Page 11 of The Agreement

“Wow,sei bellissima(you look beautiful).” Val blushed at the comment and offered him a smile. And as he looked at that, he noticed that even her makeup was minimal. She didn’t even have to overdo that to look gorgeous.

“Grazie(thank you).”

“And I like that your only piece of jewelry is your ring.” He held out his hand for her to take and walked her back to his car, opening the door for her and watching as she climbed in. Inwardly, he groaned as he watched her legs curl up into the car. He had always said he was a leg man and he never noticed hers, but fuck, he was noticing now. He closed her door and walked to his, trying his best to get out of his head.

“Whose club are we going to?”

“Pardon?”

“You said it’s a club, well bar, opening right? Whose is it?”

“Mine.” She blinked a couple of times and then turned to look outside. “Shocked?”

“Kind of, I guess. You never quite seemed to me like a club, or bar, owner.” He wasn’t quite sure why that pleased him. Maybe because that was something she had never known when they always claimed they knew everything.

“I have three, this is my fourth. My dad thought I needed my own businesses and I found I liked owning them.”

“Are they profitable?”

“Very, actually.” Vinny pulled up to the club and he saw the camera’s outside the doors. “Ready to make our grand entrance?” She looked over at him, a huge grin on her face.

“Let’s go surprise the masses.” He helped her out and walked the red carpet to the door, stopping for the media as he slipped his arm around her waist. He rather enjoyed the feel of her pressed up against him, and once the questions started coming, he walked away. He was told, as was she, that they were not to answer anything, just pictures. Vinny led her into the club and then took her hand, heading up into the VIP section.

“The bar is over there if you need anything, and the bathroom is behind you. Please, don’t leave this area and if you need to, come get me.” Val nodded, well aware of the fact that she had no one watching her but him and his guys. “What would you like to drink?”

“Cranberry vodka please.”

“What, no fu-fu drink?” Val laughed and walked with him to the bar.

“Maybe later, if I get drunk. But they can give me a headache so I try not to start out with them.” Vinny nodded and placed the order.

“I like that you came with me,” he said, taking her hand.

“I like that you asked.” Giovanni stared into her eyes, getting lost in their depths, and soon, nothing was existing but this woman before him. He tugged her hand as she closed the distance between them, his lips softly capturing hers.

~ Chapter 10 ~

It was simple and sweet and it sure as hell caused her heart to start doing double time, which was something she didn’t like and refused to examine why. But the sounds of cat calls and whistles soon broke them apart and as they did, she stared into his eyes. And she blinked as a flash captured her attention and she turned, seeing a cameraman there.

“Thanks for that shot, Vinny; the readers are going to love it.” Val quickly took a step back, her teeth grinding against each other. She should have known better! In fact, she would do well to remember that all of this is for show and that Vinny would never care for her as she would want.

“Glad you got it, Nico.” Nico smiled at Val but she couldn’t return it. ‘This is just a job, grin and bear it’, she kept repeating to herself. The pinch on her arm caused her to look at Vinny with a raised brow.

“What?”

“Remember, no bitchiness.” He handed her the drink and she took a sip, her eyes moving around the club in the VIP area.

“Remember, you are mine, so no playboy moves.” His lips, those so fucking soft lips, slowly lifted up and his hand rested on the small of her back. He leaned closer and the breath he released tickled her ear.

“Mi piace come hai detto 'mio'(I like how you said ‘mine’). Promise, no playboy moves. Unless,” he paused, looked around, and focused right back on her, “it’s on you.”

“Oh really?” She just looked at him and slowly shook her head at his chuckle.

“Come on, since you are part of my world now, you must meet some of my friends, and those within my family.” She swallowed at that. She knew most of his friends and family, and she fought the feeling of being like she was in enemy territory. “Of course, you know Salvatore.” Val offered him a smile, which he returned. “He’s my underboss, or will be.”

“Hello again.” Val tried her best to ignore the hand that was resting on her back. In some ways it would seem gentlemanly; in others, a sign of possession, so that no one around got the idea they could have her. And she would have thought that big shining rock on her hand would have been enough.

“Those are the twins, Johnny and Jay; they help me run the streets and keep it clean.” Val smiled at them both.

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