“Your staff can handle the rest. No one is going to care at this point; it’s only drinking and dancing.”
“And the cleanup.”
“I’ll help you clean in the morning.” Where did that come from? I don’t clean tables or do dishes. Hell, up to a few days ago, I didn’t cook either, but you seem to have me doing a lot of things I don’t do anymore. I’m not sure if I like it or not.
She was looking up at him as though she doubted him. “You’re leaving tomorrow morning, Vincent. Or did you forget?”
No. I didn’t. He didn’t want to leave her. “I’m extending my stay.” He knew it probably sounded as though he was saying it only to get her into his bed. That wasn’t the case. Yes, he wanted her, every inch of her, but sex had never driven his actions before. It wasn’t going to start now.
“You’re staying?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes widened, and he could tell she had so much she wanted to ask yet was afraid to ask. “How long?”
Telling her the truth, that he wanted to stay to explore what he was feeling for her, wasn’t going to give her an answer. But putting a timetable on it wasn’t something he could commit to. “I don’t know.” One day at a time.
“Why are you staying? You don’t ski, and I don’t think you’re enjoying the blustery cold either.”
“Maybe I found something that makes the freezing temp more tolerable.” He loved how easily he was able to make her blush. The women that normally flocked around him were anything but shy. Forward, aggressive, shallow, and most likely only interested in either money or a job. You, my dear Renita, don’t seem to want me for either. I’m just not sure why you do want me. I think a few more days exploring that more closely will do us both some good.
“Nita, you have covered for me so much this week while I was sick. It’s now time for me to repay that debt,” Ricco said as he approached, holding a woman’s hand.
“Dad, I can’t.”
“Consider yourself off duty and enjoy this party. I hear the food is quite good. We make a good team, Vincent. Feel free to join me anytime in the kitchen.”
“Thank you, Ricco,” Vincent said with a nod of appreciation. “And who’s this lovely lady?”
Ricco beamed. “Ah, this is my Maria. She makes the best homemade meatballs. You should come for Sunday dinner.”
“Dad, I’m sure Vincent has things to do. Like attend to his own business, or enjoy his vacation,” Renita answered.
“I’d love to join you, but only if Renita and I can bring the dessert. She learned how to make a holiday spice cake.” Vincent tried to hold back his grin. He knew damn well that she’d been too distracted to remember a thing about the recipe.
Renita shot him a look that said he was going to pay for that. He gave her one right back. I look forward to it.
“Oh, how wonderful. Maybe you and I can do some baking together?” Maria asked Renita.
Vincent put his arm around Renita. “It’s our secret recipe.”
Maria clapped her hands together. “Oh, my! So romantic. Renita, I’m happy you’ve found yourself a man like Vincent.”
Vincent didn’t miss the warning in Ricco’s eyes as he spoke. “Yes. It’s nice to see her so happy,” Ricco said.
“Dad,” Renita said as though embarrassed.
Ricco chuckled and shook his head. “Now if you two will excuse us, I’d like to take this lovely young lady for a spin on the dance floor before we head back to work.”
Maria winked at him. “Let’s leave the dancing to these folks, I much rather a stroll under the moonlight.”
Vincent had no issue with the light flirting going on between Ricco and Maria. But he could tell by Renita’s eyes that she still wasn’t used to seeing her father with a woman. Maybe you’re not staying because of your father. Maybe you’re staying because of you.
They both stood there watching Ricco and Maria walk away arm in arm. He was finally alone with Renita again, and she no longer had any excuses why she couldn’t come with him.
Vincent reached out, grabbing Renita’s hand, and led her out of the dining room.
“Vincent, I really can’t leave my father here to do my job.”
“You can and will. I want you all to myself tonight.” He stopped and pulled her into his arms. “Unless you tell me otherwise, I’m taking you to my suite.”
Her eyes darkened, and her only response was a slow nod.
Tonight would require self-control to hold back. He’d wanted Renita from the moment he’d laid eyes on her, but he wanted it to be something more than just a physical release. Although his body was aching to be inside of her, he wanted her to want and enjoy it as much as he would.
Vincent took off his jacket, tossed it onto the couch, then loosened his tie. He could see she was nervous so he asked, “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“No, thank you. I don’t drink.”
Another thing I like about you. He walked back to her and touched her right cheek with the back of his left hand. Then he let his hand glide along her jaw as his thumb stopped to rest on her bottom lip.
“You’re a very beautiful woman, Renita. How is it someone hasn’t captured your heart yet?”
She swallowed hard, and he felt her heart quicken. “I . . . guess I haven’t met anyone I . . . care about enough.”
That only concerned him more. Was he about to be the one to break her heart? A serious relationship wasn’t something he’d done in a very long time. He was too set in his ways to change now. Or was Brice right, that when the perfect one comes along, it doesn’t feel like a change? Instead, it feels like it should’ve always been.
“I could ask you the same. Why no . . . girlfriend or wife?”
“I’m married to my job.”
“That sounds sad and lonely.”
“At times, yes. But it was my choice. I wanted to stay focused on building.”
