Giovanni

The weight on my shoulders is slowly taking a toll on me. I can’t keep juggling the responsibility of being the Italian mob boss and trying to make sure my daughter is taken care of. To top that off, there's a million paperwork ready to be filed. After my wife passed, I just couldn’t hire a secretary. It would feel like I was replacing her bringing a woman in my home. Luca, my second-in-command, has been filling the position so far, but now he’s training his son, Lucien, and very busy with other things. It was time to fill the position.

I’ve been sitting here since this morning interviewing women to fill the secretary position. Most of them were dressed in skin-tight dresses with no knowledge of how to even turn on a computer. They were here for one reason only—to weasel their way into my bed, hoping to become the new queen. No way in hell was that happening. I swore off love when my wife was brutally gunned down and killed.

That was the day my heart froze.

No longer the man I used to be.

The man who was once a warm and loving husband and father became a heartless and cruel bastard.

My heart only had room for one person now.

My daughter, Caterina Lucchese.

I glanced up when Luca led in who I thought would be another harebrained woman. Should've kicked Luca's ass for putting the secretary position on damn Facebook. I told him I was fine to do it on my own, but he insisted. He may be my second-in-command and best friend, but sometimes he really did do stupid things. Putting that advertisement up on the internet was like putting a bull's eye on me. I ran my clubs legally, but also had an underground casino. I’ve got enemies ready to make a move from the shadows. My eyes landed on a pretty little blonde with the deepest blue eyes I'd ever seen. Her face reminded me of the way my Rachel used to look at me. Luca curved his lips, cocking his head to the side. Waiting for a reaction from me. She pushed her glasses up her nose as she raised her head. My heart began to beat erratically as she held the paper to her chest. I watched the rise and fall of her chest, she was nervous. Rose was a true beauty, just like Rachel.

Stop it Giovanni, just interview her and send her on the way.

I watched as her heels clicked across the floor, and she sat in the chair, nervously biting her lip. My eyes traveled up the curves of her creamy skin, taking in her beauty. Suddenly, I began to feel pounding in my chest. My breath hitched in the back of my throat as I tried to keep it under control. I cleared my throat as Rose took a seat from across me. “Let's get this over with. You know how to turn on a computer, send e-mails, familiar with a filing system?”

She gave me a curt nod and slid a typed document across to me. I tried to advert my eyes from glancing between those perfect globes, just begging me to touch them. Fuck, it suddenly felt so hot in here.

Why was it so damn hot in here?

I tugged at my collar in attempt to cool down. “Everything you need is in my resume.”

I skimmed through the work history and that's when I saw it. Nikolai Vasiliev, the Russian lad I had saved from the bastards who betrayed me. “You worked for Mr. Vasiliev? It says here he referred you.”

“Yes, sir. I worked for him for five years. He said you was in need of a secretary.” I hoped he hadn't referred her to set me up with a woman. He knew of my struggles with women. Don't get me wrong, I love to fuck a woman.

Just not love one.

“Everything seems to be in order.” I looked at the top where her name was printed. “Rosemary Hamilton.”

Just like that, I knew I was in trouble.

Luca’s grin told me he knew it, too.

I barely knew the woman, yet I wanted to know more about her.

“Please, just Rose.” She shifted in her seat and buttoned her jacket.

“Can you start in the morning?” Finally, someone that wasn’t a complete moron.

“Yes, oh, thank you so much. So, I'm hired?” Her blue eyes lit up, and she bounced in the chair a bit. Advert my gaze away from her breasts, I found myself licking my lips. In all my life had, I've never been affected like this by a woman---except for Rachel.

Control yourself, Giovanni. Don't come on to strong.

“Yes. Be here by seven in the morning. Before I forget, you need to look this over and sign it. I'm sure you're familiar with a non-disclosure agreement.” I picked up the contract, sliding it toward her.

“Of course.” She leaned forward, taking the packet. My fingers brushed hers lightly and something awoke inside me.

“Luca, escort her out. And Rose, be on time. I don't tolerate tardiness.” I gazed down at her, taking in her body one last time.

“Yes, sir.” There were those fucking words again that made me want to claim her as mine. The twitch beneath my zipper made my pants suddenly feel uncomfortable. A groan escaped my mouth, knowing what I'd be doing tonight—taking an ice-cold shower. Rose swayed her hips a little too much as Luca escorted her out the door. I clenched my fists, a feeling of jealousy bubbling in my veins. Letting out a breath, I leaned back as I rubbed my temples. Luca returned with a grin.

“She’s a very pretty one.” Luca remarked, making me clench my jaw.

“Get back to work and wipe that stupid grin off your face.” I wanted to hit him so bad right now.

She had only been here for barely twenty minutes, and she had my cock hard as a rock. I can’t pursue her no matter what feelings was stirring inside me.

No, stop it, Giovanni.

She's going to be your employee.

She's completely off limits.

Do not think of her like that.

Just leave the poor woman alone.

Loosening my tie, I glanced down to credentials and there it was begging me to pick it up. Her picture called to me like a siren. Rosemary Hamilton, like a beautiful rose. Tracing the photo, I wondered if she was a taken woman. There wasn’t a ring on her finger, so she was definitely not married. My fingers plucked her picture and I slid it into my jacket pocket. I placed the paper in an empty file and closed it, leaving it on my desk.

