Secrets and Seduction Las Vegas (Sexy Italian Imports Book 1) (13 page)

Plopping into a chair, he put his ankle on his knee and braced himself for a polite grilling. “I’m an author, and Valerie and I are…working on a project together.” Technically true, they were trying to find the blackmailers.

“Really?” Dena looked skeptical. “She hadn’t mentioned that. Might we know any of your work?”

“I write under the name Grey Thornton.”

Scott sat forward. “Of course! I’d heard the enigmatic Grey Thornton was a Las Vegan. I’ve read many of your novels. It’s interesting to meet the man behind the crime.”

“Thanks.” He laughed. “I try not to take credit for the crime.”

“Remember, Dena, the book you read in Belize last year? That was one of his.”

She nodded. “Yes, I remember. Very disturbing.”

“That it is,” Antonio agreed.

“Your writing style is rather sharp.” She turned icy blue eyes on him.

Valerie brought his G & T, handed it to him, and sat in the chair next to his.

“Valerie was actually helping me with that the other day.” He smiled at her. “She suggested I infuse more romance in my writing.”

Valerie squeezed her lips together to hold back laughter and stared at her drink. Was she remembering how she seduced him by retelling her erotic dream?

Dena looked between Valerie and him. If she had half the intuition her daughter possessed, she knew what was going on. She swirled her glass, making the ice clink. “I’m surprised you’d want to change your writing style. On the advice of one person.”

Valerie smiled at him, her blue eyes sparking with mischief. Did she enjoy his being in the hot seat?

“Valerie’s perceptive to what drives people to emotional attachments.” He winked at her. “I’m only in touch with what motivates men.”

The men laughed, but Dena frowned. “Why would you want Valerie to consult on your books if you don’t share the same viewpoint?”

Antonio nodded. “Good question. I like the fact that she challenges me. She breathes new life into everything I do.” He looked at her. It was true, for his fiction as well as his screwed up life.

She sighed, still watching him but now with a dreamy look in her eyes.

A bell went off in the kitchen, and Valerie blinked. “Um…are we ready to eat?”

“Starved,” Scott said.

Dena stood. “Can I help you?”

“Thanks. Would you set another place at the table?” She went into the kitchen, and he followed her parents into the dining room. Dena set another place while Scott and Antonio made small talk about sports.

Valerie carried in a platter of fantastic smelling chicken. “Dad, would you pour the wine, please? Antonio, could you help me with the rest of the food?”

He followed her, and in the kitchen he grimaced. “That was tough.”

“You’re doing very well.” She handed him a bowl of roasted potatoes and a basket of bread, which he immediately set down. He put his hands on her hips.

“I’d do much better if I knew you were still my friend.”

“Friend?” She laced her fingers in his hair and pulled him to her for a passionate kiss. She used her tongue to tempt him, to make him respond. And his response was immediate and hard. She whispered against his lips, “How many friends do you have who kiss you like that?”

“None I can think of.” He captured her lips, pressing his body along the length of hers.

Dena called, “I need another glass…”

As he broke away from Valerie, Dena came into the kitchen. “Oh, no. I was afraid of this.”

Chapter Eleven

Valerie stayed calm. “Mom, please don’t make this awkward. We can discuss it over dinner, if you’d like.”

Antonio could think of a few less confrontational things to discuss over dinner, like politics, religion, taxes.

Dena turned her gaze on him. “Would you please give us a minute?”

He smiled and nodded, grabbed the potatoes and bread, and escaped the kitchen.

“Valerie.” Dena spoke. “We’ve tried to protect you from this sort of man. Is this your way of rebelling against us?”

He kept walking, glad to be out of the war zone. In the dining room, he picked up a glass of wine and took a few swallows.

“Did she catch you two?” Scott asked, sipping his wine.

“Pardon?”

“She went to find out what was going on in the kitchen. I can only assume there
was
something going on?”

Antonio shrugged. “Just a kiss. But it seems we will be discussing it at dinner.”

“Wonderful. That’s what I love about having a drama queen for a wife and a shrink for a daughter.”

Antonio smiled. “Well phrased.”

Scott held out his glass. “To an interesting family life.”

