Chapter Eight
Quinn
Stretching my hands up into the air, I lean back in my chair and take a deep breath as I check the clock on the wall of my office for the fifth time today. Three forty-five.
Damn.
A few more hours, that’s all I have to get through. A few more hours, and I’ll be in the same room as Alessandra. I’ll get to stare into her brown eyes, feel the warmth of her skin, take in every inch of her perfect curves.
I remember the dress I picked out for her, and a smile rises to my lips. It’s almost as gorgeous as her. I can’t wait to see her in it.
A notification pops up on my screen to remind me about the gala tonight, and I lean forward to click it away. My brothers and I have taken turns attending this gala for years now, and I don’t need any reminders about the dress code or the philanthropies it benefits. As I scan my computer screen, one thing stands out to me. . .today’s date.
Alessandra leaves in two weeks.
Fuck.
I take another deep breath, pushing away from my desk and standing up. After a brief moment of panic, a wave of resolve washes over me. I have two weeks. What the fuck do I have to lose?
I’m going all in, pulling out all the stops. I decide then and there that if I do nothing else in the two weeks before she leaves, I’m going to full-on woo Alessandra.
My mind races with ideas, thoughts of all the things I want to do for and to this beautiful young woman threatening to overwhelm me. I haven’t felt this strongly about a woman since. . .well, ever, and it’s clear to me now that I have no choice but to give this relationship everything I have. Even if she leaves me in the end, I have to be able to say that I did everything in my power to keep her.
Suddenly, my thoughts are interrupted by a quick knock on the door. Before I can say anything, Cooper comes waltzing into my office wearing a smug smile. Ever since meeting Alessandra at our family dinner on Sunday, he’s been trying to give me shit about her. Aware of his obnoxious tendencies, I’ve been successful at avoiding him all week, but it seems he finally gave in to his annoying urges, literally cornering me in my office to tease me.
“How can I help you?” I sigh, ready to get this conversation over with as soon as possible.
“We never got a chance to chat after dinner on Sunday, brother,” Cooper says with a grin.
I know there’s no malice in his teasing, but I’m not in the mood to hear what he has to say. “Didn’t think there was much to talk about, brother.”
“Ah, well, I just have a few questions, really, after watching you with Alessandra.”
I lean back in my chair. “Shoot.”
Cooper takes a seat in one of the chairs opposite my desk, taking a moment to settle in, his legs spread wide and his hands folded over his stomach. He lifts his chin, a mischievous smile on his face. “First question, and arguably the most important one, how’s twenty-two-year-old pussy?”
As the words leave Cooper’s mouth, I bristle, quickly rising from my seat and marching to the door. “Get out,” I spit out, opening the door and gesturing for him to leave.
Cooper stands, raising his hands in surrender. “Oh, come on, Quinn, it’s a valid question. I haven’t fucked a twenty-two-year-old in years.”
I don’t respond, simply growl and motion for him to leave again.
“Wait a second,” he says, his hands dropping to his sides. “You don’t know, do you? Why else would you be so tense about this? Unless you’re in love with her or something, but we both know it’s too soon for that.”
Cooper’s words hit me right in the chest, knocking the wind out of me for a second. I quickly recover, clenching my jaw and crossing my arms, but it’s too late. He saw me falter, and there’s no use denying anything. Whether I like it or not, both of my brothers can see right through me.
But that doesn’t mean I have to talk to either of them about it.
“Out,” I say, jerking my head toward the open door.
Cooper sighs. “Fine, I’ll leave you alone. But don’t think for one second you’re off the hook here, man.”
He brushes past me and walks out the door. I shut the door behind him, my blood still boiling in frustration. I can’t tell if I’m mad at Cooper, exactly, or if I’m just upset hearing him point out the things I’ve barely been able to admit to myself.
I check the clock again. Four o’clock. I gather my things, flip off the lights, and walk out of my office, closing the door behind me. As I march through the building, I run into Gavin and Alyssa, who both give me inquisitive looks.
“Going somewhere?” Gavin asks, eyeing the briefcase in my hand.
“Home,” I answer gruffly, sidestepping him to get to the exit.
“Are you sick?” Alyssa asks after me, her eyes wide. “You haven’t left the office this early in ten years.”
“Fine,” I say over my shoulder, quickly pushing through the door and walking to my car.
I don’t care if they think something’s wrong. All I want in this moment is to get home and get ready for the gala. I haven’t been able to think about anything but Alessandra all day, and I don’t think an extra hour or two of pretending to work would do anyone any good.
• • •
When I get home, I shower, then towel-dry my hair and shave. My getting-ready routine is simple, but more than anything, I want time to take it slow and sort my thoughts.
As I leave my hair to air-dry before styling it with pomade, I dress in the new suit I ordered for this occasion. It’s classic, simple, but it fits perfectly and serves as an ideal complement to Alessandra’s gown. I finish my hair and dab on a bit of my signature cologne, giving myself one last once-over in the mirror.
