Brash Boss Read online

  ‘I’m getting married.’

  ‘YOU ARE?’ Her voice lifted as she almost screamed back her excitement to me. ‘When?’

  ‘Do you think you could organise it for two weeks’ time?’

  ‘You want me to organise it all?’

  ‘I do.’ I smiled at the happiness in her voice.

  ‘But what about your bride-to-be, surely she’ll want some input into her own wedding? What’s her name?’

  Shit.

  ‘Barbara, her name’s Barbara and she wants to get married in Crete,’ I lied and hoped at the same time. ‘And she’s happy to have a traditional wedding and… well, we both thought it was something you’d enjoy organising.’

  I hoped what I was saying wasn’t far from the truth and regressed to a childish habit of crossing my fingers as I wished.

  ‘Barbara would?’ I could hear Nonna crying what I was sure were tears of happiness and my cold, hard heart felt a little warmer.

  ‘Yes. So, is it possible? It’s Saturday today, could it happen two weeks from today?’

  ‘I’m sure I can arrange all of that, what about a dress?’ she questioned. ‘And how many guests will be coming?’ A long list of questions fell from her mouth, one after the other.

  ‘She’ll find a dress here and we’ll bring it with us,’ I answered.

  Then I explained to her that all Barbara had was Brody, and as Default Distraction were on tour in Asia that neither him nor my brother Cade would be there. So, it would be us, Barbara, and Trip and his family. I also told her that I wanted the flowers to be blue with as much green foliage in them as possible to pick out Barbara’s eye colour and at that I’d heard a sob fall from Nonna’s mouth, and I knew I’d managed to convince her.

  Then we said our goodbyes. She was happy I was keeping my promise to her and I was happy because of… well something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

  * * *

  ‘Good morning.’

  I heard a voice call over the fence behind me and placing my cell back into my pocket I turned around to face it.

  ‘Morning,’ I answered and offered the woman who must have been standing on something to look over the six-foot fence a quick smile. I knew who she was, the pink coloured hair with its greying roots could only belong to Pearl, Barbara’s neighbour.

  Shit.

  Everything up until now had been going to plan and that was just how I liked my life. In order and going to plan. But with not knowing Pearl at all, this wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have without Barbara present.

  ‘Well, you’re a sight I never thought I’d see standing in that girl’s backyard.’

  I nodded at her, grimacing at her words and the flicker of recognition she had in her eyes beneath her ridiculously long, false eyelashes.

  Again, shit.

  I watched her eyes narrow on me as she studied me that little bit harder.

  ‘You’re a Morello, aren’t you? In fact, forgive me, you’re the Morello, now aren’t you?’

  Reluctantly, I stepped closer towards her and offered her my hand, which she didn’t shake but stared at suspiciously.

  ‘I am, and you must be the Pearl that Barbara’s always talking about,’ I acknowledged and dropped my offered hand.

  Fleetingly, the small amount of flattery, the recognition I’d just given her, appeared to work and I saw a smile begin to break out on her lips. Then, just as fast as it appeared, she shelved it as suspicion wrapped itself around her once again.

  ‘So, will I be getting an invite to this wedding of yours?’

  ‘You’d come out to Crete with us?’ I questioned, hoping the answer would be no.

  ‘I don’t like flying, but for that girl I’d do anything to make sure she was safe, do you understand where I’m coming from, Mr. Morello?’

  ‘Call me Nico,’ I offered.

  ‘Hmmm, I’ll be right around, don’t you go anywhere.’

  ‘I wouldn’t dare,’ I replied under my breath as her pink hair disappeared from view.

  ‘Trip if you were here, the song that suits this life changing moment would be Suspicious Minds by Elvis.’

  Chapter Ten

  Nico

  I turned around, walked the couple of steps to pull open the door to the kitchen and enjoyed the blast of cool air from the air con. The sight that met my eyes was something I didn’t think I’d ever forget.

