Leah's Seduction: 6 (Gianni and Leah - Leah's Seduction) (4 page)

Chapter 7

Leah hadn’t considered what she would do if everything blew up. Over the months, she had sent out résumés. No good opportunities had been offered, reminding her of why she had needed Kyra’s referral when she was originally hired at Barrington.

It was good to know that she wasn’t going back there, and didn’t have to see Vadim’s face again. Or put up with his moods and aggression. The freedom had boosted her spirits, but her lack of employment was an issue.

She was glad to be away, but a bit lost. While Gianni was at work, she sat at her favorite coffee shop drinking espresso. Although Leah should have been job hunting, she was still a bit shell-shocked from the recent incident with Vadim.

Roston was visible through the window. He had stayed closer since the attack. Leah needed an emotional escape, something to take her thoughts away from the trauma so fresh in her mind. She opened her poetry book to read one of her favorite verses.

Wild nights! Wild nights!

Were I with thee,

Wild nights should be

Our luxury!

Futile the winds

To a heart in port,

Done with the compass,

Done with the chart.

Rowing in Eden!

Ah! the sea!

Might I but moor

Tonight in thee!

“Wild Nights” was not typical of the poetry Leah had read by Emily Dickinson. It was so passionate for a woman in the 1800s. Especially one who led a secluded life. She couldn’t help but wonder if the poet had written it for a man.

The lovely verse conveyed Leah’s feeling for Gianni. Reading it several times gave Leah solace. It calmed her, and gave her a way to regain balance, transporting her from the pressures of life to a gentler sphere. She closed the book and hugged it to her chest.

She thought about Gianni, and what had transpired. It was all worth it. Leah would do it all over again. Losing her job was something she would survive. Supporting Gianni against his enemies came first. She was glad that she played some part in helping carry out the ruse against two despicable men.

When she looked up, Leah saw Cody walk through the door. She stuffed the poetry book in her bag and waved at him. His thick, dark hair was windblown, and his blue eyes as friendly as she remembered. He came right over.

“Leah, what a surprise.” He offered his hand, and she gave it a light squeeze.

“Join me,” she said.

“Give me a sec. Let me grab a coffee.”

Leah watched him walk up to the counter, admiring his handsomeness. Their first embarrassing date had been forgotten, and Cody had become a friend. Even Gianni considered him an ally, especially after he had given him incriminating pictures of Vadim and Mason with Byron Clifton. It had helped confirm that the owner of Designer’s Edge was in on the conspiracy.

Cody returned and sat across from Leah. He put his camera on the table beside him. “So, how is it that you are in this shop midmorning? I would think you’d be off to some event or meeting.”

Leah shrugged. “I quit Barrington.”

He raised his brows. “I had no love for the man, but did something happen?”

“Yes, a lot happened.” Leah wrapped her hands around her cup. “He was a weasel.”

Cody laughed. “I knew that.”

She noted that he didn’t mention the pictures he had given to Gianni. Likely he had promised not to say anything. And even though he might guess that Gianni had already told her, Cody waited for her to bring it up. It was another mark in his favor.

“It’s quite a story,” she said. “I’ll give you the highlights.” Leah took a sip of her coffee. “You were helpful in giving those pictures to Gianni.”

Cody smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“The bottom line was that they were conspiring against GR Showroom. But Gianni’s team was wise to it all. They came up with a counterstrategy that was effective.” Leah smiled. “The thing was, I stayed at Barrington as part of the cover.”

“So Mason wouldn’t think you were in the other camp, but still a loyal employee of Barrington?”

Leah nodded. “Exactly. And Vadim too.”

“So let me guess,” Cody said. “GR went after them, and now Barrington is barely holding on to their reputation in the industry. Or possible facing financial problems.”

“Good guess.”

Cody leaned back in his chair. “Well, I know Gianni, and I know any team of his would be sharp. If Mason was messing with them, it could only end badly.”

“So true.” Leah glanced out the window to see that Roston was still there. “The kicker was that I was still in the line of fire when Vadim realized what was going on. He accused me of betrayal.”

Cody’s eyes widened.