I call the limo driver, and he tells me he’ll be in front of my house in five minutes. When the limo arrives, I chat briefly with the driver before climbing into the backseat. It feels strange sitting in the back of a limo alone, but I use the ride as an opportunity to go over my plans for the evening in my mind.
I know from our previous social outings that Alessandra will be fine. I’m not worried about her fitting in and keeping up in conversations in the slightest. We’ll eat good food, drink superb champagne, and schmooze with wealthy socialites. I already know the looks I’ll receive from the other men at the gala, who will most likely assume that Alessandra is one of my escorts, and I can’t wait to revel in their surprise when they learn how accomplished and competent she is.
For as excited as I am to see Alessandra and show her off to a roomful of rich, stuffy people, the thought of our first time being intimate looms large in the back of my mind. Just thinking of it now makes my cock twitch, and I can only imagine how needy it will be by the end of the night.
Before my fantasies can progress any further, the limo pulls up in front of Alessandra’s apartment. I climb out of the backseat and walk to her door, my stomach churning as I ring the doorbell. I feel a little silly for feeling so nervous, but I can’t help it. I’ve been eager to see her all day, and now that it’s finally happening, I can’t contain my excitement.
Within moments, the door opens and she’s standing in front of me.
Holy fuck. She looks even more gorgeous than I ever thought possible.
The gown fits her perfectly, the beaded bodice hugging her shapely breasts just right so the rest of the fabric can cascade gently over her body. Her dark, luxurious hair is pulled back into a neat bun, leaving a few curls to fall gracefully around her face. She’s absolutely stunning.
I stare at her for a few seconds too long, my mouth slightly open, and only a soft “ahem” from Alessandra pulls me out of my stupor.
“I’m sorry.” I run my hand over my face. “I don’t even know what to say.”
Alessandra steps out onto the stoop, closing the door behind her. Her eyes are wide and frantic, and she immediately begins patting at her hair.
“Don’t know what to say in a good way, right? I’ve never worn anything this fancy. I can’t tell if it’s working or if I look freaking ridiculous,” she says in a rush, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
I chuckle softly and take her hand in mine. “You look perfect.” Our eyes meet, and she gives me a grateful smile. “More than perfect, actually. Every woman at this thing will hate you.”
“Shut up,” she says, laughing and playfully hitting my stomach. “Wait, are you serious? Is it too much?”
“Rilassati,” I whisper, leaning down to place a soft kiss on her cheek. Relax. “You’ll only stand out in the sense that you’ll be the most beautiful woman there.”
Alessandra lifts her chin and places her lips on mine. When we part, I beat her to the joke we usually share. “We better stop before your lipstick gets all over us.”
She laughs and playfully hits me again.
“Shall we?” I offer my arm. She loops her hand gently through it, and the two of us make our way to the limo.
The ride to the gala goes by faster than I anticipated. Alessandra and I spend the whole time talking, first about our work week, and then about, well, everything. Talking with her is one of my favorite things to do.
After tonight, however? I have a feeling I’ll discover a new favorite thing to do with her.
When we arrive at the venue, she loops her arm through mine again, and the two of us make our grand entrance together. The gala is planned by one of our clients, so I give Alessandra a quick rundown of who we’ll be mingling with for the evening. She nods along silently, and I can’t help but notice how much calmer she looks in this moment than she did when I was telling her about my brothers. She’s a fast learner, and I can already tell she’ll be an amazing date.
Once inside the ballroom, we pause to survey the room. A waiter walks by with a tray of champagne, and Alessandra and I each take a flute. We gently clink glasses and take a sip.
“This is the best champagne I’ve ever had in my life,” she whispers, looking at me with wide, approving eyes.
I smile. “I’ve had better.”
Alessandra smiles back, poking her elbow into my ribs. Before she can give me her witty response, I make eye contact with one of our clients, who waves us over to him.
“All right, bellissima, let the schmoozing begin,” I say softly in her ear, placing my hand on her lower back as we make our way across the room to the client.
“Quinn!” the client says jovially, clapping his hand on the side of my arm. “I was wondering which of the Kingsley brothers would make it tonight. So good to see you. And who is this charming creature on your arm?” The client turns his appraising gaze to Alessandra, extending his hand to her and raising his eyebrows.
“Glen Williams, I’d like you to meet Alessandra. Alessandra, this is Mr. Williams,” I say, nodding between the two.
“Call me Glen, please.”
“It’s a pleasure, Glen,” she says, placing her hand in his and bowing her head ever so slightly.
I can tell by the look on Glen’s face that he thinks Alessandra is one of our Forbidden Desires girls, so I say, “Alessandra is our company’s Italian expert. She’s fluent, and she’s been trying to teach me, but I’m afraid I’m a terrible student.”
