Page 47 of Wicked (Wicked Billionaires #2)

DANTE

We awake in bed together, but we are not spooning. I’ve never spooned with a woman, and it’s something I’m not interested in doing. I usually don’t even sleep with women I take.

Our bodies are connected as I awaken, and our limbs are crossed. They must have found each other in the night and reached out for warmth or connection.

I’m unsure why Raven and I seem so comfortable together. It’s new to me. I file it in the too hard to understand basket, and I rise.

After breakfast, we go to the villa, and we talk to Maria. I explain as little as is needed, and we say nothing about the possible theme park. We simply say we have a special project.

The special project not being see how far I can push myself into Raven’s tightest places and make her come in every way possible.

We get all of Raven’s gear, and dear Maria is sorry to see her go. As she stands in the villa’s main doorway, she waves a final farewell.

Raven waves back, as she, Tito and I drive away in the Ferrari.

After buying fresh food, fresh bread, and fresh pasta at a nearby village, we head for home, for lack of a better term.

It gets me thinking, and I realize I don’t know that much about my student’s family. I look over at her as she takes off her sandals and stretches her bare feet. “You know a lot about my family. What about yours?”

As Raven gets comfortable, she peels her orange and feeds me. I don’t pull her up on the potential mess. It’s just natural and real, like her.

“Well, Mom was a writer, as you know. And I lost her when I was young.”

I already knew that but not that she was so young. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks,” she says with a sigh. “And Dad is a broker. Mostly company shares for wealthy individuals, plus some larger funds. We’re not that close. I think I’m more like Mom. Dad wanted me to study business, not arts.”

“So, no brothers or sisters, right?”

“That’s right,” she says, sounding like she’d like to have them. “I’ve got a lot of cousins scattered about, some I’m close to.”

“That’s good,” I say, starting to have feelings. Feelings I’m new to, or feelings I’ve always shunned.

Raven glances over, and our eyes meet and hold.

For some reason, we’ve been doing it more, and I’m embarrassingly new to relationships. My rule has always been: Do. Not. Have. Them.

That was so I can build the company, and it’s my oldest personal rule. My second rule is no sleep overs. My third, no spooning.

As I realize I’m slipping, I tell myself to look into it one day. Meanwhile, I have to prioritize; one thing at a time.

My first priority is round the wagons and save the castle. My second priority is to educate Raven. My third priority is to work out how to stop others claiming her while not letting myself fall for her. Not that I am.

“What are you thinking about?” Raven asks, feeding me an orange slice.

“Nothing,” I lie as I swing us into the driveway. “Mind your business.”

The orange explodes in my mouth, and it feels good to be home, for some reason, with Raven and Tito.

Tito looks at me in the mirror, and there is no way he can know I’m falling. “It’s not happening,” I tell Tito. Tito barks, and I shake my head at the universe.

“What’s not?”

“Change,” I say, driving the Ferrari up to the castle. “Change.”

As we pull up, Raven, Tito and I exit. “You do know the only constant in life is change.”

I don’t like it or the universe. “You should focus more on your studies,” I say coldly.

“Or what?” my playful student says. “I’ll be disciplined?”

We unpack, and it feels a little like high-end camping. That’s because we are holed up in one corner of the castle, and we’re not set up in a normal home or apartment.

Tito explores the castle more, but for some reason, he must like where we’ve based ourselves in the large room over the cliff. I get the feeling he enjoys our company, and it feels good to have him close.

I’ve never owned a pet, and one day I’d like a dog as a companion. Likely because I consider myself a lone wolf. A lone wolf with no one.

After we place our shopping in the main, massive kitchen, we drink expresso coffees.

Even if I want to take Raven now and teach her how to come another way, I have other responsibilities.

After agreeing on the day ahead, I prepare to check things around the property. As I dig deeper into the possible theme park, I make notes on one of the legal pads I keep around my laptop.

As Raven prepares to write fireside, I pause, curious. “So, tell me, what’s it really about?”

I already know her novel’s basic theme, but I’m keen to know more than the concept. I’m becoming more interested in Raven’s mind and not just penetrating the inner spaces of it to send her over the edge. Or her perfect body.

I know she does not write fast, disposable garbage, and I respect her for that.

For someone so young, she has an incredibly sharp mind, and whether I like it or not, she keeps me on my toes.

