Chapter 8
EIGHT
Sable
What have I gotten myself into? I agreed to be a sex toy. I think.
I didn’t even know what I agreed to, but Milo did give me an orgasm by kissing me. I didn’t know that was possible. Still, I couldn’t let him lead me around by my…
“There you are.” Milo stood at the bottom of the staircase, impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit and shiny, leather shoes that probably cost more than my rent. His silver watch glinted in the rays of sun shining in from the clear, clean windows overhead.
As I continued down the stairs, the scent of his comforting cologne, the one that had lingered on my skin all night and lulled me to sleep, swirled between us.
“I didn’t realize you were here,” I said.
“I live here.”
“You didn’t come back last night. I didn’t… um, where did you sleep? ”
I couldn’t deny that I was relieved when we didn’t have to share a bed, but I had spent most of the night staring at those double doors, waiting for him to come in, until I finally fell into a deep sleep. My body gave in to the comfortable bed, fluffy pillows, and soft sheets.
“This is a big house. We have plenty of guest bedrooms.” He buttoned his suit jacket. “Don’t get used to me not sleeping in my own bed, kitten. I had work to occupy me, and crawling between the sheets with you wouldn’t have allowed me to do what I had to do.”
“You take your job seriously.”
“You have no idea.” He pulled me against him once I reached the bottom of the staircase. “I trust you slept well.”
“It was quiet.” My fingers twitched, wanting to touch his flawless face. “My apartment is on a busy street. It’s always noisy. It’s difficult to get a full night’s sleep.”
“You didn’t even hear me come in when I showered and got dressed.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “It took plenty of control on my part not to wake you and finish what we started last night.”
Heat spread up my neck and to my cheeks, but I wasn’t sure if I blushed because I had slept so soundly or if I was embarrassed about what had happened in his bed.
“I’m enjoying the anticipation.” He tilted my chin up, holding me still. Was he smiling because he could feel my heart race against his chest? “I’m looking forward to playing with you later, but now I have to go.”
“Where?” My question came out in a breathless sigh as I stared into his eyes.
“Work.” He pressed his lips to mine, kissing me slowly and filling me with all of his anticipation.
“What should I do?” I asked when he released me.
“Antonella is waiting in the kitchen to make you breakfast.” He took his phone out and quickly texted someone. “Get acquainted with the house. There’s a gym downstairs and a hot tub, steam room, and sauna if you’re interested.”
“I don’t think I brought the right clothes for any of that.” I didn’t even own a bathing suit, much less sneakers to workout in. “You said the pool house was up the road. I’ll go visit Chance.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“He’s not taking visitors.” Milo glanced out the window. “My car is here.”
“What do you mean he isn’t taking visitors?” I stepped around him and blocked the door. “I want to see him.”
“I said no.”
“You didn’t say why.” His vibrant blue eyes narrowed when I challenged him. “Have you hurt him?”
“Why would I hurt him?”
“Because he gave you some trouble when we arrived, but I said I would handle him.”
“You’ve already proven to me that you can’t handle him, and I don’t trust the two of you together, so you’ll see him when I say you can.”
“I told you I wouldn’t go back on this agreement even though I entered into it blindly.”
“You need to work on your negotiation skills, because you didn’t read the fine print.”
“Keeping me from my brother isn’t acceptable.” I fidgeted with my hands. “I won’t agree to that.”
He lunged forward and grabbed my arm, pushing me against the door faster than I had time to react. My heart pounded hard, but I wasn’t sure if it was entirely fear that I experienced.
“You don’t get to agree or exert any kind of dominance in this arrangement. You’re here to do what I say, and right now, you are not to see your brother until I can trust that he won’t manipulate you into doing something stupid.”
“What are you talking about?” My breath caught in my throat when he tightened his grip on my arm. The pulsing between my legs tipped me off that I wasn’t afraid of him. Any normal person would be terrified.
“You might think you’re going to honor your word and fulfill your end of this bargain, but Chance is another story.” He let go of my arm and moved me away from the door. “His word means nothing to me. Don’t bother calling him. He doesn’t have his phone.”
“You bastard.”
“I’m going to be late.” Milo straightened his tie and then opened the front door. “We’re not getting off to a very good start.” He stepped out onto the porch. “I’ve already told you not to let Chance come between us. Don’t make me tell you again.”
