Chapter 16
Luca
I’d been stuck behind my desk since the moment I arrived a little after nine a.m. Not to sound, cliché, but I was very thankful today was Friday. My week had been jammed, and once I got out of there I couldn’t wait to unwind with a certain blonde. She didn’t know it yet, but I planned to spend some quality time with her over the next two evenings… and I couldn’t wait.
Unfortunately, there were still a few long hours to my day. Jude had back-to-back meetings lined up all afternoon, and we needed to discuss the expansion he was planning.
Needing a distraction, I grabbed my phone and sent Sabrina a text.
Me: I hope you’re having a great day.
I didn’t expect an immediate reply, but three little dots began to dance.
Sabrina: Just getting ready to greet my next client. Three more and I’m done. My feet are killing me. How are you?
Me: Good. Busy. Did your parents pick up Mikey this morning?
Sabrina: Yep. He was super excited to hear they were taking him to see the new Ninja Turtle movie.
Me: Well, who could blame him? Those dudes rock. Call me when you’re done.
Sabrina: Okay. I need to go. Mrs. Brennan is here. Pray for me. She wants rainbow hair…she’s sixty and likes unicorns. LOL
I let out a laugh. What the hell was rainbow hair?
Me: Consider it done.
Sabrina: Thanks. :)
Just as I dialed Cassie to check in on her date the other night, Jude called my office line and asked if we could meet earlier than scheduled.
“Hello?”
“I need to call you back,” I said as my greeting.
She laughed on her end. “Okay. I’m on my way to get a pedicure.”
“Have fun.”
Grabbing my laptop, I knocked on Jude’s door once before opening it. He focused on his computer monitor. “Hey, boss. Is what you’re staring at have to do with our meeting?”
He clicked a few buttons on his keyboard before addressing me. “Yeah, we need to go over some ideas.”
Rather than stay at his desk, we walked over to the round table with binders stacked on it. This didn’t bode well for me. “What’s all of this?” I asked, opening my laptop to the memo he sent me earlier.
“These, my friend, are financial reports from a couple of vulnerable companies. A few of our clients would like to invest, which means…”
“Our portfolio grows.”
“Correct, and so does our bottom line.” He sported the same grin he would in college when an investment paid off. “I decided instead of taking on the responsibility of running other businesses, we will continue to advise, invest, and grow our client base. In other words, we’re expanding.”
“Does that mean more staff?” I stared at him and he back at me knowing I already had my answer… no.
“Not right away, between the two of us and a couple other key staff members, we will be able to have this running like a well-oiled machine. However, there will be some travel needed to our west coast and Midwest offices. But first, we need to devise a comprehensive study, and plan before we move forward.” He leaned back in his chair. “I want you point person on this. Being my second in command, you’re the one I trust not to fuck this up.”
“Thank you.”
“Take some time and go over these files. Electronic versions have been sent to our secured drive. Let’s circle back next Friday and see where we stand. Build a team, tell me what you need and it will get done.” I nodded, but Jude picked up on my disappointment. “Is there something on your mind, Benedetto?”
“No, I’m good. I’m just wondering if I should cancel my plans for tonight.”
Jude tilted his head to the side like a puppy trying to understand its owner. “Why would you do that? Luca, this is work. Yes, it’s important and I threw a lot at you, but you need a personal life.” When my eyebrows flew up and almost off of my forehead, he smiled. “Yes, I know what I just said. Before Brae, I wouldn’t have felt that way, but now, knowing how much more fulfilled my life is…” He trailed off and didn’t continue.
“I have plans with Sabrina this weekend. But, I don’t want to let you down or this business.”
“It’s not in your nature. You’re the most dedicated employee I have.” He leaned back, and Jude the businessman morphed into Jude the sap in love. “Tell me about Sabrina.”
Images of her blonde hair, sweet smile, and cute cluster of freckles popped in my head. “She’s sweet, kind, caring, a hard worker, and a good person. I love spending time with her and her son… they make me happy. It’s nothing like I ever thought it could be, and I enjoy being with them. You know all of this.” After the day I channeled Rocky Balboa and then confided in Kyle, I called Jude to tell him how I felt about Sabrina. I also shared how I knocked our pal on his ass, and it was a shame he missed it.
