Totally Alluring Read online

  “It would make more sense if we both washed each other, Jay. Don’t you think so? So, let me help you bathe.” He continued teasing her, running his fingers up and down her spine.

  Giovanni grinned again as she shivered under his touch.

  God, she was responsive. He couldn’t wait until tomorrow night when his plan would come to fruition.

  “I said I’m fine,” Jenny stammered, face blushing pink, just like he predicted. She even planted both palms against his chest to push him away. Giovanni allowed it, pretending to hit the back wall when she pushed him.

  Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t allow her to have her way, but today, the truth had come out. Today, he’d found out Jay was his little friend Jennifer, and by God, he swore he’d have her, as he’d promised fourteen years ago, even if she couldn’t remember a damned thing about him.

  “No, you’re not fine, Jay. You’ve had a hard day today, handing out balloons to those rug rats. And you were dressed in a bunny suit, too. It must have been stuffy. Let me help you wash up.”

  “Boss, it’s really fine.” She flung her head from side to side while shuffling herself backward. “You’re having a bath. I should give you some privacy.”

  Giovanni laughed, reining her back into his arms. He rasped beside her ears, watching her eyes open large as the meaning of his words sank into her head. “From now on, Jay, there shouldn’t be any privacy between us. Didn’t I say already that you’re more than my maid? So let me wash you. I’ll make sure you’re all squeaky clean, from your head right down to your little toes.”

  Jay floundered like a fish, slipping out of his arms again and again, protesting with all her might, until he’d decided he’d enough fun for one day. He let her go.

  Jay immediately jumped out of the small pool, landing on the floor, on her butt, with a big thud. She winced, but immediately got up, footsteps running all the way out the door. Not until she was ten feet from him did she turn around and peek at him, using the door as her barrier.

  Giovanni chuckled, loving this warm feeling inside of him. He lay back in the spa pool, head relaxing back, and hummed. “I want my bedroom cleaned before I finish my bath, Jay. I want to see my face in all the reflective surfaces. Otherwise, you’re in big trouble. You got that?”

  He lifted his head and shifted his focus to his maid, who stood mutely at the door.

  When she didn’t respond, he asked again, in his stern boss voice, “I said, did you get that?”

  Jay opened her eyes large, nodded once, took two steps backward, then spun out of his vision.

  Giovanni chuckled and waited, his ears wide open, listening for any signs of his maid in his bedroom. And he was glad when he heard noises of tugging, pulling, and lifting of bedsheets in his bedroom.

  Thinking about bedsheets, he could imagine his maid— or should he start thinking of Jay as his little friend Jennifer now—in bed with him, frolicking, with limbs entwining among the bedsheets after sating their passion.

  Giovanni shivered at that thought. A rush of heat ran through his loins, making lust burst out of his pores.

  Fuck! Maybe he should just flag his plan and jump her bones right here and now. Yep, that sounded like a better plan. Giovanni knew he wasn’t the patient type, anyway.

  “Jay, come here,” he ordered, his voice droning across to the next room.

  Less than a second later, Jay was standing with hands bracing the doorframe, her head just entering an inch or two into the bathroom space.

  “You called me, boss?” she asked, batting her thick eyelashes, which she did subconsciously. That action always made his dick hard.

  “I said to come here, Jay,” he growled, slightly annoyed when she didn’t come near him. He needed to be near her to be able to attack her.

  “I’m here, boss. What do you need?” she asked, as if she hadn’t a clue what he meant.

  “I said come here. Inside the bathroom, not at the bathroom door,” he spat out.

  Jay gave him a nervous grin and batted her eyelashes again.

  The fuck! That girl was really playing with fire here. And his damned dick just wouldn’t settle down. It kept on twitching, as if wanting someone to play with it.

  “I’d rather stay here, if I may,” she said casually, as if not knowing the effect she had on his dick. “Easy to grab your stuff, if you know what I mean.”

  Oh, he sure knew what she meant. Easy to grab his stuff. He sure had some stuff for her to grab, like his dick. But now was not the time to think of such thoughts.