  Stood in the small space with the kettle now boiling on the stove, was Barbara. I let my eyes wander down her, slowly trying to take in everything about her. I could only see her from the side view, but I could see that her face was devoid of make-up and her cheeks were pinked having just woken up. Her thick, long blonde hair was freshly brushed and hanging all the way down her back, finally curling at the ends just above the beautiful round globes of her ass. My hand ached to grab a hold, to pull her head backwards exposing her neck to my mouth. My eyes left her hair and I tried to ignore what the hell was happening in my trunks and took in the rest of her. She was wearing a tight fitting, white vest top which left nothing to the imagination and tiny cotton sleep shorts.

  All semblance of my self-control snapped loudly in my ears.

  What in actual hell was wrong with me?

  Hearing her front door bang and knowing that now was the time for playacting, I took the couple of steps I needed and closed the gap between us until her back was in front of me. I prayed to my mamma’s God that she reacted in the way we needed her to, then I wrapped one of my arms around her waist and lifting her up slightly I pulled her tightly into me. Moving her hair to one side with my other hand, I let my mouth feast on her neck as I inhaled everything about the woman in my arms.

  The taste of her skin was exquisite.

  At first, she let out a small squeal, but when she put up no fight against what seemed an entirely normal thing for us to be doing in her kitchen, I knew that she’d realised we had a visitor. I heard Barbara put down the spoon she’d been holding and then felt the touch of her hand on my arm as she clasped onto my forearm and leant herself back into me allowing herself to feel me, to feel us.

  The moan she emitted from her lips travelled straight to my groin and I knew she understood just what she’d done to me when she wiggled instinctively against my cock.

  ‘Don’t,’ I whispered in her ear and then I bit down softly onto her lobe.

  Immediately, she ceased wriggling at my reprimand, and I smiled into her neck.

  ‘I’m sorry, Barbara… I didn’t mean to intrude.’ I heard Pearl speak and forced my mouth reluctantly away from Barbara’s neck.

  ‘You’re fine, Pearl,’ I answered. ‘It was my fault anyhow… I just couldn’t resist her.’ Reluctantly, I released my arm from around Barbara and let her feet find the ground again. Then I stepped back, twisted around and held out my hand to Pearl again.

  ‘Nico Morello.’

  This time she gave me a reprieve and shook it.

  ‘Pearl Marie Paltrow… and no, I know we look similar, but I’m no relation of Gwyneth.’

  For a second, I was rendered dumbstruck as I fought with everything inside me to stop my eyebrow raising at her and laughing. Luckily, I quickly understood that she really thought she looked like the actress. I reached to the side of me, grateful to have Barbara by my side and placing an arm around her waist I pulled her into me. I looked down as she wrapped her arms around me with no hesitation.

  ‘I’m pleased to meet you.’

  ‘Are you?’ she questioned, as she took in the two of us together. ‘I’ve met you before, many years ago when you were a little boy, you see I used to work for your father.’

  It happened occasionally that I was reminded of the bastard whose blood coursed through my veins, this time I managed to not let it knock me off kilter.

  ‘For that, Ma’am, I can only offer my deepest apologies.’

  Her eyes opened wide as she absorbed my words and then she nodded as she seemed to accept my apology.

  ‘So, can one of you two p
lease tell me what’s happening?’

  ‘Oh, Pearl… This is Nico, Nico Morello as you’ve already realised… I don’t know what to say, other than we’re together and he makes me happy… So very happy.’

  I watched the old bird nod and her mouth fall open in surprise. I had to stop my mouth from following suit, because my future wife was such a damn good liar that I was almost convinced she’d fallen for me.

  ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Nico and I running into each other a few weeks ago, but I was sure that I couldn’t get that lucky and that us seeing each other would come to nothing,’ Barbara continued.

  ‘I’ve just heard him making arrangements for a wedding.’ I watched the wily old bird cross her spindly arms over her non-existent chest as she continued to question us both, but having heard Barbara sound so convincing I left her to it.

