Love Me (The Elites of Cheshire shore #2)

17. Florence

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

florence

“ L eonard,” I gasp, staring at the woman who I actually considered throwing my glass of Chianti at, but I would never do that to such an expensive bottle of wine. I expect Rome to drop his arm and to put some distance between us, but instead, he pulls me in close so my body is flush against his, his chest turning into a rigid wall. My nipples harden with the feel of his chiseled stomach against my side. I quickly lift my arms to cover the fact they are pointing right through the fluffy robe.

“It’s Nora.” She stares daggers at me. Brian’s slitted gaze flicks to Nora as his thick, fluffy brows pull down, deepening the grooves on his face, like he forgot that was her name.

“Right, sorry, Nora,” I correct, keeping my stare on Brian.

“Brian,” Rome grunts, his eyes focused solely on the older man. Isn’t that the name of the man who was supposed to attend the family dinner a few weeks ago?

“Rome, what a lovely surprise.” The smile on Brian’s face almost says otherwise. I would be pretty embarrassed too. The optics of this don’t really bode well for “family man Deeter.” I don’t think getting caught at a day spa with your employee was on his schedule for the week. Rome and I share an unreadable look; he can use this little bit of information to finally get Deeter Group to consider Ven Industries’ acquisition proposal. Rome gives the side of my hip a squeeze. I’m almost sad I didn’t record this whole encounter on my phone.

“Well, isn’t this such a coincidence that we’re all here together. It’s like it was meant to be,” Nora gushes, turning her head slightly, her eyes slowly surveying us. Her expression is way too cheery for someone who has been caught with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

“I thought this place was booked out for the weekend?” Rome muses, with a twitch of a grin on his lips.

“It is.” Nora preens. “It took some serious convincing to get my regular services, but once I showed the manager how much of a valued client I am, they made sure to make room for us.” Her smile makes me shudder.

“Nora and I love to do our spa weekends, don’t we, pumpkin.” Brian’s wrinkled hand pats her arm. I shudder. By some miracle I manage to suppress my gag. It’s giving sugar daddy vibes.

“We do, Daddy,” she singsongs. Oh dear god. The woman who gave off such corporate vibes, who berated me for having such a jaded thought process is referring to her much older boss as— Daddy?!

“Daddy?!” both Rome and I say at the same time. Although mine is more of a cringe, Rome’s is downright shock. Whatever floats your boat though. Rome becomes more rigid beside me, his jaw falling open as his eyes boggle out.

“Yes, you invited me to a family dinner, and I couldn’t attend so I sent my daughter—my family—in my place.” Brian sniffs. I subtly shake my head. Oh shit, Nora is Brian’s daughter? The Brian who we were supposed to make a favorable impression on? The Brian who is CEO of Deeter Group, the company that Ven Industries has spent the last few years attempting to acquire? The way Rome’s demeanor has changed tells me…yes.

“Of course.” Rome swallows, his whole body is ridged, almost defensive.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Florence Liu-Savino, it’s lovely to meet you,” I blurt. Rome’s gaze flicks to me and he blinks a few times. His tense body relaxes as he tilts his chin up like he’s saying a silent thank-you, grateful for the save, before moving to Brian. My throat works hard to swallow, my mouth overly dry. I continue to babble to fill the awkward air. “Bea loves to throw amazing family dinners, perhaps we will see you at the next one?” I tuck my hand into Rome’s elbow, digging my fingernails into the soft terry robe–clad bicep. Maybe we can salvage this whole situation with another family dinner at Bea’s house?

“Ahh yes, well, my schedule is pretty full, you know this world, Rome. Business calls.”

He very strategically doesn’t answer my open invitation to another dinner with anything other than a flat-out no, my stomach sinks. The dinner was a disaster, and I’m hoping the picture Nora painted for him wasn’t in such a harsh light, but judging from his standoffish pose, it’s not looking good.

“I made sure to report everything of importance back to my father, of course.” The way her blue eyes sparkle at her dad only makes my stomach twist harder. Brian Deeter is a powerful man, and it seems he’s taking directive from his daughter.

“Of course, we were so glad that you made time for our dinner. I hope we can find an appropriate time to go through Venuccio Industries’ proposal.” Rome gives a hopeful smile.

“After Nora debriefed me,” his lips pull into a line, “we both feel that Deeter Group doesn’t quite align with Ven Industries.”

Fuckkkkkkk. This is a huge fucking blow to Rome and his brothers.

“When we had the meeting at your office, you told me you were a family man, that your family are a tight-knit bunch. But as Nora recounted, both you and your brother couldn’t stop flirting with her. It bordered on excessive, and all while your brother’s girlfriend, who is now hanging off you in an inappropriate way, might I add, was sitting next to you.”

I grind my teeth, a giant portion of the night going downhill rests on my shoulders. I need to figure out a way to change Brian’s mind and give Rome another chance.

“Your brother even offered to feel up my breasts.”

