Chapter Five

I slipped out of bed without her realizing it the next morning, dressed quickly and headed downstairs to grab us some coffee and breakfast.

Standing in line, I thought about everything I had planned for the day. The whole point of going on this trip was to take her away from everything stressful going on at home, and now here we were in the same hotel as her ex-boyfriend and his new fling.

“Dean, right?”

I closed my eyes. Dammit. Speak of the Devil. I turned to see him standing behind me in line with a girl hanging on his arm. She had bright blonde hair and brown eyes. Despite the fact that she was busty with a nice body, there was a sour look on her face that made me want to cringe.

“Yes. Brad, right?”

“Yea! Did Becky tell me about you?”

I bit the inside of my cheek as I heard him call her Becky. It made me want to punch him right then and there.

“Oh, she’s told me all about you two.” I gave them a soft smile. For a fraction of a second, I could have sworn the girl looked worried.

“Great!” I looked at Brad. Is he a total moron? Did he not get the hint in there? “So, are you two going to join us for lunch?”

“No. We’ve got plans for the day to do some sightseeing.”

“Oh, that’s so romantic,” the girl piped up, moving closer to Brad. “I keep telling Brad we need to take a little time to enjoy the view, but he’s so busy with work.” I could hear the hostility in her voice, and for a second, a smile flashed across my face. I’ll have to make sure to tell Becca that I annoyed her. For some reason, I was pretty sure she’d be happy to hear it.

I turned my attention back to the line we were standing in and moved up. Thankfully, there was only one person in front of me before I could place my order.

“What about dinner? I’m not sure if Becky mentioned, but I had something to talk to you about; I think we could make really good partners.” He paused to take a deep breath before going into his sepal, and I took advantage of it.

“I’m not really looking for any new partners at the moment, and quite frankly, I’m not sure that we would work well together, but if that ever changes, I’ll be sure to get a hold of you.”

I knew I was burning a bridge that should have kept up but couldn’t help it. The way he called her “Becky” and the way he jumped at trying to sell me something right off the bat. Hell, even the fact that he wasn’t taking his girlfriend out to do anything while they were in Italy. Everything about him pissed me off, and I was totally okay with burning this bridge. I gave him a polite smile before turning my attention back to the line and stepped forward the first chance I got.

I placed my order, and neither Brad nor his girlfriend tried to talk to me again. They muttered in low voices, but I did hear Rebecca mentioned once. Something made my body stiffen as I tried to hear what they were saying. I couldn’t make it out, so forcing myself to shake it off, I grabbed my order and hurried up to the hotel room to wake her up.

*

I rolled over as I heard the door open.

“Hey,” I mumbled, pushing the hair out of my face as I sat up and took a deep breath. Yup. Coffee. I grinned, reaching out for the coffee as he came towards me.

“I ran into your ex-boyfriend.”

I groaned as my heart dropped into my stomach. “How bad was it?” Was I going to have to complain about him harassing us?

“I think I shut him down pretty well by telling him I wasn’t interested.” He shrugged but didn’t say anything else as he handed me my coffee.

“Oh, thank God.” I took a careful sip to test the temperature before taking a gulp.

“His girlfriend doesn’t seem very happy. Seems like he’s not spending enough time with her.”

“Yea, I can see that. He never made much time for a relationship.” Dean raised an eyebrow. After a couple seconds, it occurred to me that he was waiting for me to explain. I just shrugged. “He just … always put more time into work than into the relationship. He didn’t like admitting if there was an issue or confronting it. He also didn’t like going on special dates or meeting parents.” Which reminded me … “Oh, and my mom is going to be insistent that we meet her after blowing her off this weekend.”

We’d been planning to go to dinner, but after the shooting, I just wasn’t in the mood to leave my house. Honestly, I’d kinda been freaked out leaving the house, so my mom was understanding when I called to tell her that we wouldn’t be able to make it.

She did stop by to see me, but Dean had been at work that night so she still hadn’t met him, and I knew she was itching to.

“How about next weekend? I’ll take you two out to dinner.”

“Alright, just make it somewhere nice, tip the odds in your favor with my mom.” I grinned.

Dean laughed. “Careful what you say; I might just get the restaurant shut down for us.”

My jaw dropped. He was joking, right? Somehow I doubted it. I had a feeling he would be more than happy to do it.

“So,” I cleared my throat changing the subject. “You shut Brad down?”

“Yea, I just told him that you had told me all about him, and that I didn’t’ feel like we would make good partners, but that I would call him if I changed my mind.” He grabbed his own coffee and took a sip. “Mmm.” He held a bag out to me. “Bagels. I didn’t know what you liked on them, so I just had butter put on them.”

