Page 7 of Salvatore

Chapter Three

Salvatore

“Fuck me.”

“I beg your pardon?” she asks, her voice trembling.

I hold out a hand and shake my head. “Not like that.” Well, at least not now that I know who you are.

She clears her throat and straightens, gathering courage she doesn’t quite seem to have. “Are you Salvatore Romero?”

“That’s right.”

She clears her throat. Again. “Okay. Well, I’d like to talk to you about Apollo?”

I throw open the door. “Come in.”

I stomp inside, turning around when I realize she’s not following and catch her eyes glued to my ass. Ordinarily, I’d flash her an easy grin and invite her inside my bedroom for a little fun. I wasn’t lying when I called her gorgeous. Those eyes are the bluest I’ve ever seen, and that red lipstick she’s wearing makes her sexy lips that much fuller. And don’t get me going on that face. Those supposed girls next door don’t stand a chance next to her, especially given the body she’s hiding beneath that long dress.

Yeah. Another day, another time, and under other circumstances, I wouldn’t be slipping back into bed alone. But considering who she is, and following the night I had with Vin and Donnie—and Donnie’s freak out when Vin left her and the girls she snagged to go home to his wife—it’s not a good idea, no matter how tempting she looks.

“Have a seat, ah . . .”

“Adrianna Daniels,” she repeats. “Or Miss Aedry, if you prefer, sir.”

Sir? How old does she think I am?“Make yourself comfortable, Aedry,” I say, ignoring the “Miss” part. She’s already heard me swear and she knows I answer the door in my underwear. It’s too late to make like I’m polite. “I’ll throw on some clothes and be right out.”

I stalk into my room, pulling on a white tank and a pair of black sweats. Damn. Looking at the time, I only slept an hour. I swear when I heard the pounding at the door, I was ready to rip the fist off the arm it belonged to. Now that I’ve seen that arm, and everything else, I wouldn’t mind sliding my tongue along her neck as my hips slam between her spread legs.

I rub my face, reminding myself what she’s here for.

Christ. What the hell did Apollo and Gianno do? The last thing I want is some counselor showing up and starting shit I don’t need. I march back into the living room, where she’s sitting on the white leather couch, clear on the opposite end with her purse placed beside her. She doesn’t want me to get too close. Hmmph. Interesting.

“Want some water or something?”

“No, thank you.” She pushes a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear as she rummages through her large purse. The waves fall around her face in layers, passing her shoulders, but not by much. The women I know would have added extensions or teased it. Then again, the women I know hang out on poles and wear shoes you can see through. She pulls out a file and, even though she doesn’t glance up, I can tell by her nervousness she knows I’ve been watching her.

“I’d like to talk to you about my concerns about Apollo,” she says. “But while I’m here, perhaps we should discuss Gianno, too.”

I head to the kitchen, talking as I search through the fridge. “Why did you come here by yourself?”

“I told you. I’m concerned about your brothers.”

“That’s not what I mean.” I snag two bottles of water and walk back, handing her one before I lower myself beside her. I’m close, but not too close, giving her the space I think she needs. “You’re a woman, but you show up to some stranger’s apartment with nothing but a purse and a smile.”

“I don’t recall smiling,” she says, adding a grin that makes her more beautiful than she already is.

Holy shit. This woman is . . . something.

I twist open the cap of my water bottle and take a swig. “That doesn’t answer my question,” I say, keeping my face and voice hard.

She angles her chin, analyzing my question and maybe me, too. “I can take care of myself, I assure you,” she says.

“You packing?” I ask, motioning to her purse.

Her attention falls to the file. Either she is and doesn’t want to tell me, or she isn’t and I’m making her uncomfortable. Whatever it is makes her smile fade. Not that I like it.

“According to what I’ve read, Apollo is really bright and has tremendous potential,” she continues. “But his lack of attendance is severely affecting his grades and?”

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