Chapter 7
She knew what she had to do. It made her nervous, queasy, and a bit ashamed of herself, but Gema knew what she had to do. She called in sick to work and then took a nice long shower. She carefully selected an outfit, finally going with a pencil skirt and a deep red dress shirt, a belt cinched at the waist and black heels. Gema put her hair up into a bun and went downstairs to get a taxi, to Borden & Stakolopous Enterprises.
Hitting her hand against her purse over and over, Gema was decidedly nervous. She had never been to the office without Doug, and it felt strange to be going there without the purpose of seeing him. With the help of the directory, she found her way to the floor she needed, and approached the secretary’s desk. Gema noticed just how beautiful she was, how she looked Gema up and down and smiled faintly, insincerely, and Gema immediately knew this was the typical kind of woman Vistos Stakolopous dated. Blonde, blue eyed, a size 1 and an IQ to match, Gema seriously reconsidered the rash plan that had formulated in her mind over night.
“Hello, can I help you?” The secretary asked, and Gema cleared her throat.
“Yes, I’d like to speak to Mr. Stakolopous”
“Do you have an appointment?”
Gema’s confident wavered, what if he was in a meeting? What if he wasn’t even in the office today? “Ah…no, I don’t”
“WHo should I say it is?”
“Um, Gema, Gema Dodge”
“Hold on one second.”
The secretary picked up the phone and spoke into it quietly, then set it down and turned to Gema. “He’s in a meeting, but if you’d like to wait you are more than welcome to”
“Thank you”
Gema took a seat and glanced at her watch. How long could this meeting really take?
25 minutes later, Gema was fuming. How dare he keep her waiting this long? He’s the one who called her and insisted she have dinner with him! He’s the one who’s been essentially stalking her, showing up at whatever functions she goes to, and now he’s making her wait, like another one of his random bimbos? Oh no, she didn’t have to stand for this. Gema stood up, intending to leave, when Vistos’ voice came over the speaker in harsh tones, and the secretary told her she could go in. Her anger did not dissipate as she opened his door and walked in, and Gema began ranting as soon as the door was closed and she was standing by his desk, glaring at Vistos in his Armani suit, impeccably tailored.
“How dare you leave me sitting out there all that time? Do you have any-”
“I was in a meeting, Gema, I can’t just drop everything I am doing to attend to you, I have a life.” Vistos snapped back at her, and Gema normally would have shut up, but she found herself egged on with Vistos, as she always did.
“Oh do you? Tell me, what did this meeting entail, all the big names of the company getting together to talk about how often they take their secretaries to bed?”
Vistos raised an eyebrow, challenging her with a smirk. “Are you jealous that I’ve had other women in my bed? Because, cara, I don’t think there is anything we can do to dispel your discomfort. There have been many before you”
“Oh, I’m well aware that there have been ‘many before me’, Vistos, tell me, how long-”
“Mio dio, I love the way you say my name” His voice was a husky whisper, and Gema took a step back, caught off guard. Vistos stared at her intently, then he whirled around to face the window, shoving his hands into his pockets. “What do you want” he snapped at her, and Gema sighed.
“Well I…..I’ve been thinking over your offer, and….well I just, I wanted to see if we could talk about it a little” Gema said, sitting down now, and Vistos shook his head from the window.
“I‘m not so sure the offer still stands”
“But-!” Gema protested, gasping.
Vistos shrugged. “You have denied me three times now. Why should I keep coming back? Mio dio, It would be insanity”
“Maybe….maybe this time my answer will be different”
Vistos turned and looked at her now, his face mocking, disbelieving. “Last night you would not even attend dinner with me, and you expect me to believe that you are now willing to share my bed?“ He shook his head. “No, bono, I do not believe it is so”
“People change” Gema snapped at him, and then she reeled in her temper and looked at her feet, muttering. “Things change”
“Has he hurt you again?” Vistos demanded, taking a step from behind his desk towards her. Gema shook her head.
“N-no, he hasn’t. But, that’s not why I’m here” Gema pulled herself up to her full height, and even in four inch heels she was nothing compared to his 6’2 stature. Gema cleared her throat and Vistos looked slightly amused as he surveyed her.