“Yes, I do.” Jude nodded. “I just wanted you to remind yourself why all of this can wait until Monday. Brae and I are spending Easter upstate this weekend, so I’m taking off early.” It wasn’t long ago, Jude was incognizant of love. It amazed me how much falling in love with someone could change your life. If I had to place bets, my money would have been on Jude being the ultimate bachelor. It was a good thing I didn’t make that wager. “Go do what you have to do, buddy. All this can wait until Monday.”
“Thank you, and have a good weekend. Drive safe, and stay away from the roosters.” I collected the files and stood to leave.
“Yeah, I’m convinced those damn things take pride in waking me up at the crack of dawn.” He laughed before shaking my hand.
“It’s good to see you this way. I’m glad you’re happy, man.”
He nodded with a smile. “Yeah, it took an amazing woman to make me happy.”
His words touched on something within me. I guessed that was true. Work, play—none of it really mattered if there wasn’t someone special to share it all with. And based on the fact I was itching to see Sabrina, I had to wonder if what I saw my friend experience was indeed something I too could have one day.
Tapping my fingers on the steering wheel while I sat at the red light accentuated my impatience. You would think living in New York as long as I had, I would be used to ridiculous traffic… tonight I just wanted to get to Sabrina.
When I pulled up to her salon, there wasn’t a spot in front. I saw her through the window and pulled around the block finding a place to park not too far away. As I made my way down the street, I saw the woman she had been talking to sporting multi-colored hair. Who knew rainbow hair literally meant an array of different colors.
Rather than go inside, I leaned up against the lamppost on the sidewalk caddy corner to the salon’s entrance. People rushed by me to get from point A to point B. No one gave rainbow lady, whatever her name was, a second thought. That was what I loved most about this city—you could be yourself. Either in black slacks, leather jacket and Italian loafers, or a woman with hair that resembled the front of the Lucky Charms box, it didn’t matter.
Then I saw Sabrina. The spring early evening breeze picked up the ends of her hair revealing her slender neck. Just as I was about to move toward her, she pulled out her phone, tucked a few strands of her hair behind her right ear, smiled, and brought her phone to that same ear. Seconds later mine rang.
“Is this the beautiful Sabrina Callahan?” I took two steps forward.
Her smile widened. “Hi, Luca.”
“I love when you wear blue.” She gazed down at herself and raised her head to find me standing in front of her. Still talking into the phone I said, “But then again, you’re gorgeous in anything… or nothing.”
We both lowered our phones and tucked them into our coat pockets. “Hi. This is a surprise. I didn’t expect you to be here.”
Leaning forward, I softly kissed her lips. “A pleasant surprise I hope.”
“Very.” Her hazel eyes sparkled. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought we could grab dinner.”
“That sounds great, but I’m exhausted.” My expression must have mirrored my disappointment. “What would you think of grabbing takeout and heading to my place?”
“I like that idea. I’m parked around the corner.”
Once we were both settled inside my car, I asked, “What are you in the mood for?”
Mischievousness flickered in her eyes. “Can I be honest?”
“Yes, of course.” I pushed the ignition button and listened to my car come to life.
A pause made me pivot my head toward her before shifting into gear. Her eyes connected and held mine when she said, “You.”
One tiny word caused desire to snake through me like a fallen powerline full of electricity with no hope of settling.
“I just decided we’re grabbing pizza from the place on your street, because my navigation is set on your address… do not pass go… do not collect two hundred dollars.” I pulled out into the road, speeding a bit too fast for a one-way street in the East Village.
“Well, it’s a good thing their pizza is decent,” she quipped, playing along.
Throwing her a sideways glower that could be misconstrued as anger, I said, “Sweetheart, I don’t give a shit if it tastes like the box it comes in.”
How did one manage to get to their destination only minutes later, in spite of the typical traffic that clogged the streets on a Friday evening? Have the woman he was into say that she wanted him.
A small smile played on her lips the entire time I drove, and after we parked, I dragged her by the hand into the pizza parlor. Without bothering to ask her, I said to the man behind the counter, “One pie please. And I’ll take anything you have to go now.”
