Chapter 16

Giovanni

 

Music,

I feel,

must be emotional first

and intellectual second.

~Maurice Ravel
 

 

Where the fuck did he take her?

I checked my watch. They’d been gone for over an hour. Had I known that he would have driven off with her, I would’ve had Chucky puncture his tires.

Would she be pissed if she knew I was cable of doing that and more to keep her with me?

Ru parked the car in front of me, jumped out, and rushed over to open her door. A bad taste coated my tongue. I wanted to spit it out on his face, but I had to remain on my best behavior. No woman had ever triggered me to act this childish. Simone wasn’t a toy for Ru and me to fight over.

Still, I swore her manager craved more than just a big check from her. All I wanted to do was get rid of him.

He better stay in line.

“Thanks, Ru.”

She climbed out. Describing her as sexy would’ve been an understatement. She wore a pair of blue jeans that had to be tailored for those curvy hips and voluptuous ass. Midnight was close to being right. Her ass was almost too much for me to handle, but I didn’t mind spending a lifetime dominating it. A white shirt peeked out of the cropped leather jacket she had on.

Simone. Simone.

A little snow had sprinkled onto her waves upon waves of curls that swept over one side of her face. She was my wildest fantasy come to life. I had to force myself to remain standing where I was, instead of taking her into my arms. For now, she trusted Ru. And I didn’t want to completely get on his bad side. God only knew what things he would do to get me out of the picture.

“How was the meeting?” I asked her.

Although her lips curved into a smile, the joy didn’t reach her eyes. She appeared uncomfortable between the two of us. “It was fine.”

Something happened. Did he tell her something stupid? Or did he try something with her?

I glared at him. “Is the meeting done? I don’t want to intrude.”

“Of course not.” Ru stuck his hands into his pockets. “I’m sure you’re ready to get back to the music. Will you two be in the studio today?”

I fisted my hands in my pockets. “Eventually.”

“Eventually? That doesn’t sound like we’re being productive.” Ru tapped his watch. “Her time is money. And besides, I have some other deals that have come up for Simone. Word is spreading that she’s here and working on a new album with you.”

And I bet you’re the one spreading the word.

I hated the idea of her working on music with anyone else. “We’ll have to put an exclusive clause in the contract. I don’t like the idea of sharing Simone.”

Ru turned to Simone and tossed her a wicked smile. “Awww. Look at that. He doesn’t want to share you. This looks like it will be option A.”

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“Nothing.” Ru walked off and formed his fingers in the shape of a W. “I’ll be on the best side, which is clearly the west side.”

Simone watched him leave with anger plastered over her face.

“By the way, Gio,” Ru called over his shoulder, “you have ghosts in the hallways. They dance out there around midnight.”

“Interesting.” I turned his way and showed him my middle finger, making sure Simone couldn’t see it. “I hope the ghosts don’t kill you or anything. You’re welcome to stay in a hotel tonight at my expense.”

Ru responded with a sound that was between a growl and a chuckle as he disappeared into the house. The whole time, Simone watched us both and remained silent.

I faced her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing I can’t handle.” She shrugged and started to walk off toward the house. I tenderly grabbed her arm and pulled her back to me.

“We don’t lie to each other,” I said, breathing in her lush scent. “You don’t have your usual smile on. Why not?”

“Ru’s worried about us.”

I held in my annoyance. “What did he say?”

She tucked a few curls behind her ear. “He mentioned...the other women you’ve had here.”

“There haven’t been any other women in this house. Besides my mother, you’re the only woman that’s come here to visit me.”

That smile didn’t return to her face, but her expression softened. I didn’t like the look in her eyes either, like she was hoping I was telling the truth, but wasn’t sure. Who was I to blame her? I’d heard Jason say the same shit to most of the women he’d brought to his house.

“You’re the only woman that’s come here, baby. Really. Besides my mother, you’re the only one, baby.”

The only problem was that I was actually telling the fucking truth.

“Okay,” she said, but I could tell she was more on guard than usual.

Ru, your time is up. I’m going to drag you out of here. All I have to do is not alarm Simone.

