Page 24 of Attraction (Mobsters + Billionaires 3)
He lifts his chin. “So…are you okay with the fact that he doesn’t have a lot of experience?”
My inner mobster roars to life with an immediateyes.
I shrug. “Yeah. I mean…I like it a little too much, if I’m honest. But mostly, I’m afraid of overstepping with him.”
“You’ve only ever been kind to him. You two seem in tune with one another. I don’t think you could overstep with him.”
Joe says this resolutely, as though he knows it to be true without a shred of doubt. He’s not one to blow smoke up my ass, so I find myself trusting his words.
He lifts his chin at me. “So, knowing that about him, does that mean there’s been forward progress on that front? Not going to lie, Rand would love to know that, for sure.”
I chuckle. “Oh, if he doesn’t know it already, he will shortly. I know they talk, the three of them.”
“I like that they’re good friends. It’s nice they have each other to confide in.”
“Nice and dangerous,” I answer with a grin.
Joe grunts in return, pumping the heavy weights. “Okay, so things are progressing. But I know it’s slower than someone like you is probably used to. Is that difficult?”
I shake my head. “I’ll let him take the time he needs, but it’s gotten to the point where it’s impacted myotheractivities.”
Joe’s eyes warm with understanding. “Can’t really taste the goods if you’re all in a tangle over your man.”
“Exactly. It’s been three months since I last had sex.”
Joe grimaces. “Damn. For you? I bet that’s a record.”
“I haven’t gone that long without sex since I started having sex. I know some people do this regularly, but it’s bullshit. I can tell you that much.”
“Thing is…you might need to sleep with somebody so you don’t rush forward.”
I shake my head, resolute.
“I would never rush that man. I’m complaining, but I’m not desperate. I promise. It’s just…I’m trying to turn over a new leaf with this nonprofit side of things, and he’s able to get me in with these fundraising galas and whatnot. I mean, sure, I’ve gone to one here and there, but it’s not my scene. So we decided to spend the gala season together.”
“Together as friends? Or lovers?”
“Friends, hopefully with the possibility of more. But there’s this guy who goes to a lot of these things. Fallon. An ex-boyfriend of his. I don’t know what his problem is, but he was definitely making fun of Ford. We pretended to be boyfriends, and he stopped as soon as he recognized me.”
Joe chuckles in the middle of a curl. “Bet you scared the shit out of him.”
“Well, Hopper showed up too, so…”
Joe puts down the weights, laughing hard. Shaking his head, he looks me over as if maybe getting the measure of me.
“Look, I’m sure your dad was like mine. The minute your balls dropped, he was there with the hired girl, making sure you knew how to have sex, that you looked like a real man.”
“Exactly. And what I’m saying is, somebody like Ford, I gotta let him lead the way, and…”
“I’m guessing letting others lead the way isn’t necessarily your forte.”
I shake my head. “It isn’t. Maybe that’s why I feel so discombobulated. Hell, if my father saw me now, he would say I’m being led around by my dick, that I’m not a man in charge.”
Joe winks. “Yeah, but that motherfucker’s dead, and you’re here, making money hand over fist, taking care of people, and enjoying the affections of a unique, beautiful man.”
I chuckle, and we walk out of the weight room. Joe goes to his bedroom, and I use the hall bath to change into swim gear. On the way through their beautiful penthouse to the greenery-filled deck, Joe turns to me.
“The more I separate myself from the Mafia, the more I understand how badass it is to walk through this world on your own terms. No doubt you like the fact that he’s a virgin. It probably tickles something barbarian in you. So taking it slow won’t feel natural, but you’re clearly willing to do it for his benefit. You’re putting him above yourself, and I can’t think of anything nobler than that.”
