Matteo
Authors: Cassie-Ann L. Miller
Matteo
by
Cassie-Ann L. Miller
Matteo
Copyright © 2016 Cassie-Ann L. Miller
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents appearing therein are products of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be interpreted as real. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status of the various products referenced in this work
Stories by Cassie-Ann L. Miller
Esquire Girls Series
Amber’s Story
In your Arms Tonight (Amber Book 2)
Live for the Night (Amber Book 3)
When the Night is Over (Amber Book 4) - (The conclusion to Amber’s story)
Or get Amber’s full story, all in one boxed set:
Amber Nights (Amber – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Madison’s Story
Waiting, Always (Madison – Book 1)
Yours Always (Madison – Book 2)
Loving You Always (Madison – Book 3)
Always & Forever (Madison – Book 4) – (The conclusion to Madison’s story)
Or get Madison’s full story, all in one boxed set:
For Madison, Always (Madison – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Ruthie’s Story
Desire, Untamed (Ruthie – Book 1)
Blinded by Desire (Ruthie – Book 2)
Desire Ablaze (Ruthie – Book 3)
Beyond Desire (Ruthie – Book 4) – (The conclusion to Ruthie’s story)
Or get Ruthie’s full story, all in one boxed set:
Ruthie’s Desire (Ruthie – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
Hailey’s story
Moment of Weakness (Hailey – Book 1)
A Moment in Time (Hailey – Book 2)
Beyond this Moment (Hailey – Book 3) – (The conclusion to Hailey’s story)
Esquire HEAT Series
Coming fall 2016
Just when you thought Jasmine and Liam were done…
Table of contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Preview of "
For Madison, Always (Madison – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
”
Preview of “
Ruthie’s Desire (Ruthie – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)
”
Chapter 1
The door swings open and my cock twitches sharply.
There’s a hot, little thing standing in the doorway. Black leather jacket hanging open over a royal blue dress that clings onto her every curve, a smatter of freckles dusts her plump, swollen cleavage. Her blond hair falls past her shoulders and the tips are electric pink. Her eyes are gray – the type of eyes that could cast a freakin’ spell on you.
This broad is hot, for sure.
I whistle low under my breath and a disapproving grunt explodes to my left. My eyes dart over to where my assistant, Anna-Maria, is pinning me with a disdainful glare.
I smirk at her.
I know she thinks I’m a misogynistic asshole. Most women do…
…But that usually doesn’t stop them from fucking me.
As the 31-year-old head of the real estate practice group at one of New York City’s premier corporate/commercial law firms, I can have any woman I want. It’s one of the many perks of being me and I indulge as often as I can. I’m successful, charming and good-looking, if I do say so myself. So, why the hell would I adjust my behavior to appease
any
one?
Go ahead, say it – I’m a cocky bastard. I don’t mind. I’ve heard it a million times before. I take it as a compliment at this point.
My attention shifts back to the broad standing in the doorway. She struts confidently into the room as Michael holds the door open for her.
Left. Right. Left. Right.
Wow – look at those luscious hips go.
Her pretty gray irises quickly scan the room, taking in the faces of all the legal professionals seated around the long conference table. Her eyes pause momentarily when her gaze collides with mine. I take the opportunity to toss her my trademark dimpled grin. Her lips twitch ever-so-slightly right before she shifts her eyes back to Michael.
He clears his throat. “Good morning, everyone.” The roomful of drowsy, under-caffeinated attorneys mumble in response. My brother continues. “This is Ellie Parker –”
Ellie Parker?
The name sounds vaguely familiar. Shit – I should
know who this chick is, shouldn’t I?
I lean over and softly nudge Anna-Maria in the ribs. “Who’s Ellie Parker?”
She rolls her eyes at me as she slides her manicured finger across the highlighted paragraphs of the inter-office memo sitting on the table in front of me.
I toss her a sheepish grin and her annoyance seems to melt instantly as she tries to fight back the smile tugging at her lips.
It’s my dimples. She’s told me that when I flash them, she forgets why she’s even mad at me…So naturally, I parade those little suckers whenever necessary to keep her wrapped around my little finger. But in all seriousness, Anna-Maria makes my life so much easier. I would fail miserably at my job without her.
I quickly scan the memo in front of me as Michael circles the table, introducing the client to the members of our legal team.
Ellie Parker…
22-years-old…
Sole remaining heir to the estate of the recently-deceased Elias Parker...
Inherited sole ownership of the shares of ToneWave, one of this law firm’s biggest clients. ToneWave’s current value is estimated to be hovering just under $1 billion…
“…and this is Matteo Moretti, head of the firm’s real estate division.” I glance up just as Michael is introducing me.
I rise from my chair and stride over to where she’s standing. An impassive look slides over her expression when our eyes lock. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says in an aloof tone. But she’s not fooling me – I caught the heat that flickered in her eyes as they travelled up my body before landing on my face. She likes what she sees but she’s going to try and hide it.
“It’s a pleasure to meet
you
, Ms. Parker,” I say as I offer her my hand together with that smile I know makes women swoon. But her eyes remain guarded as her palm slides against mine. My skin sizzles as it touches hers.
My goddamned cock is twitching again.
She quickly breaks the contact and takes a step back, shifting her soft gray gaze to Michael. “Let’s begin, shall we?” he says as he pulls out a chair for her.
She gives him a curt nod as she sinks into her seat. Michael adjusts his tie as he lands in the chair beside her. “So, Ms. Parker let’s discuss some of the finer points of the ToneWave file. There are obviously probate law issues such the transfer of the corporate shares and your father’s other assets into your name. Our estate planning department will oversee those matters over the coming weeks.”
One of the partners from the probate law group speaks up. “Yes, we’ve already reviewed the will and confirmed that, since Elias Parker, his wife Catherine and their only son Benjamin all died simultaneously in that tragic helicopter accident last month, you are Mr. Parker’s sole living heir. The transfer of title of all his assets to you should be pretty straightforward.” He offers her a reassuring smile.
Ellie gives him a solemn nod before Michael continues. “There are some intellectual property issues as well. As you can imagine, ToneWave’s intellectual property portfolio is comprised of a plethora of valuable patents, but the company also held a handful of trademarks. Ruth from our IP department will brief you on that.”
I watch as my sister-in-law offers the client a generous smile. Ellie nods, acknowledging her.
Domenic Gattusso speaks next. “We’re also in the process of finalizing a settlement agreement concerning litigation ongoing between ToneWave and one of its competitiors.”
Ellie nods again.
“But most pressing, I believe, are the real estate law aspects of the file. You see, just before your father’s death, he signed a letter of intent to purchase a manufacturing facility in New Jersey. The due diligence is scheduled for next week and the projected closing date on the transaction is a little over eight weeks from now. We’ve reviewed the document and unfortunately, there’s no provision that allows us to nullify the promise on account of your father’s untimely death. We have to proceed with the purchase. So, Matt will be working closely with you to ensure that the process unfolds as smoothly as possible. We expect you will be interested in participating in the factory inspection; it’s part of our due diligence process. Your father was always very involved in those aspects of the business.”
I can’t resist the urge to grin as Ellie Parker’s gray-eyed stare shifts to me. “Well, Ms. Parker – it looks like you and I will be seeing quite a bit of each other over the coming weeks.”