The cheering voices of the crowd as the DJ changed the music to a popular beat drifted up to the VIP room where a sturdy man dressed in a dark, tailored, expensive suit sat, the top buttons on his shirt open. His bronze strong hands cradling the bottom of a woman to his waist.
Leonardo D'Angelo chuckled as the woman he was holding tangled her fingers in his hair and went for his mouth again. She was greedy for him. As he expected of her. It was not just his looks which had her attracted to him, but also his money. Leo was overly rich and girls like her liked to run around him, which was fine by him as long as they were not going to demand a relationship. Been there, done that.“Let's take this to my house,” Leo suddenly said into the girl's hair. His large hand trailing her thigh to her upper body, when he got to her shoulder, he pulled the spaghetti strap of her shimmery green gown down, his hungry gaze devouring her breast in one look; she wasn't wearing a bra.He turned the woman whose name he didn’t know around and cupped her breast, leaning close to her ear. His ardor was increasing, he wanted her now. “What do you say?” He said huskily into her ear. “Let's go to my house.”Her response was to moan and clutch the lapel of his suit tighter. “Anywhere you want it.”Leo smiled, just the way he liked them.Tipping her head back, his mouth went for her lips while he fondled her breast through her dress. After a while when he released her, she seemed as if she might explode, but Leo didn't care. He leaned back in his seat and pulled out a cigarette from his suit pocket. Lighting it, he spared her a glance taking in her appearance from head to toe, and let his lips curl in satisfaction. “Gather your things and meet me at the back entrance in twenty minutes. Go now,” he growled and smacked her butt.Her eyes widened, but she smiled at him as if she had scored the big thing and then scurried away.Taking one last puff of his cigarette, Leo snuffed it out in the ashtray and headed straight for the door.Once outside, with a simple look at the dance floor overflowing with sweaty bodies, the floor of the dance floor shimmering in laser changing lights. Drinks flowing across the table just as fast as the bartenders could make them, Leo remembered his first time here.It was after the night he went to surprise his girlfriend instead got the surprise of his life upon seeing her sprawled out on a bed with another man. What a fool he had been to think she differed from the others. Highly irritated at falling into the same trap over and over again he drove straight to Seven Dials Intent on drowning his sorrows in alcohol and women. In the end, what had started as a one-off eventually became his routine and his heart cemented on the fact love was not for him—fate had never shown him a good side.Buttoning his suit, Leo pushed the door open and stepped out of the club and into the streets of California. On seeing him his driver Aaron jumped out from the limo and opened the door for him. Leo stepped inside.Few minutes later a woman stepped out the back entrance looking around her. It was the girl he was with tonight. Leo allowed himself to survey her, from her slender long legs to her shimmery green gown which hugged her frame, outlining her every curve to her pretty face and a head full of red curls, and asked his driver to lower the window, motioning the girl to come.On seeing him she smiled and hurried over to the limo, Leo turned his head to the other side to watch her, feeling his desire rise once more at the sway of her hips. Aaron was out opening her door while he waited impatiently as she stepped inside with a face full of smiles and a ready apology on her lips.“I'm sorry for the delay. I had to get my….”Leo waited for the limo door to close before he hurled her to him. “Save your apologies for next time,” he told her and then kissed her in the same breath, laying her down until the leather seats greeted her back.His hands were on her leg, trailing up her thigh as he kissed her passionately. Wringing scream of passion from her.The woman moaned and sneaked her hand around his neck, lifting her body to meet his. Leo smiled. “You are a greedy one aren't you.” and maneuvered her, so she was sitting on his lap his back resting on leather seat. He tipped her head back and went for a deeper kiss.The limo moved then lurching them forward out of their seat and Leo held her with one hand, bringing them back to the seat. She giggled, excited by that, and started to pull down her gown.Leaning back in his seat, Leo surveyed her, running his eyes over her body in one look.By the time the limo pulled in front of his white ostentatious house, he had her half-naked and willing in his arms. A willing participant. He was getting the hang of this. And it was so much better than what a relationship can offer him. Here no strings are attached and the women he bedded knew just what to expect from him.In a twinkle of an eye, Leo watched the woman he was with pull the strap of her gown to her shoulders in a manner of one who had done it several times and lowered the hem of her gown down, and once again she was presentable. Then she scooted to the window of his limo, holding the edge. “Wow, your house is so big.”Leo threw her a sharp glance, watching for any signs of lingering attachment to him or to any of his property. When he didn't find what he was looking for, he looked down his aristocratic nose at her.