9

Sofia

I didn’t see Hades again.

I wasn’t entirely sure what business he had with Gustavo. He mentioned something about working in finance a long time ago, but I couldn’t recall the specifics. Maybe he never even told me that information…I just assumed. When I asked Gustavo, all he said was, “He handles the money.”

That didn’t make sense.

I was determined to be a respected member of the team at Tuscan Rose, so I wouldn’t get involved with someone who was also on the payroll, not that I assumed anything would happen in the first place. That kiss had been four years ago, and we were complete strangers. Perhaps he’d been just as bored at that party as I was, so he followed me just to get away from the stiffness.

I could feel embarrassed by our past, but I refused. It was one moment, one night. Nothing much to say about it. He was even sexier than I remembered, so I couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t a walking piece of eye candy. He was gorgeous…plain and simple. But gorgeous men were only good for one thing.

Fucking.

I started my shift in the concierge department that evening, helping American guests decide where to make dinner reservations in this historic town. Most of them were newlyweds, so their excitement was palpable. I also booked a few spa treatments, and by nine, I finally got to walk out the door.

Instead of heading home…to my mother’s…I decided to go out instead. I had a couple friends in Florence, and after a few texts, we met somewhere crowded and dark, going straight for the hard liquor and skipping the wine.

I had wine for breakfast. It was practically water to me at this point.

“How’s the new job?” Esme had blonde hair and blue eyes, looking nothing like me but definitely more beautiful. She wore a white dress with a black blazer on top, finished with her job at the art gallery.

“It’s gonna pay my bills, so it’s pretty good.”

She chuckled. “Are you in training to take over?”

“Yes and no. Right now, I’m just shadowing my stepfather and doing a few small tasks.”

“Not a bad way to get paid.” She had a scotch—neat. Her nails were painted fiery red, which was an interesting color against her fair skin.

“I actually don’t get paid for that. That’s all volunteer.”

“Then how do you plan to pay your bills…?” She cocked an eyebrow as she took a drink. “You got a sugar daddy?”

“No. I work the concierge gig in the evenings.”

“Oh…not nearly as exciting as having a sugar daddy.”

I chuckled. “No. Not even close.”

“What’s it like so far? Do you help a lot of hot businessmen taking their mistresses to their rooms?”

“No. I’m sure they would be more secretive than to stop by for a chat. They don’t care about eating the best pasta or visiting the Barsetti winery for wine tasting. All they care about is fucking and getting room service.”

“Ooh…” A dreamy look came into her eyes. “Sex and room service. That sounds like a dream.”

“It does.” It’d been a while since I’d had a good man between the sheets. My lovers were casual, nothing serious because I hadn’t intended to stay in Milan for more than a couple of years. Being a student was a good way to meet new people, especially men my own age. But I’d never had a deeply passionate relationship, the kind where you couldn’t keep your hands off each other for more than a few minutes. Maybe that was love. Or maybe that was combustive lust.

“Are you seeing anyone?”

“Me?” I asked incredulously. “No. Not while I’m still living with my mother.”

“How’s that going?”

“It’s not terrible. I mean, we have so much space, it’s not like we’re fighting to use the bathroom or the washing machine. It’s just weird to live under her roof again, like I’m a child or a failed adult. I miss bringing men home. I can’t do that anymore.”

“I’m sure you could sneak one in.”

“Eh…don’t really want to do that.” That would make me seem dishonest and childish.

“Couldn’t you just stay at his place?”

“I suppose. But then my mother will wonder where I’ve been all night.”

“No, she’ll know where you’ve been all night,” she said with a smile. “You’re a grown woman, so I doubt she’ll give you a hard time about it.”

“Yeah…” My mother was a very blunt person, and she even encouraged me to enjoy my youth as much as possible, be with all the men who would never be my husband, get it out of my system before I settled down with a suitable partner. “She probably wouldn’t care. Probably wouldn’t ask me any questions. But I guess it’s just awkward giving her an idea of what I’m doing in my private life.”

“I always thought the two of you were close.” Esme was oblivious to all the attention she was capturing. Lots of men behind her wouldn’t stop staring at her, probably trying to decide if they should buy her a drink or just walk up and talk to her.

“We are. I love my mother. We just don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. When my father passed away, we became a lot closer.” My parents were never in love, but it was obvious my mother’s sadness at his passing was genuine. She’d lost a friend…a partner.

One of the men who had his eyes on Esme finally made his move. Tall and handsome, he had a nice smile and shoulders built for strength. He appeared on her right side, his hands in his pockets so he wouldn’t seem overly eager. “Hello, I’m Kyle.” He extended his hand to shake hers.

When her eyes widened in approval, I knew she liked what she saw. “Esme.” She shook his hand. “This is my friend Sofia.”

He shook my hand. “Lovely to meet you both.”

They became engaged in conversation, making each other laugh and exchanging subtle cues of affection.

I silently excused myself so my friend could get laid. I brought my drink to another table and took a seat. Sitting alone anywhere besides the bar was awkward, but I wasn’t ready to end my evening just yet. I wanted to enjoy this last bit of vodka cranberry before I walked home.

My eyes wandered around the bar, people-watching. There were a few packs of women at the bar, gathered close together and chatting over a bottle of wine. A lot of the men were looking in their direction.

But some were looking at me.

I didn’t see anyone I was interested in, so I kept my gaze averted.

My eyes scanned to the left, and they stopped immediately when I noticed a man I recognized. Sitting in a dark booth facing the rest of the bar, he wore a white shirt with black slacks and dress shoes. With his jacket missing, the hardness of his body was unmistakable. His pecs were easy to visualize, and he had such strong shoulders that they stretched the fabric of his shirt and made it tight. His tanned skin contrasted against the white fabric of his shirt, making him look worshiped by the sun. His head was turned slightly toward the woman beside him, a brunette who squeezed his thigh under the table and whispered into his ear.

Her blue eyes were glued to his side profile, her eyes heavy with lust and affection. She looked at that man like he was all she wanted in this world, like she wanted to take him home and never let him leave. Her hand grazed right over his crotch then slowly moved up his chest, pampering him as she slid toward his neck.

Hades had his arm around her shoulders, but he didn’t shower her in the same affection. He looked at her indirectly and allowed her to touch him, to let her claim him as hers. She was a beautiful woman a man would give up anything to be with, but to him, she didn’t seem that important.

She moved her body into him, pressing her tits against his arm and chest as she whispered something into his ear.

He grinned when he heard whatever dirty thing she’d just said.

I hardly knew Hades, so I couldn’t make assumptions about his character, but from what I was watching, he was like every other handsome and successful man. He was in the game indefinitely, never retiring his jersey. She was just another notch on his bedpost.

But to her, she thought she’d won the jackpot.

I’d been a victim of that handsome grin, of those pretty eyes that made you melt. I’d only spoken to him for minutes when I’d dug my fingers into his hair and yanked him against me. He oozed masculinity, and he reeked of good sex. I told myself I was a young girl giving in to my hormones, but I still felt the same level of attraction toward him now. He was a safe bet, a man who wouldn’t take you home then let you down.

I continued to enjoy my drink and watch them, wishing I were going home with a hunk myself. It was nice to wash off the workday with a glass of booze, but getting fucked by a big dick was better.

Hades eventually turned away from her and looked around, probably intending to order another drink since his was empty. It only took him a second to notice me sitting alone in the black leather booth. His jaw didn’t tighten, and his eyes didn’t narrow in recognition. He had no reaction at all—a perfect poker face.