Page 30 of Nobody's Girl

“It’s a done deal,” Ivo grinned, shrugging. “Maceo will be there,” he told her, mentioning the art dealer she had met in Venice. Maceo Bartoli had been a riot, fun-loving but also very serious about his work – and her work. It made her feel better that he would be there tonight.

“Some other friends from the art world too. Floriana Mallory will be representing the Mallory’s, you’ll love her. You’re both quite…how can I say it…alternative. Geeky goddesses.”

Sofia laughed. “Geeky Goddess? Is that how you see me?”

“Definitely.” He bent his head and took her nipple into his mouth.

Sofia considered, cradling his head in her arms as he pleasured her. “I kind of like that. Oh, and that…”

Ivo had switched to her other breast now, teasing the small bud until it was rock-hard and sensitive and Sofia gave a soft moan, closing her eyes. She felt his lips against hers again as he moved on top of her. She wrapped her legs around him, feeling his cock nudging at her cunt then sweeping in with a firm thrust. She opened her eyes to see him gazing down at her, his eyes soft with lobe.

“Still nervous about tonight?” He whispered and she shook his head as her body reacted to him.

“No…Not anymore, Ivo…not anymore.”

Felix Hammond – aka Grant Christo – listened to them making love through the bug he’d placed in Sofia Amory’s bedroom. He closed his eyes and imagined it was him fucking that beautiful girl, making her cry out and come. When Tamara had sent him here to make her ex-step-sister’s life a living hell, she hadn’t mentioned a lover. Perhaps she didn’t know.

No matter. He was here to do a job. Tamara’s instructions were clear – ruin Sofia’s peace of mind, her burgeoning career. Get her back to New York City. They would keep her as their sex slave, Tamara said, before they eventually killed her. Her eyes had been alive with arousal as she described the horrendous things she had planned for Sofia Amory.

“I want to break her,” she had hissed, astride him, riding his cock hard as she detailed the things she wanted to do to her nemesis. Now, Grant could see why Tamara was eaten up with jealousy over Sofia. Sofia was beautiful, exquisitely so, soft and lovely. Something Tamara could never be. Tamara had looked down at him as she fucked him to an explosive orgasm. “I want to watch you kill her slowly,” she had said, her face sweating with desire and rage in equal measure. “I want to watch her die on the blade of your knife.”

Grant smiled to himself now, listening to Sofia Amory’s cries of passion. No problem, he thought. As soon as he had seen her in the flesh, his hands itched to both fuck her and drive a knife deep into her. He could imagine the confusion, the pain on her face as he stabbed her to death. Why? She would ask. Why? As she bled out in his arms.

But he wouldn’t tell her. Sofia Amory would never know why she was being to brutally murdered – because the reason was simple and incomprehensible.

Because I wanted to kill you. Grant gave a soft chuckle and went back to listening to the girl whose death was all he could now think about.

Chapter Twelve

Sofia’s hands were trembling so much that she had to shove them between her knees. She and Ivo were in a cab on the way to the gallery. Ivo had warned her there would be press but when she stepped out onto a red carpet and flashbulbs started to pulsate, she gave a squeak of alarm and backed into Ivo’s arms. He chuckled and bent his lips to her ear.

“It’s okay, darling. Just hold my hand and I’ll get you through this.” He was true to his word, guiding her through the throng with only a few catcalls coming her and Ivo’s way. She guessed that their relationship would be public knowledge from now on and it made her feel a little sad.

Inside, Ivo took her coat, sweeping an admiring glance over the lilac dress she wore. It was form-fitting, hugging her breasts, her curves, and the color was rich against her dark skin. Ivo steered her into a private space before kissing her. “You look so beautiful, baby.”

Sofia kissed him back, pouring all her nervous energy into the kiss until, laughing, Ivo had to break away.

“I’ll never make it through this if I’m ‘tenting’,” he said, nodding down to his obvious erection. He looked glorious in a dark grey suit, the blue shirt he wore underneath playing up the green of his eyes. Sofia leaned against him.

“I love you, Ivo Zacca. This is all your doing, thank you.”

“You’re welcome but you give me too much credit. We are a team, you and me. For all time.”

Sofia nodded, love making her body warm, her nerves relax. “For all time,” she agreed. Ivo smiled at her.

“Ready?”

She took a deep breath in. “Ready.”

Elli Navaro threw her arms around Sofia. “Sweetie, it’s so good to see you.”