Antonio tapped his glass to Scott’s. “Never a dull moment.”

They drank the rest of their wine, Scott refilled their glasses, and they stood by the table, waiting for the women.

Valerie came in first, smiling, carrying a salad. Dena followed, her face flushed, her lips pursed, and shot Antonio an angry glance as she set his water glass down. Valerie’s mother sat across the table from him. This would be a good test of his newly acquired anger management skills.

Valerie explained the two new recipes on the table and warned them with a laugh that they assumed all risk. She wouldn’t be liable if they became sick.

Antonio hadn’t smelled anything this appetizing since his mother had cooked for him.

He ate like a tourist at a free buffet. Everyone complimented her on her new creations, and, as they finished, she winked at Antonio. A warning?

“Dad? Mom, Antonio, and I were talking in the kitchen and thought it would be good to get something out in the open.”

“Yes, dear, what is it?” Scott picked up the wine bottle.

“Antonio and I are more than just working together. We’ve begun a romantic relationship.”

Dena set her fork loudly on her plate. “And what about Troy? You two seemed quite infatuated for the last few weeks.”

Antonio caught Valerie’s gaze and waited for her response.

“He and I ended it Friday.”

Antonio couldn’t help the smile that curved his lips, loving the polite way she phrased it.

“He’s such a nice boy.” Dena shook her head.

Valerie smiled. “Sometimes the person who seems perfect is not the right one to be with.”

Antonio was impressed with her insight. “I care for your daughter. We’re in the early stage of this relationship, but I think we can make it work.”

Valerie looked more surprised than anyone.

“Did you ever think,” Dena asked Antonio, “she might be too…
young
for you?”

She meant inexperienced, and he accepted her warning. “I understand that, while we’re only a few years apart in age, our life knowledge is dissimilar.”

Dena laced her fingers together, her face showing agitation. “Our family comes from a different social network than what you’re used to.”

He nodded. She was saying Valerie was out of his league. True.

Dena waited for him to respond, and when he didn’t she tipped her head. “Do you fear our Valerie may be—”

“Slumming?” He snapped the word.

She held up her hands. “No, I’m not saying that.”

But when she didn’t clarify, he figured that was exactly what she was saying.

Antonio hadn’t expected that form of attack. He looked at Valerie, who stared at her plate. “No, I hadn’t thought of it. I don’t see her as the type of person who plays that sort of game.” He turned to Dena. “Do you?”

That evidently caught her by surprise, and Dena threw her napkin on the table.

Scott figuratively stepped in between him and Dena. “I think we should back this up a bit. Valerie, let’s have more wine and get to know one another a little better.”

Antonio looked at Valerie and saw a sweet smile on her lips for him. Her eyes were a soft blue.

She’d been testing him, letting her family interrogate him. Seemed he’d passed.

Valerie stood. “Let’s all move to the living room.”

They brought their glasses, and Scott carried the wine bottle.

Valerie started the conversation. “Antonio is originally from Italy. From the Tuscany region.”

They chatted for an hour before Dena stifled a yawn. “I think it’s time for us to head home, don’t you, Scottie?”

“Do you live close?” Antonio asked.

Dena shook her head. “We live on the exact opposite side of the valley, in Seven Hills.”

Antonio had heard of the prestigious neighborhood but had never been there.

Scott helped his wife to her feet. “We’ll have the two of you out for dinner.”

Antonio saw a look pass between Dena and Scott, but smiled. “I’d like that.”

They walked to the foyer and said goodbye. Valerie closed the door and leaned against it. “Thank you for putting up with them.”

He set his hands on the door on each side of her head. “They are great people, Valerie. They’re being protective, and I don’t blame them.”

“So you admit to being bad for me?”

“I don’t think I should answer that.”

“Probably not.” She kissed him. “Do you have to get going?”

“There’s nowhere I need to be.”

“Good. How about a dip in the pool?”

“You in a swim suit? Just try to get rid of me.”

“Come on, I have a few men’s suits you can try on.”

“I actually have trunks in the car. I’ll get them.”

“Hmmm. You were planning ahead?”

“Guilty. I hoped we’d have some time together.”