  ‘He asked me to marry him last night… and I know it’s quick, but it’s for all the right reasons, Pearl. So, I said yes.’ To add more credence to what she was saying she snuggled further into me and like some crazy in love fool I pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head.

  ‘Oh, Barbara. Are you happy with him? If you are then you won’t hear another word from me, because you deserve happiness.’

  I felt derelict the moment she moved away from me. She took Pearl’s hands into her own before she spoke again. ‘I am, Pearl. Being with Nico is offering me everything I can’t be by myself.’

  Well she wasn’t lying. I admired her way with words.

  ‘But, your problems, Barbara?’ Pearl’s eyes flicked between Barbara and me. I relaxed, Pearl truly cared about her and I knew she was deliberately not going into details in case Barbara hadn’t shared her gambling addiction with me. I was suddenly pleased Barbara had her in her life, no matter how much of a problem she might pose to us now.

  ‘I know all there is to know about her addictions, Pearl. We’re going to face them together. She has no need to work anymore, which takes her away from the temptation and together we’re going to talk to therapists and doctors that can help.’ I finally entered the conversation.

  ‘I can’t not work.’ Barbara spun around to face me again and it took all I had to keep my eyes on hers and not the shape and swell of her breasts under her ridiculously thin sleep vest.

  ‘You can’t seriously think you can still work in a casino?’ I questioned, crossing my arms over my chest.

  ‘Well, no,’ she admitted, sucking her bottom lip quickly into her mouth and releasing it again when she watched my eyes follow it. ‘But I need a life, Nico and something that’s just for me.’ I knew what she was saying, she needed something that would be there when I was gone.

  ‘Take up photography.’ Shit even I had to admit I was fast at thinking on my feet.

  ‘Photography?’

  ‘You said it was something you’d always wanted to do… so do it with my full support.’

  ‘Could I?’

  ‘Why not? I have to work. You’ll have time on your hands and both of my homes are surrounded by beautiful scenery. In fact, getting married out in Crete and spending time there for our honeymoon will give you somewhere to start.’

  I opened my eyes up wide as I wordlessly pleaded with her to accept my idea and to us getting married in Crete.

  ‘Thank you.’ Barbara quickly moved back to me and flung herself into my arms. Without thinking what I was doing I accepted her with equal enthusiasm and wrapping my arms around her, held her to me.

  ‘Well then, what can I say?’ Pearl questioned.

  ‘Congratulations?’ I smiled over Barbara’s shoulder at her.

  ‘Congratulations, Barbara and to you too, Nico, and welcome to our small family.’

  * * *

  A quick shower later and a change of clothes, which I always kept in my car in case I spent the night with a woman, I found myself freshened up and sitting having lunch in the local IHOP with my wife to be and her oddly dressed adopted mom.

  I didn’t think anyone was more amazed than me.

  Looking around me at the family clientele, I realised I stuck out like a sore thumb. I’d forgone a jacket and tie, but my expensive, fine wool, blue suit pants and fitted white shirt screamed majorly out of place. I was sat next to Barbara in her shorts and cotton top on a bench seat in a booth opposite the pink haired Pearl.

  And I couldn’t have cared less.

  If only Cade could see me now. I could see my brother Cade laughing his head off.

  Barbara was talking to Pearl about what style she would like as a wedding dress and the joy on her face was evident. I drowned out their excited voices and placed my arm over the back of the bench seat, giving in to the need to touch her again and to obviously playact our engaged situation. Lowering my hand, I touched the bare skin of her shoulder and used my index finger to make small circles on her bare flesh.

  I could get very used to touching this woman. The thought was sobering and contrary to every rule I’d ever allowed myself to live by.

  The vibration of my cell in my pocket brought me to. I retrieved it and checked the screen. It was from Trip, who was confirming our flight plans and his employment of a second officer and flight crew to fly with him. He’d undoubtedly already gone through Franco due to the security he knew I always had in place around me. I read his message and was just about to place my cell back in my pocket when a second one lit up the screen.

