” I hopped off of the stool.
“Oh!” I suddenly stopped, whipping around to face him again.
“You don’t happen to wear cocktail dresses, do you?
” I approached him and Cesar snickered but immediately stopped when Antonio’s head snapped towards him.
The way Antonio’s eyes darkened and his jaw clenched, I almost felt bad for Cesar.
The muscle under his right eye twitched when he looked back at me and I took a slow step back.
“No? Okay,” I nodded. “Since you’re into the whole formal look,” I said, circling my hands in front of his chest. “A blazer will work too.”
He ran an irritated hand down his mouth and called for Rosalia. “Take one of my blazers up to her room,” he ordered and she nodded.
“Yes sir.”
“Preferably black,” I said, putting my hand up and she nodded at me before leaving. “Thank you,” I smiled at Antonio. “You’re a peach,” I bopped his nose before skipping away as I headed upstairs.
Rosalia brought me his massive blazer and I asked her for a belt which she gladly went and fetched. I slipped it on and the tag caught my eye in the mirror. Armani . Of course.
I tied the black belt around my waist and slipped my boots back on. I put my hair back into a mid ponytail and folded my dress before heading downstairs and out the door.
“Woah, there big fella,” I said to Cesar as I approached him. “I’m sitting in front,” I rounded the hood of Antonio’s Nardo Grey BMW. Huh… the man has options.
“I always drive in the passenger seat with Mr. De Luca.”
“Not today,” I shook my head.
“Yes, today. Get in the back,” he shot back.
“I’m not sitting in the back like a child so why don’t you move along?”
“I’m not sitting in the back either.”
“Oh, for fucks sake,” Antonio groaned as he unlocked the car. His words were a terrifying seethe. “Cesar, get in the back.”
“But boss—yes sir,” he immediately lowered his head with the daring look Antonio shot him.
I smiled victoriously, crossing my arms over my chest, but it disappeared when I noticed Antonio’s eyes travel up my body. Our gazes locked and my heart unexpectedly skipped a beat. “Just get in the damn car,” he said before slipping into the driver’s seat.
* * *
“Thank you for the night,” I said, unbuckling my seat belt and Antonio nodded.
“And you,” I said, turning back to look at Cesar.
“I’ve known you for a solid ten minutes, but I already know I’m going to miss you big guy,” I sighed, flicking away a fake tear.
He groaned in annoyance and I couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, come on. You’ll miss me too.”
“I highly doubt that,” he grumbled.
“Yeah, you will,” I nodded, showing him a little grin. “And hopefully one day when you’re released from Daddy Daycare’s clutches, we’ll see each other again and we can go for a drink.”
“The chances of us seeing each other again are slim to none.”
“Bullshit,” I shook my head. “We’ll definitely see each other again and bond over cocktails and manicures. Anyways,” I sighed. “I can already see the steam coming out of this one’s ears so I’ll get my ass out before he throws me out himself,” I pointed my thumb at Antonio.
Antonio let out a short sigh, shaking his head at me.
I got out, closing the door behind me but stopped.
“Oh,” I said, bending down as I looked at him through the rolled down window. “You might want to tell Sparkle Toes that I used her leather jacket to clean up some orange juice that I had spilled on the kitchen floor.”
Antonio tilted his head to the side, taking in my words, and I showed him a big, innocent smile. “Bye now!” I waved before standing up straight and walking onto the sidewalk.