7. VALENTINO
7
VALENTINO
All I see, touch, taste is Layla. She lets out a soft moan as I trail little kisses down the front of her neck.
Fuck. I missed her.
I have her pressed against the balcony railing, my hands exploring her body as I plant kisses along her neck.
She throws her head back and then digs her fingers along the sides of my torso.
“I thought this was supposed to be a business arrangement,” she murmurs, her voice breathy.
I smirk against her skin. “We never said we wouldn’t enjoy it.” My voice comes out low and throaty. “Let’s take this to the bedroom.”
She nods, and I pick her up, bridal style, and begin carrying her to the room.
But the heat of the moment is too intense, and I cannot help myself as I set her down on the sofa in the living room and attach my lips to hers again.
“I thought we were going to the bedroom,” she whispers against my lips.
“Can’t wait.”
I pin her down on the sofa and deepen the kiss between us. My tongue slides against her bottom lip, and she eagerly opens her mouth to allow me access.
I stifle a moan as I taste her more fully.
Are we really going to do this again?
My fingers slide the straps of her dress, pulling them downwards to reveal the lacy bra she has on. It’s red, and my dick hardens more at the sight.
She smiles. “Like what you see?”
“I’d like it better if it was on the floor,” I growl, and my hands go to unclasp the bra.
In a moment, it’s discarded on the floor, and she goes to work with unbuttoning the front of my shirt.
Her movements are frantic, and it seems like we are both eager to rip each other’s clothes off.
Her skin feels sizzling to the touch, and I cannot stop myself from going for more.
My eyes rake over her slowly, hungrily, drinking her in like she’s something I’ll never get enough of.
My gaze lingers on the swell of her breasts, full, soft, rising and falling with each uneven breath she takes.
Her nipples are already pebbled, reacting to the cool air or maybe to the way I’m looking at her, the way my body tenses with need just from standing here, watching.
My jaw tightens as I let my eyes trail lower, over the smooth curve of her waist, the gentle dip of her stomach, the delicious flare of her hips that beg to be held, gripped, owned.
Every inch of her is temptation.
Every inch of her is… perfection.
“I want you,” I whisper as I scrape my mouth against her exposed breasts, using my free hand to feel them.
She arches her back slightly, giving me a view that has my cock throbbing hard.
Her eyes open and widen slightly as she notices the bulge pressing against her. “Eager, aren’t we?”
“Fuck, I was ready to do this the moment you entered the restaurant.” I draw little circles with the tip of my tongue on her hardened nipples.
“This is…” she breathes out. “I…”
“Tell me you want this too.” I rub her clit over the soft fabric of her panties.
Her dress is scrunched up along her hips, and I want nothing more than to remove that barrier between us.
“I… do…”
“How much do you want it?” I am teasing her now, knowing that working her up will get her the strongest release.
“B-bad,” she moans. “I want you so bad.”
She sounds so sexy as she says the words that I want to hurry along the process and take her right there.
But I steady myself. I brush her panties to the side appreciating the site.
“Fuck. You are so wet.” I dive face first into her warm center, my tongue finding her clit, and slowly licking and sucking on her sensitive nub, earning me a labored moan.
Her hands tangle in my hair, guiding me, urging me on.
I lap at her juices, savoring her sweet earthy flavor, as I insert a finger into her wet heat, curling it to find her G-spot.
Layla's hips buck off the bed, her moans turning into desperate cries as I continue to pleasure her with my mouth and fingers.
Her body tenses, her muscles clenching around my finger, and I know she’s close.
"Cum for me, Layla," I urge, my voice hoarse. "Let go, baby."
As she cries out in pleasure, her body shakes as her orgasm rips through her.
Relentlessly, I continue to lick and suck, drawing out her pleasure, until she’s writhing beneath me, her body spent.
I kiss my way back up her body, claiming her lips in a passionate kiss, allowing her a taste of her own essence.
But I want more. I need all of her.
