Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Luca
I didn’t fall asleep until two-thirty a.m., and the buzzing sound of my alarm jolted me out of bed at five-thirty. After turning it off, I lay back down, rubbed my face with my hands, and yawned. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone to that strip club with Brad and the guys last night. But it was my friend’s birthday and who was I not to show him a good time? I let out a deep breath as I dragged my tired ass to the bathroom and showered. After wrapping a towel around my waist, I walked over to my nightstand, picked up my phone, and noticed I had a voicemail message from my secretary, Lisa.
“Luca, my father passed away last night, and I had to fly to Georgia to be with my family. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, but it’ll be at least a month. I need to be here for my mother. She’s all I have. I’m sorry. I hope you can understand.”
I sighed. This was not a good time for her to be gone. Shit. I sent her a text message.
“I’m sorry for your loss. Take as much time as you need.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. Again, I’m sorry.”
I strolled into the office and headed straight to Olivia’s cubicle to tell her about Lisa’s father and make sure she showed up an hour early.
“Good, you’re here,” I spoke.
“You told me to be in an hour early.” She smirked.
“Lisa’s father passed away last night, and she’s taking a month off to be with her mother. Do me a favor and send some flowers from the firm.”
“I’ll get right on it.”
“Also, call the temp agency and get someone over here as soon as possible.”
“I’ll make the call as soon as they open.”
“Thanks. Is the coffee ready?”
“Yes. I made it when I came in.”
“You’re a good employee, Olivia.” I smiled.
“Can I have a raise?” She smiled.
“Don’t push it.”
I walked away and into the break room, which had a small kitchen with a full-size refrigerator, coffee maker, espresso machine, and microwave. Pulling down my coffee cup, I poured some coffee and took it to my office. The first half of the morning was hectic, and being without a secretary was already stressing me out.
“Olivia, did you call the temp agency?” I asked as I walked over to where she was sitting.
“Yes. They don’t have anyone available until two o’clock.”
“For fuck’s sake.” I shook my head. “I can’t find the file for the Grayson Case. Have you seen it?”
“Check over on Lisa’s desk. It should be there somewhere. She was the last one to have it. I have to run down to the copy room.”
“Go ahead. I’ll look.” I sighed.
Sitting down at Lisa’s desk, I looked through the files neatly stacked on the corner of her desk. Nothing. Two lines started ringing at once, and I looked around to see that no one was at their desk, so I answered and put them on hold. Turning my chair around, I searched the back table for the file.
“Excuse me,” I heard a soft female voice speak.
Turning around, my eyes caught sight of the beautiful woman standing in front of me.
“I’m looking for Olivia Shallow,” she said as she bit her lip.
Wow. Five-foot-six, slender figure, long brown hair with a few loose curls at the end, and the most beautiful blue eyes I’d ever seen in my life. They weren’t dark blue like sapphires. They were more of a baby blue. Light blue. Intriguing. Mesmerizing. Cock raising. The outline of her bra showed through her sheer top. Perfect cleavage. C cup. No doubt in my mind. Natural. No silicone. My cock started to get hard.
“She’s down in the copy room. She’ll be back in a few minutes.” I smiled. “And you are?”
She looked at me strangely for a moment before replying.
“Ariana Williams.”
Suddenly, all six lines began to ring at once, and my chest heaved with irritation.
“Russo, Greggs, and Butler. Please hold.”
“Russo, Greggs, and Butler. Please hold.”
“Russo, Greggs, and Butler. Please hold.”
“Russo, Greggs, and Butler. Please hold.”
“Russo, Greggs, and Butler. Please hold.”
“Russo, Greggs, and Butler. Please hold.”
As I put the last call on hold, I looked up at her, and our eyes met.
“You have your hands full.” She smiled.
What I wanted were my hands all over her beautiful body. A floral scent radiated from her. Lilies and roses.
“Busy day,” I spoke.
“Well, I’m sure your boss appreciates your hard work.”
I silently laughed to myself. She thought I was the secretary. I narrowed my eye at her as the corners of my mouth curved upward.
“May I get you a beverage while you wait for Olivia?”
“I’m fine. Thank you. I’m here to meet her for lunch. Don’t you need to take those calls you put on hold?”
“No. They can wait.” I smiled as I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“What if they’re important?”
“Of course, they’re important. This is a law firm. I’ve never seen you around before, and Olivia has worked here quite a long time.”
“I just got into New York yesterday.”
Ah, she was the friend. The one Olivia left an hour early for—the one Harry dumped.
“Welcome to the city,” I spoke. “Where are you from?”
“Boston. I think you should take those calls. I would hate for you to get in trouble.”
“Boston is a nice city. I’ve been there a few times. And as for my boss, he’s really a cool guy.” I smirked. “How long are you in New York for? I’d love to show you the sights.”
“I moved here.”
Fuck yeah.
She looked down at the phone and then back at me.
“All your calls hung up.”
I shrugged. “They’ll call back. So about showing you the sights.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t think so.”
Hmm. Women never turned me down. What the fuck was going on?
“Why not?” My brow arched. “Would your boyfriend not approve?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Husband?”
“I’m not married,” she spoke with an irritated tone.
“Even better. Then you have no excuse. Do you?”
“I’m flattered you would like to show me the sights, but I just moved here, and I need to get settled.”
And my bed is the best place to get settled.
“Could you point me in the direction of the restroom, please?”
“It’s down the hall. First door on your right.”
“Thank you.” She cleared her throat as she walked away.
My eyes fixated on her perfectly round ass as she walked out of sight. Getting up from Lisa’s desk, I went into my office. I had just found my new challenge, and I would win.