“And rightly so.” Leah laughed. “I had no loyalty to Barrington once I knew what they were up to.”

“So you left?”

“If only it were that easy.” Leah shook her head. “Vadim is a monster. It’s like he lost his mind or something. He attacked me, and I thought he was really going to hurt me.”

“Jesus, Leah.”

She looked at her friend. “Yes, I know.”

“Did someone rescue you?”

“There was no one there. I had to get clever.” She grinned. “Let’s just say I threatened him with exposure.”

Cody grinned. “Clever girl.”

“I’m just glad it worked.”

He took a gulp of coffee. “You have the goods on him?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

They both laughed.

“But Vadim hasn’t figured that out yet.”

“My lips are sealed,” Cody said.

“Enough about me,” Leah said. “What’s happening with you?”

“I’ve been getting some good jobs, sort of getting known.”

“Great, you deserve it.”

Cody smiled. “And I met someone.”

“Wonderful.”

“Yes, we are just starting to date. But I really like her. She is a model. That’s how we met. Her name is Allie Moore.”

“I don’t know her,” Leah said. “But I’d like to meet her.”

Cody glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s that time. Gotta run.” He stood and gave Leah a quick hug. “Smile at that bodyguard outside the door there so he knows I am one of the good guys.”

Leah laughed. “You definitely are. Great to see you.”

After finishing her coffee, Leah gathered her stuff together. She had to go meet Kyra for Pilates. Putting her leather bag over her shoulder, she headed for the door. Roston spotted her and pulled it open for her. “Pilates,” she said, and he nodded.

It was cold out, so Leah slid into the back of the car and let her bodyguard take her. “I don’t think Vadim is going to come after me,” she said.

Roston looked at her in the mirror. “I doubt he will.” He signaled to change lanes.

“I see you watching me, more intently than before.”

With a little smile, her guard said, “You mean a lot to Gianni. It’s my job to make sure you are safe when he’s not around.”

Leah had no argument for that. “Thanks, Roston.”

“My pleasure.”

Kyra was already inside when Leah arrived. They chatted while they dressed for class, but Leah saved the big news for afterward. It was a good workout, and once it was over they decided to have lunch.

In a small café that served salads Kyra liked, they settled into a booth. “You aren’t often free in the middle of the day,” she said. “What’s up?”

“I’m between jobs.”

Kyra looked at her intently. “Because?”

Leah told her the whole story, skipping no detail, and watching her friend’s expression throughout. She hadn’t wanted to tell her over the phone, and had waited for an opportunity in person.

“So
that
is what was going on,” Kyra said. “That day I showed the pictures of you and Gianni on social media. You were all mysterious, and didn’t want to tell me what was going on. I knew it had to do with your job, or Vadim.”

“Yes. I didn’t want to get you involved.”

“I take it that it’s safe now?”

Leah nodded. “I think so. I don’t think Vadim or Mason want to mess with GR anymore. They got kind of roughed up.”

Kyra laughed. “That is amazing what you did to Vadim.”

“You just never know what you’ll think of under pressure,” Leah said. “I had to act. There was no time. I was lucky it worked.”

“You were.” Kyra wrinkled her brow. “So what are you going to do now?”

“Sending out more résumés,” Leah said. “You don’t have any other leads for me, do you?”

Kyra frowned. “Well, I better stay out of it, since I was the one who turned you on to Barrington.” She grimaced. “And look how that worked out.”

Leah laughed. “That had nothing to do with you. There’s no way you could have known what weasels they were.”

“If anyone should have been able to spot a weasel it should be me.”

Leah smiled. “Not all men are weasels.”

“I didn’t say that.” Kyra forked a bite of salad. “But I am getting better at spotting them. Now all I need is to meet some great guy like Gianni. He doesn’t have any brothers, does he?”

Leah nodded. “Actually, he has several. His youngest brother Micah is kind of wild, I’ve heard.”

Kyra put her hand up. “Okay, he’s out. I can’t do
wild
.”

“There’s Jacob, who is a year younger than Gianni.”

Kyra widened her eyes.

“But he is with Vivienne, and it looks like a lasting relationship.”

“Two down. Any others?”