“I have a business deal for you”
“A business deal? For me? Santa Maria, let’s hear it!” He crossed his arms and waited for her to speak, the laughter blatant in his voice and his eyes. Gema fumed, but calmed herself before she lashed out at him.
“I…am proposing that in exchange for your help in securing the funds that are rightfully mine by my parents, I….will be your mistress for three months” Gema held her breath, waiting for Vistos’s response, and he was no longer looking amused. He ran his hand over his chin, and Gema followed the hypnotic stroking, shaking off thoughts of his hands on her body. Vistos tapped his chin thoughtfully with one lithe finger before pausing to answer her.
“Six months, and you live with me” He waved his hand through the air dismissively. “That is all I am prepared to agree to”
“Six months-!…..” Gema hesitated, biting down on her bottom lip momentarily. Six months was much longer than she thought it would take for him to be satisfied and done with her. She wanted to be moved back to Australia by then! Well…what was three more months really? And he’d probably break the contract before that anyway.
“You’ll help me with my parents finances?” Gema asked, just making sure. Vistos nodded.
“Do we have a deal?” Gema looked at Vistos, seeing the mischievous glint to his eye, and her resolve wavered. But the small part of her, the part that wanted to wrap herself in Vistos and never resurface, spoke up.
“Deal” Gema held out her hand to shake and Vistos chuckled, stepping close to her, his eyes hooded by heavy lids.
“In my country, we do a little more than just shake on it”
His hand grasped hers and yanked her into him, and Gema gasped in surprise as she landed against his hard chest. She looked up into his hazel eyes, and he placed a hand on her chin lightly, tilting her towards him, and his lips covered hers in a sweet caress. Gema’s eyelids fluttered closed, and she melted against him, her hands on his chest gripping his shirt to keep herself upright. His lips moved against hers softly, teasingly, and Gema found herself pushing against him, deepening the kiss. He let out a triumphant growl before sweeping her mouth with his tongue, possessing her fully. Suddenly Gem was standing on her own, her hands empty of his shirt, and her lips bereft of his. She opened her eyes and Vistos was surveying her with barely concealed amusement.
“Va bene” He went to his coat rack and grabbed his suit jacket while Gema was still trying to gather her senses. He walked back over to her and looked her up and down. “First thing” His hand reached up and pulled her hair free of its bun. Gema protested, trying to slap his hand away, but it had already been done. “Your hair is never to be up again” He warned. “I hate it up”
“Oh by all means!” Gema snapped at him and Vistos smirked at her.
“You are mine for the next six months, I suggest you get familiar with what I do and don’t like” He looked at his watch. “Come, let’s have lunch”
“No, I couldn’t, I have some other things to attend to…” she was rambling and Vistos cut her off with a nod of his head.
“You are right, we shall stop at Doug’s and let him know that your relationship is over. Come” He urged.
“NO!” Gema screamed, grabbing Vistos’s arm desperately. Vistos frowned at her and she immediately let him go, blushing deeply. “I just, I’d rather tell him myself, alone-”
“No” Vistos cut her off, shaking his head. “You will never be alone with Doug again, I will not allow it”
“I can handle him-”
“Clearly not, cara, or you would have disposed of him long ago” Vistos muttered as he pulled out his car keys and placed a hand on her back, propelling her from his office. “We shall go together, so he can see that we are together”
Gema waited till they were waiting for his car to be brought to the front of the building before she said anything else.
“Is that what this is about? You want to show Doug that you have me now? Is that what this whole thing is about?”
Vistos shrugged. “Pissing off my stepbrother is simply another bonus to our business deal, Gema” he looked her up and down slowly and her body burned where his eyes followed. “I’m sure you will find the bonuses to be abundant”
Gema blushed deeply and turned away, refusing to meet his eyes. “Do we really have to do this at Doug’s work? Can’t we at least do it tonight in private?”
Vistos thought about that for a second before nodding. “Yes, that will perhaps be more tactful.” He glanced at his watch again and swore. “I do not have time for lunch today, but my assistant will be in touch”
“In touch?”
