Page 19 of Wicked King

Nico pivots toward the door again, and this time, I don’t stop him.

Dozens of objections swirl in my mind, but none of them are worth shit.

I stand at the glass sliding doors, my fingers pressed to the flawless, crystal pane, and stare out onto the sprawling sea of skyscrapers. The entire great room feels like a fishbowl with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the chaos of the city below. The Midtown penthouse is a few short blocks to Gemini Tower, and despite the exorbitant price, it’s perfect.

The realtor hovers behind me, chattering on about the amenities. I already pay a boatload for my exclusive membership at Palestra, one of Manhattan’s most renowned clubs, simply to rub shoulders with the island’s elite. Nico had insisted I join, and I must admit, the number of deals we’ve struck in sweats nearly outnumber those in oppressive suits in the boardroom.

“So what do you say, Mr. Rossi?” The pretty blonde scoots closer and cocks a perfectly plucked brow. “As I mentioned, all the furniture is included so you could move right in within the week.”

I’m so distracted by the prospect of signing this lease and haunted by memories of the other night, I barely noticed how attractive she is. Her full breasts spill over the lace camisole tucked beneath her fuchsia jacket. My cock hardens as I imagine bending her over the pristine leather couch and fucking her until she screams my name. Maybe that will make the one-year lease commitment less daunting. And better still, the distraction could erase that dark-eyed gaze I couldn’t get out of my head.

I slowly turn toward her and lift a mischievous brow. “You were speaking of amenities… what other perks come with this specific apartment?” If I’m going to be tying myself to one woman for the rest of my life tomorrow, I might as well get in one last carefree fuck while I’m single.

She inches closer, batting dark lashes coated in heavy mascara. “I’d be happy to go over everything again. More than happy to do anything you like, actually.” She pulls her full lips into a pout. “As long as you sign on the dotted line.”

I close the remaining distance between us in one long stride, and a gasp parts her pretty pink lips as I tower over her. I can already picture them wrapped around my cock as that blonde head bobs up and down my shaft. My hand juts out and wraps around her throat, thumb circling the sensitive indentation as I drag her body flush against mine. “Anything?” I growl.

She swallows hard. “Yes, Mr. Rossi.”

“Good. Then get on your knees, shut the fuck up and take my dick like a good girl.” A feral smile crawls across my face as she drops to the floor and her tight skirt rides higher up her thighs. I unzip my slacks, and my cock springs free.

The woman’s eyes widen, a bejeweled green that sparkles beneath the abundance of light streaming in through the glass. Her mouth curves into a capital O as she takes me in. I’ve been told I’m well-endowed…

“You think you can handle all of me, Miss Raquel?”

Her head bounces eagerly.

“Are you wet yet?”

Again, her head dips, but her eyes remain fixed on my erection.

“Good, because after I fuck your mouth, I’m going to take that pussy. Is that all right with you?”

“Yes,” she purrs. “So all right.”

“That’s what I like to hear. Talk about a full-service real estate agent.” I inch closer, and I imagine dark eyes staring up at me, instead of the green. Jia. Fuck. I jerk back as Raquel reaches for me, a tumble of unexpected emotions slamming into my chest.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Rossi?”

“I, um, I can’t do this.” I shove my cock back in my pants and stagger back a few more steps. “Get off the floor,” I growl.

“Did I do something to upset you?” she murmurs as she tugs her skirt down, rising.

“No. This was a mistake.” I drag my hand through my hair, my heart kicking at my ribs. What the hell is wrong with me? “Send all the necessary documents to my assistant, Mel, at Gemini Corporation. I’ll recommend your real estate services all the same.”

“Whatever you say, Mr. Rossi.” She grabs her purse, and I stalk out of the penthouse.

Nico was wrong. There are no perks to this responsible homeownership shit...

CHAPTER 10

DRAGON QUEEN

Jia

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. I stare at the potted jasmine on the windowsill and breathe in its sweet scent. My thoughts instantly travel back in time to Nanay. God, I wish my mom was here today; she would know exactly what to do. My heart pinches, the pang of her loss still present years later. It has been nearly a year since Bà passed away, and I still felt nothing.

Nanay had filled our home with happiness, much like the fragrant jasmine, and I’ve kept the longstanding tradition in her memory. Purity, fidelity, and hope. The jasmine—or sampaguita, as the locals call it—is the official flower of the Philippines, where she was born. Such a modest, simple bloom and yet, its fragrance outshines the most colorful, grandest bouquet.

---