Chapter Fifteen
Nico leaned back on the couch, seemingly relaxed, yet in truth, he was anything but. The large, elegantly decorated office was the last place he wanted to be, but no one ignored a direct order from Vincenzo Conti, not even Nico.
The door opened, and Nico sat up from his slouch, firmly planting both feet on the floor as he watched his father take a seat in an overstuffed, leather chair behind his desk. His father was still an imposing figure even in his late sixties. Though a naturally big guy, he kept in shape, and although his hair was mostly gray, it didn't distract from his distinguished good looks.
His father took an exaggeratedly long time settling into his chair, all the while, spearing Nico with a death glare, willing him to crack under the pressure of it. It was an old trick he'd grown immune to over the years. No way, would he start a conversation that could ultimately end with one of them storming out of the room in anger. Yes, Vincenzo Conti held most of the power in the family, but Nico was, and always would be, his own man.
After five minutes that felt like an eternity, his father finally spoke. "Please tell me the rumors I've heard aren't true." At Nico's silence, he sighed. "Well at least tell me she's Italian." At Nico's continued silence, he cursed. "What's her name?"
"Mrs. Nicoló Conti."
"God, damn it, Nico, this isn't a joke."
"I didn't realize I was laughing." In fact, Nico was pretty sure he was glaring.
His father was silent a few more minutes before he stated, "Rumor's also, she was Carmine's whore."
Nico felt his jaw tense as his teeth ground together, and his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Not all rumors are true." His voice came out low and raspy as he tried to contain his anger.
His father held up a hand. "I didn't say it was." He seemed to think for a minute. "This is going to cause... difficulties."
"Which I'll take care of."
Vincenzo nodded. "See to it that you do. War with the Vella family is not something I look forward to so close to retirement."
His father had been dangling the retirement carrot over Nico's head for the last ten years to keep him in line. That ploy had also lost its power a long time ago.
Nico got to his feet. "Are we done?" He had shit to do.
Vincenzo waved a hand. "Yeah."
Nico went for the door and had almost made his escape when he heard, "Oh, and Nico?" He stopped hand on the doorknob but didn't look back. "Your mother was very upset by the news. I'm sure, being a smart boy, you can figure out why. I expect you and Mrs. Conti here for dinner Friday night."
Nico hung his head. Playing the "hurt mother" card, they both knew his father had just won. Shaking his head and issuing a low chuckle, he looked over his shoulder with a small grin. "Olivia. Her name is Olivia, and we'll be here."
He saw his dad fighting a smile he couldn't quite suppress. "Good. We both look forward to meeting her."
Nico slipped into the passenger seat of the Lincoln and Marco took off down the drive. "That didn't take very long."
"Really? It felt like hours."
Marco chuckled. "Did he give you any sage advice?"
"On marriage or how to deal with Carmine?"
Marco shrugged. "Either."
Nico barked a laugh, but it didn't sound humorous even to his own ears. "No."
"Too bad." Marco gave him a quick smirk before turning his eyes back to the road.
They drove in silence a few minutes before he heard Marco's deep voice again. "Speaking of marriage."
Nico looked his direction and raised an eyebrow, but Marco's eyes remained forward, so he prompted, "Yeah?"
Marco was silent so long, Nico didn't think he was going to continue, but then he sighed. "You notice anything different about Olivia lately?"
Nico hadn't. He hadn't been home a lot over the past couple weeks, taking care of business, but when he was, she was doing the usual—visiting with her mom, swimming, or reading. And every night they fucked before she'd fall asleep in his arms. "Like?"
Marco shrugged again. "I don't know. She just seems..." He seemed to struggle for the right word. "Sad."
"And you observed her enough to know this?" His words came out sharper than he'd intended, but fuck, he didn't like the fact Marco cared enough to notice.
"Don't get your dick in a twist. Al said something to me a few days ago, and I'm just repeating it."
Slightly appeased, Nico questioned, "What exactly did he say?"
"Said she's been spending more time in her room or with her mom. Said she hasn't even left the house in the last three days."
"Not even to swim?"
Marco shook his head, and Nico swore under his breath.
They pulled up in front of one of his clubs and Nico got out of the car and made his way straight back to the office for some privacy. The manager, Eric, sat behind the desk, but with a nod from Nico, he was out the door, closing it behind him, leaving Nico alone in the room. He pulled out his phone and called Nikki, his PA at the only legitimate business he needed a secretary for.
She answered after the second ring. "Conti Industries, Nico Conti's office."
He skipped the small talk. "I need reservations at Bella for eight tonight."
"Yes, sir. For how many?"
"Two."
"Very good, sir. Anything else?"
