“Your staff can handle the rest. No one is going to care at this point; it’s only drinking and dancing.”
“And the cleanup.”
“I’ll help you clean in the morning.” Where did that come from? I don’t clean tables or do dishes. Hell, up to a few days ago, I didn’t cook either, but you seem to have me doing a lot of things I don’t do anymore. I’m not sure if I like it or not.
She was looking up at him as though she doubted him. “You’re leaving tomorrow morning, Vincent. Or did you forget?”
No. I didn’t. He didn’t want to leave her. “I’m extending my stay.” He knew it probably sounded as though he was saying it only to get her into his bed. That wasn’t the case. Yes, he wanted her, every inch of her, but sex had never driven his actions before. It wasn’t going to start now.
“You’re staying?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes widened, and he could tell she had so much she wanted to ask yet was afraid to ask. “How long?”
Telling her the truth, that he wanted to stay to explore what he was feeling for her, wasn’t going to give her an answer. But putting a timetable on it wasn’t something he could commit to. “I don’t know.” One day at a time.
“Why are you staying? You don’t ski, and I don’t think you’re enjoying the blustery cold either.”
“Maybe I found something that makes the freezing temp more tolerable.” He loved how easily he was able to make her blush. The women that normally flocked around him were anything but shy. Forward, aggressive, shallow, and most likely only interested in either money or a job. You, my dear Renita, don’t seem to want me for either. I’m just not sure why you do want me. I think a few more days exploring that more closely will do us both some good.
“Nita, you have covered for me so much this week while I was sick. It’s now time for me to repay that debt,” Ricco said as he approached, holding a woman’s hand.
“Dad, I can’t.”
“Consider yourself off duty and enjoy this party. I hear the food is quite good. We make a good team, Vincent. Feel free to join me anytime in the kitchen.”
“Thank you, Ricco,” Vincent said with a nod of appreciation. “And who’s this lovely lady?”
Ricco beamed. “Ah, this is my Maria. She makes the best homemade meatballs. You should come for Sunday dinner.”
“Dad, I’m sure Vincent has things to do. Like attend to his own business, or enjoy his vacation,” Renita answered.
“I’d love to join you, but only if Renita and I can bring the dessert. She learned how to make a holiday spice cake.” Vincent tried to hold back his grin. He knew damn well that she’d been too distracted to remember a thing about the recipe.
Renita shot him a look that said he was going to pay for that. He gave her one right back. I look forward to it.
“Oh, how wonderful. Maybe you and I can do some baking together?” Maria asked Renita.
Vincent put his arm around Renita. “It’s our secret recipe.”
Maria clapped her hands together. “Oh, my! So romantic. Renita, I’m happy you’ve found yourself a man like Vincent.”
Vincent didn’t miss the warning in Ricco’s eyes as he spoke. “Yes. It’s nice to see her so happy,” Ricco said.
“Dad,” Renita said as though embarrassed.
Ricco chuckled and shook his head. “Now if you two will excuse us, I’d like to take this lovely young lady for a spin on the dance floor before we head back to work.”
Maria winked at him. “Let’s leave the dancing to these folks, I much rather a stroll under the moonlight.”
Vincent had no issue with the light flirting going on between Ricco and Maria. But he could tell by Renita’s eyes that she still wasn’t used to seeing her father with a woman. Maybe you’re not staying because of your father. Maybe you’re staying because of you.
They both stood there watching Ricco and Maria walk away arm in arm. He was finally alone with Renita again, and she no longer had any excuses why she couldn’t come with him.
Vincent reached out, grabbing Renita’s hand, and led her out of the dining room.
“Vincent, I really can’t leave my father here to do my job.”
“You can and will. I want you all to myself tonight.” He stopped and pulled her into his arms. “Unless you tell me otherwise, I’m taking you to my suite.”
Her eyes darkened, and her only response was a slow nod.
Tonight would require self-control to hold back. He’d wanted Renita from the moment he’d laid eyes on her, but he wanted it to be something more than just a physical release. Although his body was aching to be inside of her, he wanted her to want and enjoy it as much as he would.
Vincent took off his jacket, tossed it onto the couch, then loosened his tie. He could see she was nervous so he asked, “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“No, thank you. I don’t drink.”
Another thing I like about you. He walked back to her and touched her right cheek with the back of his left hand. Then he let his hand glide along her jaw as his thumb stopped to rest on her bottom lip.
“You’re a very beautiful woman, Renita. How is it someone hasn’t captured your heart yet?”
She swallowed hard, and he felt her heart quicken. “I . . . guess I haven’t met anyone I . . . care about enough.”
That only concerned him more. Was he about to be the one to break her heart? A serious relationship wasn’t something he’d done in a very long time. He was too set in his ways to change now. Or was Brice right, that when the perfect one comes along, it doesn’t feel like a change? Instead, it feels like it should’ve always been.
“I could ask you the same. Why no . . . girlfriend or wife?”
“I’m married to my job.”
“That sounds sad and lonely.”
“At times, yes. But it was my choice. I wanted to stay focused on building.”
“A Moretti empire? What good is it if you don’t have anyone to share it with?”
Vincent leaned into her hand and kissed it. Renita challenged him to think differently than he had in a long time. She was so much more than just a beautiful woman. She had heart and brains and one hell of a sense of humor. Can’t cook, but I can live with that.
“I’m glad you’re with me tonight.”
“Me too,” she said breathlessly.
She was captivating even in her hostess uniform. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He gazed to her slender hips, over her abdomen, and finally, at her voluptuous breasts. Don’t start what you can’t finish. He’d never wanted a woman as badly as he wanted Renita. He wasn’t sure he could stop if he simply kissed her. The swell of her breasts was only inches away, begging him to release them from the confines of the thin fabric.
Her tongue darted out, and she licked her top lip. Vincent could hardly restrain himself. But when she said his name so tenderly, there was no longer any holding back. “Vincent.”
In one swift move, he pulled her against him, devouring her lips with a hard, feverish kiss. She held him to her, parting her lips to let him inside. He inhaled her sweet scent as he kissed down her jaw to the nape of her neck and back to her lips. I need you. A moan of pleasure escaped her and rumbled through him.
He couldn’t keep his hands off her and ran them down her back, over her sweet ass, and back up the front to cup her heaving breasts. Without breaking their kiss, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed in the other room.
He stood at the foot of the bed and fumbled with the buttons of her blouse. She smiled. “Let me.”
Vincent watched each button open as he quickly did the same with his shirt and his pants, letting them both drop to the floor. If he’d thought she was stunning before, she was pure perfection now in her red lace bra and matching panties. “I would’ve thought you’d be the pink type.”
“I have an adventurous side,” Renita said playfully to him.
He watched as she reached behind her and unhooked the bra to let
it drop. Her perfectly round breasts were begging to be sucked. She slipped her thumbs under both sides of her panties and wiggled out of them as well.
His heart was not the only thing pounding. His cock was aching for attention. He slipped off his boxers then lifted her and laid her down in the center of the bed. Vincent needed to taste her, all of her. He nibbled and kissed her from her jaw to her neck but didn’t stop there. He cupped her breasts, plucking at one nipple, and she moaned deeply. Then he sucked the other, teasingly flicking it with his tongue.
“Vincent,” she called out as she ran her fingers through his hair. He could touch her forever, but his body was begging for more. As he licked and nipped his way lower, he felt her quiver as his tongue circled her belly button and continued lower.
This was the first time she used her hands and tried to block his path. He lifted his head. “What’s wrong?”
She blushed. “I’ve never . . .”