“Yes, it is big.” Leo wanted to make sure she understood what was upfront. He didn't want a woman who would have the deluded impression that it was something more than a one-night stand or God forbid think she can lure him into a relationship.Relationships weren't for him. If there was one thing he had learned from his past, it was that he had the devil's luck of meeting the worst set of women. Which was why he opted for one-night stands. It was better that way.“I hope you understand what is to be expected.” Leo had to put the question out, just in case.She turned from the window and smiled at him, putting up her hand to pull her hair behind her ear. Leo thought it had more to do with hiding her expression than anything because her eyes skidded around his limo and then landed at him. “I understand perfectly. You want just a night of pleasure.”Leo's eyes narrowed at the tone of her voice and at the way she won't meet his eyes but thought nothing of it.“Come,” he told her, extending his hand, and together they stepped into his house for an endless night of pleasure.“You asked for me, sir,” his assistant said, entering inside his office in her high heels. Leonardo D'Angelo was backing her, standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, which gave a perfect view of the California skyline. His hands behind his back. Without turning, Leo muttered, “Sit down Paige.” His voice was sleek and authoritative, and Paige did as she was told, sitting down in one of the plush chairs facing his mahogany desk. Paige was Leonardo’s personal assistant and had been for over nine months now. She was efficient, smart, and Leo liked her because she made his life easier. Still looking at the window, he folded his hands across his chest. "As you already know. There has been a decline in our sales recently," he turned to her. "Some of our customers aren't requesting for our wine as per usual. Orders are declining. We need to push back and find more customers." He paused, watching her s
“Well?” Leo prompted, and Paige clenched her eyes shut. When she opened them, Leo was looking at her in confusion. Several lines appearing on his forehead. He might not know it, but when he had leaned over her chair a few minutes earlier Paige had felt her heart stop and then start suddenly with a pounding, she feared he would hear. It was a mess, and she worried he would notice how stiff she was, mostly because she was trying to stop herself from turning and hugging him. This was close to the fantasies she had had of him in her head which somehow never happened in real life and was also the first time she had ever gotten this close to him ever since she started working for him. And ever since she fell in love with him. Not for lack of trying on her path, but because situations like this rarely appeared. “Paige!” Her head snapped in his direction, and she squeezed her face instantly, and before Leo knew
The private locker room was quiet and empty, with only three lockers there. One for Leo, the other for his friend, and the last was empty. Leaning away from the blue lockers, Leo dropped his phone into his shorts pocket and watched the model in the white one piece tennis dress leave. He had just made out with her in his locker room. Thrown her against the blue lockers and ravished her until she was panting for air and here she was walking away from him all composed as if he didn't just have her against the wall, her little bum shaking and her racquet in her right hand. He doubts she'd even used that thing today. Sighing, Leo waited for a few minutes before he left the locker room and headed for the court. The woman he had taken home two nights ago had thrown a tantrum when he had asked her to leave. He had been very particular about this. Before he took her to his house, he had asked
The dinner ended in frustration and jealousy for Paige. She didn't even accept a ride from Finn and took a taxi straight home. Opening the door to her apartment, Paige declared the dinner was a disaster. This she said to her longtime friend/flatmate who was sitting on a couch and watching TV. “All I kept thinking of was him. Can you believe it? I think I am going insane.” Seeing Naomi come out in her bra and pant, Paige paused in her tantrum to frown at her. “Don't tell me you just had sex here?” Naomi was something of a sex freak. She liked to pick up guys, bring them home and have sex with them. Up until today. Paige had never understood why she did that. “Of course I did.” Naomi scoffed, blowing her gum. Paige gave a rueful shake of her head. “I leave you for one minute, and you go and have sex with someone. Who are you?” A secret smile spread acr
Thirty minutes later they were in a long line waiting to get inside the club. A bouncer was at the door checking I. Ds and coordinating the line. From outside, the music drifting out from the club was at a low ebb, but what it lacked in sound it made up in color as the building was caked in an ever-changing light and on top of it read 'Seven Dials' in bold letters. Cars pulled up at all angles, people arrived geared up in party clothes. It was a busy night, even for a Thursday night. Paige turned to Naomi. Her nerves getting the best of her. She was wearing a red gown which had most of her back on display, a little slit on her thigh, and on her legs were a pair of killer heels which propelled her height, so she was almost as tall as Naomi. Her blond hair had been pulled down to rest on her shoulders and her face contained minimal make-up, aside from her lips, which were really glossed up.