She protests with a sigh when I detach myself from her but quickly catches on as her hands go straight to the front of my pants.
She smiles wickedly, undoing my pants and sliding my boxers down, freeing my straining erection.
I hiss in a breath as the cool air caresses my sensitive flesh.
Layla's eyes darken with hunger as she takes me in her hand, stroking me slowly, her thumb swirling over the head.
"You like that, don't you?" she purrs, her breath hot against my ear.
"Fuck, yes," I groan, my hips thrusting involuntarily.
She continues her slow, torturous strokes, her other hand cupping my balls gently.
I’m on the edge, my body trembling with the effort to hold back my release.
Just when I think I can’t take any more, she leans down and takes the head of my cock into her warm, wet mouth.
Her lips wrap around me, and she sucks gently, her tongue swirling and teasing.
Threading my fingers through her hair, I hold her in place as she takes more of my cock in her mouth, her throat working to accommodate my length.
I moan, my eyes rolling back.
"Good girl," I praise her. "You take my cock so well."
Her mouth works up and down my shaft, while her hand pumps the base in sync with her mouth.
My senses become overwhelmed by the sensations she’s delivering.
Her lips are like silk, her tongue a magic wand, and I can't hold back any longer.
"Fuck. You’re going to make me cum," I warn, my voice hoarse.
Humming, she tightens her mouth around me, and I explode, my hips bucking as I empty my load down her throat.
She swallows eagerly, milking me with her mouth until I’m spent, my body trembling with aftershocks.
As she sits back, a satisfied smile on her face, she licks her lips, savoring the taste of me.
I pull her to me, kissing her deeply, tasting myself on her tongue.
My hands roam over her body, and desire builds again.
"I want to feel you around me."
She nods, her eyes filled with lust.
I stand up, my cock already hardening again at the thought of being inside her.
I pick her up, carrying her to my room, where I lie her gently on the master bed.
I join her, my body covering hers, and our lips collide hungrily, our tongues dancing in a passionate rhythm.
My hands explore the curves of her body, caressing her breasts, pinching her nipples until they harden.
I trail kisses down her neck, across her collarbone, and to the valley between her breasts.
Sucking and nibbling on her sensitive skin elicits moans of pleasure from her.
Her hands stroke my back, scratching my shoulders, and then moving down to grip my ass, urging me closer.
I kiss my way down her body, pausing to pay homage to her navel, before reaching the apex of her thighs.
I inhale her flowery scent, my cock twitching in anticipation.
Between her legs awaits her glistening pussy.
I plant a soft kiss on her inner thigh, then another, working my way closer to her core.
"Please, Valentino." Her voice is thick with need. "I need you."
I smile against her skin, my breath hot on her sensitive flesh.
"Now who’s the eager one?”
I grab a condom from inside of my dresser, ripping the wrapper and rolling it onto my throbbing erection.
I position myself between her legs, my cock poised at her entrance. "Are you ready for me?"
Layla nods, her eyes glazed with desire.
I thrust forward, filling her in one smooth motion, and we both groan at the sensation.
I allow her to adjust to my size, before beginning a slow, steady rhythm.
I watch her face, her eyes fluttering closed as she savors the feeling of my cock filling her.
Leaning down, I capture her lips in a deep kiss, and increase my pace.
My hips pound into her, my balls slapping against her ass.
Her hands grip my shoulders, her nails digging into my skin as she meets my thrusts with equal fervor.
"Harder, Valentino. Fuck me harder."
I oblige, my primal instincts taking over.
I grasp her hips, holding her firmly as I pound into her, my cock hitting her sweet spot with each thrust.
Layla's moans turn into screams of pleasure, filling the room with our lustful symphony.
My own climax builds, as an intense pressure coils in my lower abdomen.
I wanted to make this moment last, but my body has other plans.
My thrusts become primal and off rhythm as I edge closer and closer.
With my final thrust, I bury my cock deep inside her, pulsating as I release, filling her.
