Dangerous Beauty: Part One: Destiny (4 page)

Carter crossed her arms over her chest, starting to get upset at the sexy bastard standing in front of her
. He thinks he can just disappear without a goodbye and then come back and the friendship is good? Uh, uh hell no!
she thought scowling at him while staring into his blue eyes. Her scowl became a glare when she saw mirth in his eyes.
He thinks this is funny?

He chuckled. “You’re mad at me.” It wasn’t a question, he was stating a fact.

“Carter, baby, I would have come to say goodbye to you, but the matter I had to attend to was of some urgency and I left in the middle of the night.” He tucked a loose strand of hair that had fallen from her ponytail behind her ear. He tugged at her earlobe gently. “I didn’t have time to call you either, I had to travel a lot this time, but I thought about you, and I got you post cards from every country I visited.” He reached in his back pocket and pulled out five post cards.

Dammit, for a jerk he was really charming. She could feel her resentment for him leaving at that moment. She snatched the cards from his big hands. She shouldn’t have told him the story about her father bringing her post cards from all the places he went for business, but since he remembered, and that was so sweet, she let go of her anger toward him.

He smiled, he could see in her eyes he had been forgiven. He bent down and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry, forgive me.”

Carter raised an eyebrow. “Are you asking me to forgive you, or are you telling me to forgive you?”

Kyle smirked. “Telling, of course.”

Carter laughed. “Fine, you’re forgiven, but don’t do it again or I’ll kick your ass Kyle,” she said pointing her finger at him.

A mischievous smile appeared on his handsome face and he started to move closer to her, “Mmm, still as sassy as ever. Have you rethought the limits of our friendship yet?”

Carter stopped him from moving forward by placing her had on his chest. She felt his hard muscles through his shirt, but that didn’t change her mind. She chuckled, she couldn’t believe after all this time he was still trying to get in her pants. “No, I haven’t.”

He groaned in frustration, and in one swift move grabbed her by her shoulders and turned her away from him. He bent over and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her feet from the ground. Standing up straight, he buried his face in her neck, and growled. Carter giggled and squealed in his arms. She was ticklish on her neck and he knew that.

“Fine,” he said walking toward the bar, “since you won’t give me what I really have a taste for, I guess I’ll settle for a burger, fries, and a beer.” He let her feet hit the floor and she turned to him with a big smile on her face.

“Sounds good,” she said through a laugh. “Go to our table. I’ll take my break and eat with you.” Kyle smiled and nodded at her as he made his way to the table where he and Carter always ate lunch together.

Once her attention was back on her surroundings, she noticed the other waitresses that watched her and Kyle’s exchange were staring at her, some with smiles, and some with jealousy. The women giving the looks of jealousy were some of Kyle’s past victims. Carter sighed and walked toward the kitchen to get her the  food. She had almost made it to the kitchen when Tessa, a multiple time victim of Kyle’s charms, caught her by the arm before she walked through the door.

Carter had seen her coming, and she knew that the bitch would grab her arm, but she decided to hold back her natural reflex, which was to punch the offender in the throat —very hard. Tessa’s grip on Carter’s arm began to tighten, and it was really starting to piss Carter off. Tessa was taller and bigger than Carter, nearly all the girls were. Carter was only 5’4.5”, and giant hoes like Tessa always thought they could intimidate her or kick her ass. Tessa was very close to finding out why that assumption was a huge mistake.

Reigning in her temper, Carter pasted on her fakest smile. “Can I do something for you, Tessa?” she asked while she looked at Tessa’s grip on her arm.

Tessa removed her hand and crossed her arms over her very, fake breasts. “When did Kyle get back in town?” she asked glaring at Carter.

Carter rolled her eyes. She had neither time nor energy for this shit. “Today, apparently.”

Tessa’s hands moved to her hips and she gave Carter a look of disdain. “You guys are pretty touchy for just friends. I wasn’t aware that you two started dating,” a smug smile appeared on her face. “Was it before, during or after all the times he’s been with me?”