I’ve dated far too many vacuous pop stars, actresses, and heiresses who seem to only care for material goods, vacations, and social media.

Raven is unique and in a class of her own.

As Raven plays with Tito’s ear, she contemplates her reply.

“As I’ve said, it’s about life. But also, synchronicities, coincidences, and energy.

At the same time, it’s about several people meeting and, well…

living life. Loving. Exploring, and traveling.

It’s basically high concept, entertaining, I hope, and a fresh observation of life… I guess.”

I nod deep in thought, and I’m still unsure who the main characters are. I read a chapter, several days ago, and it was surprisingly good.

“Interesting,” I say as I think on. I try to imagine it more fully, when I realize Raven is likely the most cerebral woman I’ve spent any real time with. That I like.

“I’ll let you read it all soon. You can be the first.”

“Thanks,” I say. “I’d like that.”

I know I’m becoming too open, too honest, and too available, but screw it. Raven is honest, open, free, and uncomplicated, and I have no need to be a closed off cold arsehole right here and now. It’s okay to let my guard down for once, and if not now, with her, then when?

“If you do read it. That makes you the first in my body… and in my mind.”

Raven is standing at the fire now, and our eyes hold. Again, they don’t look away. I want to say something, only I can’t yet.

I want to say, “I want to be the last too, Raven. And there will be no other. You are mine, do you understand?”

I look into the fire, and I try to understand what the heck is going on and what to do.

I know Raven wants to write novels full time and to do less travel editing for others. Maybe a little nudge would help her along, and why the heck not?

“So, how about a deal?” I say without planning to.

“For what?”

“You dislike editing and writing travel fluff, correct? You also said, in your words, not mine, ‘I hate editing other people’s work. It’s like polishing turds.’”

Raven raises a brow, and she steps closer to me. “Okay, Grumpy, you’ve got my attention. Your deal?”

I step closer and I lift her chin. “While I get the theme park operational, you back away from the fluff, and you follow your dream. Then… first to finish gets to do anything they want to the other.”

Raven’s eyes explore me, and I know I’m getting too close to her. I’m in too deep.

Things are moving fast too, but are they moving dangerously fast?

This kind of deal will be tight, and I will soon have a huge amount of work. I will also be making a sizeable and complex commitment. Just as I realize it’s a foolish bet to make, Raven extends her hand.

Finally, I do the same, and we shake hands above Tito.

Raven then walks to her novel notes and her computer. “Now, I have to write, because that’s what I do!”

Tito and I watch her, and he looks up at me, unsure. “I’ll let you in on a secret, Tito. Mom’s a little crazy. Sure, she’s sexy and smart. But totally nuts.”

Tito barks, and I watch Raven dig in at the other end of the table. As she throws a scrunched-up piece of paper at me, I know she is different.

Different from all the rest.

As she focuses on polishing her hundred-thousand-word novel, I have even more respect for her. Few have the drive and discipline to pull off a novel, and even fewer allow themselves to be educated at the same time.

I turn to the large fireplace, and I stare into the swirling flames. As I contemplate my complex and colossal task, I think back to what Raven had said when she first pitched the idea.

Many of her ideas make sense, and I twirl the silver pen in my hand.

A theme park celebrating all things Italian and Tuscan would unite the family and bring us closer. It would also strengthen us as a family, like in the past.

It could save the castle and, yes, no doubt stimulate the villa and other local stores and businesses.

It’s a big task, but building my billion-dollar fashion company in NYC was herculean. Even if I do not look forward to the red tape here in Italy, it needs to be done.

“Fuck!” I mumble as I rub the back of my neck. I grab my notepad, jacket, and I call for Tito.

“Come on, boy, let’s go!”

Three hours later, with plans I’ve sketched on land use for the theme park and now fully emersed, I return with Tito. Raven is still in the zone, and she is working passionately.

Her brow is furrowed, and I can tell her powerful imagination is processing a million miles an hour. She’s cute when she does that, maybe too cute.

I want her to finish the book, and I know it’s important to her. I also like that her, or our, time here, is not just about her, or us, and me making her come. I like that we have to achieve other things too, and we have responsibilities.

I’ve met way too many women who float through life and hunt guys with money and empires.

That do not push themselves to create or build… anything.

I guess being a builder myself, I like others who strive to build something of their own.