"Fax the Harden property file to my home office. I'll be working there for the next few days."
Nico hung up then went in search of Marco. He wanted to get the meeting over with in time to take Olivia dress shopping before dinner.
* * * * *
Olivia's heart stuttered then picked up speed as she saw the bedroom door open and Nico walk in. It was unusual for her to see him during the day, yet there he was, walking toward her and her mother.
They'd been having a visit, sitting on the couch, drinking tea in the sitting area of Nico's bedroom. Olivia had been thrilled that her mother felt well enough to get up and about. In fact, she'd noticed much improvement to her mom's health over the past couple of weeks. Her coloring was better with a slight rosy blush to her cheeks. Her energy had improved, and she and her mom spent more time out of her room now than in it. It seem the round the clock care and frequent doctor visits that Nico had obtained were doing a world of good. More good than the care she'd been able to supply her mom back home even with Carmine's help. She would be forever grateful to Nico for the added time he'd given her with her mom.
"Ladies." Nico inclined his head to them both.
Her mom set her tea cup on the coffee table before standing and straightening her robe.
Observing her actions Olivia said, "You don't need to leave, Mom."
"Nonsense. What newlywed couple wants their mom hanging around being a fifth wheel?" She leaned over giving Olivia a kiss on the forehead. "We'll have plenty of time for tea later."
Thankful she was able to agree with that statement, Olivia smiled up at her mom. "It's a date."
She watched as her mom made the slow trek across the room with the help of her nurse until they were out of sight behind the closed door.
"Speaking of dates."
Olivia turned at the sound of Nico's voice. He skirted the coffee table and took her mom's vacated spot on the couch.
"I'm here to take you dress shopping then out to dinner to celebrate our two-week anniversary."
"Oh." She wasn't sure what to say. She hadn't realized he'd been keeping track. "That's really not necessary. I know this isn't a real marriage." At his flared nostrils and hardening jaw, she backtracked, "I mean, um, this isn't a conventional marriage."
He leaned toward her, placing his hands on either side of her hips. His lips blazed a trail over her jaw. His voice—a deep, whisper-soft growl—filled her ear. "I've been neglectful."
Chill bumps coated her arms when his warm breath caressed the shell of her ear. She took a deep breath, and his unique woodsy scent with a slight trace of smoke filled her nostrils, fogging her head. Desperate to keep up with the conversation, she replied just as softly, "I sleep with you every night."
"I'm not talking about sex." His tongue flicked the sensitive skin behind her ear, and she shivered, needing to grab his shoulders for support. "I'm talking about my time and spending it with you."
His mouth replaced his tongue, sucking at a spot that literally had her skin tingling. Pressure between her legs had her fighting the need to rock her hips. "I know you're busy." It came out more a sigh than actual words, but it seemed he didn't have trouble understanding.
"I should never be too busy for you."
One of his hands slid under the hem of her shirt and glided up her back, pausing to pinch the clasp of her bra before continuing around to cup her breast. The pressure between her thighs grew into an ache, and she found herself pulling at his shoulders, trying to draw him closer.
He laid her back, grinding himself against her core, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist.
"This isn't what I came in here for." His breath panted in her ear, and his fingers plucked at her nipple, squeezing and twisting. With a moan, she surged her pelvis against his. "But I can't seem to keep my hands off you when you're near. You're fucking irresistible."
Her heart pounded a fast tempo at his pretty words. She knew he didn't love her, but maybe, just maybe, being irresistible was a close second.
Her hand left his shoulder, her fingers digging into his hair at the back of his head as his lips trailed back over her jaw to find hers. The kiss was forceful, his tongue invading before their mouths were even fully sealed as if it couldn't wait for even another second to be joined with hers.
He ground into her harder before he pried his lips from hers, tipping his head back. "Fuck. I'm going to come in my pants if we don't stop."
Desperate, her core now pulsing in need of release, she begged, "Please, don't stop."
With a growl, he ripped at her shorts, sliding them down her legs along with her panties. Between one blink and the next, he had his own pants undone, then taking himself in hand, he slammed into her. Her whole body rocked with the force of his thrust, and she knew if she hadn't been holding onto him so tightly, she would have slid up the length of the couch.
He pulled out, slamming into her again, grabbing her behind the knee and lifting her leg, getting a deeper angle. Her climax hit, and she bucked against him with what limited movement she had as he continued the assault until she was falling over the edge. Lost in wave after wave of pleasure, she distantly heard his own shout before they both stilled, panting, trying to catch their breath.
"Fuck, what you do to me," he rasped.
She still had no breath to respond but was thinking the same thing. He released her leg, and she wrapped it back around his waist, squeezing him tight. Savoring, as she always did, the time in his arms.