She's driving me crazy, and I need to get a fucking grip.
The car pulls up in front of Father's club, and I climb out, heading directly to his office.
"My boy!" he exclaims, coming to kiss my cheeks before motioning me to sit down.
"Was there something urgent, Father?"
"I've been talking to Tito, and I've decided to let you manage the Midtown venues." Tito is my father's first cousin and hisconsigliere.His background is in the stock market, and he's ensured that our family's assets have multiplied over the years—to insane amounts.
"What prompted this decision?" I ask, curious. The Midtown branches of our restaurant are the most famous and the most exclusive. The fact that Father decided to hand them over to me is no small matter.
"You're finally a man, Enzo. You have a wife now, albeit one that I don't approve of, and will soon have a family. It won't be beneficial for you to keep traveling for your art business. Not when I'm anxiously waiting for a grandson."
I let a slow smile envelop my features, showing my appreciation for such an offer. But on the inside, I'm thinking of the unspoken.What will Father do if I take over?
"Of course. That's very generous of you, Father."
"You must know that I expect to become a grandfather soon, though." He reiterates his point, this clearly being the main reason for the sudden switch in leadership.
It's not the first time my father has brought up his desire for an heir. Ever since he had a stroke a couple of years ago, he's been faced with his own mortality and the possibility that his line might die out. He'd promptly started to negotiate a contract with Guerra, his goal to have me married and with a child by this year's end. I'd postponed as much as possible, in part because of my dislike of Gianna Guerra and partly because Ididn't wantto get married.
And now a child on top of everything?
"Yes, indeed. I'm sure Allegra will manage to surprise us soon," I lie, because how could she when I haven't even touched her?
Father grunts, and the topic swiftly changes to the management of the restaurants. We spend a couple of hours outlining the different strategies, and Father lets on that after I've given him an heir—and only then—he will include me in the other part of the family business—fine by me, since I'm in no hurry to do either.
It's late at night when I finally make it back home. We'd spent the entire afternoon in meetings with Father's subordinates, making plans for my future takeover.
I head to the room, my eyes heavy with sleep, my hands rushing to unbutton my shirt and take off the rest of my clothes. I probably shouldn't have consumed even more alcohol. But when the elders drink, you have to follow suit.
I open the door slowly, tiptoeing around the room. Allegra is already in bed, and the soft sound of her breath lets me know she's fast asleep.
Kicking my clothes to the side, I slide under the coverswearing only my boxer briefs. On my back, I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and trying to get some rest.
"Mhmmm," Allegra's small sounds make me crack an eyelid open. Some shifting and a little shuffling, and she's onmyside of the bed, inching her way closer to me until her leg is resting over my body, her arm draped around my midriff.
It seems my little tigress is drawn to me—at least unconsciously. I look down at her sleeping face, so peaceful and so heartbreakingly innocent. Swiping my hand across her cheek, I catch a stray strand, tucking it behind her ear.
"Mhmmm," another sound escapes her lips as she burrows her face deeper into the crook of my neck, the small, ticklish movements making sure that while I may be sleepy, another part of me is not.
Damn!
If she's going to keep this up, then I'm not going to get any sleep soon, and a visit to the bathroom might be forthcoming.
Her lips part, and my eyes are drawn to her rosy mouth, the thought of it wrapped around my cock making me groan.
This isn't working.
Why did I think it would be a good idea to share a bed? It's not the first time that I've had this reaction to her, so I must be a glutton for punishment. And blue balls will be a constant on the menu.
I close my eyes and count to ten.
Allegra lifts her face, trailing her nose around my collarbone until she reaches my neck. I look down at her, and I'm met by her eyes—wide open.
She scrambles back as if burned, a look of disgust on her face.
"One thing I asked," she starts, tension radiating from her features. "Just one thing."