My orgasm triggers hers as her walls tightly pulsate against my dick, her sultry moans muffled against my neck.
We lay there satiated and content, entangled in each other's arms, our hearts racing and our bodies glistening with sweat.
I kiss her forehead, her cheeks, her lips, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her soft skin against mine.
"Wow," Layla whispers, her voice breathless.
As we drift off to sleep, I realize that this fake relationship is off to a great start.
***
When I wake up, the bed beside me is empty.
I exhale, rolling onto my back, running a hand through my disheveled hair.
Running again.
I should’ve expected it.
If the sex was just as good for her as it was for me, then of course she’d run, just like last time.
The difference? This time, she can’t escape.
She agreed to this arrangement. She needs me now.
I glance at my phone and see a message from my father, reminding me about the family gathering this weekend.
Perfect.
It’ll be the ideal time to solidify our story, to make it clear to everyone that Layla is mine.
I get out of bed, determined to make today as productive as possible.
***
The air is crisp, the sky clear. The vineyard stretches out before me, rows of grapevine swaying gently in the breeze.
Running always helps me process things, and today is no exception.
As I jog into town, I pass Maestro Giovanni, the local wine shop owner, sweeping in front of his store.
He spots me immediately. “Valentino! In a rush this morning?”
I slow my pace.
Giovanni is infamous for gossiping, if he’s talking to you, he already knows your business.
“I hear Eva’s in town.” He eyes me curiously.
“She is?”
Giovanni nods, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Be careful with that one. Just like her father.”
I stiffen slightly.
“Did you know Emilio, was in prison for three decades?” Giovanni continues. “Robbery with violence and fraud.”
I mask my surprise. “That so?”
He nods. “Nothing happens in this town without me knowing about it.”
I force a tight smile. “I’m sure.”
With a quick goodbye, I head back toward the office, Giovanni’s words lingering in my mind.
What does Eva want?
I think of calling my dad to ask. Surely, he must know something. But then, I stop myself.
The man just had a baby. I think he has enough on his plate right now for me to pile on even more things. Besides, I should deal with it myself. If I’m going to be a CEO, then I need to learn to deal with this myself.
***
By the time I return to the office, freshly showered and changed, the Eva situation has escalated.
I’m summoned to the conference room, where my father sits with a team of lawyers.
I take one look at his expression and know it’s bad.
“Valentino, where were you?”
I drop into a chair. “Out for a run. I needed to clear my head.”
He presses his lips together, rubbing his temples. “Are you aware of the claims Eva is making?”
“Not yet. What’s going on?”
“She claims this land is hers. That we owe her for it.”
“What?”
Dad shakes his head, looking tense. “The deed had Giorgio’s name on it, and I did a thorough background check. The sale was legal.”
“So then, what business does she have coming in here like this?”
“She’s threatening legal action unless we compensate her family or give her shares in the winery,” one of the lawyers explains.
“Is that even possible?”
The lead lawyer adjusts his glasses. “Technically, yes. If she can prove the land was wrongfully acquired, she might have a case.”
Dad leans forward, his expression hard. “We can’t just give in. That land has been legally bought.”
“I agree. But we also can’t afford a prolonged legal battle. It could damage our reputation.”
The lawyer clears his throat. “There’s also the matter of the will. It states that the land belonged to both Giorgio and Emilio.”
Dad’s face pales. “I didn’t know that.”
My jaw clenches. “Maestro Giovanni mentioned Emilio’s criminal record. Do you think that has anything to do with this?”
The lawyers exchange glances.
“Could be,” one of them mutters. “But if Giovanni knows something, then so does Eva.”
Dad exhales sharply. “What can we do?”
The lawyer’s gaze hardens. “We can hire a private investigator.”
I nod. “Do it. We need to know what we’re dealing with.”
As I sit back, a cold realization washes over me.
If Eva wins, if this even goes to court, our entire vineyard could be at stake.
Everything we’ve worked for, everything I’ve built my future on, could be ripped away.