When the man who drove me here last night got out of the SUV and opened the back driver’s side door, Milo left the house without another word.
I had done everything he asked of me. Who the hell did he think he was telling me I couldn’t see my brother? That wasn’t part of this.
I stormed down the hall, not exactly sure where I was going, but I couldn’t stay still. I needed to blow off some of this fury Milo had evoked in me. What the hell? It took a lot to make me see red. How had he managed to fill me with this much rage with so little effort?
Chance! I had always been my brother’s protector. Milo knew how to get to me. I wouldn’t let him use Chance as some sort of sick and twisted way for him to control me.
“Hello,” a woman said from behind the massive center island in the kitchen when I stumbled into the culinary space that would make any professional chef envious. “You must be Sable.”
“Hi.” I gazed around the room that was bigger than some houses I had been in. “Antonella?”
“Come on in, Irish lass,” she said in an Italian accent. “We don’t see many red-haired, green-eyed beauties around here too often.”
Her accent matched her olive-complexion and gorgeous, shiny black hair. She reminded me of Sophia Loren, a vintage Italian beauty. The woman appeared to be in her sixties, but her flawless skin and perfectly outlined cat eyes gave her a youthful flair.
“What would you like for breakfast?” she asked.
“You don’t have to make me breakfast.”
“It’s my job.” She motioned to the stove. “I can make you whatever you’d like.”
“I can have fruit or toast. Whatever is easiest for you.” I didn’t feel comfortable having someone cook for me.
“Oh no, you’re too skinny for just fruit.” She looked me over. “Pancakes and bacon.” She nodded. “Do you want blueberries in your pancakes?”
“Sure.” I wasn’t going to win an argument with her, and pancakes and bacon did sound enticing. “Do you think my brother has eaten this morning?”
“He did.” She took a mixing bowl from the cabinet. “You didn’t think Milo would move him in here and then starve him, did you?”
“I don’t really know what to think about Milo.”
“Well, I think if you’re at the main house, he must be helping you in some way.” She took some eggs and a container of blueberries out of the refrigerator. “Your brother too. ”
“He is.” Even if his help came with high expectations. “Can I help you?”
“Maybe with the cleanup, but I work better alone when I’m cooking.”
She moved effortlessly around the enormous kitchen, knowing where every utensil and item needed to make such a delicious breakfast was located.
“Have you been with the family long?” I asked.
“About fifteen years,” she said. “Julia and I were friends. We met when I was the head chef at a restaurant in the city. The economy tanked, the restaurant went out of business, and I was out of a job. She asked me to come and be her family’s personal chef.”
“Julia is Milo’s mother? Is she with Mr. Accetti on business?” Milo hadn’t mentioned his mother, but we didn’t have that much time to get to know one another.
“No, Julia passed away about twelve years ago.” She stirred the pancake batter. “I stayed on to take care of her men. Between you and me, they can’t manage without me.”
I was curious about Milo’s mother’s death, but I didn’t think it was polite to ask her friend how she died.
“Are you sure I can’t help?” I asked.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Would you like coffee or tea?”
“Tea, please.” I gazed out the window that overlooked the expansive backyard. “Is the pool close to here?”
“Not far.” She pointed to a path lined with tall oak trees. “Beyond those trees, but it’s a little cold for a swim.”
“I thought I’d take a walk and check out the property.”
“Breakfast will be ready in about fifteen minutes,” she said. “But you don’t have a coat.”
“I’ll be okay.” I opened the back door. “Don’t go to too much trouble with breakfast. I can eat whatever you make.”
“It’s no trouble.” She continued mixing the pancake batter as I stepped out onto the chilly back patio. My hoodie wasn’t going to keep me very warm, but I needed to see if Chance was okay.
I strolled down the path, enjoying the quiet of the property. The house was in a secluded area surrounded by trees. I saw a lake illuminated by lights with a fountain in the middle when we drove in last night, but I was too nervous to take in much of the grounds. It was dark by the time we arrived.
The crisp, morning air wasn’t as biting as when I first stepped outside.
A light wind ghosted my skin as it rustled the bare tree branches and fallen, sparse leaves along the path.
Even in the barren season of winter, the property was as immaculate as I would have expected it to be.