“What else did he say?” I asked.

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. We’re not—”

“What? Together? No, we’re not, but still I don’t like the idea of some guy touching you either.” I pulled her in even closer. “I don’t even want to hear about anyone ever kissing those lips, before me. I know it must’ve happened, but I don’t want to hear about it. And I don’t like the fact that Ru told you this bullshit. So, if you have any concerns or questions, tell me.”

She let out an exasperated breath. “He said he overhead from your maids that you have tons of women over all the time.”

“He’s lying.”

“Okay.”

“What else did he say?”

She got out of my hold. “Let’s just leave it alone. I figured Ru was overdoing it and lying. I don’t really want to talk about it anymore.”

“Simone?” I called after her.

She stopped and turned my way. “Yes.”

“We won’t be eating in the house. I’m taking you out.”

She gave me a suspicious look. “Did you happen to purchase a building too?”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Finally, her signature smile showed on her face as she walked to me. “Dinner without Ru sounds good.”

I gave her my arm and she hooked hers around it.

“We have to get my car out of the garage,” I said.

We headed down the stone trail. I thought about the comment she’d made earlier.

“Ru bought a building?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“He thought it would be a good place for me to stay while we worked on your album. I thought he’d lost his mind. The place is thirty minutes away and a rat’s nest.”

I nodded, thinking of how I would rearrange Ru’s face. “You were right. He is a great manager. He’s really being proactive.”

“Very funny.”

“Are we going to pretend like he’s not deliberately trying to cock block me?”

“Well, it’s clearly not working. I don’t think anyone, or anything, could block your cock from me, Gio.”

I’d had a serious expression and she’d triggered a grin. “Not the point, princess.”

I pulled out my remote control and pressed a button. The garage’s double doors opened. The lights in the massive room turned on, and the whole space illuminated. My four, shiny blue cars lined the walls, each distinct. All were my favorite.

I turned to her. “Do you want to drive?”

“I think I’ve shown enough of my snow driving skills this week.”

“Fair point.” I grinned. “How hungry are you?”

“I can wait for a while.”

“Good. I’ll get you to my favorite spot safely. And once we’re there, we can talk more about your manager.”

She frowned.

I’m taking her far away from here.

Had I known he’d tried to get her to live in a building away from me, I would’ve gotten the jet ready and had her on it tonight.

We spent the whole ride playing the radio and singing some of the songs. To my embarrassment, one of mine came on, but it was amazing to hear her sing my lyrics. I loved the verses on her tongue. I damn near crashed into another car watching those sexy lips twist and curve.

My cock went hard, pressing against the jeans. When Simone sung out some of the sexier songs that played on the radio, I wanted to free my cock and have her suck it while I drove. Nothing would’ve been better than to feel that warm, wet mouth sliding up and down my length.

But I had to control myself. Ru had snuck around and whispered bullshit into her head. Granted, if I was him, I would’ve been worried about me sleeping with Simone too. But I wasn’t him, and I wanted her all to myself.

He must go.

It took a few hours to get to Salt Lake City, but we arrived at Bourbon Blues right as the sun set. There were very few cars in high end restaurant’s parking lot. Its small hotel was on the second floor, catering to only high-end guests that paid large amounts for privacy. Most of the city didn’t even know suites were above the restaurant.

I’d rented out the whole building for tonight, not wanting any people around interrupting us and asking for autographs and selfies. Besides, if the paparazzi had gotten wind of me bringing a woman out here, they would’ve had Simone’s face plastered all over every page in the country, trending for days.

No. Right now, I just want her all to myself.

I guided her in.

After Ru’s stupid stunt, I wanted a truly romantic evening for Simone and had to pull out all the stops—sumptuous cuisine, exquisite flowers, and beautiful surroundings. I’d stressed all those instruction to the owner of Bourbon Blues and he didn’t disappoint.

Darkness battled with the soothing glow of candlelight. In fact, hundreds of silver and ivory candles as well as delicate flowers spread around the restaurant, forming the space into a romantic scene from Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I half expected a fairy dusted in glitter to take our order.