  It was from my secretary. It wasn’t important, but it gave me the excuse I needed to make a move. I needed to be back with solid ground under my feet, instead of this strange virtual world I’d resided in since the small hours of this morning. I read her message and put my cell away, I’d reply to Trip later when I was back in the office and feeling more at ease with myself.

  Barbara was now safe, and I’d leave a security team with her to make sure she stayed so. She was fed and well. I had my pretend bride for my grandmother, so another plan was working out just as I wanted it to. Now, I needed to make my excuses and get the hell out of Dodge.

  ‘Ladies, that was my secretary. She was just reminding me I have work to do today. So, my suggestion is that I drop you both at a wedding boutique with my credit card and permission to use it?’ I smiled the question to the both of them as the lie just dripped off my tongue.

  ‘Do you really have to go?’ Barbara turned slightly towards me and brushed her fingers down the front of my shirt. I watched them toy with a couple of the buttons as they moved.

  ‘Yes, for a few hours, I have some work to catch up with and you need a dress to get married in, we leave in ten days. Also use my driver to take you to get yourself a camera.’

  ‘Thank you, Nico… you’re too kind.’

  If only she knew. Her people radar was so far off it was alarming.

  Looking into her eyes and glancing between them and her lips, all thoughts vacated my head. I felt her hand as she lifted it up from my chest to rest it on the stubble on the side of my face. Feeling the warmth of her hand on me, I finally succumbed and lowering my mouth slowly towards her I gently brushed my lips on hers. Our eyes remained open for the length of the kiss and somewhere in that brief touch of our skin on each other’s, for the first time I understood that the one thing I’d never planned on happening had just spread its wings and taken flight.

  Chapter Eleven

  Barbara (Ten days later)

  I looked away from the clear blue sky outside the window, as the plane reached its cruising altitude having just left London Heathrow. Apparently, the plane we were travelling in was Nico’s. I really wasn’t sure I was going to be able to get used to the life I was living in at the moment.

  You don’t have to, Barbara… It’s just a pretence for a year.

  ‘This is your supreme commander speaking, buckle up for our final leg of the journey. Your flight today will take just under four hours and the forecast for the weather in Crete is warm and sunny.’

  I smiled at hearing Trip’s voice and looked across at Kendall who was als
o grinning and shaking her head a little, probably at all the memories hearing Trip like this conjured up. I’d spent most of the previous flight from Vegas to London chatting with her and playing with Bruce, her and Trip’s young son. All the while Pearl had slept, after taking enough sleeping tablets to knock out a small army, and Nico had worked. I was eager to spend some quality time with Kendall, having not had a friend the same age to talk to in a long time, and the fact she was married to Nico’s best friend was an added bonus. I hoped that eventually she could give me a better insight into the man I was going to marry. Instead, she had told me about how her and Trip had met and the obstacles they’d overcome to stay together. In turn, I’d told her how Nico and I had known about each other for years through our brothers, but had only recently reconnected and how things had blossomed from there. She had remained quiet and had listened carefully to everything I had told her and although she hadn’t offered me anymore information about Nico, to my absolute relief at the end she had grabbed at my hand and told me how pleased she was for the two of us.

  ‘Wait for it.’ Kendall smiled at me as she stroked Bruce’s dark hair. ‘He’s just thinking about what song to treat us all to.’

  I felt my mouth drop open in question when, just as she’d predicted, Trip’s voice came back over the intercom as he started to sing Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles.

  We listened, smiling at each other as he sang his way through the entirety of the song without missing a beat, then as he spoke again.

  ‘Come on, Boss, you workaholic, give me something to work with.’ When nothing came from Nico in the office he carried on, ‘I win then.’

  Catching the questioning look in my eyes, Kendall filled me in on what was going on.

  ‘What would normally happen is Nico would appear and sing something back to Trip, but it would be by Elvis instead,’ she offered me. ‘It’s a game they play, you know boys will be boys.’ I laughed with her as my stomach rolled and my heart beat faster expectantly.