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I set my glass down and rest my hand on hers, loving my best friend for her constant empathy and softness. I’d be lost in this world without her or her mother.
“He’d want it to be at the club.” I say, trying not to feel angry as I say the words, since memories of many of my sleepless nights occurred because he would constantly be there and not at home.
“You’re right, he would. He always loved that place. It’s probably why so many of Manhattan's businessmen have joined recently, in honor of him.” Camila says proudly, swiping a tear from her eye.
Poor, innocent, naïve Camila. If only you knew. Or maybe you did? Maybe everyone fucking knew about his secret life and I’m just the fool walking around blind, but I can’t say anything about it. I can’t have an outburst. Because they could all be fools too.
“That’s exactly why. Everyone looked up to him. He was a special man, wasn’t he?” I ask her and she smiles fondly at me as she nods her head.
“So, I hear you and Nico are tag teaming the business together now.” Antonio says and I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“Yeah I guess you could say we’re partners now.” I say with a sigh, a snort bursting from Sofia. I nudge her in the side with my elbow and she glares at me.
“I think everything will be fine with the new arrangement. You were always great with numbers and legal matters, just as Nico is with deals and being…out there.” Antonio says and I don’t respond, I just look at Nico who sits with his leg still crossed over his knee, a dark expression brewing in his mysterious eyes.
I don’t know if it’s the two glasses of wine or the months of abstinence, since my husband was out probably fucking the models of Manhattan while I laid in bed waiting, but I can’t stop the rush of wetness that surges through my pussy when I look at him. His shoulders are broad and his beard is thick, as dark as the long, silky strands that fall from his head. I hate how full his lips are, how they wrap perfectly around the lip of his crystal glass. I hate how his Adam’s apple bobs in his dark throat as he swallows the amber liquid. I hate how every move, every sigh, has a reaction on my body. Because I really fucking hate him.
“I want you to come down to the store tomorrow, Scarlett. We have some new pieces in and the appraiser is meeting with me. I want you there to go over numbers, see if he’s full of shit or not. You know how greedy these bastards can be. One exotic jewel from the homeland will have them salivating and lying through their teeth for a chance to buy it from you at a way lesser price. You can see through his bullshit. You’ve always been good at that.” Antonio says, his words nearly making me chuckle as I look at him now.
I wish I could say that he is right. When Luis was alive maybe his words would be true, but right now, right now I’m kicking myself in the ass for not seeing through his bullshit facade sooner.
Still, I say, “Sure thing. Does noon work?” He nods and pats my arm, his warm hand settling there for a few seconds longer than normal, Nico’s eyes now pinned to where Antonio’s skin touches mine.
Camila is about to say something when Nico uncrosses his legs and tosses back the rest of his glass. He sets it on the table along with his napkin, standing abruptly as he fixes his cufflinks.
“I’ll be in my office.” he grumbles before striding out of the room, my head tilted in confusion as everyone watches him leave.
“What’s up his ass?” Sofia says, my shoulders shrugging in response.
“I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s been lodged there for centuries.” Everyone chuckles and when I catch eyes with Antonio again, his sparkle in return. He licks his lip as he stares at my face, his hand slowly moving away from my arm. He winks at me and even though this can be misconstrued as flirting, I refuse to believe it.
Antonio is like a brother to me, a friend and male guardian when I needed one. I feel no attraction towards him and even though it should be because he’s my dead husband's friend, I know that’s a lie. Because right now, regardless of how angry I am, I’m still lusting after his business partner, his best friend.
* * *
Dinner ends and I have to refuse dessert even though Camila’s cinnamon tres leches cake looks divine. In truth, I am exhausted after today and am in serious need of some rest. I opt for a bubble bath in my new bathroom, the floating, stone tub barely even used since this room has been both used and designed as a guest room. I decide to indulge myself with the luxury bath set I had out for our next guest, leaning back with a sigh as the vanilla bubbles surround me in the massive tub.
“You forgot to add in the funeral expenses to the report, those are required as well.” Nico says from the doorway, my eyes snapping open as a loud gasp of shock leaves my lips.
I cover my breasts with my hands, the bubbles covering the rest of my naked flesh as I look to his spot in the doorway. He’s leaning against the frame, his suit jacket gone. His thick, tan arms are exposed since his black shirt is rolled up. They are crossed over his broad chest, his height nearly overwhelming as my heart pounds in my chest.
“I had my bedroom door locked. How did you get in here?” I hiss, his eyes glittering as he pulls a key from his pocket and holds it in the air.
“I got keys too, kitten. And you didn’t answer your phone.” he says and I frown at him.
“Obviously because I’m a little preoccupied.” I sneer and he shrugs, walking towards the tub before he stops and squats nearly a foot away from me, his lips a breath away as I stare at them.
“This business doesn’t allow down time.” he says and I narrow my eyes, still staring at his perfect, infuriating mouth.
“Luis had a lot of down time. Years of it in fact.” I say, his head tipping back as he glares down at me when I finally meet his intense gaze.
He stares at me for a while, my face heating as his eyes roam over my body from where it lays in the tub. He tilts his head at me now, his eyes slowly lifting back to my face as a smirk plays with his full lips.
“Shall we talk about how Antonino wants to fuck you?” he says and I swear, if I wasn’t already shocked, I definitely would be now.
“One, we don’ttalk.And two,” I say, swallowing slowly as I avert my gaze and stare at my knees poking through the bubbles.
“He doesn’t want to fuck me. He’s my friend. Sorry if you get empathy confused with lust. I know the former is unknown territory for you.” I say, holding my breasts a bit tighter even though my womb is fluttering from his closeness.