“A Moretti empire? What good is it if you don’t have anyone to share it with?”
Vincent leaned into her hand and kissed it. Renita challenged him to think differently than he had in a long time. She was so much more than just a beautiful woman. She had heart and brains and one hell of a sense of humor. Can’t cook, but I can live with that.
“I’m glad you’re with me tonight.”
“Me too,” she said breathlessly.
She was captivating even in her hostess uniform. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He gazed to her slender hips, over her abdomen, and finally, at her voluptuous breasts. Don’t start what you can’t finish. He’d never wanted a woman as badly as he wanted Renita. He wasn’t sure he could stop if he simply kissed her. The swell of her breasts was only inches away, begging him to release them from the confines of the thin fabric.
Her tongue darted out, and she licked her top lip. Vincent could hardly restrain himself. But when she said his name so tenderly, there was no longer any holding back. “Vincent.”
In one swift move, he pulled her against him, devouring her lips with a hard, feverish kiss. She held him to her, parting her lips to let him inside. He inhaled her sweet scent as he kissed down her jaw to the nape of her neck and back to her lips. I need you. A moan of pleasure escaped her and rumbled through him.
He couldn’t keep his hands off her and ran them down her back, over her sweet ass, and back up the front to cup her heaving breasts. Without breaking their kiss, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed in the other room.
He stood at the foot of the bed and fumbled with the buttons of her blouse. She smiled. “Let me.”
Vincent watched each button open as he quickly did the same with his shirt and his pants, letting them both drop to the floor. If he’d thought she was stunning before, she was pure perfection now in her red lace bra and matching panties. “I would’ve thought you’d be the pink type.”
“I have an adventurous side,” Renita said playfully to him.
He watched as she reached behind her and unhooked the bra to let
it drop. Her perfectly round breasts were begging to be sucked. She slipped her thumbs under both sides of her panties and wiggled out of them as well.
His heart was not the only thing pounding. His cock was aching for attention. He slipped off his boxers then lifted her and laid her down in the center of the bed. Vincent needed to taste her, all of her. He nibbled and kissed her from her jaw to her neck but didn’t stop there. He cupped her breasts, plucking at one nipple, and she moaned deeply. Then he sucked the other, teasingly flicking it with his tongue.
“Vincent,” she called out as she ran her fingers through his hair. He could touch her forever, but his body was begging for more. As he licked and nipped his way lower, he felt her quiver as his tongue circled her belly button and continued lower.
This was the first time she used her hands and tried to block his path. He lifted his head. “What’s wrong?”
She blushed. “I’ve never . . .”
“Hasn’t anyone kissed you here?” Vincent asked as he touched her between her legs.
To know he’d be her first excited him. But he wasn’t sure how innocent she was.
“Are you a vir—?”
Shaking her head, she softly said, “No, just not very experienced. I’m sorry. I don’t want you to be disappointed. I’m sure you’re used to—”
He interrupted her with a powerful kiss. “You’re far from disappointing to me, amore mio.” Her body trembled as he spread her legs. She quivered as his tongue traced lower, stopping only to nip softly on her inner thigh.
Breathlessly she begged, “Vincent, I can’t.”
“You can,” he said as his tongue licked her center gently. “All you need to do is trust me.” He circled her clit then sucked on it. Renita cried out in pleasure, arching her hips off the bed, her moans only encouraging him. “You taste so sweet.” He couldn’t get enough of her, devouring her feverishly as he felt her tense beneath him.
“Vincent. Oh, please, Vincent. I—”
Her body jerked violently as she lost herself in a powerful release. He continued to suck until her body began to settle. There was no getting enough of her. Damn, she’s perfect. His hard throbbing cock ached to feel her wrapped around him. He quickly reached down, grabbed his wallet from his pants pocket, pulled out a condom, and sheathed himself.
Her body still trembled when he returned to her as he kissed his way back up her stomach and claimed her breast again. His fingers once again slipped between her folds, which were now wet and ready for him. But he wanted to bring her to the brink again before entering her. His thumb stroked her clit, and she stirred again. This time, she didn’t hold back and was moving with him, begging him so she could feel it again. Her hands ran down his back, nails digging in at times as he brought her to the brink and held her there.
“Please, Vincent. Please, no more,” she begged softly in shallow breaths.
Sucking her nipple hard, he stroked her clit faster. He needed to feel her release on his cock. Pressing his throbbing cock at her opening, he paused, his mouth taking hers. She was hot and wet, ready for him, and he could wait no longer.
In one thrust, he buried himself deep inside her. She instantly cried out his name again and again. She may not be a virgin, but she was so very tight, and he worried he’d hurt her. He stopped for a moment, still deep within her and raised his head enough to see her face as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, it’s . . . I never knew it could be . . . I mean I’ve never . . .”
She was innocent in her own way. Whoever her lover had been before was selfish, not to please her first. He’d probably done the same in the past, but he could never do such a thing with Renita. She’ll always be first in my life.
Emotions flooded him with that knowledge. I love her.