“Your Italian is good,” Alessandra says to me with a smile.
“My teacher is good,” I reply.
Alessandra smiles up at me, and the two of us lock eyes. For a moment, I forget that we’re among other people.
“Non vedo l’ora di stare da solo con te,” I murmur, my gaze wandering over her body. I can’t wait to be alone with you.
The smile fades a bit from Alessandra’s lips, and her eyes smolder with desire, the softest catch of her breath, so slight that only I can hear. She raises an eyebrow ever so slightly, and my cock twitches in response. A wave of pure lust washes over me, and it takes every ounce of my self-restraint to keep from ripping the dress off Alessandra’s body and ravishing her right here and now.
“Bravo!” Glen says, snapping me out of my fantasy.
I take in a quick breath and turn to smile genially at him, then ask about his business.
As Glen drones on about market prices and rises in stock, I feel Alessandra move closer to me, the heat of her body warming my side. With her hand still on my arm, she rubs her thumb over my bicep, and all I can think of is her hands running over my shaft, the warmth of her mouth as she takes every inch of me inside it. I steal a quick glance at her face, only to find her smiling and nodding at Glen, seemingly unaware of the effect she’s having on me. This makes me want her even more, and I can’t wait until this gala is over.
Glen eventually excuses himself from our conversation, pointing out a colleague he needs to see across the room. Alessandra and I continue milling around the event, chatting with other clients and attendees, enjoying hors d’oeuvres, and showing off our Italian banter. Alessandra, as usual, is incredible the whole night, dazzling everyone we talk to with her grace and charm. Even though I knew she would handle the event beautifully, by the end of the night, I’m in awe of how well she fits in.
As the gala winds down, I place my hand on the small of her back and lean down to whisper in her ear. “What do you say we get out of here,” I murmur, letting my lips softly brush her earlobe.
A small grin flashes across her face as she turns and lifts her chin so her lips are merely inches from mine. “Thought you’d never ask…and just so you know, I’m counting this as an old-fashioned date with dinner and getting dressed up,” she replies, her gaze wandering to my mouth. I’m about to lean in to kiss her when she pulls away, taking my hand in hers and leading me outside.
Such a little tease.
I follow behind her, enjoying the view of her round, voluptuous ass.
The limo arrives to take us to my place within minutes, and the two of us climb into the back. I close the door and settle in beside Alessandra, and then I lean my face to hers, taking her mouth in an eager, passionate kiss. She responds, kissing me back, swirling her tongue against mine. Caught up in the moment, I lift her on top of me, hiking her dress up over her hips so my hands can more easily wander over her legs and ass. The heels she’s wearing giving me a visual fantasy I can’t wait to explore later.
With her straddling me, I move my mouth to her neck and collarbone, and small moans escape from her. Damn, she’s so sexy and responsive. My need for her grows with each heartbeat. My cock now pressing firmly into her thigh, I move my hands to her breasts, squeezing them before teasing her fully erect nipples.
We’re both breathing heavily now, Alessandra’s little moans escaping even more frequently. I can’t wait until we arrive at my place.
Moving her to the seat next to me, I push her dress up even farther, the fabric gathering around her waist. I move to my knees before her, trailing my tongue from one thigh to the other, gently biting the soft, supple skin near her sex.
Before I even touch them, I can tell that her panties are soaked all the way through. My cock gives another eager twitch, as if to remind me that he’s there and he’s been so damn patient. With both hands on her thighs, I use my teeth to pull her lacy thong away from her hips, letting my teeth graze her skin a little harder than they did before. Alessandra glances at the screen that prevents the driver from seeing us, then lifts her hips to help me.
Once I slip her panties over her ankles, I ball them in my hand and sit back for a moment to fully take her in. She’s fully on display, her legs spread, pussy glistening, chest heaving in anticipation.
She’s perfect.
So pink and tight and wet.
“Per favore,” she whispers between breaths, arching her back and splaying her legs even wider apart. Please.
Without hesitation, I descend on her, placing rough, needy kisses along her silken, wet core. She immediately groans in response, bucking her hips into me. I run my tongue over the length of her, lapping at her, loving how responsive and vocal she is.
Just as she approaches the brink of climax, I sit up, bringing my face to hers to pull her into another passionate kiss. She lets out a small, frustrated moan, but before it can even finish, I thrust two fingers inside her, swirling my thumb over her clit as I pump my fingers. Her frustrated moan becomes a pleasure-filled cry.
Alessandra gasps, throws her head back, and I take the opportunity to suck and bite around the base of her neck. Within moments, a series of moans erupt from her as she comes on my hand. It’s so fucking sexy.
As her moans fade to whimpers, the limo slows to a stop. I lift my lips to her ear and whisper, “Bellissima, we’re here.”