Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
~CARMINE~
“ W hen will you be back?”
I sip my whiskey and gaze out the window of the family’s private jet, waiting for the pilot to get the go-ahead to take off.
“Depends on how this goes.” I cross one foot over the opposite knee. “If it goes well, I don’t know. If she tells me to go fuck myself, I’ll be back tomorrow.”
My younger brother, Shane, snickers on his side of the call. “From what I know of Nadia, she’ll tell you to fuck off either way.”
“True.” I feel my lips twitch just as the pilot’s voice comes over the speakers.
“We’re cleared for takeoff, sir.”
I push a button next to my seat. “Excellent.”
“Have a safe trip,” Shane says. “Keep me posted.”
“Talk soon.” I hit end on the screen and blow out a breath. No detail hasn’t been scrutinized or picked apart. Nadia already knows me. There isn’t anything I can do about that.
But she doesn’t know what I have up my sleeve, and that’s in my favor.
Now, I just have to get down to Miami—literally on the other side of the country from my home in Seattle—and make her fall in love with me.
I blow out a breath and tip my head back against the fine leather seat.
Piece of cake.
In opulence and luxury, the resort rivals any in any major city of the world. I’ve stayed in some impressive places, from Monte Carlo to the Maldives, and The Island Resort ranks right up there.
I’ll be in the lap of luxury over the next few hours to days, and that doesn’t disappoint.
I checked in, settled into my suite, and now I’m on the hunt for my prey.
I don’t have to go far to find her.
I keep people on my payroll to give me the information I need the second I ask for it, and they’ve been on their toes when it comes to keeping track of the Bratva princess.
I walk through the resort spa to the private pool with its white chaise lounges, and sure enough, there she is, soaking up the sun in a pitiful excuse for a black bikini.
It’s hardly more than two scraps of fabric, but it showcases Nadia’s slim, tanned body to perfection.
At some point, she cut her blond hair into a short style that complements her stunning face nicely. I always forget how gorgeous she is until we’re face to face, and it hits me like a punch to the gut.
“Is this seat taken?”
“No,” she says without cracking open an eye. She looks serene. Relaxed. Almost as if she’s about to fall asleep. She looks like the spoiled daughter of a powerful man.
Which is exactly what she is.
It’s a comfortable eighty-two degrees outside as I lower myself onto the chair and stare at the Atlantic Ocean beyond the pool. I take a deep breath of salty air and turn to the woman next to me.
“It’s a nice day, isn’t it, Nadia?”
The use of her name has her slowly turning her head against the chair. She lowers her Chanel sunglasses down to the tip of her nose and takes me in from head to toe with those blue eyes.
“Carmine.” My name sounds like acid on her tongue. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Funny coincidence, isn’t it?” I grin and take the fresh glass of whiskey delivered by the waiter. “How’s the family?”
Her eyes are cool as she sits up and sips the iced drink at her elbow. The glass is sweaty as though it’s been sitting for a long while, ignored. I can’t help but watch her plump lips wrap around the straw.
With long, willowy limbs, full lips, ice-blue eyes, and light-colored hair, Nadia is a beautiful woman.
She’s also a very dangerous one.
“Everyone is fine. Thank you for asking.” She sets the glass aside. “And yours?”
“Oh, they’re doing well. What brings you to Miami?”
“Vacation.”
“Well, who can blame you? I’m here on a little holiday myself. It’s still too cold in Seattle. I needed some sunshine.”
“And you’ve found it.”
I nod once, watching her. She looks relaxed. Calm. As if she doesn’t have a care in the world. Then again, what could she possibly have to worry about?
Aside from me, anyway.
Because I’m about to chew her up and spit her out.
If I didn’t hate her family so deeply, I might pity her.
“Do you have dinner plans?”
Her eyebrows climb in surprise. “Are you asking me out on a date, Carmine Martinelli?”
“A dinner among friends,” I reply and shrug a shoulder as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Our families are very old friends.”
Two opposing mob families are hardly buddies.
“Right.” She smiles now, and I can admit, my stomach clenches in response. Yes, Nadia is breathtaking.
Fucking her won’t be a hardship.
“I’m quite sure I can change my plans. What did you have in mind?”
“Something simple. Quiet so I can talk with you. Catch up. Meet me in the lobby at seven?”
“I’ll be there.”
I stand to leave, but before I can, her quiet voice calls me back.
“You look better than I remember,” she says with a half-smile as her eyes travel down my torso to my swim-trunks-covered dick and back up again. “You grew up well.”