The amount of self-control it takes me not to roll my eyes at the theatrics of this woman. Luca meant that as a joke, but Nora is making it sound like some pervy come-on. Rome and Luca were their charming selves, and yet Nora’s recollection is painting them in such a negative way, it’s bordering on sleazy. It’s also 100 percent false. But the way this guy is staring at his daughter indicates if she says it, in Brian Deeter’s world, it’s true. It could be that even her embellished story is simply aiding Brian’s agenda, or he truly does value his daughter’s opinion.

“Oh, that was my fault. I was explaining about my week at the hospital and going through my cases, it probably wasn’t the most appropriate table conversation. But truthfully, Luca and I are not together, we’re just really good friends.” I touch a hand to my chest while keeping my other still firmly wrapped around Rome’s arm.

Brian gives me a bored expression. “Are you that touchy-feely with all your friends’ brothers.” His eyebrows raise pointedly at our joined arms.

“No,” Rome answers for me. Just the Venuccios. They are the only men I allow even remotely close to my heart, because I know that they’ll never break it.

“We’re…” The wheels start spinning in my mind. I need to fix this mess I’ve put Rome in. I’m the one who made Nora angry with the breast comment, and it’s made Luca look bad. I need to protect my best friend from the shitty spot I’ve put him in. “We’re…” My eyes, flick between Rome and the Deeter’s. If Brian is truly a family man like he says, then there is only one way I can salvage this for my friends. “We’re in a relationship. I’m a jealous type, and I hate other women near my man.” My cheeks heat as the words leave my lips. Rome stiffens beside me.

“Your man?!” Rome, Brian, and Nora all say at the same time. Rome almost looks relieved, while Brian and Nora share an equal look of confusion.

I give Rome a helpless look out of the corner of my eye, and he quickly clears his throat and springs into action. “Yes, our relationship is new and I wanted to respect Florence’s boundaries.” Rome bends down and kisses my cheek as another grin pulls at Brian’s lips. Relief wafts off Rome’s body in rolling waves. “You’ve done it now,” he whispers in my ear and nuzzles my neck. Fucking. Nuzzles. It. His hot breath causes the baby hairs on the nape of my neck to vibrate and make me shiver.

Yep. I really have. I’ve dug myself really deep into this one.

“You’re not single?” Brian asks. “Why didn’t you say something when I came to your offices?”

“Florence wasn’t ready to make it public yet.”

“Well, this is just wonderful news.” The man continues to stare between me and Rome while Nora glares sharpened icy daggers at me. Rome releases my hand only to wrap his arm around my hips. Even through the thick material of my terry robe, I can feel the sizzling heat from his hand. I stand completely frozen like I’m watching an out-of-body experience. Nora crosses her arms over her chest and pops her hip, pursing her overplumped lips. It’s clear she doesn’t buy this newfound relationship I’m clearly trying to push.

“If you don’t mind, lollipop and I are going to be late for our couple massages.” Rome offers Brian a tight smile, dropping his arm from around my waist to intertwine our fingers together.

“Of course, of course. Also, Rome. Are you free Monday morning to go through your proposal? My associate and I have some time if you would like to talk us through it.” Rome grip tights on my hand, clearly shocked that Brian suddenly became so interested in Ven Industries’ proposal.

“Yes. Yes, I am.” The eagerness in Rome’s voice is obvious. I know how hard he’s been working for this opportunity with Deeter Group and he’d nearly lost that opportunity because of me.

Brian seems happy about this new development, but not the same can be said for his daughter. Nora eyes us shrewdly, like she knows a secret and is just waiting for the perfect time to reveal it to do the most damage. So, I do the boldest thing possible and step onto my tippy toes so I’m close to his chin. I lift my head and place my lips on his, just a quick peck. A light brush of my lips against his. Nothing more. It’s not like I haven’t done the odd kiss on the lips with Luca when he’s used me in the past to avoid a clingy ex. That’s what friends do for each other.

Only, Rome isn’t Luca. I don’t really see Rome like he’s my brother.

The moment our lips meet I melt. My entire existence narrows to the sensation of his mouth on mine. Somewhere in the universe a star explodes, the air crackles, I’m pretty sure the bang was enough to cause a whole new planet to form in space. I try to pull back, but Rome rests his other hand on the base of my neck, fusing our lips together as his tongue peeks out, parting my lips and deepening the kiss. Our height difference is really making it difficult, especially because I want to mount him like he’s a tree. I lift my arm, grab onto the lapels of his robe, and sink my fingers into it, keeping him close to me.

Rome finally ends the kiss, resting his forehead against mine, our shallow pants match each other.

“We’re so going to be late for our massage.” My voice is breathy and seductive; I barely recognize it. From the corner of my eye, I see Nora still standing there, the high I’m currently riding falls.

“You’re right,” Rome replies and moves away from me. “I’ll see you later,” he says to Brian, then he takes my hand and leads me straight past a happy Brian and a curious Nora.

One thing I know for sure, now that I’ve tasted Rome Venuccio, there is no way one kiss will ever be enough.