At their continued gaze at the man, he propelled towards them. Taking their stare as interest. He was one of those big men with sleeked back hair and a cheeky smile that always looked like they had a secret joke they were laughing at. He reached them and positioned his body towards Paige, and it was more than clear where his interest lied. “Can I get you ladies a drink? On me.” Paige started to say no however Naomi turned to the man, all smiles and sweet. Extending her hand. “Hi, I am Naomi and this is Paige and yes, we would love that drink.” “Any preference?” “A Martini, please.” He turned to Paige, and she said something indecipherable and scrunched her face, but that didn't deter the man. He smiled at t
"Paige, what a surprise to see you here." His eyes rested on her, from her curly blond hair to the tip of her heels, and he seemed surprised by what he saw there.“I didn't think you were the party type,” Leo said, taking a seat near her, and Paige almost swooned as he had taken the seat vacated by Joe. And why was he sitting near her? Paige felt she might have a heart attack. The only time her boss had ever been this close to her was that time at the office when he was leaning over her to point at something on the screen, and now he was so close to her, she could actually count his lashes. Paige blushed, and he raised a brow, seeming amused by her behavior, and ordered for a drink. His drink arrived, and he raised the glass to his lips. “Well,” and watched her through the rim of the glass. “My friend and i…we—er—discovered this club newly, so we decided to come check it out.”
The next day. “My assistant tells me you wanted to meet me here,” Leo said as he reached Alberto's table. “So the one with the sweet voice is your assistant, huh.” Leo smiled. They were in an elegant hotel where Alberto was lodging. The two cousins stepped in for a hug and a pat at the back. “Good to see you, Alberto.” “I can say the same to you too, Leo. It's been wonderful.” They sat down and Alberto shook out a napkin while Leo stared at the dishes displayed in front of Alberto and almost laughed. No wasting time there, his cousin had already ordered all his favorite food starting from the ravioli to the beef brasato. Noticing Leo's interest. Alberto's lips curved into what would have been a smile on another person's face, but on his face was just a twitch of the lips
The cool air was gentle and caressed Leo's skin as he stood on the porch watching the beach from their house. He could still hear the merry and laughter coming from inside the house where Paige had taken it upon herself to turn into the family jester. Most of the jokes were told at his expense, Leo hadn't minded as long as it made Paige happy. He had sat through it quietly and would have continued to do so had his mother not recounted one embarrassing moment in his early childhood, Leo wished to God no one will hear about. Embarrassed, he had to come outside to save face. That was where he was, casually sipping his champagne, his cheeks slightly flushed when he felt a presence. Quickly, Leo turned his head only to come face to face with hissiste
There was a strange glint in his eyes. "I'm expected in Italy soon." It took Paige a moment to realize what that meant. "You are leaving?" Paige murmured, unaware of the sadness that had crept into her voice. It must have called to him because his face scrunched up. And his adam's apple bobbed up and down. "Don't say it like am casting you away after one night of sex." "Then how is it?" "You know that's not what it is." Paige squeezed their linked hands, covering it with one of her own and stealing Leo's attention with the trembling of her lips. "We just entered into a relationship and you are already leaving?" What will happen to our relationship when you are gone. You will be in Italy, busy with work while I will be here, what will happen to us. And don't tell me we could go into a long-distance relationship. We've hardly
He pulled away from her then, breathing heavily. His hair was a mess, and his eyes were filled with love, unspent. “Not fair,” he growled. “You are still clothed while I'm naked. It gives you more advantage—"“Then take it off," Paige commanded.His eyes darkened, and he reached out with the intention to pry her off one of two clothes, and with a twist of her body, Paige escaped his arms and ran towards the king-sized bed, laughing when she saw the surprise in his eyes.She felt powerful, naughty, and so in love. Well aware she was teasing him, and that even though it might seem like he was annoyed, he wasn't bothered by it.It felt so good being this way with him. Being able to play with him like this. It made Paige smile. Then she saw the bulge in his pants and her