  He shoved his perverted thoughts down his throat and gritted his teeth, mad that his maid wasn’t obeying his order. “The fuck, Jay. Don’t piss me off. Get your ass here, right now.”

  “With all due respect, boss, sir, I—”

  “Argh,” he roared, leaping out of the spa pool, having had enough of playing the waiting game. He took three steps at a time, until he stood right in front of her, furious black eyes glaring down at her.

  For fuck’s sake. Jay was peeving him off, big time. Without another word he pinned her, palms smacked against the wall, trapping her. But that fury quickly transformed to lust once again when he saw her biting her lip.

  Fuck. Not again. Not the lip. He wanted to kiss those lips so badly he was trembling inside.

  God! He needed her now. Right at this minute.

  Giovanni gently brushed his nose against her hair, fingers trembling slightly when he thought of Jay as his little lost friend Jennifer. She was so beautiful, so captivating in her innocent sort of way.

  “Boss, what are you doing?” She flattened herself even further into the wall.

  Giovanni chuckled, voice thick with desire. “You really can’t tell what I’m doing, Jay?”

  When she refused to look at him, he pinched her chin and tugged her to face him. Sliding his nose so it caressed her cheek again, he kissed her temple and down until his lips were at the junction of her ear.

  He whispered lightly, blowing soft warm air onto her nape, “Remember that conversation in the restaurant, Jay? You said I was a dog in heat. You’re right, Jay. I am a dog in heat.”

  “Ahhh, boss,” she stammered again, putting her two palms on his wet naked chest and pushing, but they slipped, resulting in his body squashing her even farther into the wall. She fumbled in the tight space and tried again. He was having a swell time watching her defend herself, and he chuckled again.

  “What’s wrong, Jay? Tell me what’s wrong?” He laughed at her distressed and confused face.

  Of course she would be confused. He’d done a complete one-eighty-degree turn as soon as he saw his Jennifer again.

  “Please, boss.” She tried again, flicking his mind back to their current situation. “Whatever you’re thinking, please stop.”

  Giovanni roared into another bout of laughter. “Don’t worry, Jay. You’re not my target,” he caressed into her ear, tugging a loose strand of hair behind her ear through that chaotic mess.

  Well, not yet anyway, he wanted to say aloud, but he stopped himself in time. Now was not the time to reveal his plan. Tomorrow night, when she would be butter melting in his hands, he’d tell her.

  Giovanni cast his gaze down to his maid, who still held a blank look on her face. He guessed she was lost as to what his intentions were.

  Giovanni only grinned and spoke again. “Listen carefully, Jay. Tomorrow you’re going shopping with me.”

  His maid continued to hold on to that blank expression. His mouth tilted into a smile when she asked, “Do you need me to find you some new clothes, since you’re not wearing any at the moment?”

  Giovanni chuckled and kissed her hair. “No, Jay. Listen up. You’re going to accompany me to buy a beautiful dress for my woman tomorrow.”

  “Your woman?” That got her attention.

  “Yes, Jay. My woman. Tomorrow I’m going to meet my Jennifer. And you’re going to be there to help me select the perfect dress for her.”

  “You’ve found her, boss?” sh
e asked again, her face clearly searching for an answer.

  Giovanni smiled. “Yes, Jay. While you were pretending to be some bunny, giving candy out to little kiddies, Jennifer and I reconciled.”

  “Oh, was it from the T.V show?” A frown appeared on her forehead, and he had the urgent need to kiss it away.

  “That’s right. Thanks to that show, we’ve finally reunited. We’re meeting tomorrow.” He swiped his lips across her forehead, and again she froze. And she was biting her lip. He tilted her chin up, until their eyes locked. “Well? Will you come tomorrow?”

  Jay cleared her throat, giving her verdict. “Look, boss, I’m kind of busy tomorrow. Got to clean the guys’ bathroom. You know what that’s like. A stink bomb. I have to attack it early, before it turns into stink dynamite. I don’t have time to help you look for a dress for Jennifer. I’m sorry. Plus, I think Jennifer would appreciate it more if you put all your effort in finding that dress for her yourself.”