“Yes” He waved down a taxi and opened the door for her. Gema climbed inside and turned to look at him. Vistos leaned down and brushed his lips on her cheek. “Ciao”
“Ciao” Gema whispered to the glass of the window as the taxi drove away, and she couldn’t help thinking that she had left her morals back in Vistos’ office.
Chapter 8
Vistos’s assistant arrived at Gema’s apartment right as she was getting out of the shower. The older woman seemed nice enough as she gave Gema a run down of Vistos’ typical day. Filled with meetings and on site work, Gema was surprised at all he did.
“But of course, he won’t work as much while you’re in Italy.” Claire said offhandedly and Gema nearly choked on her tea.
“Ex-excuse me? Italy?”
“Oh, he must have meant it as a surprise and I’ve gone and ruined it!” Claire smiled apologetically. “Yes, Italy, the jet leaves tomorrow morning”
Gema stared at Claire, unbelieving. “How….how long are we going to be in Italy?”
Claire shrugged. “He didn’t say, but he hasn’t been to Italy in years, so I can only imagine that he’s planning on spending a lot of time there. Plus, his sister is getting married soon and I’m sure he plans on being there for that”
“He has a sister?” Gema asked, suddenly intrigued, and Claire smiled sadly.
“He doesn’t talk much about his family does he? It was messy when his father died, but the divorce was far worse” Claire shook her head as she sighed, before looking at her watch. “Oh, I must be going, thank you for the tea”
“Of course, thank you for filling me in on everything. I guess ill get started packing”
“Oh no, Mr. Stakolopous has requested that you don’t bring any of your previous clothing on the trip, all of that will be provided for you”
Gema frowned. She didn’t need him to buy her new clothes, she had her own. She’d just have to insist on it.
“Oh and….Mr. Stakolopous was very specific in that he asked me to collect your ring”
“My ring?” Gema looked down at the sparkling diamond on her finger, and frowned at Claire. “Why does he want my ring?”
Claire shrugged. “He simply asked me to collect it”
“Well….alright” Gema pulled it free from her finger easily and stared at it for a second before quickly shoving it in Claire’s hand.
Vistos didn’t comment on Gema’s ponytail as they boarded the plane, in fact he hadn’t said much to her since he’d picked her up from her apartment that morning. Gema glanced at him beside her while he typed away on his laptop. He was casual today, in jeans that fit him snug in all the right places, and a simple V neck black shirt. She sighed and looked at the paperback she held in her hand, but she hadn’t been able to make herself read it. She twisted the skin around her ring finger absently, where she would have spun her ring, and she chewed her bottom lip.
“You miss New York already” Vistos stated, his voice aloof, and Gema shook her head but said nothing. “No? Then why do you keep sighing beside me like a lovesick teenager?” He was impatient with her, and Gema knew she should say something, but all she could do was shake her head. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of flying” He drawled and Gema shook her head again. “You being mute was never apart of the agreement!” He snapped at her and Gema snapped back.
“Neither was going to Italy!”
He dismissed her with a wave of his hand. “I told you, you will live with me”
“You failed to mention it would be in Italy!” Gema insisted and he shrugged.
“Must have slipped my mind”
“You’re an ogre!” Gema snapped, and immediately regretted it, her face turning red. Vistos looked at her in surprise, then he smiled slowly.
“There’s that mouth of yours”
Gema rolled her eyes, blushing deeper, and forced herself to concentrate on her book.
She must have fallen asleep, because she felt a tug at the back of her head before her hair cascaded around her face and her closed eyes.
“Come, we are here”
Gema rubbed her eyes and hoped her hair didn’t look as bad as she feared. The drive to Vistos’s villa was magnificent, and Gema stared out the window as they drove by, marveling at the city till they reached the countryside. They pulled into a winding driveway that surrounded a large pond and fell in front of a villa. Gema gapped up at the ancient building, so rustic and gorgeous, she couldn’t believe she was staying there. The inside was even more gorgeous than the exterior, staying true to Italian traditions and style. A maid took her bag from her and Vistos beckoned her to follow him as he jogged quickly up the stairs. Gema followed, and for the first time she feared where she was going to stay. Were they staying in the same room? Would she be forced to sleep in his bed every night? Would he take her right now, without any warning? Her body heated at the very thought and she fought to cool it down, the humidity in the air not helping at all. There was no way she was going to share a room with him.