If it appeared this beautiful in the winter, it would be gorgeous in the spring and summer with all the greenery and the pinks and reds of the rose bushes.
Not that I would be here then. My debt would be paid off by the time the spring blooms graced the property. As I rounded the corner of the path, I could see the pool house in the distance. It wasn’t at all what I had pictured. It was a full-blown house with a porch, patio, and fireplace.
I spied a cottage nestled in an oasis of tranquility. I could see myself living there. Hopefully, the atmosphere gave Chance the opportunity to reflect about his life choices. Although, I was in no position to lecture him about the company he kept.
I let one of New York City’s biggest crime bosses strip me naked and make me orgasm against his underwear. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about that encounter.
I strolled down the path, trying to purge my impure thoughts, but the more I thought about Milo’s body rubbing against mine, the more I wanted him, even after his rude behavior this morning.
His behavior! That was what forced me to check on Chance. Milo only had himself to blame for my defiance.
I was a few feet from the patio when a muscular man with thick, black hair and an impressive jawline appeared from the side of the pool house.
“Oh!” I stepped back, admiring his imposing demeanor.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sable.” He smiled. “I thought you might visit this morning.”
“I, um…” I ran my hand through my hair and glanced over his shoulder at the line of windows aligning the side of the pool house. “I came to check on Chance.”
“He’s fine.” The man extended his hand. “I’m Ricardo.”
“I’m Sable.” I shook his hand. “But you knew that already.”
“It’s a little brisk for you to be outside.” He motioned at my hoodie. “I’ll walk you back to the main house.”
“But I wanted to see my brother.”
“Not today.” He hooked his solid arm in mine and redirected me back toward the house. I should have been intimidated, but there was something warm in his mannerisms. “You don’t want to catch a cold, do you?”
“You can’t catch a cold from being outside without a coat.”
“You sound like Lissia.” He smirked. “I hope you don’t prove to be as stubborn as my good friend.”
“You’re friends with Marchello’s wife?”
“She’s my best friend, but she is a lot. I was hoping you would be an easier assignment.”
“If you’re responsible for Lissia, why aren’t you with her?”
“I’m needed here.” He shrugged. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you, but I’d rather not do it outside in January.”
“I’m not cold.” That wasn’t true, but I was tired of everyone judging me for not wearing a coat. If I had a coat, I would wear it.
“I’m freezing.” He arched a brow at me. “I’ve been sitting on the porch waiting for you for over an hour.”
“Why?”
“Like I said, I had a feeling you might stop by.”
“You mean Milo told you not to let me see Chance.” My chest tightened when I thought about being kept away from my brother. We had never been apart. It was my job to take care of him.
“I’m going to give you a little advice about Milo, and maybe you’ll even thank me for it someday.”
His insight on Milo piqued my interest. If I had to be here for a few weeks, it probably wouldn’t hurt to learn something that might make my sentence easier.
“Milo expects loyalty.”
“Is that code for obedience?”
“My advice is that you shouldn’t go against him.
He’s an extremely good judge of character.
A big part of his job within this family is knowing who to trust. If he decides you’re worthy of being in his very small circle—and he must think that about you or you wouldn’t be here—he will expect you to do what he asks. ”
“Not being able to see Chance is unreasonable.”
“Milo has his reasons even if you don’t understand them.”
We stopped walking when we approached the kitchen doors. I slipped my arm out from his and turned to face him. His features were soft for a man of his size, but something told me he was a valuable asset to this family .
“I was there on New Year’s Eve,” he said. “I’ve never seen Milo let anyone walk away, especially not after what your brother tried to pull.”
“Chance made a mistake.”
“I believe that, but I’m not running the Accetti territory.” He stepped around me and opened the kitchen door. “Milo has a lot on his shoulders right now.”
“Are you a guard or his keeper?”
“Nico, Marchello, and Milo have plenty of guards who can make sure they make it home alive, but I like to think my job is a little more complicated than that.”
“What’s more important than keeping them alive?”
“You’d be surprised.” He smiled. “Milo saw something that night that changed his mind when he should have killed your brother. It would be a shame if he was wrong.”
What if I’m the one who was wrong by coming to him? What if I put myself on a course headed for a catastrophic collision? Could I survive that?