CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
ROME
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The next morning, the first thing I thought about when I opened my eyes was Blossom Brooks. More specifically, the wet dream I'd had about her. In my dreams, she’d started out wearing the mask that Juliet wore.
I entered her office wearing my mask as well. She’d swiveled around in her seat to face me. Her voice had been robotic when she spoke through the modulator.
“Hello, Romeo.”
“Hello, Juliet,” I’d greeted, voice just as artificial-sounding as hers.
She’d been dressed in a sheer lingerie set, nipples and nipple ring visible through her bra. And dangling from her nipple ring had been my initial. R. Seeing that turned me on. But I’d wanted to do more than just see it. I’d wanted to touch it, to lick it, to rub my cock against it.
“Come closer, lover,” she’d whispered.
I’d done just that, moving further into her office as she sat in her large pink chair, watching me. When I finally stood before her, she spread her legs open and whispered...
“It’s time to keep your promises, lover. It’s time for you to lick this pussy until I cum down your throat.”
That was indeed a promise I’d made her during one of our video chats. And I was a man of my word. Going to my knees before her, I slid her panties aside and came face to face with her pretty pink pussy.
Like an addict, I leaned forward and inhaled the sweet scent of the woman I craved. Closing my eyes, I shivered, so damn happy that I finally had her in front of me. I opened my eyes when she gripped my hair and steered me where she wanted me.
I removed my mask. My gaze met hers. I wanted her to see me, the real me, the man who loved her and who wanted to cherish every part of her. Holding her panties to the side, out of the way, I kept my promise, feasting on her until her legs trembled, until she was panting, moaning my name.
Her manicured nails dug into my scalp. But I didn’t care. I welcomed the pain and the pleasure. With my free hand, I gripped my cock, pumping it, wanting to rub a quick one out so I could spend the next few hours buried deep inside her.
“Look at me, Rome,” she groaned.
I looked up in time to see her remove her mask, eliminating all secrets between us. Staring back at me was Blossom Brooks. My Juliet, the hacker, and My Blossom, the florist, were the same person.
And they were both mine.
All fucking mine.
I licked her until her thighs clamped against my face and she screamed my name. Then she creamed on my tongue as her body trembled uncontrollably. I joined in her ecstasy, coming hard all over my hand, body jerking as I swallowed down her juices.
And then my alarm blared, and I woke up to my sheets a fucking mess.
Fucking Juliet.
Fucking Blossom.
I stared up at the ceiling for several minutes before groaning and sitting up. The sheet was plastered to my cock and parts of my thighs. I’d have to do laundry this morning. This woman was becoming a serious problem.
"Fuck," I muttered before dragging a hand down my face.
I sat there for another full minute, staring off into space, lost in thought. Finally, I tossed the covers off me and climbed out of bed. I used my sheet to finish cleaning myself up, wiping away cum.
Then I gathered up the linen, carried it to the laundry room, and started a load of clothes. Once that was going, I headed for the bathroom, needing a cold shower. I bathed quickly and washed my hair.
After drying off, I rebandaged my healing wounds, dressed in a pair of boxers, and strode into the kitchen. I decided on cereal for breakfast because it was quick and easy. While eating, I pulled up my housekeeper's number and hit call. She answered on the third ring.
"Good morning, Mr. Cattaneo."
"Morning, Sally."
"How can I help you?"
"I need the beach house readied."
There was a brief pause.
"I thought housekeeping was scheduled for next week?” she asked.
"It was. But I need it ready sooner."
I was tired of dreaming about the woman I craved. I was ready to have her next to me.
"How soon?" Sally asked.
"Tomorrow."
"Okay. I’ll have the staff come in and make sure it’s prepared. Do you need food along with new pots and pans also?” she asked.
“Yes. I need the house fully stocked. I plan to be there for a while.”
“Understood,” she told me. "We’ll deep-clean the entire house. Replace anything worn. Stock the pantry and refrigerator and make sure everything is perfect for you."
"And prepare the guest room,” I told her, knowing that would make her curious.
Sally had been with my family for a long time. With all the money she’d made working for us, she could’ve quit a long time ago. But she said she enjoyed her job and didn’t plan to quit until her kids gave her grandkids.
