"She is. And it's got to be her. Full time. No bakery shifts. I need her fresh."
Libby bites her lip, pressing down on her smile that looks like it's threatening to levitate her right off the ground with all her happiness. I have to look away to stop myself from remembering exactly what her kisses feel like.
"I guess I can do without you. For a bit."
I clap my hand onto Kyle's shoulder, walking past him on my way to the door. "Good. Because I gotta have her. I'll pick you up tomorrow, okay Libby?"
She nods mutely and behind her father's back I blow her a kiss that makes her cheeks flush and her whole face glow.
"See you tomorrow, Tony."
CHAPTER FIVE
Libby
Right like he said he would be, when I peek out of the curtains the next morning, Tony's down on the street waiting for me to come down. He's leaning against the side of his sleek fancy car and he shields his eyes from the sun, looking up at the window and sparing me a wave that makes my heart jump and my smile take over my face.
Last night it felt like a dream. I could hardly believe that he'd kissed me. I would have thought I made it all up except that my lips still felt bruised from the force he'd ravaged me with. I've never been kissed like that before, never been kissed at all in fact and I have no doubt at all that he meant every word he said about wanting me so bad. Just as badly as I want him.
I'm too scared to pinch myself in case I wake up.
When he told Dad about the gallery wanting my photos, I couldn't believe it. But if there's anyone who could make that happen it's Tony. He might look like some kind of hulking, over muscled brute to some people, but to me he's always been a gentle giant. In this neighborhood, he's always looked out for people, and I don't care what people say about him, he's not some kind of heartless mafia man. Around here is his heartland and people under his family's protection feel secure. He keeps everyone in the area in line and makes sure that no one comes in from outside looking to take advantage or start trouble. So where's the harm in that?
I'm more certain than ever that I want to give myself to him completely. I couldn't stand it if Dad tried to say we couldn't see each other. For now it's best he doesn't know.
I hurry down to the curb, pausing just a moment to smooth the skirt of my dress down and make sure I don't lose my grip on the portfolio I'm carrying. I was worried that the creamy white was too much, but Tony checks me out with a lingering gaze that makes me flush all over and I know I look just fine.
"Damn, Libby. You sure you should be wearing that?"
I grin at his compliment, feeling a little coy and way more confident flirting then I would be with before. Knowing he wants me is such a relief. "Why? Don't you like it?"
"I like it just fine, but nobody else better look at you, that's all I'm sayin’."
He holds the passenger door of the car open, and extends his hand to help me down into the low seat that wraps around my body like I'm in a jump jet or a real race car. I don't know a thing about sports cars, but when he slips into the driver's seat next to me and fires up the engine, the rumble goes right through me, straight to my suddenly tingling clit. "Oh."
Tony smiles at me from the driver's seat and for the first time I get the feeling I'm really in trouble.
"If you like that, just wait until later."
"What happens later?"
"Baby, I'm going to rock your world."
Just thinking about the way I felt with his hands all over me yesterday is making me hungry for more. I want him to teach me how to please him the way I know he's going to please me. I have no doubt that after today is over, he'll be my man and I hope he always will be. But I've never done anything like this before, let alone with an experienced older man. All I can do is hope that he doesn't think I'm too young for him because I don't know what I'm doing. A guy like him could have his pick of any woman in this city - the last thing he needs is an inexperienced virgin like me.
When I give myself to him, that's it, I'm his forever. I just hope he sees it that way too.
We pull up outside the gallery and Tony gets out, skirting around the hood to get to my door before I even have a chance to open it. Like the perfect gentleman, he's there to help me out of the low seat and up onto the sidewalk.
I could definitely get used to this.
Tony
The gallery used to be an old warehouse and the transformation wouldn't have taken place if it wasn't for me and my boss. Regeneration of the neighborhood that's our game. The only dodgy dealings my boss wants going on are those that benefit him.
The family's reputation is enough to set people quaking in their boots. These days I don't have to do much roughing up, my size is more than enough to get most moving. I get what I want, it's been that way for years, and the owner here wasn't stupid enough to disagree with me when I told him he wanted Libby heading a new show of local talent.
I didn't have to wait for his say-so to show her the space because I have a key as part of my property management services. No one else apart from us will be here all morning.
I pull open the doors for
