Page 13 of The Midnight Club
She had no idea how soon her happiness would be shattered.
Tyson Janek stoodon the small boat as it pulled up alongside the jetty outside Ori’s apartment, but he made no move to get out. Instead, he stared up at the open window of where she had to be sleeping.So close …
So she’d scored herself a billionaire boyfriend, then?Maceo Bartoli.Tyson’s murderous jealousy had not been helped by what Harrison had discovered about the man. He was 39, an art dealer and gallery owner, involved in something called The Midnight Club. Bartoli was powerful, had friends in the Italian government, and was a ruthless businessman. But all that was nothing compared to Bartoli’s almost legendary status with women. If he wanted them, he could have them—his devastating good looks made sure that the world’s most beautiful women hung on his every word.
And now he had Ori.My Ori, Tyson seethed, but he did not show it on his face. He wondered if Bartoli would be unhappy when Ori died or if she was just another random fuck for him.
No.From the personality profile he had on the man, Bartoli might be a whore, but he treated all his castoffs royally. He was passionate and caring, even if commitment wasn’t his thing. Tyson had to admit, he probably suited Ori. Ori had always hated being tied down—Tyson smirked to himself,and literally too.
He nodded to the boat captain, who backed the small boat away from the jetty and out into the lagoon. No, Maceo Bartoli would mourn Ori, Tyson was sure.
But he’ll mourn her from the confines of a jail cell.
Ori walkedinto the gallery at a quarter of nine, nervous but excited. She saw Maceo already there, talking to a group of people gathered around one of the paintings. Clients, she guessed, and hovered in the background, not sure of what to do. She watched Maceo charm them, making them laugh, the women all tucking their hair behind their ears and standing a little straighter. Ori hid a smile.Man whore in everything,she thought without malice. She could see the danger of him—so easy to fall for, so difficult to let go.
Maceo noticed her, and a huge smile spread across his face. He excused himself politely and came to her. “And early, too. That’s always a plus” He kissed her cheeks, his green eyes twinkling at her. “Come meet some people and then we’ll get to organizing you”
The morning flew by as Ori didn’t have the time to worry as Maceo steered her through meeting clients and getting to know the staff. He introduced her as a friend of Lucia’s; she was glad, it saved her a lot of nervousness. Maceo, his hand on the small of her back, was professional all the way, and most of the young woman greeted her as an old friend. Ori wasn’t stupid; she knew Maceo had probably screwed half, if not more, of them, but to his credit, they all seemed to be on friendly terms with their boss. Only one woman, Cassie—the other American—Maceo had chuckled – a blonde with a sweet face, was cooler to Ori, her eyes searching her face, then resting on Maceo. A small smirk hitched up at the side of her mouth. Ori flushed, but Maceo didn’t notice anything.
“Cas, can I get you to show Ori somewhere she can dump her things? She’ll be hot-desking mostly for now. Ori, please excuse me for a few more moments while I show my clients out”
“Of course”
Cassie took Ori up a flight of glass stairs. A large open plan office lay on the second floor but Ori was amused to see huge tables filled with art materials as well as the usual desks. It was messy and colorful and Ori loved it. A few of the women working up there looked at her curiously. Cassie showed her a desk in the corner, a view out to the lagoon a welcome sight to the cramped space.
“You can use this one,” Cassie told her. “Maceo doesn’t care how you personalize it as long as you’re happy—but it doesn’t sound like you’ll be using it a lot. I hear you’re to be our new scout?”
Ori detected an undertone to her words but decided to ignore it. She didn’t want to fall out with anyone on her first day. “Apparently so. I’m excited to start”
Cassie took her through the computer and phone system, then showed her the bathrooms and kitchen, making them both a rather weak coffee. Ori sipped it, grateful despite the taste. Her nerves had only gotten worse since she got to the gallery. Cassie left her alone at her desk, and Ori took the chance to catch her breath and survey her surroundings. A small dark girl waved at her from across the room, and Ori smiled at her. The girl came over and sat on Ori’s desk.
“Hello, I’m Sirena, Maceo’s intern. Anything you need, just ask. I love your scarf”
Ori smiled at her. Sirena had a warm, friendly face, and merry, twinkling eyes. “I will, thank you”
They chatted easily for a few minutes before Maceo reappeared and spirited Ori away to his office. She was glad to see that the door had no window in it because as soon as it was shut, Maceo pushed her up against it and kissed her. She responded to his lips, but then gently pushed him away. “Maceo … I don’t think this appropriate at work”
Mace grinned good-naturedly and steered her to the couch. “Fair enough … although, seeing you in that dress, damn …” He leaned across to nuzzle her neck, and she couldn’t resist the feel of his lips on her throat. “I want to be inside you, Ori …’”
Her moan of desire gave her away, and in one movement she was under him. Mace pushed the skirt of her dress up as she fumbled with his fly and in seconds, he was thrusting into her. It was a quick, hard, dirty fuck, which left them both laughing and panting for air.
As she tidied herself up afterward, feeling his cum start to trail down her thigh, she rammed her legs together and gave him a disapproving look. “You just broke all my rules”
Maceo was grinning and unrepentant. “Bella, you have this effect on me. I cannot help how I feel. Now.” He sat down behind his desk and pulled her down onto his lap, “Tomorrow you and I fly to Paris. I have meetings set up for us all day at the George V. Potential new clients, all of them. Then the next day, we will scout some Parisian artists. My friend Benoit is already looking forward to seeing you again”
Maceo, Ori was discovering, worked at breakneck speed. “Paris? Tomorrow?”
Maceo grinned. “I told you this would be an exciting opportunity. We fly at ten a.m.”
Ori steppedout onto the balcony of their hotel suite. Paris, its lights twinkling in the dusk, stretched out before her. She breathed in the cool night air and listened to the sounds of the traffic drifting up from the streets below. They had been here for two days, and it had been a dream. Meeting prospective clients had been nerve-racking, but she found Maceo could charm anyone. He was aware of her nerves and guided her through the meetings, giving her tips on what the clients liked and what they expected, and soon she was finding her footing. They had dinner with a couple of Maceo’s oldest and most loyal customers, and then Maceo had taken her back to their suite and fucked her brains out all night long.
Ori laughed to herself now. She couldn’t describe it any other way. Maceo, his grin broad and confident, had taken her on the floor, against the wall, in the shower— even, when the night was darkest, out here on the balcony, muffling her cries of pleasure with his hand so they didn’t draw attention to themselves. She shivered now, reliving the pleasure of his cock driving into her, his strong hands on her body.
She started as he slid his arms around her waist now, kissing her ear, her neck, her shoulder.
“Mio caro,”he whispered, his fingers splaying out on her belly, warming her skin through her thin cotton dress. “Don’t turn around”
Ori felt him ease her legs apart and lift her skirt from behind. She gazed out at the night as he slid gently into her and then she sighed as he began to move, one hand cupping her throat, his lips on her neck, the other hand finding her clit and kneading and rubbing until she was shuddering. She knew instinctively that this was not the time for screaming, but a slow, sensually journey to ecstasy.