“Just the way I like it.” I put my coffee down on the nightstand and pulled a bagel out of the bag. “So,” I asked through a mouthful of food. “What’s the plan for the day?”

“Well, I was thinking you could get dressed.” He grinned, his eyes roaming over me as I stood up in my new nightgown that he’d just bought me. He swallowed dryly, and for a split second, I was sure I saw lust in his eyes.

I crossed over to him quickly and took the coffee cup out of his hand. “Are you sure you want me to get dressed?” My head tilted to the left. We hadn’t had sex last night because as soon as we got to bed I was out cold. I grinned, placing a quick kiss on his neck. “Or would you rather me naked?” I whispered next to his ear.

Dean let out a deep breath, his arms wrapping around me and pulling me close to him. The rough fabric of his jeans brushed against my thigh softly. I let out a soft moan, my teeth grazing his lower lip as my fingers tangled in his hair.

“You make this so hard,” he whispered.

“You make it sound like a bad thing.” I grinned, nipping his lips again. “Hard is good.” My left hand detangled from his hair and slid over his muscular body, lower and lower until it reached the small bulge in his pants. My fingers massaged him gently.

Dean’s eyes rolled back softly as his fingers dug into my skin. He stepped away from me and almost looked sad.

“As much as I would love to ruin that $300 slip I just got you by ripping it off, I do have plans for us, and I get the feeling you would be pretty mad at me if I did that.”

I laughed softly. “Have it your way.” Slipping out of my nightgown, I crossed over to where I’d left my bag and bent over, letting him get a good view of my ass while reaching for clothes for the day. I slipped into my bra and shirt quickly before turning to face Dean. My eyes locked on him as I slipped into my jeans—without panties on.

I saw him swallow as he watched me. My throat went dry as he reached for his jeans and undid them. Alright. I guess I deserved this.

I watched his every move as he slipped out of them, his thick cock exploding forward as he slid his boxers down along with his pants. Biting my lip, I closed the distance between us and dropped at his feet. Before my knees touched the ground, he grabbed me and pulled me up.

“Sorry, babe; you’ll just have to wait.”

“But …” I batted my eyelashes dramatically. “I want your cock in my mouth.”

I could tell he was tempted to let me, but he walked away and crossed over to his bag, changing quickly. “I guess you’ll have to think about it all day until we get home.”

“You’re a tease.” I glared at him, but I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.

“And you fucking love it.”

Oh, I did. But I wasn’t willing to admit that.

*

“Oh, my God, they are so gorgeous.”

I pulled my camera out of my bag and took a picture before Dean grabbed it from me. “Go pose.” He stepped back, holding the camera towards me, and I smiled widely with the ruins in the background as he snapped a picture.

“Okay, that is awesome.” I grinned as he showed me the picture. “I honestly can’t believe how cool this entire experience is.” I stared at the man in front of me. What had I done to get so lucky?

Why, out of all the other gorgeous women in that casino had he decided I was good enough? Because I honestly wasn’t sure I was.

I wasn’t sure what made me so great. I mentally shook myself, trying not to ruin the day and stepped towards him, pulling him into a hug.

“This is awesome, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He chuckled softly, pulling away. “Now, come on; we’re not done here yet.”

When Dean had said he had plans, I didn’t realize that he really had the entire day planned out for us. We weren’t allowed to stay by the ruins too long because we, of course, had to go to the Colosseum.

“Just the two of us.” He grinned widely as he motioned for me to enter the Colosseum.

“The shit you do … it makes me think I’m in a dream or something.” My eyes widened as I looked around. I never, ever thought I’d be standing inside a Colosseum that gladiators used to fight in and shook my head as Dean’s hand slipped into my new Italian leather purse and pulled out the camera. He approached a security guard, said something to him, and he nodded before Dean handed the camera over and came back to me. His lips touched my cheek.

“Look at the camera,” he whispered in my ear. “And smile.”

I smiled widely as the man took a picture of us, and Dean got the camera back. As we made our way through the Colosseum, I took my camera back.

“You know, maybe we can use this later to take some more pictures.” I glanced at him just in time to see a blush rise to his cheeks. “I mean, I do have a couple new outfits I could model for you.” He grinned widely.

“You tempt me.”

“Just remember, I’m not wearing any panties right now.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I haven’t stopped thinking about it.” He pulled me close to him as we walked. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about all the things I’m going to do to you as soon as we get back to that hotel room.”

His words sent a shiver of heat down my spine. Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to get back to the hotel room.

“Maybe we should go.”

“Nope, not yet. I planned a nice day for you, and you’re going to enjoy it.” His eyes sparkled. “And you’re going to think about every dirty thing I’m going to do to you in the meantime.”

“You’re a tease,” I muttered, but I didn’t mean it. It was just going to be so much better when I finally got him inside me.