  Giovanni’s face turned dark. “Jay, this isn’t a request. It’s an order.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, Jay.” He halted her protest. “Be ready by two. I’m taking you out after lunch.”

  With that said Giovanni concluded his game and casually exited his bedroom with a smirk on his lips; leaving poor Jenny absolutely stunned and totally heartbroken.

  Chapter 8

  Shopping with the Mafia Boss

  I was maid to the mafia’s boss, Giovanni Dente. My tasks included a selection of housework at Cory Mansion, where Giovanni and his underlings lived and worked. Not only did I cook them dinner among other menial tasks like cleaning their bathrooms and doing laundry work, I was also a personal maid to the boss at night—brewing him coffee at three in the morning, his usual night routine.

  I was used to my life now, studying and working at Cory Mansion to pay off Pa’s debt, which was three million dollars. But never in my life had I thought I’d have the chance to grace a fancy high-class fashion designer store. Well, not in my hand-me-down sweater and skinny jeans, with a mass of messy bun that could have been better tamed with a hairbrush.

  What did the mafia boss see in me, to select me as his personal assistant in choosing a dress for his woman? Not that I was complaining, but I was curious. And maybe a little envious.

  Okay, I was jealous. Like super-duper jealous. I never knew I had an evil side lurking inside me.

  I knew I was captivated by Giovanni. And the mere mention of his woman yesterday had me lying awake the whole night. Did he not know I was very troubled and traumatized by that statement? Did he not know I’d dreamed about him making love to me?

  Giovanni puzzled me with his changed behavior since I’d come back to live in Cory Mansion. He was already a playboy; I knew that. I didn’t need to see his women upfront to know he had a whole collection of them. Last I heard, he stored some in his Las Vegas home.

  But what would hurt me most would be the effect of seeing his woman first–hand, right in front of my eyes. And I had a strange feeling that tonight, I’d get to witness his new woman, named Jennifer, getting all comfy and cozy with him.

  Footsteps approached me. I dragged my eyes up in time to see the beautiful blonde sales assistant handing me another collection of designer gowns. I almost toppled under the weight of the fabric in my arms.

  “Will you be all right?” she asked me.

  “Yep. I’ll be fine.” I smiled brightly at her.

  She smiled brightly back at me. “If you need anything else, I’ll be right over there.” She pointed to a counter close to the changing room.

  I nodded, and she disappeared.

  Yep. She was beautiful. And kind.

  Now why didn’t Giovanni ask her for help? I was sure with a snap of his fingers, he’d get all the help he needed from anyone. So, why me?

  I watched Giovanni, who was sitting a few feet from me in the black lounge chair, casually cruising through one of the magazines as if he owned the place.

  Wait, does he own this store? Do mafia people own designer stores?

  I shook my head to rid this thought and walked to him, hands full of the designer gowns.

  “Boss, tell me again why I have to accompany you to buy a dress for Jennifer?”

  Giovanni stretched his arms out and folded his long legs like a king. With a sardonic grin he said, “Because you both have the same body frame and height. You make a good substitute for Jennifer. Try them on. I’m sure whatever fits you fits her.”

  Ouch, that hurt. To be compared to his lover, that was not good.

  “Look, boss, I really think you should just choose one and buy it for her yourself,” I expressed wearily. With my lack of sleep, I wasn’t bouncy like my usual self. “I’m a size six. That should be enough information to buy a dress.”

  “Jay, why do you ask so many questions?” He stood and stalked toward me. Once he was in front of me, both of hands fell on my shoulders. He inched closer until his lips hovered just above mine, eyes the color of the midnight-sky staring down at me. “Just hop in the changing room like a good bunny and try them on.”

  Straight to the point.

  I wanted to cry. And that reference to the bunny wasn’t helping my mood one bit. Instead, I offered a small moan in protest and went into the changing room as directed.

  The sales assistant secretly smiled at me, as if to say I should be grateful for having such a kind and generous boyfriend like Giovanni.

  Well, he ain’t my boyfriend, I wanted to tell her. He’s my boss. My god damned mafia boss. And if I don’t listen to him, I’ll be dead meat by tomorrow.