But the master bedroom was spectacular. The focal point was an enormous bed, wrapped in rust colored sheets, and a deep brown comforter, it was inviting and Gema averted her gaze to the spectacular view of the ocean. Gema walked to the window and looked out, unaware that Vistos was surveying her the whole time.
How satisfied he was, watching her standing there in his home, appreciating his favorite view, it struck him. Vistos had not counted on wanting her to like his home, had told himself it hardly mattered whether or not Gema liked it, but that hadn’t stopped him from redecorating his entire bedroom within two hours of laying eyes on her. Vistos knew he wanted her the minute he set eyes on her, and he knew she would be his at all costs. She had stirred something in him, a dormant need that he had forgotten even existed within himself. He tried to ignore the fact that the sheets matched the dress he’d first seen her in to the exact T, that they flattered her eyes and hair perfectly. Vistos cleared his throat and watched Gema stiffen.
“So, it’s to your liking?” He drawled, irritated that he unnerved her so much, made her stiffen at the sound of his voice. Soon she would not stiffen and resist him, but would become pliant and willing in his arms.
“It’s lovely” her soft voice muttered, he barely even caught it. Mio dio, how he loved it when she yelled and snapped at him, her eyes coming alive, but he would be satisfied for that husky quality to her voice for ever. Forever? Dio, he couldn’t mean forever, he meant six months, the allotted time he’d agreed to for her. Of course, he’d probably bore of her within four months, like all the other ones, but some small part of him knew that wasn’t going to be the case.
“The en suite is through there, and your closet.” He gestured towards two doors to the right. “You’ll find it fully stocked, but should you wish to do more shopping while you’re here, which all females seem to need to do to breathe, there is a credit and bank card in your name in the top dresser drawer”
“Thank you, but I won’t be needing them” She said sternly, turning to look at him, and Vistos paused, an eyebrow reaised.
“I’m sorry?”
“I will not be needing the clothes you’ve purchased for me, I have my own” She thrust her chin out just a little, stating her independence and standing her ground. God he wanted to take her right then. The way her jeans hugged her in all the right places, splattered faintly by paint, and her billowy tank top did nothing to hide her full breasts and hourglass shape. Her hair was down after he’d pulled it from its confines, and one delicious curl snaked against the corner of her rosebud mouth. What he would give to cover that mouth with his and feel her respond under him as she had done earlier.
“Any clothes you wore for him or with him, are not welcome in my house” He warned, trying to reign in his raging hormones. Gema took a step back, and he hoped his eyes weren’t betraying his desires. “You may keep what you have on, but that is it” He said finally, turning and striding out of the room before he lost control of himself, but one murmur from her stopped him in his tracks.
“As if my engagement ring wasn’t enough already…” Gema muttered, and Vistos froze, one hand on the doorknob. His knuckles turned white with anger. He couldn’t stand to see Doug’s heartless ring on her finger, had thought he was doing her a favor by ridding her of the shackle. Vistos whirled on her, trying to compose himself.
“Oh? So you do miss it. Or is it Doug you miss?” Gema’s mouth dropped open to protest, then she closed it and bit her lip. Vistos surveyed her, waiting for an answer, and she finally looked down.
“No, I don’t, I just would have liked to handle it myself. I’m not a child”
“No” He conceded, then hesitated before stating gruffly. “I could not risk you seeing him again.”
“Why? He may damage the merchandise?” Gema slung at him, her eyes finding his, and they were cold, emotionless. Vistos blinked, surprised, then recovered.
“Of course, why else?”
He watched her face color, knew she would be furious, and he took his leave then with an inclination of his head. He jogged down the stairs, fuming himself, slamming the door to his study. Insufferable woman when she tried to be. Vistos was not looking forward to her hot and cold temperament.