I grinned widely, thankful that the only people around were security guards. It was kinda nice to have the whole place to ourselves.

After we were done there, we headed back towards the hotel, but we got out of the cab a few blocks away in front of a pizza parlor. We each got a slice of pizza and slowly made our way back towards the hotel.

“I have to ask you something.”

“Alright.” My brow furrowed.

“How’ve you been feeling these past couple of days?”

“I’ve been fine—why? Oh … never mind.” It took me a couple seconds to realize what he was getting at, but I figured it out. “I’ve been fine, yea. I mean, I’m not going to lie; I still get freaked out.” Being out in public was a little hard, but for some reason in Italy, it was a hell of a lot easier on me. Maybe it was because we were somewhere else, or maybe it was just because I was having too much fun.

“So bringing you away was the right thing to do?”

“Yes, but I have to go back. I mean, I can’t avoid the casino forever.” I took a huge bite out of my pizza.

Dean groaned. “Your ex’s girlfriend is over there, and it looks like she’s going to come over and say hi.”

I mimicked his groan as I turned to see where he was talking about. Sure enough, she was coming over, and it looked like she was heading right for us.

She carried a small bag with her, and I noticed her purse was fraying.

I gave Dean a smile. “You don’t have to stick around if you don’t want.”

“You sure you don’t mind?”

“Oh, I’m sure; she doesn’t scare me.” I smiled placing a kiss on his lips. “You must have work stuff to get done.”

“How’d you know?”

“You never go a day without working, even when you manage to get a day off.” I laughed softly. “Don’t worry I get it, go.”

“Thank you.” His lips touched mine quickly, his hand slipping into my pocket before he walked away heading towards the hotel. I thrust my hand into my pocket and my fingers touched something plastic. I pulled it out and stared wide-eyed at a black credit card.

“You have got to be shitting me,” I muttered, but I didn’t have time to focus on it. My phone beeped, letting me know I had a text message.

7212

Was the only thing Dean included in his text. My jaw dropped. He had to be joking, but I knew he wasn’t.

“Where is your boyfriend going?” Kirra asked.

“Oh, he, um had some work stuff to get done.” I tucked my phone back into my pocket. “I’m guessing the same with Brad?”

“Yea.” Her eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second.

“Well, at least you get some time to yourself.” I smiled stepping forward, hoping she’d get the hint—of course, she didn’t. She followed me as we made our way towards the hotel.

“He misses you, you know.”

“Good for him.”

“He tried to talk to your boyfriend earlier. Your boyfriend wasn’t very nice to him.”

“Oh.” I didn’t care and just kept walking as she followed me.

“He said some very rude things.”

My brow furrowed. Really? What had he said? Would I have to get mad at Dean for whatever he said?

“Mhm.” I wasn’t sure what to say.

Her fingers grabbed my wrist and pulled me to a stop. I spun to face her, opening my mouth to say something. Without warning, she pulled me into her arms.

“I’m so sorry for everything that happened. What we said about you was wrong, but you have to understand it was so long ago, and Molly was jealous of you. She was the one who turned everyone against you. And as soon as you left, I realized what a mistake I made. I missed you so much.”

I stood there frozen, unsure of how to react. There was no way any of this was her being honest, was there? I swallowed dryly, patting her back awkwardly.

“It’s … okay?” I offered weakly.

She pulled away with a wide smile on her face. “I just want you to know how much Brad and I miss you. He knows how much he screwed up.” Oh, this had to be fake. There was no way Brad actually felt bad for anything he did to me. “He cried and cried.”

“Mhm. And, how would you know that?”

She stared at me wide-eyed. She’d dug herself into a hole because she either had to admit that she didn’t know, or that she’d been with him after we broke up. I knew what Brad was like. He hardly showed me his emotions, and we’d been together for almost six months.

“I … I …”

I bit my lip to avoid smiling and turned back towards the hotel. This conversation was over as far as I was concerned.

“He cried in his office,” she said quickly.

I laughed. Out loud. I knew I shouldn’t have, but we both knew it was the stupidest thing that could have come out of her mouth. I’d watched him find out his mom was dead and go on with his day. I stared at her and shook my head.

“That’s a nice thing to say.” I smiled widely. “Thank you.” It wouldn’t kill me to pretend I thought she was actually trying to be nice, would it?

“So … you’ll reconsider dinner?”

Was this entire thing about getting Dean to dinner with Brad? Or was it about getting Brad and me together? Whose plan was this?

I studied Kirra carefully. She’d seemed so mad that Brad had touched me, but she was manipulative, she could be in on it for God knows what reason.

“We’re a little busy tonight—”

“What about tomorrow?”

“Oh, I don’t know; it’s our last day in Italy tomorrow. Dean might have something planned.” I shrugged. “I’ll be sure to let you know if we are free, though.”

