CHAPTER THREE
VINO
The host announced at the door, “Let us welcome our esteemed guest of honor, Claire Ainsley, a rising star in the fashion industry.”
The room erupted in cheers and applause.
Smirking behind my mask, I joined the applause. Claire’s radiant smile showed her appreciation as she stepped into the spotlight.
Near the stage, my friends Sierra and Emoni chatted with each other.
One of the women surrounding me asked coyly, “So who are you going to take home tonight?”
I flashed a devilish smirk, not answering her question.
The ballroom was filled with the elite and powerful, all here for a good cause - to donate to charity.
As Claire strolled by, her eyes locked onto mine and a smile curled on my lips. She probably wondered who I was amidst all these important people. I entertained the women around me for a little while longer before making my way to the bar.
With a raised hand, I summoned the bartender.
“I’ll have a Scotch, neat.”
“Right away, sir.”
My attention shifted back to Claire, who stood nearby with a glass of champagne. “Enjoying the masquerade ball?”
The bartender placed my drink in front of me, and I set a crisp hundred-dollar bill on the bar before nodding.
Claire smiled behind her intricate, gold-detailed mask. Her eyes and nose peeking out. Her lips were left on full display. Her hair, styled in a high bun, left her neck bare and inviting. My fingers twitched at my side, imagining them around that slender neck, pulling her closer, and taking those plump red lips.
“I am,” she replied. “The company funding my business made it mandatory for me to attend. But I enjoy observing everyone’s fashion choices—and thinking about how to improve them.”
I savored the smoky, woodsy notes of the Scotch. “What would you improve about my tuxedo?”
Her eyes roamed over me, from head to toe, before she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
That simple gesture had my mind racing, imagining myself on my fucking knees before her, devouring her pussy until she came all over my face, something I hadn’t done in a long time. When I was a teenage boy, I ate pussy. The right woman hadn’t come along who’d make me want to get on my knees and please her. Until now.
“Let’s see. I’d add a few pops of color to break up all the black. Maybe a gold pocket square. On the back of the collar, I’d add gold shiny fabric that would set you apart. And I can’t forget the shoes. I’d add gold bottoms.” she grinned.
“I like that,” I said, signaling the bartender. “Give her another glass of champagne.”
Her brow arched. “Are you leaving your groupies for me? Because I should warn you, I’m all about self-satisfaction.”
I chuckled. “I love a woman who knows what she wants.”
“I love how men pretend not to care when a woman admits she only wants one thing,” she countered, a playful edge in her voice.
A smile tugged at my lips as Claire assumed she had control. She was mistaken; I would never share her with anyone else.
“Pleasure is meant to be experienced by all,” I stated before taking a sip from my glass.
She tilted her head. “You know my profession. What’s yours?”
I make motherfuckers disappear. Of course I wouldn’t say that.
I grinned, though my answer danced around the truth. “I’m a powerful businessman. Some might say…dangerous.”
She laughed, a melodic sound that softened the sharp edges of the room. “I always attract the bad boys.”
“I’m not a bad boy anymore. I’m a ruthless businessman.”
Her smile widened. “I like that. You’ve evolved.”
“Growth is important,” I snickered.
“What would you do to someone who hurt someone you loved?” she inquired.
My jaw ticked. Why the fuck was she asking that? Why did you tell her you were dangerous?
I leaned into her ear. “I’d make them suffer…for a long time.”
I admired the way her chest rose and fell in my presence.
Her expression darkened, intrigue flickering in her eyes. “I would too,” she said quietly.
Why did she say that? And did I need to dig around in her past? Definitely.
I straightened to my full height as Sierra and Emoni took the stage, their voices carrying over the crowd as they spoke about the importance of charity contributions. Perfect timing. Claire listened intently.
I couldn’t help pondering that this beautiful woman wanted my dick.
Not yet. Much later. Claire thought we’d be a one-time encounter. Not a fucking chance.
As soon as the band started playing a slow song, I took Claire’s hand and guided her onto the dance floor.
“What are you doing?” she giggled.
“We’re dancing before we eat dinner,” I told her.
“I thought you were going to please me,” she pouted.
The idea of her only wanting to fuck me…the shit got under my skin.
“The night is young, Claire.”
“You never told me your name.” She grinned up at me.
“Angelo.”
“Angelo,” she rolled my name off her tongue.
When she did that, my dick hardened in my slacks.
