Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Romeo
I arrive at Nell’s apartment just before seven.
I set this date to get word around that I was dating someone, so when I showed us in Hawaii, my family would not think twice about it.
When I got the invoice for her shopping spree, I was shocked that she did not spend more.
Most women would have, but then again, after only spending thirty minutes with Nell, I could already tell she is not like most women.
I knock on the door, smiling when I hear a crashing sound and her swearing behind the door. It is fucking endearing how clumsy she is.
Women usually fall at my feet, but not Nell. Yet I know that she probably will at some point, just not for sex or money reasons. When I offered Nell this deal, I expected her to ask for money in return, but I saw in her eyes that the idea excited her, yet I felt some apprehension.
It pleased me that she did not and was just happy to help me out, just like I did her.
The door swings open, and I have to fight back a groan seeing her standing there looking like any man’s wet dream.
She is dressed in a black lace dress with a straight neckline and thin straps. The fabric stops at mid-calf and appears artfully gathered and secured at her hip, giving her both an elegant and sexy look.
Her shoes have my cock twitching. Images of them pressed into my ass as I fuck her pop into my head.
“Romeo?” She says my name on a whisper.
Looking at her face, I find her biting her lip, which are painted red. Her makeup holds a darker look, and her hair is pulled back into a mass of curls, some tendrils framing her face.
“Fuck. You look beautiful, Nell,” I praise her. “Stunning.” My voice lowers.
“T-thank you. You look good, too. Better than good. I mean, I bet that you always look good in suits that probably cost more than my apartment, not that I cannot afford my apartment, because I can,” she rambles adoringly.
“Nell.” My voice is stern, to calm her.
“Yes?” Her breathy tone sends a wave of desire through my crotch, making me want to say, ‘Fuck going out; let’s have our own private party,’ but instead, I lean in needing to touch her, to be close to her.
“Breathe, babe,” I whisper.
I kiss her cheek, and her scent invades me, taking over any rational thought. My lips linger, keeping my hand on her hip, the connection shocking my system.
“Romeo.” My name on her lips has me pulling back to look into her eyes, hoping to fuck, she is feeling what I am feeling.
With lust in her pretty eyes, I smirk, liking what I am seeing, but I know that tonight we have an agenda that needs to be fulfilled.
“Shall we go?” My voice comes out deep, filled with the tone I will use when I fuck her.
It will happen, I can feel a connection between us. Hell, I have felt a spark since I touched her outside the coffee shop she owns.
Nell has been in my dreams day and night, disrupting my business dealings, making me a laughingstock with Asher, who thinks this is a fucked-up thing to do, given my family’s reputation.
My parents will adore her; they are both very kind and caring. They may be linked to the De Massy Mafia, but they do not act like it. Some of my family is hard, and set in their ways, and deal in dark shit that I hate to be involved in, but have had no choice at times.
Nell nods, collecting her little black purse and coat.
Then I take her hand, leading her out of her apartment.
Locking the door behind her, we walk to my car, and I am hyper aware of her next to me.
Her hand feels good in mine. I have never been one to hold hands; I am thirty-eight, and never had a steady girlfriend long enough to hold hands.
We arrive at the restaurant, and I help Nell out of the car, my hand sliding to the small of her back while we walk inside. She shivers from my touch, and my lips twitch knowing that I have that effect on her.
“Mr. De Massy, your table is ready for you, sir,” the hostess says, smiling at us both.
I notice Nell glancing around—this place is extravagant and clearly meant for wealthy people. I’m certain word will reach my mother that I was seen here with someone so stunning.
I pull out the chair for Nell, who offers me a sweet smile.
“This place is so fancy,” she says, leaning forward. “Can I say that?” Her gaze flits round the room, taking it all in.
“You can say whatever the fuck you want, Nell.” I chuckle. “The wealthy sure know how to show off.”
“Says the billionaire who brought me here,” she smarts off, and honestly, I enjoy it.
“You’ve got me there.”
We look over the menu, and the waiter comes to take our order along with leaving a glass of my usual wine and my bourbon. Nell cocks a brow at me, and I wink.
“My family dines here a lot. They know my usual.”
“Are you close with your parents?” she asks.
