Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32809 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 164(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
“This is a really nice place,” Harper said. “And it’s so quiet.”
Enzo reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a large square velvet box. “Happy Halloween, Harper.”
She frowned. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Gifts don’t need to be exchanged at Halloween. Candy does. Candy is all over Halloween.”
“You’re cute when you’re nervous. Open it.”
She looked at the box, then reached over and opened the lid, letting out a gasp. “I can’t take this.”
It was a diamond bracelet. He’d seen it passing one of the jewelry stores the other day. The moment he saw it, he knew Haper would look amazing in it.
“Did I say you had a choice?” He took the bracelet out of the box, wrapped it around her wrist, and secured the clasp.
“See, it fits and looks perfect on you, just as I knew it would.”
“This is expensive, and beautiful. I really don’t think I should take it.”
She nibbled her lip, and he took hold of her hands.
“It would upset me more if you didn’t take it. I got it for you. Please take this gift.”
She looked like she wanted to argue with him, but he was not hearing another word. He was thankful the waiter came with their food, and the bracelet as a topic was over.
The meal looked amazing. It might be simple, perhaps even basic, but it was so delicious. He speared a meatball and placed it in his mouth. The flavors were heavenly, well balanced.
They were enjoying their meal when Marcus Villa approached his table. Harper nearly choked on her spaghetti as she sucked quite hard, making sauce slap her on the chin.
“What a pleasant surprise to see you out at Halloween,” Marcus said.
Most Halloweens, he was indoors, dealing with the pain of losing his kids. If he wasn’t at home, he was often found torturing someone that needed to be dealt with.
“I’m on a date,” Enzo said.
“And who is this delightful woman I have never seen before?” Marcus said, lifting her hand and kissing her knuckles.
Enzo clenched his hand into a fist. The need to snatch her hand away was strong, but he also noted that Harper did so and wiped her hand down her dress, removing the kiss instantly.
“This is Harper. Harper, this is Marcus Villa.”
Harper smiled, but she had also gone as pale as a ghost. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Harper, what is your last name?”
Enzo had hoped to keep this out of it, but of course Marcus had other ideas.
“Taylor,” he said, gritting his teeth.
The shock on Marcus’s face was clear to see. The other man had already figured out who she was, and that had pushed her down in Marcus’s estimation.
“I better leave the two of you to your dinner,” Marcus said.
Enzo didn’t need to guess that the head of the Villa Mafia was not happy. His Capo out on a date with nothing more than a cleaner.
Chapter Seven
Harper had never been so spoiled before in her life. First the meal, and then of course the bracelet, which made her feel a little uncomfortable, because there was no way she was ever going to be able to pay him back.
She was also acutely aware of the look Marcus Villa sent her way. He did not like her being on a date with one of his Capos. This was their reality. She was not part of his world. She tried not to think about it as Enzo slid the card into the security pad of the hotel room, where he told her they would be staying for the night.
Stepping inside, she didn’t get far before Enzo’s arms were wrapped around her. The door was kicked shut, and his lips were on her neck. He pulled some of her hair out of the way, and kissed from the pulse toward her collarbone. She closed her eyes as each kiss sent a wave of pleasure coursing through her body. It felt so good.
As he kissed her, she felt his hand at her back as he started to release the catch of her dress, and slowly it loosened until it fell to her hips. Everything always stopped at her hips, because it needed an added push to get past them.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me all night?” he asked.
“I’ve done absolutely nothing,” she said.
He pulled her back against him, and she felt the hard ridge of his cock as it pressed against her ass. “You call that nothing?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Just being you. You drive me crazy.”
The dress landed on the floor, along with her bra and panties, so all she stood in was the heels he told her to wear. He spun her around, and even with her in heels he was taller than her.
Enzo sunk his fingers into her hair, tilting her head back, and then he kissed her, melting away all her troubles.