Since she’d been with us for so long, she felt more like family than an employee. Which was why I didn’t get upset when she started asking questions staff shouldn’t ask.
"The guest room?" she said. “So, you won’t be staying alone.”
“No, I won’t.”
I could hear the smile in her voice.
“Have you finally met a nice girl to settle down with?”
"I...” I paused.
“It’s okay. I know how secretive you are. Trust me, I’ll make sure to only bring staff who won’t pry. And I won’t pry either,” she told me.
“Thank you, Sally.”
“For our guest, should we redecorate the guest room?”
“That would be great. I want the room to be comfortable for her. Add a large bed. King size. Let’s go with pink and rose gold for the color scheme," I told her, thinking about the colors of Blossom’s shop. “Add a desk, too.”
"Will do, Mr. Cattaneo.”
If Juliet was really Blossom, she'd need somewhere to work from home. I didn’t want her to think I was controlling her. Kidnapping was one thing. But I wasn’t a control freak.
"Anything else?" Sally asked.
"No. Just make sure the space is something a young woman would like."
"I will, sir. Will you need staff there to take care of you two during your stay, or do you prefer to be alone? If you need a cook, I’m available during the mornings and can meal prep your entire week. That way, you’ll get to be alone more without being disturbed."
“That sounds good, Sally.”
“What about guards? Do you need a security team, sir?”
“No guards. I’ll protect her.”
“Okay, Mr. Cattaneo. I have everything I need from you. I’ll get started on it now. When you’re ready for me to start coming to meal prep, give me a call. Have a great day, sir.”
“You too.”
We ended the call. For several seconds, I sat there, staring at my phone. I was grinning like a fool. I shouldn’t feel this damn excited about bringing Blossom to my beach house. Yet, I couldn’t erase this feeling.
I couldn’t ease it.
I couldn’t turn it off.
I was so far gone for this woman that I had to force myself to finish eating and not pull up her social media feed again to see if she’d posted anything since I’d last checked. After eating breakfast, I cleaned up my dishes and then headed to my office to answer a few emails.
I had a couple of emails from Julisa and my cousin at the Cattaneo-DeLuca casino that needed a response. Nothing too pressing. The team there was handling things well in my absence. Once work was done, I loaded my laundry in the dryer, then got dressed.
I never obsessed over clothing. Today I did. Today, it took me nearly an hour to decide on something to wear. Why? Because I was stopping by Blossoms and Vines before heading over to check on Marcel.
I needed to see her, the real her. Not a profile picture. Last night, I’d thought long and hard, searching for an excuse to visit her. Without Monique as the middle person, I would look foolish going into a floral shop.
Then it hit me. I could buy Marcel some flowers. Since he wasn’t ready to venture away from home yet, I could bring him things from outside. Flowers were the perfect gift for him. Even if they weren’t, they would be today.
Eventually, I decided on khaki shorts, a white polo shirt, and white tennis shoes. No hat. I wanted her to see my face. Adjusting my glasses, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and smiled. I was doing that a lot lately... smiling for no fucking reason. Well, I had a reason.
Juliet.
Blossom.
Dressed, I grabbed my keys and phone, then left the house. The drive to the florist felt like it took forever. Why were there so many damn cars on the road? The city of Biloxi was bustling today.
Relief hit me when I made it to the shop. There weren’t many cars in the parking lot of this strip. I hoped that meant she was alone. I damn sure hoped the cashier from last time wasn’t working.
I sat in my car, staring at the door, nervous to go in. I really needed to get my shit together. Why was I so damn nervous? She was just a woman. What was I saying? There was no such thing as just a woman.
Blossom, the ladies from the Curvy Wives Club, and even the DeLuca women were showing me that women were not simple at all. My view of women had been clouded for too long, thanks to my mother and women who ran in the circles I tried to avoid.
Those women were simple, jaded. But not all women were like them. Especially not my Blossom. She was a woman with a brilliant mind and a love for flowers. A woman who’d spent her days hacking me and her nights making me cum as she touched herself.
I swallowed, shoving those thoughts out of my head. I couldn’t go in there with a hard-on and make her think I was a complete perv. Then again, she had seen my cock already. I wondered if she’d pictured me naked the last time I was in her shop.