This was not only their first time together, but he was also giving more of himself than he’d ever thought he could. Vincent slowly began to move inside her, all the while kissing her softly. No thought of his own desire. Only when her hips began to move did he quicken his rhythm. Moving faster and deeper, her cries of pleasure filled the room. As she moaned, her body rocked with a release, causing him to lose control and plunging deep within her; he shuddered with his release.
He collapsed on her as they both caught their breath. He rolled to his side, careful not to crush her. Pulling her close, he kissed her gently and whispered, “Good night, my love.”
She responded the same in Italian, “Buona notte, amore mio.”
Chapter Seven
Renita woke the next morning, wondering if it was all a dream. As she stirred in the bed, she felt Vincent’s naked body near hers. Never had she felt so good, so alive, as when he’d held her, called her my love. But was that just something he did in the heat of the moment?
She knew she was a good and kind person, but he was rich and powerful. This is no Cinderella story. He didn’t need to rescue her from anything. Renita might not be living her dream, but she was happy. One thing was missing, and she never realized it until Vincent entered her life. Love.
It was a foolish thought. They’d only met earlier this week, yet the connection to him was beyond words. I don’t want this to end. No matter how hard I want otherwise, he’ll leave.
“What’s the matter, my love?” Vincent’s voice was husky as he was just waking up.
“Nothing’s wrong.” She wasn’t sure how he’d picked up on it, but he seemed very attuned to her emotions. That wasn’t good, because it’d make it hard for her to pretend not to care when he said goodbye.
He rolled onto his side and propped himself on his elbow, looking down at her. She knew her eyes told him everything. “Renita, talk to me. Why are you sad?”
She didn’t want to discuss it. Instead, she had her own questions for him. If he wants to talk so much, then I’ll be happy to listen.
“Have you decided how long you’ll be staying?” That wasn’t the question she’d wanted to ask. If anything that only brought it right back to her, where she didn’t want the focus to be.
Vincent brushed a lock of hair away from her face before he answered. “I promised Ricco and Maria we’d attend Sunday dinner. But I can’t stay after that. I’ve already been away too long.”
But that’s tomorrow. I wanted you to . . . stay . . . oh God. No matter how long, it’s not going to be easy. But after a family dinner, it’s going to be nearly impossible. “You don’t have to go tomorrow. I can make an excuse for you.”
“I want to go. Or do you not want me to be there?”
How she wished she could turn away so the truth wouldn’t be obvious. But he watched her closely, waiting for her to answer. He wants to go? I don’t know why. I don’t want to be there.
“It’s not that I don’t want you there, it’s just not going to be what you’re used to. Maria is going to be doing the cooking, so I don’t know what that’s going to be like. This is . . .”
“New for both of us.”
She smiled up at him. “Yes, it is.”
“So my sweet Renita, quit worrying about it. We have today to enjoy ourselves. But don’t think for one minute that I’ve forgotten your private cooking lesson.”
Renita rolled her eyes. “Can’t we just say we did when we didn’t? I’m never going to be able to cook like you or my father.”
“You don’t have to. All you need to do is cook like Renita, not anyone else. Let it flow from you, all your passion and love, and you’ll find what you make is delicious.”
“Why is it you make everything sound so easy?”
“No, letting go of things that scare you or intimidate you is never easy.”
She laughed softly. “I can’t picture anything scaring or intimidating you.”
He didn’t laugh and his voice became soft and tender, “The thought of never seeing you again scares me.”
Her heart skipped several beats. It’s what she wanted, but she was almost too afraid to believe it. Could I be dreaming? He stayed because of me? V
incent’s expression said he was dead serious.
“Me too.” She didn’t know exactly what that meant for them going forward, but they appeared to be on the same page.
“I was thinking about that lesson.”
She shook her head. “Really? Cooking is what you’re thinking about right now?”
Vincent laughed, grabbing her and rolling her so she laid on top of him. Before claiming her lips, he said, “I wasn’t thinking about food.”
She knew there were so many things she should attend to, but none of them seemed to matter to her. Smiling, she gladly melted into his arms. Let the lesson begin.
Chapter Eight
Vincent had never been nervous about going to dinner before, but this felt different. He’d told Renita he wanted to go. That wasn’t exactly accurate. He had an agenda he wished he’d mentioned to Renita before they arrived at the house.
Better late than never. “Renita, I think we should talk before we go inside.”
He could see the concern and panic fill her eyes. “A little late to change your mind. I can see my father looking at us through the living room window.”
“No. I’m not backing out. But I haven’t told you why I came to Vermont.”
“Sophie Barrington’s charity event. Or have you forgotten that I saw the guest list for seating purposes? Not saying I may have seated you next to the most boring couple on purpose or anything.” Teasingly she batted her eyelashes at him.
He was trying to be serious, but the expression on her face was so darn cute he couldn’t help but smile. “What was that payback for?”
“For criticizing my tomato soup.”
“You should be thanking me. If I hadn’t stepped in everyone would’ve starved, long before the event started.”