“Seriously?” I rolled my eyes. “You’re older than me and should stay.”
“Nope. You like him. You stay.”
“I don’t like him.” I laughed like she was out of her mind. Why would I waste my time on a rich dude who saw me in my cleaning uniform three times a month. Please. He’d never give me the time of day.
“You do so. Your cheeks turn red when he’s around.” She pushed her hip out and put her hand on it. “Face it, DeeDee. You’re not good enough.”
“Okay, CeeCee,” I said in a sarcastic tone, matching hers. We only called each other those nicknames when we didn’t agree about something. “I’ve heard enough of your ridiculousness. I’ll wait.” I waved her off to leave.
“Good. Because I really want to buy our plane tickets tonight and we can’t until we get the tip.”
“Sure. And don’t turn the van on until I get there.” Gas was nearly five and a half dollars a gallon and she liked to listen to the radio.
“Fine.” She sighed, turned on her heel, and left.
“Oh, and turn off the music before you leave!” I shouted after her. We might get into trouble if Fabio caught us listening to his expensive sound system. Then again, if he had cameras in the place, he hadn’t called us out on it.
Oh well, I shrugged my shoulders, not giving the music another thought.
I went about inspecting the bathroom and nodding my approval. I still needed to put fresh linens on his bed. But I could do it in less than ten minutes.
Anyway, we had an hour before the Italian stud returned home. He seemed to make it a point to see us on our cleaning day. Most of our clients avoided us, which made me feel beneath them. The least they could do was pop in to say hi and tell us they were pleased with our work. Nothing more needed to be said.
Ferrari, on the other hand, asked questions. I couldn’t tell if he was being polite or if he was genuinely interested in how life was for my sister and me.
Perhaps he cared a little. After all, he’d paid well and had recommended us to some of his rich friends. We were able to afford to live in San Francisco and not commute into the city because of Mr. Ferrari and all the business he’d drummed up for us.
I was very grateful.
However, Celine still wasn’t a fan of Fabio’s despite his help.
I sighed, my chest warming as I stared out the wall of windows at the Golden Gate Bridge. The view was incredible and could be seen from his living room and bedroom.
But as spectacular as it was, it couldn’t hold a candle to Fabio Ferrari. After our very first meeting, I had deemed him the most handsome man on the planet.
It didn’t matter if he never smiled or laughed. Powerful, confident, sexy men like him didn’t have to.
What I wouldn’t do to live in luxury like him. His bathroom was larger than the one-bedroom apartment I shared with my sister. He had over three thousand square feet of space for only him.
Why did Fabio need so much room?
It wasn’t about why, but why not? The man could afford anything his heart desired. He could probably get away with anything and probably buy anyone he wanted.
I tilted my chin defiantly. He wouldn’t be able to buy me. Nope. Not in this lifetime. I wasn’t for sale and wouldn’t allow someone to use me, then toss me in the trash when he was finished with me.
On that note, I moved my body to the rhythm of the music as I spread my hands over his silk linens. Shaking my ass in time with my shoulders, I let the music bring me back to my happy place.
The only things missing in this place were decorations and a Christmas tree. If I had Fabio’s money, I’d deck the halls from the floor to the ceiling. Twinkling lights would trim the windows and fresh pine would fill the air. With his billions, all my holiday dreams and then some would come true.
All but one.
Fabio Ferrari.
2
Fabio
In five seconds, I’d be gone. Remo was always pulling this late shit with me. Like I didn’t have a life or other obligations. And he was the one who called this fucking meeting.