“The middle brother, Stephano. But I haven’t met him,” Leah said. “He is a fashion photographer, and he’s out of the country a lot.”

Kyra sipped her tea. “That makes it difficult. But you never know. I’ll see what I can pry out of Daniela.”

Leah laughed. “Okay, you do that.”

*****

The next few days, Leah was diligent about sending out résumés. She even went to the design school where she had graduated to see if there were any job postings. But it looked like finding a job in her field wasn’t going to be easy.

She was searching online for employment agencies when Gianni called.

“You’re just in time.”

“I am?” he said. “For what?”

“To rescue me from job hunting.”

“Yes, I hear you’ve been doing a lot of that.”

“From Roston?”

“Yes, he has been keeping me updated.”

“It’s not really that exciting.”

“What would you say to dinner?”

Leah hugged the phone to her ear. “Yes. I’ve love it.”

“Great. I have reservations at The River Café. Dawson will drive, so we will be by at five. I’ll give Roston some time off.”

She giggled. “I’m sure he could use it after following me around.”

“I can’t wait to see you,” Gianni said, before hanging up.

Leah was glad to end the job hunt early. It was getting old. She needed to find a job soon or she’d go crazy. Dinner with Gianni would be perfect. It would take her mind off everything else. And she missed him. She had just enough time to get ready before he arrived.

The River Café had a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. Out the window, Leah looked up at the Brooklyn Bridge. “It’s beautiful here.” The restaurant was next to the water, giving a close-up view of New York harbor.

“You look lovely,” Gianni said.

“Thank you. I thought you’d like this dress.” Leah fingered the low-cut bodice, and then put her hand back in her lap.

“No, I mean
you
.” Gianni touched her arm. “I think it’s good for you, being away from that job. I never liked you working there.”

“I can’t say that I ever liked it,” Leah said. “But it did pay the bills. And it gave me a chance to get some experience. I’m hoping that will carry some weight once I get an interview.”

Gianni smiled. “No doubt.”

“What’s that gleam in your eye?”

He glanced down at his menu. “Nothing.”

Leah eyed him suspiciously. “I know you too well. You have something on your mind.”

He looked up. “Well, if you know me so well, then you know that I’ll tell you when I’m ready.”

She glared at him playfully. “You are so infuriating.”

Gianni smiled. “So I’m told.”

Chapter 8

They sat at the last table in a row along the windows. Gianni looked across at Leah, and the urge to have her consumed him. With the threat to her safety so recent, his need to control surged. To be in charge, own her, and protect her was what he wanted.

Leah looked at him, the slight blush of her cheeks visible in the candlelight. Outside darkness gleamed across the water, and city lights sparkled. The restaurant and its ambience were perfect for what he had in mind. When he was ready.

He chose Chateau Petrus, a Bordeaux from the Pomerol region. Gianni was pleased to find it on their wine list. But then, the restaurant had one of the better lists he had seen. To pair with the wine, he ordered the Italian caviar.

“Is caviar okay?” he asked Leah.

“I haven’t had it before.”

“It will be a treat, then.” Under the table, Gianni rubbed his foot against hers, watching her reaction. His eyes drifted down the low-cut dress, and he admired the swell of her breasts showing at the top.

Leah shifted in her seat. He liked it when he made her uncomfortable.

The wine was served, and the caviar placed before them. Gianni held his glass up. “To you, baby. You do look beautiful tonight.”

She blushed, then clinked her glass against his. “You flatter me.”

“I like flattering you.” A thought of the threatening incident, and what could have happened to Leah, crossed his mind. He did cherish her, and abhorred the thought of her being harmed in any way. And Gianni didn’t want to imagine life without her. He knew that she hoped for him to confess love.

Gianni just wasn’t sure about that. He tried to remember if he had ever been in love, but nothing came to mind. He had always loved women, and sex equated to love in his mind. Yet he knew for Leah there was more. And he did want to give her more.

She sipped the deep red wine, and Gianni couldn’t take his eyes off her full lips. He imagined them wrapped around him, and he thought of touching his mouth to them. Unable to resist, he reached across the table and ran his fingertip over her lower lip.