Carter sighed. “I don’t know what you’re bitching about Tessa, but I’m busy. If you have questions for Kyle go ask him. I’m done talking to you.”

“Oh, come on Carter, maybe we can swap stories, have some girl talk about how good Kyle is in the sack.” She leaned closer, her voice a whisper. “I especially love that thing he does with his tongue when he…”

Ewww!
Carter though. “Enough, Tessa, you and I aren’t exchanging any stories because there’s nothing to exchange,” Carter said cutting her off mid-sentence.

Tessa’s eyes went wide, “Are you telling me that you have been hanging out with Kyle like that for all this time and you haven’t fucked him?”

“I’m not telling you anything, Tessa,” Carter said through clenched teeth.

“It makes sense really.” Tessa continued as if Carter hadn’t even spoken. “I always thought, but I never was sure until now. You’re a lesbian. I mean I never see you around with men, and you never have a boyfriend come around here like the rest of the girls. As a matter of fact, the only person I ever see you close with around town is that smug little bitch Jenna, so that’s probably who you’re fucking.”

That did it. Carter grabbed her by her neck and slammed her back against the wall next to the kitchen door, knocking the wind from her lungs. Tessa’s eyes went wide and her brows shot up in shock as she fought to gasp for air, while Carter’s hand tightened around her throat.

“Who I’m fucking is none of your business, Tessa. I told you I didn’t want to talk to you, but I guess you didn’t hear me so let me repeat myself.” Carter kept her voice calm so she could get her point across, but her hand continued to tighten around Tessa’s throat. “I. Am. Done. Talking. To. You,” she said as if talking to an errant child, and then she smirked. “But if you have any questions for Kyle, feel free to go back in there and ask him yourself.” She let go of Tessa’s throat, and she fell to her knees gasping for air. Carter just chuckled and walked through the kitchen door.

After fifteen minutes of food preparation, Carter finally got to have lunch with Kyle. She didn’t realize how much she missed him until they were sitting down and laughing about the most ridiculous things like they always did when they were around each other. She was glad he was back in town and she hoped he would stay a while. He was the funniest womanizer she had ever met, and friendly womanizers, are not easy to find. Once they were finished eating, Kyle said he had to leave, and Carter decided she would walk him out. She noticed the evil looks she was getting from Tessa, but she really didn’t give a shit. She grabbed Kyle’s big hand and held it as she walked him out, just because she knew she could. Once they got outside she looked up at his handsome face and he smiled at her still holding her hand.

“So how long are you going to be around this time, should I expect another disappearing act?”

Kyle chuckled. “No, love, you won’t have to worry. I’m actually planning on being here for a little while, I’ve been working really hard and I could use a break or risk going insane.” He started concentrating on playing with the loose strands of her hair again. She knew he loved the texture of her hair, he always said so. “I’ll actually be having some friends joining me this time. I told them about this place, they could use some peace too.” He tucked the strands behind her ears and gave it a gentle tug. “I’ll probably bring them by here for dinner tomorrow. Will you be working?” he asked looking into her eyes.

“Yep I’ll be here, you want me to wait on you and your friends hand and foot don’t you?” she asked with a playful smile.

He smirked. “You know it, love. So make sure you wear that sexy smile of yours while you serve us. I’m going to need you to be in good spirits,” he said playfully. His eyes dropped down to her outfit and he smiled and licked his lips. “I’ll need you to wear those shorts too. They make me remember why I love summer so much.”

Carter looked away and shyly hit his arm. “You’re such a pig. Go, I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said while turning around to go back in the bar.

Kyle grabbed her shoulders leaned forward, kissed her cheek, and gave her behind a quick smack. “See you soon, baby,” he whispered in her ear. He kissed her on the cheek. “Come by my place tonight. I’m going to need some of your encouraging cuddles before my bastard friends come here tomorrow.” As if he already knew she’d agree to come to his place, he turned and began walking down the side walk toward the parking lot.