“If not, we can always get together when we’re back in Vegas.” Her eyes widened almost pleadingly.

“I’ll mention it to Dean,” I lied. My stomach knotted as I thought about the idea of having to sit at a lunch table with them as he tried to sell Dean on something. “Anyway, I’d better get going.”

“I thought Dean was working.” She actually sounded sad. “I mean if you’re not busy, I thought we could grab coffee.”

I felt my heart drop into the pit of my stomach. I knew what she was feeling. I knew what Brad was like, and I knew she’d probably gotten evenings with him—if that—since they’d been here, and for a split second, I wanted to go out to coffee with her and let her know that she deserved better. Then I remembered how likely it was that she’d just tried to manipulative and con Dean and me into going to lunch with them.

I still felt bad for her, but not as bad as I had seconds ago. “I’d love to, but I promised my mom I’d Skype with her.”

“Oh … okay.”

I turned and took three steps towards the hotel before stopping and turning to face her.

“Look,” I took a deep breath. “Honestly, I don’t know if this is some sort of act that you’re playing, but I do know that when I was dating Brad, he hardly ever gave me the time of the day, and I have no clue why I was actually with him other than the fact that I thought I loved him. I don’t know if you are some sort of tit for tat relationship or what, but I do know if he’s not making you happy, and he’s not being a good boyfriend, you’re better off without him.”

Without another word, I turned and headed for the hotel.

“But look at what he did to you.”

I just barely heard her, and my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. Yes, Brad had fucked me up good; he’d made it really hard to trust men after that, and he’d made me feel like my life was destroyed; but I’d moved on, and if Kirra wanted to she could too. I found someone ten times better than Brad, and I couldn’t be happier. Sure, he’d hurt me a lot, but Brad was in my past, and I had no intention of letting him be part of my present or future.

I smiled, stepping into the hotel feeling a weight off my shoulders as if I’d come out and told Brad he could go right to hell. I hoped that if Kirra were unhappy she would just drop him and move on with her life, but I couldn’t make her do anything, so I made my way up to my hotel room and was greeted by Dean standing by the window shirtless. I took a few seconds to stare at the muscles in his back as he spoke on the phone. I didn’t pay much attention to what he was talking about. Instead, I closed the door quietly and slipped out of my shirt, letting it fall to the ground. I slipped out of my jeans but kept my heels on, slowly making my way over to him as quietly as I could.

Just as I was about to reach out and touch him, he turned to face me. His eyes roamed over my almost naked body and a grin spread over his face.

“Yes, of course, we’d be happy to provide accommodations.” His full attention went back to the conversation he was having as I dropped to my knees in front of him and reached for the button on his jean. I saw him inhale deeply. His eyes sparkled as he watched me. He bit his lip, making a noise to let the person on the other end of the phone know he was listening as I reached up and hooked my thumbs around the waist of his jeans, pulling them down quickly. His cock sprang forward, already hard.

My mouth opened, taking his head into my mouth.

A deep breath escaped Dean as he thrust towards me. His eyes rolled back as I mouthed his cock.

Stroke. Stroke. Stroke. Faster and faster, my mouth working quickly to suck him harder and harder, trying to get him to cum while he was still on the phone.

I’d never given head or had sex while one of us was on the phone. It was actually kinda hot. My tongue ran over every inch of him that it could reach as he bit his lip, cracking his neck.

Stroke. Stroke. Stroke. My mouth worked faster and faster.

“Yes, that was I was thinking. Would the evening work for you ...? Of course, we’d be able to pick you up. I wouldn’t expect any less.” His fingers tangled in my hair as he guided my head forward and backward faster and faster. “Yes. Of course; I’ll speak to you as soon as I get things sorted out.”

I pulled away from him, looking up with wide eyes. Was he almost done with his call? I didn’t wait to find out. I mouthed his cock again, taking in as much of him as I could.

“Have a great day,” Dean said, letting out a soft breath before he pulled the phone away from his ear and hung up. He raised a finger, silently telling me not to say anything, placed his phone on the desk and looked down at me. “Well, aren’t you naughty?” He grinned widely.

“You didn’t seem to mind,” I said after pulling his cock out of my mouth. His fingers detangled from my hair as he stepped away and pulled his shirt over his head. I took a deep breath, taking everything in. He looked perfect. His muscular chest flexed, but it was his abs I was really paying attention to. My eyes trailed a little lower and lower and lower.

I swallowed dryly, wanting his cock back in my mouth.

“I didn’t mind. I like when you’re dirty and blowing me while I’m on the phone with clients. Very dirty of you.”

“Cum over here, and you can get me even dirtier.” I grinned, letting sexual innuendo seep through my voice.