Our table sat in the center of the room. Decorated pale pink roses surrounded them. Classical music played in the background.

A woman stood at the maître d’ station. “Hello, Mr. Ferraro. We’re happy to have you back.”

“It’s always a pleasure to come here.”

“This place is amazing.” Simone’s voice was soft against my ear. “Thank you for bringing me.”

“I hope you enjoy it. If you do, I’ll bring you back here all the time.”

The woman led us to our table and waited until we were seated before handing us the wine list. I let Simone order the wine and then we decided on our dishes.

On our right, two men dressed in tuxedos played their violins to a soft melody. Simone curved her lips into a smile. Delicate notes danced around the space.

Our waiter returned with the bottle, pouring Simone a small sample of the deep, red wine. Simone took a sip, nodded, and the waiter poured the rest of her glass and then mine. While the wine tickled the tongue with flavor, I worried about my beautiful Simone.

She’d sipped a bit more than I expected. By the time she set the glass on the table, it was far less than when she’d first picked it up. Almost empty. Our waiter hurried over and filled her glass again.

Simone picked it up and drank some more, before setting it down.

Worry hit me. “Talk to me, princess. What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine.”

I leaned back in my chair, watching her. “Does this deal with more of Ru’s meeting? Like I said before, there’s been no woman in my house since I’ve moved there besides my staff and mother.”

“You don’t have to say that.” She took another sip and set her glass on the table. “In fact, I’m annoyed that Ru took it there and that this is our conversation tonight. I just wish...”

“What?”

“That the both of you would stop worrying about the other.”

It was a fair point, but one that wouldn’t come true. Ru knew that Simone had caught my attention. There would be no way that I’d step out of Simone’s life, which would annoy the fuck out of Ru. And personally, I liked the idea of her firing him, but I had to approach the topic carefully.

Simone was strong willed and independent. She reminded me of my mother in that sense. Dad couldn’t tell Mom what to do with her career. Even though he hated certain slime ball directors and producers, he trusted Mom to handle her life and only stepped in when she asked. I wished I could be more like him, but as a child, I’d always been reprimanded for not sharing.

“I won’t stop worrying about Ru,” I said. “But, I won’t bother you about him. Can we agree to that?”

“That’s fair.”

“What else did he tell you that made you worry?”

She shook her head. “I feel silly even bringing it up.”

“But, it’s on your mind just the same.”

She sighed. “Ru said that he’s seen this situation before where usually the guy starts having sex with the singer/songwriter and begins to not want to share her. Eventually, her main purpose is writing a few songs only for him as she’s taking care of him. Finally, she ends up becoming the guy’s sex toy or wife. Either way, her career ends.”

“And what’s his proof of this?”

She shrugged. “Over half of the relationships in the industry.”

I thought about the married ones I knew. Besides my parents and Jason’s, I didn’t personally know a lot of power couples. Ru had a point, of course. Most of the guys I hung with had married woman that catered solely to them. Half of the women ended their blossoming careers to wear the ring and get the last name.

I smiled. “You’re not that type of woman, Simone. I couldn’t stop you from pursuing your career. Neither could Ru or anyone else. I told you before, we’re lucky to have found you, but you’re going to be a star whether we help or not.”

She looked like she was relaxing for the first time that evening. “Thank you for saying that.”

“You control your destiny in the end.”

“I think I needed to be reminded of that. Ru had nothing but negativity.”

“Perhaps, he has a few points.”

“Like?”

“I don’t want to share you, but what Ru doesn’t get is that I know I have no authority over anything you do.” I reached across the table, taking her hands in mine. “So, ignore him. There’s nothing about us that anyone can guess or foretell. Our future steps are up to us.”

“And what are our future steps?”

I was scared to answer her. She probably wanted us to take it slow, while I wanted to fast forward to moving her in. The whole time she’d been with him and his meeting, I was thinking she should move in. We could finish my album and then work on hers and then...anything else that came to mind.