“Do you know how difficult it was for me to remain there acting likeIwasn’t affected by the things you said to me? LikeIwasn’t falling more and more in love with you. The gentle way you talked to me, your understanding.” He swallowed nervously. “Don’t you understand it, Leo? You confused me like no one has ever done before. You did kiss me at times whenIwas sure none of your family members waswatchingand then say nothing later. No explanation. And of course,Icouldn’t tell you that it was bothering me, thatIwas in love with you lest it turns out you reciprocated no such feelings for me too and was only pretending to, as the charade required.When that happens,Ifeared you might feel uncomfortable with me, and eventuallymightwant to lay me off after the charade was done andI&
Few minutes later, Paige was inside the ostentatious house. After navigating for a while, and pulling open several empty rooms, she finally found Leonardo upstairs in one of the rooms.Contrary to what Wesley believed, Leo was standing by the window. Which gave a natural view of the outside. One hand in his pocket. He had discarded his jacket and was left only in a white shirt and his pants. He was backing her so Paige couldn't see his face, but he must have sensed her presence because he said without turning, “I thought i told you to gohome, Paige.”Paige stepped inside quietly, closing the door. Waiting for him to face her, but he never did. "I don't want to. I don’t want to go home.”He turned then, his eyes resting on her arms, the tear in the hem of her gown. Her knee, and then finally her belly, and his
Leo studied her intently. She was serious. He frowned. "Very well. Do what you want. Stay in the car if you want. That won’t guarantee i will give you a listening ear."After saying that, Leo signaled his driver to head straight to his house.She relaxed then and Leo realized she had been holding her breath. Which Leo did not understand.Another thing he didn't understand was why was she here? Why was she hellbent on explaining herself? What reason did she think she would give that will change his mind? He wanted to believe there was a good reason for this, but he couldn't think of anything."I'm sorry." Leo hadn't realized he had been staring at her until she said that.He turned his face towards the window. Not wanting her to see how that wo
Downstairs, in the half-deserted hotel hallway, Leonardo ran an agitated hand over his hair, puffing out air from his mouth. He felt like smashing his fist into something. Worst, he didn’t feel like that would relieve the pain in his chest. It felt like a large hand was closing in around his heart. And squeezing it tight. How could Paige do this to him? And to think that he asked her before if she was pregnant and she lied through her teeth. She looked him straight in the eyes and lied. Made Leo want to curse out in frustration. What has he done to deserve this? Was he thatdespicable? Shewould rather tell Finn she was pregnant than tellinghim?The father of the child.
Finn stood up from theground,looking so lost. “Does he know? Your boss?" He gestured with his hand. "Does he know you are pregnant?"His green eyes rested on her stomach, and then back to her face. Paige shook her head. “He doesn’t know.” "He doesn’t know?" Finn repeated, his face serious. Paige could feel the wheels turning in his head. He seemed to be thinking hard. Then he ran a hand over his face and planted it on his waist as if coming to a sudden conclusion. "Don't tell him." “What?” “I said don’t tell him.” "You can't be serious!" Paige cried. “Hear me out before you say anything," Finn said, stepping closer to her. Paige knew she hadn’t told Leonardo anything about her pregnancy, she knew she was delaying, but she was going to tell him, eventually. However, what Finn was suggesting was the opposite. He was insinuating she shouldn’t tell Leo at all. He grabbed her hand, and Paige trie
Finn, who was talking with his friends, tried to call her, but she ignored him and dashed out of the door. "Paige!" Finn called and hurried after her. Immediately she stepped out of the reception which was held in the halls of a fancy hotel. Paige hurried to the nearest hallway. On getting there, she rested her back on the wall, and closed her eyes, clenching her purse tight. Paige was trying to gather herself before Finn reached her. However, she was not successful. Because in the next second Finn's hands were on her shoulders and he was turning her around. "Hey, what's wrong? Look at me," Finn said when Paige wouldn't look at him. Tipping her chin, he looked into her eyes. "Are you crying? Don't cry." Finn cooed. There was something about trying to hold back tears and then someone offering sympathy that suddenly made the tears come faster. That was the case with Paige because immediately Finn cooed that word 'Don't cry.' Not minding sh