Page 10 of The Casella King

“My assistant mentioned you’re part of a crime organisation,” she whispers the words as she looks around, and it’s cute that she doesn’t know I own almost every part of the city.

“My name is Ezra Casella, and I run the Casella empire.”

Her eyes lock on mine, a mix of intrigue and hesitation swirling around in them.

“You don’t have to answer right now, sleep on it, but I still want that date.” I lean in to kiss her on the cheek, and as I do, I’m overcome by her scent. I close my eyes and breathe her in, brushing my lips on her supple skin. A rosy flush adorns her cheeks as she averts her eyes from mine, and all I can think about is how good she would look bent over this bar.

“I was enjoying my night before you showed up.” She smirks, swirling her drink in her glass. A smile tugs on the corner of my lips as I motion with my hand to the bartender, and a few moments later, the bar is full again, the music on, lights dimmed. She orders two more drinks from the bartender and skulls them both.

“How many of those have you had?” I watch as she covers her mouth with the back of her hand, swallowing the last bit of drink.

“I don’t remember, but I think I need another one to tolerate a date with you.” She motions the bartender for another, his eyes skate to me, and I nod my head slightly, letting him know it’s okay to pour her another.

“Did you just ask him for permission to pour my drink?” she accuses the bartender, his eyes going wide. “I’m apayingcustomer…pour me the damn drink, or I’ll do it myself.”

“It’s fine, Justin. Go take your break,” I say, and he promptly leaves the bar as she faces me. “I own this bar, sweetheart, if that much wasn’t clear. That means I own everyone in here.” I smirk as she crosses her arms across her chest, pushing her breasts out, making my cock run out of room underneath my pants.

“Everyone but me,” she says matter-of-factly. It’s cute that she thinks she stands a chance against me, against the power I hold over this city, but what I’m starting to wonder now is how much power she could potentially hold over me.

“For now.” I swallow down the rest of my drink and place the empty glass down on the bar. “How about this?” She looks at me with intrigue. “I’ll pay you fifty grand to pretend to be my fiancée for the next seven days, and if you still think this isn’t going to work, I’ll forget about the whole thing.” Her eyes narrow at my offer, and what comes out of her mouth next makes me want to force my cock so far into her throat that she chokes.

“You know there are hookers for that, and I very much doubt you’d have to spend fifty grand to get what you want from them.” She smiles as I scratch my stubble.

She’s really fucking testing me right now.

Testing my will to be nice about this, toallowher to argue with me.

“Aries, I’m going to say this once, and only once. I wantyou, and no one else will do.”

She stops, looks me dead in the eyes, and finally after all my efforts, she relaxes.

“Fine,” she relents, and my lips curve into an evil grin.

“Fine to which part exactly?” I want to hear her say it. I want to hear it from her cherry-red lips. The lips that I will soon have around my throbbing cock.

“To the date and the fake fiancée thing.”

Maybe I should have offered her the money sooner. It may have saved me from all this pursuing. I wasn’t used to this, the whole process of wooing a woman to get her to do what I want. They usually just fall into my lap, or onto my cock. Nevertheless, my plan is now in motion, and the sooner I’m done with this bullshit, the sooner I can avenge my father’s death because the more time I spend trying to win Aries over, the more time the Brayfords have to realise they have a mole amongst them.

It’s okay. It’s fine. It’s just dinner.

I open the box I never had the guts to open when I got home from the reception. Slowly, I pick up the beautiful, silky, red satin dress and hold it up, taking in its exquisite luxury. I’ve never been able to touch something of this calibre of luxury before, let alone put it on my body. Part of me hesitates to, in fear of ruining it. I’d considered the pros and cons to Ezra’s offer, and I had to be real with myself. Sure, I had my own life and lived it my way, but I did not want to stay in the same house with my sister and father anymore, and this way, if I could get that money, I could send some to Giselle to help her with the baby. Maybe even get her a regular cleaner, so she doesn’t have to worry about doing everything herself. I didn’t know him, that was a fact. Ezra seems like many things, but the way he was relentless with pursuing me proved to me in my sick head that maybe he doesn’t want to force me into this, like he wants me to have a choice.

Maybe thiscouldbe beneficial for us both.

I slip the dress on over my G-string and bare breasts. There’s no sense in wearing a bra with this one because the front barely covers them anyway, the droopy material running between my breasts, down to my belly button. Turning around in front of the mirror, I smile at the way the thin straps come down to meet the rest of the dress, just above my ass.

It’s a killer dress, that’s certain.

I had done my makeup and hair prior to putting the dress on so all that’s left to do now is grab my clutch and wait for Ezra. I feel my breathing pick up as I think about the night ahead, wondering what was going to happen, where he is going to take me. After he dropped me home from the bar, he promised we would work out finer details on our date, so I’m wondering if there would be a full contract, or would it just be spoken?

I sigh, shaking my arms, attempting to rid myself of pre-date jitters. I know this wasn’t a real date, but whenever I knew I was going to go on one, my body would always react this way. Sweating, heart thumping, fingernails tingling, cottonmouth, and jelly legs.

Oh god.

My phone buzzes, letting me know he’s outside. Walking out the door, I say bye to Giselle, who has Ryan suckling her boob as she watches telly. She waves, with a “where the fuck are you going looking like that” expression on her face.

No time to explain, sis. I have a mafia king waiting.

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