___

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual because of that damn dream I’d had about Rose. Those blue eyes had haunted me throughout the night and even in my shower. I took my time in the shower, trying to prolong going downstairs. The ice-cold water hit my body as I entered the shower. I must’ve been under here about thirty minutes trying to get rid of the thoughts of her. I turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist. Wiping the mirror, I looked at my reflection and sighed. “Get a grip, Giovanni… she’s just a girl.”

I dressed in my suit and tie, and kept cursing myself for thinking about the blonde. Slipping in my office, I sat down at my desk rubbing my temples. Just as I instructed, Rose strolled in right on time.

“The contract is all signed and ready to go.” The minute I looked up, I instantly felt hot. In fact, I was burning up with desire.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I never react this way.

She wore her blonde hair in a fish-tail braid, which exposed her neck—a neck I wanted to kiss. The knee-length dress made her legs look even more beautiful She followed me to her desk across the room, nervously taking a seat and peered up to me.

“Here's your desk. Just finish typing these, and bring them to me when you're done. I want you to have lunch with me to discuss a few things.” I wanted to know if she was a taken woman.

“Yes, Mr. Lucchese.”

Christ, I've got to get a grip on myself before I explode.

Deep breaths, Giovanni.

In and out.

Inhale.

Exhale.

I walked away before she could see just how turned on I was. I didn't need her to see that, especially on the first day.

It was only half past ten, and I had been hard since I had shown her to her desk. Trying to focus on the papers she had brought to me was proving to be a challenge. I stole a glance and I wished I didn’t. I was disgusted with myself at feeling aroused. My cock was throbbing. Luca glanced to me then to Rose once again. I glared at him, warning him to knock his shit off. It didn’t bother him, though. It only made him silently chuckle at me.

Luca threw me a smirk as he strolled in and walked past her desk. “Good morning. You look beautiful today, Rose.”

Anger built up inside me as I watched him wink at her. I snapped the pencil in half and pounded my palm against the desk. The crack echoed through the room, causing Rose to jump. Luca turned his head, completely unfazed by my outburst.

Luca raised an eyebrow, “Boss, something wrong?”

“Get out. Don't you have work to do?”

He wants to play games with me?

Bring it, Luca.

He may be my best friend, but I wouldn't hesitate to put him in his place.

“Chill out. I was coming to see if we were still on for lunch.” I looked down at my watch and saw it was almost noon. Had I really been thinking dirty things about my secretary for an hour and a half?

“I have things to attend to.” I was going to go to lunch with Rose.

“Whatever. I'll see you soon, Rose.” She ignored him and walked to the cabinet, placing files into it. Rose walked back to her desk and bent over to retrieve her purse. I tried everything in my power to look away, but it was like I was in a trance. She was a tease, but didn’t even know it.

“What did he mean by see you soon?’” I spun her around, gently wrapping my fingers around her wrist.

“N — nothing. He just wanted to know if I wanted to grab a drink with him.”

“Come on, let's go.” I took her downstairs and lead her to the dining room. There was already steak, baked potatoes, and salad ready for two. I had Isabella whip something up for her. She looked uneasy as she sat in her chair. “You didn't have to do this.”

“It's fine.” I took a closer look at her, noticing that under all that makeup was a bruise on her cheek. I brought two fingers up and gently traced it. “Who did this to you?”

“I—I don't know what you're talking about.” She turned her head to the side, avoiding any eye contact. I knew she was lying, but for now, I'd leave it alone.

“My mistake.” If anyone could spot abuse a mile away, it was me. I'd seen it many times from the women who worked at my club. Hell, I'd even witnessed it countless times from whenever I'd gone to collect from the men who owed me money. I would have to give Nikolai a call and ask him what had happened to her.

When we finished eating, I took the opportunity to address the reason I had brought her here. “Married? Boyfriend?” I wiggled my eyebrows and smirked, “Girlfriend?”

“None of the above. Now, will you show me back to the office? I'd like to get back to work.”

“Wait, the reason I called you down here is to ask if you want to go to dinner tonight. So my little Rose, will you?” I asked.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’d better go.” She replied.

I stood up and threw down my napkin. How could she make me feel all these things? I'd emailed Nikolai and asked him if she was living with someone an hour ago. An email came through my phone telling me she had just gotten out of a bad relationship. He went on to say she lived alone in a ratty apartment. Nikolai explained how he had tried to get her out of there, but she refused. Then, Nikolai had his men move her into his estate. Of course, she was angry.

I'd have to fix that.

“Sir, I'm leaving now. Do you need me to do anything else for you?” I wanted to say stay and have dinner with me, but refrained from doing so. I didn't want to scare her away on the first day.

She's your employee. Stop it.

Nothing can become of us.

“No, I need you here in my office at eight in the morning. I have some notes I want you to take.”

Ten minutes later, I was sitting in my office when Luca came in looking cocky as ever. “You're not to touch her, and that is a direct order.”

He held his arms up in surrender. “I was just trying to figure something out.”

“And did you figure it out?”

“Yes. She's getting to you.”

“No, she isn't. She's just my secretary. Nothing more.”

“Are you going to the club with me?” Luca asked.

“I think I'm going to call it an early night.” I replied.

Luca shrugged his shoulders and left without another word.

Laying in the bed in only my boxers, I rubbed my face and groaned. “Be strong, Giovanni.”

No, don’t give in to the temptation.

Just go to sleep and clear your thoughts.