“I could say the same for you.” I nod and turn to leave, then toss over my shoulder, “Don’t be late.”
She strides into the lobby at three minutes after seven, wearing a long, black gown with a dip in front that falls almost to her navel, displaying her cleavage. She’s in shimmering silver shoes and carries a small clutch in her hand.
I don’t doubt that she has a small pistol strapped to her inner thigh.
“You’re late.” I lean in to kiss her cheek.
“Am I?” She smiles coolly. “Well, I never was good at taking orders. I’m starved.”
“Excellent. We’re staying here for dinner.”
I lead her into the hotel’s steakhouse. The hostess shows us to our table, discreetly located in a quiet corner of the restaurant so we can be alone.
Once the wine has been poured and our appetizers and entrées ordered, Nadia sits back and studies me over the candles on the table set for two. She swirls the wine in her glass. Her mind is clearly whirling.
“What is it?” I ask her.
“How did you know I was here?” She doesn’t miss a beat, and she’s not coy.
Nadia is a clever woman.
I don’t falter as I set my wine glass on the table. “I didn’t. It was a happy coincidence.”
“Bullshit.”
I quirk a brow. “I’m a lot of things, Nadia, but I’m not a liar.”
She sneers into her wine glass. “Right. The Martinellis are known for being upstanding citizens.”
I laugh and then shrug as if to say: “ What can you do ?”
“I’m not here on behalf of the family. I’m here for some peace and quiet. And I ran into a beautiful woman that I happen to admire and find appealing. It’s really that simple.”
“Handsome and charming,” she murmurs. “What a lovely surprise, indeed.”
Dinner is lively. We talk about people we both know. We flirt and laugh. And we both drink a little too much wine.
So much that two hours later, once we’ve consumed the food, and I’ve paid the hefty check, I don’t bother asking her where her room is. I simply take her up to mine.
“Are you planning to seduce me, Carmine?”
“Yes.” The answer is simple. And it might be the first truth I’ve spoken since I saw her at the pool.
“Excellent.”
“Where are you going?” I catch Nadia’s hand in mine and tug her onto my lap as she walks past me to the balcony.
“I need to make a call.” Her voice is smooth as silk as she leans in and presses her lips to mine. She takes it further than just a peck, and just when I’m about to grab hold of her and tumble her onto the bed, she pulls away. Wearing nothing but the hotel robe, she saunters through the open glass door to the balcony beyond.
We moved from Miami to St. Petersburg last week. I rented a sexy little car, and we road-tripped across the state and up the west coast of Florida with the top down, enjoying each other’s company and the views.
Now, we’re checked into the Don Cesar resort, settled in another top-floor suite with magnificent views and top-notch service.
I watch Nadia pace the patio for several moments, her phone pressed to her ear, and then decide to get in a quick shower. We might actually leave the hotel today and do something besides each other.
I’ve spent the past two weeks with her, and I know our time together is running short. Aside from every inch of her delectable little body, I haven’t learned anything about her family’s secrets. She’s a tight-lipped woman.
It’s frustrating as fuck.
And, I can admit with reluctance, admirable.
I just finish washing my hair and turn off the water when she opens the bathroom door and grins when I step out of the glassed-in stall.
“Did your call go well?”
“Not exactly.” The smile falls from her face, and her lips turn into a pout.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, exactly. I just won’t be able to go home tomorrow as I originally planned. It looks like I need to book a room at the Ritz in Paris.”
I dry my legs and wrap the towel around my hips. “Why Paris?”
“Paris is always a good idea, Carmine.” She laughs and boosts herself up onto the countertop. “My house is being remodeled, and it won’t be ready for at least six more months. So, I’ll be living out of hotels for a while. And why not do that in my favorite city in the world? I’ll shop and take in some culture.”
“Come stay with me in Seattle.”
The offer is past my lips before I even realize what in the hell I’m suggesting.
“That’s ludicrous.”
“Why?” I frame her face in my hands and brush my lips across hers. “Why is it ridiculous that I want to spend more time with you? Your home is unavailable, but mine is just sitting there.”
“I’ve never really spent much time in your city,” she says hesitantly as if she’s actually considering it.
“I’d love to show you Seattle.”
She sighs softly and rubs her nose over mine. “Are you sure about this? When your family finds out that you’re practically living with a Tarenkov?—”
“Let me deal with my family, darling. I’ll make some calls right now so the condo is ready.”
“You live in a condo?” She tips her head to the side.
“Yes, why?”
