Page 14 of Salvatore

Chapter Six

Aedry

It’s Saturday night and I have a date.

Okay. Not really. I shift in the backseat of the car, trying to mimic my girlfriends’ excitement. I mean, I am excited. There’s no pretending that I’m not. But I’m also a little nervous and possibly terrified, too.

When I walked Apollo and Gianno out yesterday, I did my best not to gape at Salvatore. Really, I did. Yet a man who looks and moves like him is hard to ignore and forget. He was drool-worthy in the tank and sweats he wore, and the way he looked in those tight black boxer briefs rivaled major underwear ads. But in those crisp white-collared shirts he wears beneath those sharp black suit jackets . . . Goodness, it’s all I can do to keep my tongue from lolling to the ground each time I see him. The man drips sex instead of sweat.

It’s pathetic how I look forward to catching glimpses of him when he picks up his brothers. After all, we’ve only spoken briefly since I left his apartment. I’ve tried to keep things professional, especially since he didn’t seem interested in me once he knew I wasn’t some skanky solicitor. But when I returned to my desk and found a thank you card from him, along with four passes to the exclusive club, Silk, I came close to losing my mind. His note, while simple, tugged at my heart.

Thank you for helping my brothers. Hope to see you Saturday at midnight.

Salvatore

I didn’t dare call him to tell him I was usually asleep by midnight. Instead, I rounded up some friends to share my passes with.

My studio apartment is located near the water, on the second floor of a converted warehouse. I have one bathroom and a small eat-in kitchen. A row of sheer curtains separates my cozy living room from my even cozier bedroom. I could probably afford something bigger, but not as nice, and definitely not in one of Jersey City’s trendier neighborhoods.

It has its advantages, in spite of the 700 square feet of living space, like access to nearby shops, restaurants, and loads of other twenty-something professionals for neighbors. Case in point, the young single women surrounding me who, based on their delighted chatter, can’t wait to make it to Silk.

“Fess up, Aedry,” Marilyn says, her eyes skimming to the rearview mirror as she drives. “How did you score these passes?”

“I told you. They were given to me as a thank you.” By a hot guy who I probably have no business getting involved with.

“What’s his name?”

I try to sound relaxed, but I can’t seem to squelch my grin. “Salvatore.”

“Oh,” they all sing.

“What does Salvatore do?” Marilyn asks.

“He’s in public relations.” Or so he tells me.

Christy turns around in the front passenger seat to toss me a wry glance. “You don’t get passes to Silk unless you’re a celebrity or high-roller. Which one is he?”

“He seems to be successful,” I respond, taken slightly aback by what she says. I’m being honest in my response, but I base it on his clothing, residence, and vehicle, and not on anything he’s told me directly. “I think he might have connections,” I add as an afterthought.

“Is he cute?” Julia asks, twisting in her tiny mini-dress to take me in.

I tug on the edge of the equally small electric purple dress they shoved me into when I showed up to Julia’s in black pants and what I thought was a cute blouse and pumps. “Some women may find him attractive,” I reply, my face burning under their scrutiny.

“Hmmm,” Marilyn says. “I take it you’re one of those women?”

I laugh when they do, because it’s that obvious I’m into him. Salvatore is the sexiest man I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, but that’s not something I am willing to tell them.

Our first encounter was strained, given the circumstances, and somewhat scary, given his tough and blunt exterior. Sparks didn’t exactly fly, but I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt being around him. That attraction intensified when I realized that his brothers mean everything to him, and that he is their world.

I look forward to the simple glimpses of him I catch and, as ridiculous as it sounds, it’s the part of my day that always manages to lift my spirits.

I settle back into the seat and try to relax, although it does nothing to wipe the goofy smile off my face. It’s been a long time since I’ve been interested in a man and, aside from Hollywood movie stars, I’ve never actually panted over a man. With Salvatore, I definitely pant and a great deal more.

“Do me a favor,” Marilyn says as she pulls into one of the high-rise decks. “If you decide to go home with him, let one of us know.”

“I’m not going home with him,” I say, wishing my voice wasn’t so quaky.

“No pressure,” Julia adds, quickly. “We just want to make sure you have a ride back.”

---