I smirked. She probably had. Perhaps that was what made her so nervous once the initial shock of seeing me had worn off that day. I wondered if she’d be just as shocked when she saw me today.
It was time to find out. Exiting my vehicle, I locked the door behind me and headed toward Blossoms and Vines. I entered the floral shop, and the first thing I noticed was the young light-skinned woman working the register.
She had brown freckles peppered across the bridge of her nose, and long, curly hair that dropped to her shoulders.
“Welcome to Blossoms and...” she started before her hazel eyes landed on me. Then she swallowed. Looking nervous, she finished with, “And Vines. Please let me... uh, know if you need help with anything.”
She forced a smile. Though she seemed a bit skittish, at least she wasn’t rude like the cashier who was here the last time I came. I nodded. My gaze swept the store, searching for the woman I was desperate to see.
My hope soared when a door at the back of the shop opened. Outstepped the woman from my dreams, Blossom Brooks, a vision in a pink ankle-length dress that clung to her curves in ways that made my mouth water.
I forced my gaze up to her face. If I let my eyes roam over her body the way they wanted to, I’d look like the kind of creep who needed to be banned from flower shops. So, I looked into her eyes instead. That wasn’t much safer.
Her gaze met mine and nearly stole my breath. If she wanted it, she could have it. From now on, she could be my oxygen. For a split second, surprise flared in her eyes. Then it was gone. If I hadn’t been watching her closely, I might’ve missed it.
“Mr. Cattaneo,” she greeted politely.
Mr. Cattaneo. Not Rome. Not Romeo. Definitely not lover. Yet, those were the things I wanted this woman to call me.
“Blossom,” I greeted, liking the way her name felt on my tongue.
“Did Monique send you in for something?” she asked.
“Oh, uh...” I rubbed the back of my neck, nervous energy forcing me to do something with my hands. “No. I’m here for myself.”
Frowning, she cocked her head to the side, just like Juliet so often did.
“Oh. Okay. What can we help you with today?” she asked, sounding so damn professional and polite.
Today, she was calm. Too damn calm. It had me rattled. The last time I’d been here, she could barely look at me. Today, she stood there in that irresistible dress, looking me directly in the eyes, not affected by me at all. Yet, I was stuttering, trying to figure out what to say to her.
“I’m... uh... looking for flowers,” I told her.
Her lips twitched, like she wanted to smile but decided against it.
“You came to the right place, Mr. Cattaneo. We specialize in just that.”
I chuckled. “Right.”
“What kind of flowers are you looking for?”
“Well, they’re for my cousin,” I told her, sliding my hands into my pockets. “He doesn’t leave the house much. I thought maybe flowers would help brighten his place up.”
Something softened in her expression.
“That’s thoughtful of you,” she whispered.
I wasn’t sure if it was thoughtful or selfish, since I’d mostly used Marcel as an excuse to come here. But the way she called me thoughtful filled me with pride. Now, I was truly hoping Marcel liked the flowers.
“I need something that would make his house less dreary, less lonely,” I said.
Nodding, she told me, “I understand. Come with me.”
I followed her through the shop, making sure my eyes stayed above her shoulders. Well, I tried to. But I couldn’t resist lowering my gaze.
That ass was a fucking problem.
So was that dress.
Wearing that in public should be illegal. I needed to hurry up and claim this woman so other men would know who she belonged to. I noted the way she walked, the slight sway of her hips that held me entranced.
This entire woman was a damn problem. Thankfully, I excelled at problem-solving. She stopped beside a display of potted flowers and arrangements.
“Fresh flowers are one of the best options when you want to brighten up a home,” she explained. “They add color, and depending on the flower, they can spread fragrance through your surroundings without being overwhelming.”
I watched her as she talked. She didn’t look away. Not once. Her eyes stayed on mine, confident and composed. What had changed? Had she expected me to return? Had she prepared herself? Or was she simply better at hiding her nerves today?
Either way, she didn’t seem affected by my presence at all. Instead, I was the one feeling off balance. Here she was, talking about flowers, while I was wondering if I should kidnap her right now to prevent others from seeing her in that dress. I hadn’t thought I was a control freak.
Her attire had me changing my tune.