I take a steadying breath.
It wasn’t as if I could tell him the truth—that it was clear that Rocco wanted to domanythings with me. I could tell that the desires he spoke aloud only scratched the surface.
The rest of what he wanted had been implied by the way his frighteningly beautiful gray eyes devoured me whole, promising all the secret, terrible, salacious things he would do to me if I would only give him a chance.
And dear God, did I ever want to give him that chance.
Sitting across from him had been the worst kind of torture. Each word that came out of his mouth picked at my resolve so thoroughly I had been seconds away from giving in entirely.
I had been seconds away from suggesting we fall into the nearest bathroom so he could show me exactly what he intended to do with his fingers.
“He was just introducing himself. He’s the boss, after all.”
“I’myour boss,” Claudio counters.
I swallow hard. “Of course you are, darling. He was just being polite.”
“Moretti doesn’t know the meaning of the word.”
I can’t help but agree with him there.
Claudio must see it on my face because the next thing he asks is, “Did he try to proposition you?”
“Claudio…”
“I will kill him.”
“Claudio!” I grab hold of his sleeve, a pitiful attempt to prevent him from leaving, but one that mercifully stops him in his tracks. “It’s you and me, remember? I would never betray you like that.”
He searches my eyes for the truth, and I pray to everything that’s holy that he finds it there.
What the hell was I thinking, allowing myself to be seduced by someone like Rocco Moretti? Not only is he a self-proclaimed billionaire, he’s the person who’ll be signing my checks.
It’s no wonder Claudio is acting like this. I could have sabotaged my entire career tonight. Our careers. All because my mind turns off whenever Moretti looks at me like I’m some lovesick teenager. I need to get a grip.
“I should never have spoken with him privately. I see that now,” I tell him. “Whatever he wanted wasn’t worth someone coming between us.”
“He’s a manipulative bastard. You should have known better. You should have come straight to me.”
I bow my head in shame. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not strong enough to deal with men like Moretti. They’ll spin whatever pretty lies they want to get you into bed with them.”
“I’m sorry.”
He takes me by the arms again. “You’remine,Cas.”
I can’t stop the hiss of pain that escapes my teeth. But Claudio doesn’t let go.
“Please, Claudio. You’re hurting me.”
“If that bastard approaches you again, what will you say?”
Traitorous tears begin to prickle in my eyes. “I won’t say anything. I’ll come straight to you.”
He releases me finally, and I sag to the floor, focusing on getting air into my lungs.
“You’ve really pissed me off today, Cas.”
