My dick stiffens under the table as she stares directly into my soul, making me question my sanity. No one in their right mind can fall that fast. I pull my attention away from her ruby red lips parted so prettily and send my gaze up and down her form. Fuck, her tits are practically popping out of the dress that fits her too snugly. She presses her palm to her hip, almost posing for me and revealing a little more skin with that subtle move. I bite back a growl, wanting to scold her and wrap her up in my coat, so no one else can see her sexy figure.
Getting too carried away, I return my attention to her face and her not so subtle makeup. It’s not overdone, just well done and so alluring. I want to bite down on those cherry lips as she whimpers my name. Everything about her calls to me, and I know in that instant that I will make her mine. Never in my life has a beauty like her captivated me enough to forget business. I’d forgotten all the reasons why I’m in the house of one of my rivals, dealing with all my rivals.
The servers leave, closing the door behind them, stealing my queen from my sight. A low growl exits my chest, hating whoever stole her beauty from my presence. I have to know who she is, and I will find out.
“Gentlemen, you must forgive me. I must have a word with the young Mr. Bianchi.” I cock my brow up at him and realize that he’d been staring at me the entire time. Shit. Maybe from the look on his face, she’s not a honeytrap. Please don’t tell me she’s his daughter.
“Let’s do this.” I stand without fear and am grateful that my hard-on is covered by my suit jacket. I’d hate to make a fool of myself in front of these pussies that I could easily take out.
His guards and mine follow us out of the room and to his study, tensions high.
As soon as we’re inside, he turns our men and says, “None of you will be needed. This is a private conversation.” He sends his men first, so I nod to mine to follow suit. My cousin, Nero, hesitates and gives me a look to see if I’m sure, and I am, so I nod again. He takes his leave, closing the wooden door behind him.
He runs his fingers through his salt and pepper hair before he presses his finger into my chest. “I’m gonna be frank about this. She’s too fucking young for you.”
“What? Who?” I question, knowing he has to be talking about my future wife.
He tilts his head down, trying to keep his temper even, but when his eyes meet mine, there’s a look of understanding and concern. “Don’t play games with me. You were staring at my daughter like you’d found your soulmate or something.”
My mouth drops open. It’s not what I could have hoped for. She’s already taken. “Daughter? I thought your daughter was married.” I remember he and his wife were headed to the airport a few years ago.
“Yes, my eldest Gloria is married. Aria is the younger of the two.” Aria? What a beautiful name.
“When you say young…how young?” I need to know how fucking sick I am.
“Sixteen.”
“Son of a bitch. Sixteen.” Damn it. She’s not even legal.
“Yes. She’s a decade younger than you. I don’t know what your intentions are or anything, but she’s my little princess. So, even though we break laws for a living, it’s not one I’m willing to let anyone cross.” He’s right about her being too young for me; that’s for sure.
Can I wait for her to grow up? I know the answer before I finish the thought.
“I’ll wait for her,” I insist. There’s no doubt in my mind about it.
“Wait for her?” He sits on the edge of his desk, crossing his arms. I don’t know if he’s trying to create an imposing presence or just taking in what I’m saying, but the man isn’t gonna scare me away.
“Yes. You didn’t say she couldn’t marry me.” It’s a huge difference that I was quick to pick up on and will use to my advantage.
“You’re saying you want to marry my daughter?” he reiterates as if I can be any clearer on the matter.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. You didn’t say I didn’t deserve her; you said she was too young. In two years’ time, she’ll be legal in every fucking state in this country, and then she’ll be my wife,” I inform him because I’m not the kind to back off my word.
It takes him maybe thirty seconds before he sighs and stands. “Here are the rules, and I want you to understand that under no uncertain terms are they to be broken.” He tips his head and stares at me with his brows scrunched waiting for me to agree to hear them out.
I nod and cross my arms. “Okay. Let’s hear them.”
Clearing his throat he says, “One, you don’t speak to her at all. I want her to grow up without the pressure of a pending marriage. Two, you don’t fuck around on my little girl. If you can’t keep it in your pants for the next two years, then the deal’s off. I’m not giving my blessing to a piece of shit looking for a piece of property.” I nod as he speaks because the first one is for the best, even I can see that, and the second wasn’t even a thought in my head.
“Is that it?” I ask.
“You act like that’s not enough.”
“I have conditions as well. The first one you tossed out is difficult. Still, the temptation will be too great to ignore, so I will easily adhere to it, but that doesn’t mean I can’t see her from a distance. I’ll keep an eye on her always. That’s my condition to the first one.”
“And the second one?” His brow lifts on that one like he believes that’s a deal breaker. Not in my case, so if that’s what he had in mind, he picked the wrong guy to try that request on.
“The second’s easy. I’m still a virgin. It’s not something I’d like everyone to know, but we have standards in my family, and dicking hoes is against the rules. And my father believes any woman that’s not my wife doesn’t belong in my bed.”
“Those are good rules to live by. Still, you do realize that we don’t need to speak on this until she’s older. Maybe in a couple of years when you’ve had time to decide if she’s the woman for you.”
My fists clench at my side at the insult to both me and his daughter. I felt the connection with just a look. “No. I’m set on it. There is no way around it. Aria will be my wife one day. I knew the second she looked at me that she’d be the one.”
“Wow, you Bianchi men don’t play games. Your father is missing this important meeting for his anniversary, and now you’re swearing to wait to marry my daughter.”
“Women make the world go round.” I’m thinking about the day I can make his daughter round in the belly. Fuck, I shouldn’t be thinking about her that way, knowing she’s technically a minor and he’s standing right in front of me. Besides, I’m a fucking criminal, and she doesn’t look like a damn teenager so it shouldn’t matter, but I’ll wait for my queen to finish growing up.
“Smart man.”
“Just so we’re clear—I have your blessing?” I’m not leaving here without that reassurance. I don’t hedge bets. I follow through with everything, making sure there’s no fucking hiccups.
“You do, and will, if you hold up your end.”