Carter chuckled. She really missed him, and she hoped he really would be around for a while. She was kind of nervous about meeting his friends tomorrow, but she was a pro at interacting with people. She just hoped they were as great as Kyle.

Nathan was awakened by the sound of his cell phone. He turned to look at the clock on the night stand, it was 4 AM, and he frowned trying to figure out who the hell would call him so early. He looked at the name on the screen and groaned. He really couldn’t handle anymore surprise meetings or trips.

Letting out a grunt of frustration he put the phone to his ear. “Papa, why must you call me so early? You are aware that my flight just got in yesterday, right?”

He could hear his father’s chuckle over the phone. “Ahh, yes, young people and their sleep. Do you not want to see the sun rise over the Hudson from that beautiful view of yours son?” His father said, referring to the Hudson River view in Nathan’s penthouse apartment in Manhattan. Nathan looked around remembering that he was not in his apartment.

“No, I’m fine. I’d rather sleep, something I haven’t really done in months,” Nathan replied while sitting up in the bed, running his fingers through his hair.

He heard his father chuckle again. What the hell was so funny? “Well no time for sleep, my boy. I’m actually on my way to board my plane. I’m heading off to Russia and then Italy for some business.”

Russia? What does he have to do in Russia?
Nathan thought
.

“So, why are you calling me?” Nathan asked, hoping his father didn’t want him to join him on the trip. He knew that Nathan took off for a while every year around this time.

“I know you don’t like to be bothered around this time of year since…”

“Just get to the point of why you called, Papa,” Nathan said cutting off his father’s statement.

His father let out a deep chuckle. “Nathan, my boy, be happy you’re my son. You’re the only man I let cut me off when I’m speaking and live. I need you to do something for me before you pull that little disappearing act you do.”

Asshole
, Nathan thought. “I just got back to the states yesterday, and you’re trying to send me away again?”

“Not out of the country son,” his father sighed. “Are you alone?”

Nathan looked behind him at the woman lying next to him in bed. He didn’t want to get fully out of bed so he decided he would put up a language barrier. “
Go ahead, she won’t understand what I’m saying
,” he said in Italian.

“I need you to go to Brooklyn. Andrew Reeves seems to have forgotten some of the terms of our agreement, and I need you to go remind him in the most painful way possible.”

Nathan ran his hand down his face, feeling more frustrated at the moment. Of course his father wanted him to handle this shit. He had become his muscle, and his fucking hit man all while still fulfilling his duties as the Underboss.

Ever since the death of his father’s dear friend, and former hit man, Spook, Nathan and his men have been going all around the world doing some very bloody work for his father. His father justified the work overload by saying this was his way of preparing him to take over the family when it’s time, so really, what choice does Nathan have?

On the plus side of things Nathan was beginning to make a name for himself in the criminal underworld. He was now known as more than just Angelo Salerno’s son. He had become someone to be both feared and respected. He really didn’t want to use his father’s name to gain respect in this world anyway, he wanted to earn it. He never felt entitled to it just because his last name is Salerno.

Nathan sighed. “And I’m guessing you would like this done as soon as possible?”

“Yes, today if you would, please.” There was silence for a moment until his father broke it. “So, are you leaving again this year?”

Nathan’s jaw ticked. He really didn’t want to talk about this, not with him. “Yes, I am. I’ll call you when I return, I’m sure you’ll be fine here without me.”

“I see, well where are you going to go? To Moscow, to visit her family?”

“They’re my family too,” Nathan snapped, “and no, I already visited earlier this year. I don’t know, I just know I won’t be staying here and I won’t be working.”

His father sighed. “I know, Nathan, and I always respect your privacy when you take this time, do I not?”

“Yes you do,” Nathan replied, letting out a frustrated sigh.

“Why don’t you cut the trip down to one week instead of a month, Nathan?”

“I just… not yet. I will soon, but not yet, Papa. Just please let it go this year, and we will talk about cutting the time down next year.”