“You just strike me as a house man. A big, fancy one.”
I have a fancy house, but you won’t be living in it with me.
“Well, it’s a big, fancy condo in the heart of downtown Seattle. Penthouse. So, I’m not exactly slumming it.”
Her lips twitch.
“When would you like to go?” I ask as I bring up my assistant’s contact on my phone. “Tonight?”
“Tomorrow,” she says as she jumps off the counter and tugs my towel away. “I have plans for you today.”
I pull the belt of her robe free and feel my dick harden at the sight of her small, firm breasts, already puckered and ready for my mouth. She lets the terrycloth drop to the floor, and when I simply reach out and plant my fingertip against her hard clit, she gasps.
Her body is responsive. And as much as I hate myself for it, I can’t get enough of her.
I lift her and carry her back to the bedroom, where we tumble over already-mussed linens. She rolls on top of me, straddles my thighs, and tugs the skin of my neck between her teeth.
The bite stings, but only briefly before she licks me there, humming in delight.
I drag my fingertips up and down her calves. She’s so fucking soft, so smooth. Everywhere.
“I’m going to ride you hard and fast,” she mutters.
“No.”
Her blue eyes meet mine in surprise.
“It’s not going to be fast.”
In one quick move, I have Nadia pinned under me.
“I’m going to take my time with you for the rest of the day. I’m going to make you moan, sigh, and forget your fucking name.”
Her pupils dilate, and her breaths come faster with lust and anticipation.
I kiss my way down her torso and then nudge my shoulders between her legs, spreading her wide. I feast until she’s a writhing mass of lust, and my cock pulses with need.
I almost forget to reach for the condom but remember to sheath myself just before I plunge inside her. And then I still.
“Move,” she insists, but I only grin down at her.
“Is this what you want?” Very slowly, I pull back, letting the rim of my dick glide against the walls of her womanhood. I’m not disappointed when she moans in delight.
“Faster.”
“No.”
I kiss her lips and slowly slide back in, torturing us both.
“You’re not in charge right now, Nadia.”
She whimpers, and I pull out again, then slam into her, making her gasp and open her eyes in surprise.
“Jesus, Carmine.”
“No, darling. Just Carmine.”
I take her on the ride of her life, moving effortlessly from slow and easy to fast and frenzied. Finally, when we’re both sweaty and gasping, I let her fall over the edge into oblivion.
Enjoying Nadia has been a pleasure. Making her fall in love with me…seemingly effortless. If her last name weren’t Tarenkov, I might let myself feel something for her other than simple desire.
But that’s not the case. Because hatred has a pulse, and I have a job to do.
“Well, you weren’t kidding when you said it was fancy,” Nadia says the next afternoon as we step off the private elevator into the penthouse. The truth is, the family owns the entire building. We use the apartments on the lower floors for many different things, such as offices and torture space. The penthouse is a luxury condo that we keep for guests—or for times like these when someone in the family needs to use it. “Look at this view!”
She hurries over to the heavy glass doors and opens them to the balcony. Puget Sound spreads out before us in all her glory, the blue water dotted with sailboats and ferries.
“You definitely can’t beat the view.”
I walk up behind her, rest my hands on the railing on either side of her, and kiss her smooth neck just below her golden hairline.
Nadia’s short hair is sleek and sexy. Just as alluring as the long hair she’s been known for.
“What made you decide to cut your hair?” I ask.
“I didn’t.” She turns in my arms and leans her elbows on the railing as she stares up at me. A slight breeze blows around us. “It was cut for me.”
“By?”
She shrugs. “Doesn’t matter.”
I catch her face in my hand. “Who cut your hair, Nadia?”
She licks her lips. “I honestly don’t know. I was ambushed. They cut it, broke a rib, and then disappeared. That’s why I was in Miami. I needed to get away.”
“Why hasn’t your family tracked down who did that to you?”
As much as I hate the Tarenkovs, my blood boils at the thought of anyone laying a hand on this woman.
We don’t hurt women. Ever.
“Because they don’t know. I didn’t tell them.”
“Nadia—”
“Don’t lecture me.”
“Your father and brother need to know so they can protect you.”
“ I can protect myself.”
“I don’t doubt that for a moment. But someone was able to get to you. Why your hair?”
“I’m known for it. It’s just hair, Carmine. It’ll grow back. It was the broken rib that really pissed me off. Couldn’t breathe right for a month. Now, let’s drop it.”
“For now. But we’ll circle back to it. Now, would you like the grand tour of your new abode?”
“Hell, yes.”