Page 31 of Forbidden (Wicked Billionaires #1)

LORENZO

I have to spend the afternoon with Dante in LA. I’m developing a large entertainment project with my fashion CEO friend, and it’s time to move forwards.

Dante lives in NYC, but this week, he is overseeing one of his creative designers shoot back-to-back videos and photos of their new campaigns. They are also shooting covers for his fashion magazines.

As we meet in LA, we go over the business plans, strategy, and details. Storm is shopping in Melrose, likely for books, but I hope it’s for panties, not that I want obstacles to being inside her.

After the long meeting, we decide to stay the night in LA, before we fly home.

Dante told me, Ryan Remington is back in town, while he’s starring in another large movie. He also told me, his brothers, Troy and Chris, are here too. It’s rare timing, and I call them immediately.

Ryan invites us to stay in his Beverly Hills home, and we head across LA.

Storm and I have dinner with Ryan, in his mansion, but his new wife Caroline is still shooting in Europe.

The Hollywood star is graceful, and humble, and I was hoping Storm and Caroline would get to meet.

Ryan’s brother Troy, and his super-agent brother Chris arrive for dinner. Dante arrives soon after his fashion shoot, and wine, whiskey and stories flow.

It’s great to see them all, we discuss the state of the movie industry, along with the fashion industry. It’s good to keep in touch with my friend’s, but it gets harder and harder, the more our businesses expand, and our empires grow.

Anastasia, their costume designer cousin, arrives from a movie-catwalk project, and her and Storm catch up.

After dessert, Ana and Storm give us a hard time about talking too much business, and for basically being guys.

As Anastasia and Storm head onto the marble patio outside, we guys drink whiskey near the pool, and tennis courts. We discuss the few white-hot scripts circulating, and who is making what complex movies.

Anastasia and Storm talk fashion, and I overhear Anastasia discussing her upcoming project. A movie about a famous fashion designer.

Even if Storm is not into glamour, or fashion, and she is more down to earth, it’s nice she’s getting to know my friends. As they both head back inside, Ryan asks when we leave for NYC.

I’m about to say sunrise, when Anastasia jumps in fast. “You are coming to the red-carpet event tomorrow, right?”

I look at Storm, and she shrugs. Anastasia does not help, and the pressure goes on.

“Lorenzo, you need to come. And so does Storm. The premiere should be good, and the movie was way over budget. But what big ones aren’t, huh?”

Troy and I share a look, we both know. We both finance movies and we do not like anything going over budget. Finally, I cave, and I wink at Storm, who is beaming.

“Perfect!” Anastasia says leaping up. “Just get her to me by five.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say, before my friends laugh.

As Chris updates us on the various talent agencies, that represent stars, directors and writers, I listen carefully. The information could be of use, and I swirl the whiskey in my cut glass tumbler.

Anastasia and Storm continue away to discuss outfits for tomorrow, and I flick a look their way.

“She really likes you.”

“What?” I ask looking back, confused.

Ryan said it, and I watch him, observe me. There is nothing to say, and I don’t appreciate being examined.

“Just be careful, with girls like that.” He says. “The pure bruise easily. You could mess her up, for good.”

I say nothing, but I feel my friend’s eyes on me, all of their eyes.

“This is different,” I growl, my jaw tense.

“Just be careful,” he says, calmly.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Just this,” he says, trying to cool things down. I know Troy, Dante and Chris are watching us closely, and Ryan stands to face me more fully.

Here we go.

“Are you sure she is ready for your kind of love?”

“Like I said, she’s different.”

“But are you?” I do not like his question, and I inhale, long and slow.

“Please be careful with her. She’s clearly a sweet kid.

I know she is not in showbiz, but I’ve seen many a sweet girl from small towns, arrive in LA and NYC.

Then get eaten up. Most leave soon after, and they are never the same. ”

My jaw clenches, and I do not appreciate a lecture, from anyone. I am also handling her with care.

“I won’t damage her!” I say, wanting to crush the crystal glass in my hand.

My closest friends, and I exchange glances.

I watch Storm and Anastasia laugh freely above us now in the kitchen. They are looking at dresses laid out on a table, and they’re in a passionate conversation.

“I fucking love her,” I say, before turning back to my friends.

“I can see,” Ryan says, before smiling, and resting a hand on my shoulder. My friends nod slowly getting it, and realizing it’s my first time.

“So, onto other things,” Ryan says, breaking the energy. “When does your poetry book come out, and your range of candles?”

I double blink and Ryan runs fast. He has to.

I streak after him. “Son of a bitch!”

The guys behind me, laugh loud, and I chase the playful Hollywood star up his marble stairs.

Upstairs, he is smart enough to run behind Anastasia, Storm and the large table of costumes, and dresses.

The girls squeal at the chaos, and I slow, and shake my head.

“What gives?” Storm asks.

“You!” Ryan says, out of breath.

“Nothing!” I say embarrassed.

Our eyes meet, and Storm knows it’s not nothing. She steps closer. “Is it about sex on the boat up the river, with the monkey? It was, wasn’t it?”

Before I can say anything, Anastasia screams with laughter. We all shake our heads, and Anastasia looks between Storm and me. “I like this one,” she says, “You need to keep her. At all costs.”

Storm and I look back at each other, it suddenly just got more complicated.

The next day is relaxing, and Storm and I travel through Los Angeles, and top shopping districts in Beverly Hills. I borrowed Ryan’s Ducati motorcycle, and Storm and I have fun racing through the city.

We drop by Dante’s fashion shoot, because I want Storm to get a feel for what we do.

I like that she’s not part of our strange businesses, because I’ve seen it tarnish people’s souls.

I’ve also seen it change people, and I’ve seen people create huge egos. I love that she has a more normal day job, even if she wants to push deeper into graphic design.

The fashion shoot is large, it’s for a new hotshot fashion designer in Dante’s stable. There are cameras on various cranes, and they are on a large, blocked off LA street.

Catwalk models in all kinds of clothing, and cars are lit up, the fashion is edgy and fresh.

Storm watches in awe, and I’m happy she’s starting to understand what me, and some of my friends do.

After peeling away, leather clad on the Ducati, I have a meeting with one of the entertainment banks I deal with. Storm meanwhile enjoys a city art gallery.

I pick her up from the gallery, then drop her to where Anastasia is consulting, at a large movie studio head office in Beverly Hills.

The girls aim to go over clothing, hair and make-up for tonight, and I agree to meet them at the event. As I climb nervously back onto the Ducati, I feel like I need to make sure she’s alright. “Look, are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Of course.”

I look up at the movie studio’s twenty plus story building. It’s high class. The security guard at the door, also looks solid. I finally nod, convinced she will be safe. “Call if you need anything.”

Storm leans in, and she wraps her arms around my neck. She then plants a juicy kiss on me.

After she pulls back, I rev the high-performance bike, ready to go.

Suddenly, I turn back, the black helmet and visor covering my face. “Panties! Even if I want you without panties around me. Panties. Around. Public.”

Storm raises a brow, and she puts her hands on her hips, “Maybe. Bossy.”

I shake my head, rev the Ducati hard, and I race down Beverly Hills, and into the distance. I think about my girl without panties, and I think about how she will have to be punished.