Angelo sighed. “Fine son, as you wish. I know you still blame me. I know you always will. Hell, I blame myself, I should have been there. I never should have—”

“Look Pop,” Nathan said, successfully cutting off his father again, “I’ll head out to Brooklyn later on today and I’ll do this last thing for you before I take off. Once I return I’ll call you and get back to work. Remember that the rest of my guys will be away too. It’s important that they get some time away from this shit for a while. I’ll call you later today after I leave Brooklyn.” Not waiting for his father to reply, Nathan ended the call.

He knew his dad would be pissed but he hated when his father tried to justify what happened to his mother, and he didn’t want to sit through another one of his half assed apologies of how he should have been there. The apologies were the worst for Nathan. He had to hear them for years after his mother died, and he would be damned if he sat and listened to one again when he knew it was complete bullshit. The truth was, his father was absolutely correct. Nathan did blame him for his mother’s death, because it was his fault, and the last person he wanted to talk to about her death so close to the anniversary of it, was the man responsible for it.

He had only been able to forgive his father enough to not disappear because he loved him, but Nathan refused to ease the guilt that he deserved to feel for his mother. Because of his father’s sins, Nathan’s mother suffered a tragic death she didn’t deserve. Nathan wouldn’t even wish his mother’s death on the worst women in the world. He didn’t like to think about it, but the memories were unavoidable. Sometimes they played in his head like movies, making the pain the memories produced unbearable. That’s why every year around the anniversary of his mother’s death Nathan leaves, he just leaves, nowhere specific as long as he’s alone; no phones, no work, and no father.

His thoughts were interrupted by movement on the other side of the bed. When he’d first woken up to his father’s call he had forgotten that he’d come to Julia’s last night. She moved again and moaned, he felt her hands on his back as she sat up. Wrapping her arms around his bare stomach and resting her head on his shoulder she whispered in his ear, “Business?”

He gave her a curious look. “Why do you say that?” he asked staring into the brown eyes of the woman on his shoulder.

“Because you always speak Italian when you’re talking about something you don’t want me to hear,” she shrugged her shoulders. “I always just assume that its business.”

“Hmm,” was Nathan’s only response. He was about to get up when she stopped his progress.

“No, don’t get out of bed yet, let’s stay in for a little while longer,” she said as her hand slid down his muscled abs and into his sweat pants. “I want to feel you inside me again,” she whispered in his ear. Her platinum blond hair fell over his shoulder and she began to kiss his neck and nip at his ear.

Nathan had to give her credit for getting straight to the point. He had been sleeping with his beautiful neighbor for about a year now and he was glad she truly understood their no strings relationship. At least he hoped she understood. He occasionally came across women who have gotten attached to him, which was why he usually didn’t sleep with the same woman more than a few times, but Julia was different. She understood that the relationship was just sex, no commitment, not even a chance of commitment. Nathan decided he would never settle down, and he would never make a woman suffer for his sins like his mother suffered for his father’s. So having a girl like Julia, who understood the meaning of no relationship, was convenient. Whenever they decided to hook up he would come to her place, and leave to go home and sleep alone, which he preferred. Last night he had been so tired he fell asleep instead of dressing and leaving. But right now all he could think about was sleep, and for the first time since he hit puberty he wasn’t in the mood to fuck.

He grabbed her wrist, stopping her hand from stroking him. “Forgive me, beautiful,” he said. His voice was deep and sensual, while slowly removing her hand from his pants. “The call was about business, and I must attend to it now,” he lied. There was nothing he wanted more at this moment then to be in his own bed. Sleeping. Alone. And that’s exactly what he was going to do.

He stood up and walked over to retrieve his shirt. “Well, will I see you again tonight?” she pouted. “Maybe we could get some dinner and come back to my place.”

Nathan frowned. Getting together outside of the bedroom was not a part of this arrangement, and she knew it. He put on the shirt and shoes he had worn on the plane ride home the night before, he still hadn’t been home yet and he was more than ready to get some sleep in his own bed.