“Gianni,” she said.

The sound of her voice excited him. Something in her tone. God, how he wanted her. He sipped his wine, enjoying the rich flavor and letting the feel of it engulf his senses. Leah drank more of hers. And he continued to watch her.

Then she picked up one of the tiny crystal glasses of caviar and lifted the pearl spoon. Delicately, she slipped a taste into her mouth. Gianni waited. Then Leah smiled. “It’s delicious. It doesn’t even smell fishy.”

“No, it shouldn’t.” Gianni picked up his chilled glass, and admired the clear black color of each sphere. The glimmering incandescent whiteness of the spoon made an aesthetically pleasing contrast to the black of the shiny caviar.

Each juicy bite exploded onto his palate. “This is good,” he said. “I don’t have caviar often enough.” Gianni took two more tastes, then a bite of lightly buttered bread from the plate. “I thought you would enjoy this.”

Leah tried the bread, then took another bite of caviar. “It’s heavenly.”

Gianni watched her eat the delicacy, getting more satisfaction from seeing her enjoyment of the treat than from eating his own. Leah had a way of expressing pleasure that attracted him. Whether it was her sentiment about seeing a new city for the first time, learning about art, wine, or a new food, she exuded the excitement she felt.

He liked that about her. And it translated into the bedroom, where he never had to guess if he pleased her. Leah showed him in many ways. It might be the look in her eyes, or how her skin flushed, but he always knew. The passion inside her could not be hidden.

The bottle of wine was half empty, and the caviar gone. Leah seemed relaxed, and chatted easily. He knew the wine agreed with her. She did look beautiful in the red dress with her hair clipped up, showing off her lovely neck.

The conversation waned, and Gianni looked into her brown eyes. She seemed to react to what he felt, and she gently bit her lower lip, but didn’t say anything.

“I want you to do something for me,” he said, heat burning in his loins at the thought.

Leah’s eyes were soft, and he could feel her willingness. She waited.

“I want you to reach up under your dress.” He watched her expression change. “Take off your panties and put them in your purse.”

“Right here in the restaurant?”

“Yes. Now.” He looked more intensely at her. “I hope you won’t disobey me.”

Leah hesitated a moment. He knew she considered whether he would punish her in public, and knowing that he might, she glanced away, as if deciding how to proceed.

Gianni watched as she leaned forward a little. Leah glanced around to see if anyone was looking. Then she paused and looked back at him.

“It doesn’t matter if anyone sees,” he said. “Please do what I asked you to.”

Lifting up slightly, Leah bent enough to get her hands under her skirt and quickly complied with his order. Embarrassed, she leaned to the side and quickly stuffed the panties in her purse. Blushing, she looked back.

How they could do all they did together, and yet she could blush, endeared him to her. Gianni liked for her to blush. He liked to know he got to her. What he had asked wasn’t easy, and yet she had done it anyway. “Is it exciting to know that you are bare under that satin skirt?”

Leah’s eyes were big. “It’s…exciting…yes.”

He placed his palms on the table. “Sit with your legs open.”

She moved, and Gianni knew she had complied. “Stay like that until I tell you otherwise.”

Leah drank more wine, and so did Gianni. The atmosphere between them was sexually tense. He envisioned doing many things to her, but that would be later. For now, she would do what he had in mind.

“With your napkin over your lap, reach under your dress and touch your thigh.”

Slowly, Leah did as he asked.

It was good she had worn a dress with a full skirt, as it made for easier access. “How do you feel now, with your fingers touching your bare thigh?”

“I…I’m pretending it’s you. It’s turning me on.”

Gianni smiled. “Yes, baby. That is good.” He enjoyed looking into her soft brown eyes, and seeing the emotion there. “Lean back in your chair. Reach up higher and touch between your legs.”

Leah did so, and made a quiet sound in the back of her throat.

He settled comfortably into his chair. “Play with yourself. I will be watching you.”

She hesitated. “What if the waiter comes with our dinner?”

He gave her a stern look. “That will be your misfortune, won’t it?”

Gianni could tell she wasn’t sure about proceeding. But Leah complied anyway. He could tell by the look in her eyes and the color in her cheeks. Her breathing was heavier.