I rubbed my thumb briefly across the soft knuckles of her hands before turning her palm upward and caressing it. “I want you. All of you. Your heart, voice, body, soul. Everything. And I want to give all of me to you. Everything I own. Everything I can offer. That’s how I feel.”

Her words came out low and shaky. “Do you really?”

Even though the men played their violins and the restaurant staff silently moved around the space, for me, the room went still, leaving just Simone and me.

“Princess,” I tried to keep the desperation out of my voice, “I would give you anything, if it meant that you would remain with me forever.”

Our gazes met. In her eyes, I saw the same passion that had flowed when we’d made love last night.

“Ru can say whatever he wants.” I brushed my fingertips along her palm. “He can show a diagram, presenting all of the statistical data he’s found on douchebags in the industry.”

She grinned.

“He could buy a building, house, car, plane, yacht, whatever to hide you from me or take you away, but still I would be right here, waiting, begging, hoping.”

She bit her bottom lip, and I wanted to pull her into my arms and suck on it myself.

“Ru can’t predict what I will do because he’s never seen me in love.”

She widened her eyes.

“In fact,” I admitted, “I’ve never seen me in love either. This is my first time, but I know it to be true.” I touched my chest with my free hand. “Every inch of my core feels different, when I’m around you. And when you’re gone, I swear I feel empty. Have you ever felt that way?”

“I did today, when I was with Ru. I hated the things that he was predicting would happen to us. I hated the thought of you possibly trying to break my heart.”

“Hmmm.”

“What?” she asked as the waiter brought our dishes. Savory smoke steamed from both plates.

“I don’t like that Ru upset you.” I let go of her hand as she prepared to eat. “Is there anything I can do to fix this problem?”

I could tie a rope around his neck and hang him from a tree. I could buy him a one-way plane ticket to the Middle East. I’m sure Midnight knows a couple of guys that wouldn’t mind kidnapping Ru.

“We talked about him overstepping today,” she said. “I’ve got it.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

She took a bite of her dish and then asked, “Do you think his worrying about you and I is rational?”

I hadn’t even picked up my fork as I considered the question. “On one hand, if I was him, I wouldn’t be excited that you were sleeping with me. Jason and I had a reputation in the industry. Mine comes more from partying with Jason and people assuming we love the same things.”

“But you don’t?”

“Not at all. As you can see, I prefer silence and snowy mountains to drugs, women, and the back-stabbing faux gold streets of Los Angeles.”

She giggled. “You should never do a commercial for LA.”

“No, I should not.” I decided to keep it real with her. “Yeah. If I was Ru, I would be worried and keep a close eye, but I wouldn’t have bought a building or created fake gossip about me having women in the house. All of that is a problem.”

She paused from eating.

“Regardless of what type of manager you have, you should be able to trust what he says and have faith in his actions. Can you say that about Ru?”

“I could, before today.”

I nodded, not wanting to push it any further. In the end, Ru had to go, but I didn’t know how I could do it without upsetting Simone. Thankfully, he was already stepping onto her bad side. I almost didn’t need to put my energy into it. He’d become desperate today. Another day, he’d do something else stupid and then I would happily point and laugh as she fired him.

She sighed. “I think I have a lot to think about with this situation, but trust me, I’m going to take it one day at a time.”

“And anytime Ru or anyone else goes to you about me, and it makes you uneasy, come to me.”

“I will,” she whispered.

“Good.” I hit her with an intense gaze. “Because after last night, I’m not letting go. I’ll fight Ru and anybody else, if I have to.”

She grinned. “You won’t have to fight anyone.”

“But I will. As far as I’m concerned, it’s me and you against the world.”

“Bonnie and Clyde?”

“All fucking day, princess.” I toasted to us and she followed, giggling the whole time. “But, tonight...we forget about all of this. I’ve rented the whole place, including the private suites upstairs.”

“There’s a hotel up there?”

“Yes, for celebrities wanting privacy. We have the second floor to ourselves.” I’d been annoyed about Ru getting her out of my bed this morning. Tonight, we needed distance between him.

Sorry, Ru. You’ll have to dance with ghosts all by yourself this evening.