He looked over at the beautiful naked woman on the large bed in front of him. Her hair was still a bit tousled, and her long tanned legs where peeking out from under the sheets. “No, Julia,” he said walking to the night stand for his phone. “I’ll be gone a while,” he said, choosing not to explain anymore.

She gave him a confused look. “Well, you can call me when you get back then. We can make plans.”

He looked at her, his brows furrowed, jaw clenched. He saw exactly where she was going with this and he wished she wouldn’t. “We’ll see, Julia, I don’t know,” he said trying to be as gentlemanly as he could. He started walking out of the bedroom. He heard her getting off of the bed and walking behind him and he groaned. “What Julia?”

“I just…Nathan can you slow down please?” she begged, grabbing at his arm. He stopped and turned around to face her. She was still naked, and panting from running to catch up with him. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her body against his. He could feel her hard nipples through his shirt. “I’m sorry. I know how busy you are. I just think we have something good going between us, you know, me and you, we’re good together, right?” she said softly as she leaned forward and kissed his chest.

He looked at her for a moment, his face expressionless. He took her chin between his thumb and index finger and tilted her head up until she met his eyes.

She was rooted by his cold gray stare. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes revealed an intense darkness within him. Julia was unnerved by the intensity of his stare, unable to meet it, her eyes dropped to his chest.

Nathan leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Goodbye, Julia,” was the last thing he said before he turned and walked out her front door.

Julia didn’t move after he left, knowing that he probably would never be back. She tried her hardest not to show that she had gotten attached to him, but it was just too hard, she loved him. She knew that if she could just convince him to see their relationship the way she did, he would see how good of a couple they could be together. But that would take a lot of convincing. She didn’t understand why he was so opposed to a relationship or why he was so damn mysterious all the time. All she knew was that hadn’t stopped her from falling in love with him. How could she not fall in love with him?

When she first saw him, she had just moved into the building. She was stunned by how beautiful he was. Never had she seen a man so gorgeous in all of her life. The first thing she noticed about him was his height, 6’5”. So tall and yet, so graceful, his long, fit body was enough to make any woman drool. When she first saw him in the lobby of the apartment building he was laughing with a handsome man with long dark hair, she adored his smile because she doesn’t get to see it often. His smile revealed long sexy dimples on his cheeks and perfect white teeth. His golden blond hair, perfect naturally tanned skin and big, hard muscular body made it impossible for her to avert her eyes.

It took her months to work up the courage to approach him and introduce herself. She saw him at a small bar one night that was close to their building. He was there drinking with four other guys, and they looked to be having a really good time, laughing loud throughout their conversation. Julia had waited until their conversation was over, and when Nathan approached the bar she made her move. She could tell that he was slightly inebriated, but she didn’t care, he was being flirty, and she enjoyed the jealous stares coming from the other women in the bar.

They walked together the short distance back to their building. Nathan was charming, funny, and a gentleman the entire walk. He held open doors, made her laugh, and he even told her how beautiful she was. Once they made it to her door Julia had decided that she was going to make a bold move and she kissed him. Before she knew what was happening they were ripping off each other’s clothes. They had only made it to the couch before they were completely naked. Julia had never experienced multiple orgasms before, but Nathan Salerno really did know his way around a woman’s body.

Thinking of their first night together, and the many nights after that, brought tears to Julia’s eyes. Had she really been the only one falling in love?

***

Nathan felt a thousand times better after he got some sleep and went for his daily swim. He stood in front of his large floor to ceiling windows staring out at the Hudson River, thinking about the latest issue his father wanted him to handle. It was a minor issue really. It seemed Reeves had forgotten the payment agreement that him and Mitchell, his father’s right hand, had arranged. Nathan felt this issue should be handled by Mitchell since he caused it but since his father asked him to handle it, he would. Nathan usually handled issues of a more serious nature within his father’s empire. Closing deals, and killing men who got in the way, but he would do this just because his father told him to. It was his job to do as the boss asked him. Nathan enjoyed his position and he took it seriously. He reveled in being feared by the same kind of men that brought so much pain into his life, the same type of men that took everything from him when he couldn’t do anything about it.