“I am. I am an only child but if you ask my best friend, Asher is their favorite son.” She giggles, and the sound sends a wave of an unfamiliar emotion through me.
“I am an only child as well. My mother was unable to conceive after my birth, so I received all of my parents' love, and we have remained very close—as evidenced by the fact that we co-own a business,” she says, her smile reflecting pride in both her family and business.
In my experience, many women squander unearned money from their families, but Nell takes genuine pride in her accomplishments, which earns my respect.
In my world, hard work seldom instills respect and loyalty.
“So, tell me more about you,” I ask, sipping from my glass of wine.
“Romeo.” That voice makes my teeth clench.
My gaze stays on Nell, seeing her body tense. “Let me explain before you jump to any conclusions,” I state, and she nods, but I see her jaw clench. “Good girl,” I say, knowing what my praise does to her.
“Hello, Daniella.”
I turn to look at the woman I thought I would marry one day, but I found her with one of my staff, his cock buried inside her and her bent over my desk. She has tried to get back with me for the past year, but once you burn me, there is no going back.
“You have not returned my calls and texts, honey.”
“I have been busy, as you can see. I am here on a date with my girl, so if you wouldn’t mind.” I dismiss her but as usual, she ignores me.
Her eyes narrow and she turns to look at Nell, her nostrils flaring, and I see the look of disgust cross her plastic face. Daniella likes to have cosmetic surgery done, trying to make herself look appealing to men in the money world.
“Date? With her? Romeo, you know that you do not need to slum it. Come home with me, and it will be like old times. You do remember how good we were together, don’t you?”
“Excuse me?” Nell snaps, her voice gaining the attention of a few people around us.
I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. Daniella sees it and glares harder, making me grin in satisfaction.
“Baby, do not let her get to you.” I wink. “Tonight is about us. Not her.”
“Does your mother know about this so-called date? She would be so disappointed in you for not dating someone within our world, Romeo. Did you pay her to be here with you, to make me jealous? Now, I am willing to forgive this little slip, if you come home with me right now.” She stamps her foot, and Nell lets a giggle slip free.
I wink at her, loving her reaction. With a smile, I turn back to Daniella.
“My mother would be happy that I have a woman in my life who knows respect, manners, and loyalty. Now Nell and I would like to continue with our date alone.” I leave it at that, hoping she gets the hint.
Turning back to the woman sitting across from me, I ignore the woman who has been a thorn in my side since she cheated on me.
“So, are you all set for Hawaii?” I ask Nell.
“You are not fucking serious, Romeo. She cannot come to the wedding.” Her anger spikes my own.
“She can and she will. You do not get a say in this matter, Danielle. Now leave before I have you removed.”
I make eye contact with the hostess and call her over.
“Mr. De Massy?”
“Can you escort this woman out, please? She is disrupting our dinner, and I will not be held accountable for what I do next of she is not removed immediately.” My voice is cold, hard, but controlled.
“Of course. Miss, I am going to have to ask you to leave.” The hostess waves her hand at the entrance, and Daniella laughs.
“Do you know who I am?” she retorts, flicking her hair over her shoulder.
“A spoiled brat?” Nell coughs, and I laugh not too quietly, which makes Daniella even angrier.
“Miss,” the hostess tries again, this time stepping closer.
They know that I hold more power over Daniella’s family, so I win this round, hell all of the fucking rounds. I am a De Massy for fuck’s sake.
I get what I want when I want it.
“Your mother will hear about this,” my ex snipes.
“I sure hope she does,” I reply with an edge to my voice.
She moves away finally, led by the staff, and I sigh, tightening my hand in Nell’s.
“I am sorry she interrupted our meal.”
“You dated her?” She holds her hand up to stop my reply. “Of course you did. I have seen the kind of women you have dated before, Romeo. I am not sure that your family will believe that you are with me.” Nell sighs, taking a sip of her wine.
“We dated for two years. I was planning on proposing, then I caught her cheating on me with a member of my staff. Not once have I gone back and I never will. Once my trust is broken, there is no going back.”
She looks at me for a time, like she is reading my thoughts. It is a little unnerving, but I let her have her moment because I need her to stick to our deal and accompany me to the wedding. I need to spend more time with her.
I have everything fucking crossed that this deal will lead to more than just a week with her.