“Are you embarrassed to touch yourself here in the restaurant where you might be discovered?”

She nodded.

“I didn’t hear you.”

“Yes, someone might see me,” she said, but not too loudly.

“It’s true, baby.” Gianni drank in the sight of her. “I want to watch you come, right here, in public.”

Leah said nothing.

“Did you understand me?”

“Yes.”

“And if anyone comes up to the table, you will not stop what you are doing.” He looked at her to be sure she understood. “If you do stop, there will be consequences.”

In a soft voice, she said, “Okay.”

Gianni leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his wine. Leah looked so damn beautiful that he nearly whisked her into his arms and carried her off. But impatience would not achieve what he wanted. “Feel your clit, baby. Make yourself come.”

Leah tensed.

“Relax, baby. You can do it,” he said. “Do it for me.”

Gianni watched. As Leah did as he ordered, her eyes softened. Her breathing was ragged, though she tried to suppress it. He knew she didn’t want to attract attention, and that made it more exciting. Her chest heaved with shallow panting.

It was a lovely sight, so sexy. Gianni saw her jaw tense, and her eyes half close. Then pleasure washed over her features as her body went rigid. With her other hand, Leah grabbed her napkin and placed it over her mouth to muffle the gasp that escaped her lips.

Then she relaxed, and after a moment she sat up a little more. Knowing she had climaxed across the table from him made Gianni’s cock hard as a rock. He reached over and took her hand. She looked questioningly into his eyes.

“You did good, baby,” he said. “I’m proud of you.”

Leah seemed to glow, and she lifted his hand to kiss his knuckles. It was gratifying to see that making her execute a difficult command had resulted in appreciation. She wanted him to challenge her. And the way she complied, no matter the trepidation she felt, was deeply satisfying.

The server arrived with the meals. “Good timing,” Gianni said to him. “Thank you.” Then he smiled at Leah. She smiled back.

The Nova Scotia lobster came with garden peas and butternut squash. Gianni had ordered it before at the café, and knew it would be good. Leah had the monkfish with morel mushroom. She slipped a bite into her mouth.

“How is it?”

“Mmm,” she said.

She meant the food, but Gianni was already thinking ahead. To
after
dinner.

“How is yours?” she said.

“Cooked perfectly,” Gianni said. For a few minutes, the food held his attention. It was delicious, and he was hungry.

Leah made it most of the way through her meal before pushing back her plate. “I’m full. It was so good, though.”

“I hope you saved room for dessert,” he said.

A glimmer came into her eyes. “Always.”

Gianni smiled. “I meant the Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge.”

“Which is?”

“A rich chocolate dessert with crisp meringue, vanilla ice cream, and dark chocolate glaze.”

“You seem to know the menu awfully well.”

Gianni laughed. “I just read it. But I know you love chocolate.”

She grinned. “I
do
love chocolate.”

Dessert was paired with espresso, and was the perfect end to the meal. On the way to the condo, Gianni held Leah’s hand. The back seat of the limo was dark, and the privacy panel was up. He could have had his way with her, but sometimes good things had to wait.

He lifted her hand to his lips and tasted the sweetness of her skin. Leah pressed her thigh against his. Turning her palm up, Gianni licked the soft inside of her wrist, tantalizing her. She put her head on his shoulder. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” she said. Leah put her hand on his thigh and squeezed. “And tonight was…it was amazing.”

He placed his palms on her cheeks and kissed her softly. “You were amazing.” He pulled back to look into her eyes. “And so naughty.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“You know what I do with naughty girls, don’t you?”

“Yes.” Desire shone in her eyes, and Gianni knew she was going to like what he had in mind. He certainly would.

“Naughty girls should be punished.” He saw the gleam in Leah’s eyes. “Don’t you agree?” He kissed her again, deeper this time, raking his tongue along hers. She tasted of wine and chocolate. The scent of her perfume wrapped around him.

Not another word was said. He put his arm around her, knowing the anticipation stirred Leah’s excitement. And he wouldn’t disappoint her. She deserved to have what she wanted. And Gianni was the man to give it to her.