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“Got it?” he demanded gruffly as he pulled away.
“Yes, and I love you,” she blurted out breathlessly.
“I’m nuts about you too, but I’m going right now or I won’t go at all.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“There’s something I need to do and it can’t wait,” he managed, wanting to throw her on the bed and ravage her mercilessly.
Abruptly releasing her and striding to the door, he stopped, turned around and shot her a wink, then disappeared into the hall.
* * *
Steph wished he’d said the ‘L’ word back to her, but she’d been crazy about him for years, and as thrilling as their time together had been, Marco was still getting to know her.I’m nuts about you toowas more than enough for the moment. Feeling on top of the world, she slipped out of the oversized clothes and climbed into bed.
Growing up she’d been captivated by the intriguing and dangerous world in which her two brothers and father lived. Though she’d been a straight A student, she hadn’t cared about school. All her attention had been focused on the family business. She’d listened through keyholes at every opportunity, studied the men who came and went, and spent hours combing through her family’s heritage.
But the Grassi organization was a man’s domain.
She did, however, receive a consolation prize; her father’s recognition and approval.
On the night of her college graduation he’d arranged an elaborate party. As the evening had come to an end, he’d invited her into his study.
“You don’t miss a trick,” he’d declared, his bright blue eyes full of pride. “For a female you have an amazingly cool head, and you know how to size up situations. There’s more I could say, but basically, sweetheart, you’ve got it all. I know you want to be part of what we do here, and believe me, if you’d been born a boy I’d groom you to take over the whole shebang, but the business can be brutal. It’s no place for a woman.”
Staring up at Carlo Moretti’s portrait and leaning back against the padded headboard, she recalled her father’s heartfelt speech.
An unexpected chill pricked her skin.
The Zeppelins.
The surprise visit flashed through her mind.
Though Marco had told her they’d arrived unannounced to tell him about a last-minute change in plans, they’d planted a bug. Her father would have been extremely suspicious the moment they’d appeared at the gates without notice. Surely leaving behind a listening device spelled trouble, big trouble. As the door opened and Marco entered, precariously balancing a tray on one hand, and carrying a silver ice bucket holding a bottle of champagne in the other, she wondered how he could be so cavalier.
“Time to celebrate,” he exclaimed, placing the bucket on the nightstand and setting the tray on her lap. “Caviar, smoked salmon with dill and sour cream, mini spinach quiche bites, and for dessert, dark chocolate cake.”
“Good grief. How did you get all this together so quickly?”
“I didn’t. Joe had it ready. He figured we’d be hungry, but I can take credit for adding the chocolate cake.”
“Joe?”
“Ah, that’s right, you haven’t met him yet. He’s Benny’s brother. Benny and Joe are my right and left hand. Joe cooks and drives me around, but I don’t want to talk about that. I want to feed you. Don’t move.”
“I wouldn’t dare with this tray balanced on my lap,” she remarked as he turned and walked across the room. “Marco, please may I have a piece of this salmon?”
“You may, since you asked so nicely,” he replied, disappearing into his closet.
Lifting the tasty hors d’oeuvre, she popped it in her mouth and rolled her eyes.
“This is so good,” she exclaimed as Marco returned carrying a black scarf.
“Joe should have been a chef, but he couldn’t spend his life in a kitchen. Close your eyes, and remember, no sudden moves, or that delicious food will end up all over my very expensive bedspread.”
She was about to respond, but he was already wrapping the black silk around her head.
“You’ve got gorgeous tits,” he muttered, pinching her nipples and making her yelp. “I’m going to buy you a pair of very special clamps.”
