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The moment I saw Sofina in that bar, I was smitten.
The moment she stormed into my office, I was turned on.
And the moment she belted out the most stunning music I’d ever heard, I knew she was mine.
I quickly check my phone while I wait for Eve to bring me the contract packet. Sofina hasn’t texted me anymore. No, my girl is waiting for me to come rescue her from her brother. She doesn’t have to say it or beg for me to do it. I can read it through her unspoken words. I’d seen it dancing in her eyes.
She needs me.
And I need her.
Something about her calls to my inner desire to own, mold, and hold that girl. She is a flame and I’m a motherfucking moth desperate for a chance to get burned by her. I need to stoke her fire. Show her what she’s made of. What she can be.
The music. The stardom. Her career. That’s all a given. It has nothing to do with what else I want from her. If she decides she’s not into things with me and doesn’t want me, then she’ll have a nice recording contract with the best music label of this decade. I’ll step aside.
But I know she wants more. She wants me just as bad. She feels it, this smolder between us waiting to turn into an inferno. She needs more.
She needs the opportunity and she needs someone to hold her hand as she makes her way there. Her brother should have been that encouraging force in her life. Instead, he chooses to shove her into a dark box and seal it shut. The bastard is crushing her delicate spirit.
Not anymore.
“Here you are, sir,” Eve chirps, handing me the packet.
I give her a smile as I tuck it into my bag. “Thanks, Eve. How was Starla?”
She purses her lips. “Saddened that she would be leaving sooner than expected.”
“How did she enjoy her parting gifts?”
“She took that a little better,” she admits. “I mean, you gave her a car and padded her bank account. Who would be unhappy with that?”
I give her a nod. “Very well. Good night.”
As I walk to my car, I smile knowing Starla will be okay. I spoiled her, yes, but she’s more than a spoiled girl. Starla is smart and has drive. She’ll go on to do great things. I hope the next man in her life doesn’t undo all the hard work I put into her. I hope he cherishes her. Starla deserves it. I’m just not the man to give it to her anymore.
The drive over to Ritz Russo’s is short and I’m nearly shaking with pent-up energy to see Sofina. This is why I had to pounce on her. She’s a breath of fresh air. I hadn’t realized I was only inhaling stagnant air this whole time until she blew into my life.
I park in the shitty parking lot and make my way into the bar. It’s busy, but not horrible. I find Sofina behind the bar, her head bent down as she makes a drink. Her controlling brother is scowling at her, his jaw flexing.
What a fucking prick.
The desire to ram my fist through his face is strong, but I settle for meeting his gaze and giving him a smug look.
I’m here for your baby sister, man.
A vein in his forehead throbs to life, revealing his fury at seeing me. Unperturbed, I saunter toward him, extending my hand in greeting. He darts his gaze to the left, noticing a couple of patrons watching, and begrudgingly offers his hand to me. I shake it, meeting his firm grip with one of my own. He practically jerks his hand from my grip.
“What can I get you?” he growls.
My eyes slide over to Sofina and linger, before I meet his malevolent eyes. “I’ll take something sweet. Something that gets you drunk from one taste. One of your favorites. What will you give me?”
His neck muscles twitch, making his tattoos seem to come alive. “Drop the fucking act,” he snarls.
I hold up my hands, feigning innocence. “Just want a drink.”
Turning on his heel, he storms off. My eyes meet Sofina’s. Her cheeks darken to a beautiful rosy pink. It makes me wonder if her whole body turns that lovely shade when she’s naked and beneath the touch of an experienced man. I walk over to the bar and sit down right in front of her.
“The contract is in the car,” I tell her, smiling. “Don’t tell my brother I gave you the world. He’d try to talk me out of it.” I wink at her, loving the way she beams at me.
“I can’t believe this is real,” she says with a quick glance to make sure Lucca is out of earshot.
Reaching across the bar, I take her hand. “It’s real. You’re a star, Sof. It’s time you start shining like one.” My thumb runs across her soft skin. “But tonight…”