“What else did you bring with you? Wait. Let me guess. A toothbrush and a box of condoms?”

She’d guessed right. He nodded. “And a clean pair of underwear.”

“Oh, of course.” She laughed. “May I suggest you bring in only the swim trunks? That way you won’t expect more tonight than I’m willing to give.”

“Anything you say.” He kissed her. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’m going to run upstairs and change.”

“I’ll open the wine.”

She climbed the stairs, and he imagined walking beside her up to the bedroom. Sexy. He’d need a cold shower to make it through the rest of the evening without seducing her.

He jogged out to his car, came back in, and changed into his trunks. He grabbed the bottle of wine from the kitchen and carried it and two glasses outside to the bar. The sun had set already, but the thermometer still read ninety-nine degrees. He let the wine breathe and sat on a cushioned chaise lounge and gazed at the city, the lights shimmering in the heat. He spotted his building. Only about ten miles away. How powerful a telescope would he need to be able to see all the way from his penthouse to her bedroom? He shook his head, needing to get that bad thought out of his mind.

He heard her behind him speaking in a hushed tone as the sound of her flip-flops smacked toward him. She stopped next to him and bent down. “It’s a patient.” She whispered in Antonio’s ear. “This will only take a minute.”

He turned to look at her. She held a cell phone to her ear. His gaze drifted lower and he jolted at the outrageous view of her breasts in a white bikini top. He could only nod and stare as his mouth watered. She stood and walked in front of him toward the railing overlooking the drop-off.

None of his fantasies of Valerie included a body this incredible. Her tiny black bikini bottom clung to her temptingly round butt. She stood in profile, those magnificent breasts showcased by the lights of The Strip. Then she turned to face the city. Her narrow waist, her full, sexy hips, legs that were beyond perfection, long and graceful. He needed to touch them. Now.

He stood and looked down to see himself rock hard again—his constant situation around her. Walking up behind her, he didn’t touch her but put his hands on each side of her on the railing, white-knuckling it to keep from grabbing her.

She continued to talk to her patient, and he heard a shrill feminine voice responding through the phone. Valerie reminded the woman how to handle the crowds, how to imagine herself in a bubble. He didn’t care about privacy, he just wanted to be close to her. She put her hand on his forearm. Turning toward him, she ran her fingers up his arm, traced his bicep then his shoulder. She spoke into the phone, but as her gaze dropped to his chest. She bit her lip and blinked rapidly then she looked lower. Spotting his erection tenting his trunks, her eyes opened wide.

She smiled, looked into his eyes then put her fingertips on his breastbone and pushed gently. He took her meaning and smiled seductively. Was she changing her mind about their planned activities for the evening? He let go of the railing and took a step back. Speaking to her patient, Valerie stepped forward and pushed him back with her fingers.

“You’re doing fantastic,” she coached into the phone. “Call me if anything else comes up or if you’d just like to talk.” She ended the call and smiled at him. “Antonio, this is for your own good.”

He glanced behind him. She’d backed him right to the edge of the pool.

“You wouldn’t dare!” Would she? She was teasing, right?

She put her hand flat on his chest and shoved.

If she hadn’t been clutching her phone, he would have grabbed her and pulled her with him, but he let himself fall backward toward the water. He hit the surface hard and stayed under a few seconds, enjoying the perfect temperature. He surfaced and laughed, treading water. “You know when I catch you I’m going to throw you in.”

She set her phone on the bar and toed off her flip-flops. “No need to trouble yourself.” Running toward the pool, she did a perfect cannonball a yard from him, completely swamping him.

She came up laughing.

He wiped his eyes. “You’re a brat. You don’t even know if I can swim.”

“You told stories of your family swimming in the ocean. I figured you’d be okay in my safe little pool.” She swam to him. “And if you weren’t, I’d get a thrill out of giving you mouth to mouth.”

He grabbed her, pressed his lips to hers, and they went under, her body tight against his. With his hands on her ass, he pulled her bottom against him, letting her feel his erection, the need that even a dunking in the pool didn’t ease. She wrapped her legs around him, and he almost snapped. He put his hand on the back clasp of her top, but she shook her head “no” against his lips and pushed off him to the surface.