“Your eyes are beautiful,” she stated.
“Thank you,” I said with my hand attached to the small of her back.
“You know you want to move that hand lower,” she purred.
Note to self: don’t let Claire drink too much when we’re out.
I kept my hand on the small of her back as she rested her head against my chest. At that moment, I wanted to tell her that she belonged to me. But I had to wait. I promised myself I would tell her in a couple of weeks.
Once the song ended, I threaded our fingers and led her to my table. Sierra and Emoni kept their distance, understanding the delicate situation between Claire and me. I was grateful they put together this masquerade ball for me on such short notice.
Our steaming hot meals waited beneath silver lids.
As we began to eat, I turned my attention to the table, engaging with the other guests. It gave Claire a chance to relax—and sober up.
“Do you have any designs coming to stores?” I asked, my tone conversational but curious.
Her smile was radiant, her passion shining through. “Yes, I do.”
The guests hung on her every word as she talked about her upcoming projects, her confidence captivating.
As I watched Claire talk passionately about her work, I realized that I would have to become a commuting man if I wanted to be with her. There was no way I could take away something she loved so dearly.
How would that work, Angelo? Mafia queen goes into the office every day like your enemies aren’t out to kidnap her and kill her to make you pay.
My heart raced as I thought about the risks that came with being in a relationship with a man like me.
My friends wondered why I was one of the last of the bosses that was single. I tried putting off the inevitable of having to protect the woman I loved. Yet here I was, unable to look away from the woman seated beside me.
“Please, excuse me, I’m going to the restroom,” Claire said, standing gracefully.
I nodded, keeping an eye on her as she moved through the crowd. My men, stationed strategically throughout the ballroom, would ensure she was safe.
Four minutes later, I stepped into the women’s restroom, leaning casually against the open doorframe.
A few women at the counter glanced at me, smirking as they applied their lipstick.
Claire emerged from one of the stalls and made her way to the counter, looking a bit surprised when she saw me. “What are you doing in here?” she asked as she washed her hands.
I shrugged nonchalantly. “Waiting for a moment alone with you.”
The women giggled as they left, one murmuring, “That’s so sexy,” on their way out.
“Anyone else in here?” I called out.
Claire glanced over her shoulder. “The coast is clear.”
I locked the door behind me and turned to her, my steps deliberate.
“You’re here to give me what I want?” she teased, pulling a condom from her purse and holding it between two fingers.
I smirked. “You’ll have to work your way up to that.”
Stepping closer, I grazed my teeth over the soft skin of her neck, my hands lifting the hem of her dress. Beneath the heavy fabric, her panties were damp with desire. I yanked them from her body and stuffed them in my inner jacket pocket.
“Open up and let me in,” I commanded.
“Angelo,” Claire moaned as her hand reached up and caressed my neck. My hard cock pressed against her spine.
I slid two fingers into her tight, wet pussy, eliciting more moans from her lips. I watched in the mirror as her hips rolled in time with my touch. Her moans, muffled by the music outside, fueled my need to see her unravel.
But instead of giving her what she wanted immediately, I pulled my fingers out and lightly circled her clit.
“I bet I can make you come back-to-back,” I murmured, my teeth grazing her neck. “Just my hand. No tongue. No dick.”
Claire circled her hips, chasing my hand begging for her orgasm. My violet eyes met her hooded ones in the mirror.
Her body convulsed in my arms as I watched her ride out her orgasm and come hard in my hand.
“That was fucking beautiful,” I uttered, sucking on her neck. I was sure I’d leave my mark.
“I-I want more. But like this. When we meet, we wear masks,” Claire confessed, still quivering with pleasure.
I smirked at her suggestion. “I bet you will.”
She continued to rock her pussy on my fingers, begging for more.
“I can eat your pussy with the mask on,” I added, knowing it would only add to the thrill of our secret encounters.
“Angelo, make me come again.”
I slid my fingers back inside her needy cunt and watched as she rode them passionately. “Yes, just like that,” I encouraged her as she cried out in ecstasy once again.
The control was all mine in this twisted arrangement. I already knew where we could meet next time, a sex club where wearing masks was the norm.
An hour and a half later,back at my mansion, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror. I peeled off the violet contacts, removed the voice strip, and the prosthetic skin hiding my tattoos.
As I gazed at my reflection, I couldn’t help but realize how far I was willing to go to make Claire mine. And there was no way I was going to stop now.