“The mushroom just come out. You take that?” he asked in broken English. I wasn’t a mushroom fan, but fuck I’d pick those suckers off one by one to get out of there quickly.
“Yep, that’s good.”
Less than five minutes later, we were in her apartment with a mushroom pie. I placed the box on her counter, and when I turned Sabrina was standing right behind me. “Can you hold off on eating right now?”
“I can.”
“Good.” She skimmed her hands up the smooth leather of my jacket until they reached the back of my neck. “I’ve been thinking about you all day, Luca. Specifically, kissing you.”
“What a coincidence,” I admitted. Placing my hands on the curve of her ass, I pulled her against my body and took control of the situation. Her soft lips parted the moment mine touched them. The stress of my week disappeared with each stroke of my tongue along hers. But when she pulled away, I failed to hide my disappointment.
Without explanation, she removed her jacket, and then held a hand out for mine. I followed her lead, watching as she turned to hang them both up in the small closet by the door. The way her jeans molded over her ass, down her slim legs, stirred me up.
Still silent, although I could read her mind based on the vibe she gave me, she took my hand and led me to her couch. Standing before it, she repositioned her hands on the back of my neck and said, “Now, where were we?”
This time I grabbed her ass, forcing all the space between us to disappear. “Right here,” I said, before molding my mouth over hers. The second kiss unleashed a fury of groping and dragging off our shirts that quickly became a nuisance to our touches.
She helped me, I helped her, and by the time I stood shirtless and shoeless before her, my cock screamed to be let out. This level of lust wasn’t a new thing for me. I’d been there before where all I wanted was to get to the end result. With Sabrina, for the first time in my adult life I wanted the journey more than the act.
I skimmed the back of my hand down her neck and over the curve of her breast. The smooth white satin of her bra felt cool beneath my touch. Her skin pebbled with goose bumps, and when I reached where her nipple hid behind the fabric, I ran my thumb over it to feel it harden before pinching it.
Flecks of gold and green blazed in her eyes. I felt her fingers work the button and zipper of my jeans. Judging from the pause, I worried if she was nervous about what would soon happen.
“Sabrina, you don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do. I have to, Luca. I want to. Since the night you made me feel so wanted and desired, right here on this couch, I’ve been wanting to do the same for you.” With a deliberate determination, she tucked her fingers into the waistband of my jeans and boxer briefs. As she slid them down my legs, she lowered her body before me.
I didn’t know what was hotter, having Sabrina on her knees with my cock a whisper away from her gorgeous lips, or knowing what she was about to do with them. She helped me step out of my jeans and underwear before pushing on my thighs until I fell backward onto the couch. Now naked and ready for the taking, every part of me thrummed with unbridled anticipation.
I truly didn’t know what I wanted to happen first—her hands on my scorching skin or her lips tasting me, because either scenario was too much for me to imagine. And you’d think I’d be prepared. But when she wrapped her hand around my cock while sucking on the tip, I swear I almost came right then, right there.
Instinctively, my fingers threaded in her hair, cupping her cheeks with my palms. A groan vibrated around my dick causing me to push forward. Sabrina hollowed her cheeks sucking hard, and it was my turn to groan.
“Fuck, that’s so good.” I held her head possessively relishing in the warmth of her mouth. Perfect suction, her tongue… the way it stroked me, circled me, was all too much. When she brought it up and dipped it into the slit at the tip teasing me, I bucked like a man possessed.
It wasn’t until she took me to the back of her throat when that threat became a bona fide concern. The combination of her hand now cupping my balls, her hot mouth devouring my steel rod, and the longing I saw on her beautiful face, made it almost impossible to hold back.
Somehow, someway, I did. I managed to find a way to hold off the inevitable as Sabrina continued to gift me with one of the best blow jobs I’d ever received. I wanted it to go on and on. I wanted it to end. I wanted…
She stopped with most of my length in her mouth, and swallowed. I forgot what I wanted and released a dirty grumble. “Sabrina… you need to stop, or I’m going to come in your mouth.”
She ignored me.
She sucked harder.
I swore and then came.