  I was just about to get out of my sweater when there were three knocks on the door, followed by a deep baritone that sent my heart racing. “Jay, how are you getting along?”

  Holy Crap! My soul almost flew to meet my ma.

  So, Giovanni still hadn’t left. What was he doing outside my changing room door? Surely he must have some other business to attend to. Why was he waiting on me?

  “Jay, you hear me? Answer me now, or I’ll come in there myself.”

  Such an impatient man.

  “Good, boss. Very good. I’m almost done.” I quickly pacified him with my hasty reply.

  “Well, come out, then,” he growled. “Let me see.”

  A minute longer and I was sure he’d be pissed off as hell.

  I quickly picked a green dress, the soft lacy material catching my eyes. After only tugging the dress halfway over my head, I was stuck. Not because it didn’t fit me. It was because my messy bun got caught on the seam of the dress.

  I swore, so ticked off at this whole scenario, and my left eye twitched. My left eye always twitched whenever I was pissed off.

  I tugged on the dress a bit more to get it over my head, then decided my buns would only get caught on more. I pulled the hair tie out. My brown tresses came tumbling down all over my oval face. After zipping up the dress, I quickly walked out of the changing room, poised, ready for Giovanni’s inspection.

  The minute I stepped out, Giovanni had his eyes on me. Well, on my body to be precise. His eyes were like liquid coal, so dark they shone beneath the bright chandelier. Those dark pupils ran up and down my body as he took a turn around me. A full minute later, he completed his circle, standing erect in front of me once more. He turned his lips upward, a full, bright smile lighting his whole face.

  “Beautiful. Very beautiful,” he commented subtlety, his fingers caressing my hair, coiling a few strands around his fingers.

  I stood very still, not moving an inch, as the boss inspected me for any faults.

  Keeping this thought in mind, I was aware of his fingers moving down from my hair to trace my flushed cheeks. The brush was gentle; I wanted to lean into for him more. The act was a soft gentle caress, as if he were petting his favorite dog.

  And I snapped back to reality.

  I was his maid or, in this case, his pet. And his comment on my new look, only added truth to my conclusion. “Beautiful. Abs
olutely beautiful. Jennifer would definitely look beautiful in this dress.”

  I didn’t comment; I was too upset at his words.

  Would he ever say I looked beautiful? The last time I was dressed in a womanly dress was when I was trying to con some money out of old Mr. Hermit, to try to get on Giovanni’s good side.

  Although, the result was anything but positive. I was told not to dress like that ever again. A person like me only belonged in the kitchen, as a maid, making coffee.

  Yes, that’s right. I should never forget my place. I was his maid. But inside, I was rebellious. If I had all the money in this world, I’d buy that dress for myself. I wouldn’t be like his Jennifer, for whom he had to buy a dress in order to please her.

  Still, she was a lucky girl to have Giovanni’s affection.

  Why did I dislike her already, even before I’d met her?

  I bet she must be some rich woman from a wealthy family who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Because that was the kind of woman Giovanni was attracted to. Not someone plain like me.

  I sighed, and relished this special moment. At least I got to wear this dress for five minutes. I’d cherish this memory forever.

  Curious as to the price of the dress, as I knew Giovanni wouldn’t bat an eye at paying for it, I tugged at the price tag from behind, twisting my neck to get a good look at it, because curiosity really was my second name.

  And my eyeballs almost hit the floor.

  “Three thousand dollars!” I screeched, as soon as I saw that price tag. “Why is it so expensive?”

  Giovanni laughed, a chuckle that warmed my tummy. “Go back and try some more. I want to see.”

  “But—”

  “Get back in the changing room, Jay. Now.” That was his no nonsense tone. And I knew when that tone came out, I should not disobey him.

  I winced and nodded my head meekly, walking into the changing room to try on more gowns.

  I felt like a doll, out on display for Giovanni to view, especially with the oohs and ahhs coming from his mouth every time he saw me in a different dress. By the time I tried on the last one, I was exhausted and wanted to sink my toes in a tub of warm water. It was really that bad.