Rocco hummed and stroked his thumb over her skin. “I promised you Carla.”
“You did, and I still want to kill her,” Alessa said, “but I’m not really in the mood for it right now.”
He held her hand tighter. “Then Carla can wait. They’re secured.”
Alessa was silent for several seconds.
Rocco watched out the side window as Em pointed them toward home.
“I have to call in,” Alessa said suddenly, her words quiet, almost hesitant. “Report the job complete.” She gripped his fingers as if holding onto him for support. “But I … want to tell the boss that I have some unfinished business that came up. Something I can’t leave undone.”
Rocco turned his attention back to her.
She met his stare, her eyes searching and alarmingly uncertain. “That might buy me another day, two at the most.”
Rocco bit back a curse. She still thought she was leaving. “Then tell him what you need to tell him.” And he would take full advantage of the extra time to convince her that the only reason she ever went back to Newark would be for a family visit.
Chapter thirteen
The Call
Rocco lived in apenthouse, of course. It was quintessential billionaire bachelor in the heart of one of the most notorious, bustling cities in possibly the entire world. And not just any penthouse, either. A two-level glass palace with sweeping views of the Vegas Strip that put even her view from the hotel to shame. Ceiling heights that probably pushed the entire thing into a three-floor unit under a technicality. And for the cherry on top—private roof access, leading to a rooftop deck, outdoor cooking setup, and even arooftop pool. It was as over-the-top as it could be. It dripped of luxury, wealth, confidence, and authority.
It felt exactly like the home the most powerful man in Las Vegas, maybe the entire state of Nevada, should feel.
Alessa soaked in every detail as he guided her through the large open spaces, up the steps that had somehow been worked so seamlessly into the design her eye had skipped right over them, and ultimately into his ensuite. He had a wet-room with a massive shower space, built-in bench, and large, modern soaker tub. Instead of being beneath a window, the tub was positioned beneath a skylight that would, at night, provide a direct view of any visible stars—or the glow from all the neon. And nearly everything, from the floor up the walls, was black marble. Except for the vanity countertop, which looked like the exact same pattern, but with the colors reversed. The traces of ivory in the marbling had become a marble base, and the polished black the accent. It was stunning.
Rocco indicated the laundry—an actual laundry chute, which descended to his resident housekeeping crew who lived in the unit below—and they shed their soiled clothing. “It won’t be their first time dealing with bloodied clothes, and they know not to ask questions,” he assured her as they stripped.
Alessa smiled, but something inside her had begun to twist. Was this already the end? Were they already done?
Had she been a fool for thinking, for even a second, that they were or could be anything beyond a convenient fling?
A secondary surge of water startled her into focus, and Alessa turned toward the sound. The tub was already filling,and water rained down from the showerhead just feet to the side. Rocco strode toward her, completely naked, all hard muscle and dark, hungry eyes.
“Come on,” Rocco said, catching her by the arm and tugging her closer. “Let’s rinse off before we soak.” He leaned closer and trailed his lips over her hairline. “Don’t get shy on me now, beautiful.”
A choked laugh escaped her at his suggestion and she allowed her feet to move. “I haven’t rinsed off before getting into a body of water since I was a kid, and then it was an outdoor shower by a pool.”
He chuckled, crowding her beneath the spray and sliding his hand over her back. “We could jump in the pool later if you want.”
Alessa tipped her head back, letting the water hit her face and soak into her hair as it rolled down her neck. “I’ll think about it.” She wanted to, in the same way that she was quickly becoming afraid to get too comfortable, and even more afraid it might already be too late.
Rocco pressed a kiss to her shoulder before moving to catch some more of the water for himself. Despite the look in his eyes, he made no attempt to seduce her before turning off the shower and guiding her to the tub. He turned that off, too, since it had filled nicely, and climbed in before extending a hand to her. “Get that gorgeous ass in here and sit on my lap. We’re going to stay in this tub until the water’s cold and neither of us can move—for one reason or another.”
“Oh, are we now?” Her gaze flicked, momentarily, to the pair of phones that sat on the shelf just within reach. Shedidn’t remember setting her phone there. Still, she accepted his hand and stepped into the tub. A soft sigh escaped her at the perfectly heated temperature of the water.
“Flirting already, I see,” Rocco teased. He tugged her against him, heedless of his hardened cock.
Alessa squirmed until she had crawled backward up his torso, enough to hug his cock with her thighs and flatten her back against his chest. Then she let herself relax, her head automatically rolling in toward his as he curled one arm around her abdomen, just under her breasts. “I was too exhausted last night to notice,” she said softly, “but you’re kinda comfortable.”
Rocco vibrated with a low chuckle. “Well you should know, if you crash on me like this, I will absolutely take advantage.”
She nearly told him to go right ahead, but caught the words before they could stumble stupidly off her tongue. Instead, she flicked water in his direction and mockingly scolded, “Is sex all you think about?”
His rumble turned into a deep, delicious growl. “When you’re pressed against me like this? Yeah. It is.”
Heat flashed through her that had very little to do with the steamy bath water.
