Page 13 of Mafia Rules

"Grace!" In my state of impatience, I raise my voice toward the door.

"Yes." Grace's long, slender arm curls around the door as she peeks her head into my room.

With a gesture toward my tie, I silently plead for help.

Grace's face lights up with a radiant smile as she eagerly bounces toward me. "You’re fancy tonight.” Her fingers make quick work of fixing my tie. “There.”

“Thank you.” I gaze at my reflection in the mirror, studying every detail of my appearance. I may have more gray hairs than I'd prefer, but I still have some charm left.

“This one seems different.” Grace jumps back on the bed, watching me.

“She is.” I brush the nonexistent lint off my jacket, hoping she would take the hint and leave me in peace.

“And…” Grace smacks her gum. “Details, Ash.”

Grace had that charm that only a younger sister could have. She was hands down the most annoying, loving sibling I have. On a break from college, she is staying with me until she can face our father and tell him she isn’t going back to school—something I’ll stay out of.

“There’s not much to add. She just started working for me.” I pick up the wrapped gift for her off my side table and slip it into my pocket for safekeeping.

“My brother never does this much for a woman,” Grace says.

I couldn’t blame her for trying to get more information, and sure, this was out of the ordinary for me. I don’t know how Eve has managed to get under my skin so quickly, so I couldn’t explain it to the ever-romantic Grace. “You’ll meet her, eventually. Shouldn’t you be leaving?” I glance at the clock. The limo sent to pick up Eve and bring her here should be arriving shortly.

"I'll make myself scarce," Grace sighs, sliding off the bed. “I’ll meet her sooner than later too, Ash.”

“Yes, Grace.” My voice is even, in aI will not argue with youkind of way.

“Have fun tonight.” She nods her head to me. “You deserve something special since...”

“Don’t, Grace.” I hang my head. I didn’t want to rememberhertonight. Eve deserves all my attention.

Grace comes over and kisses me on the cheek. “But not too much fun.”

I watch as she leaves, my annoyance growing as memories of Sasha flood my mind. My heart pounds as anger rushes in, and I push the memories down. Things are different now, better. Ididn’t need her, and meeting Eve proves that. She makes me feel alive for the first time in a while.

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As I stand there waiting, my heart races in my chest, the anticipation building with every passing second, fully aware that the approaching limo holds something already precious to me. Eve has been on my mind ever since our eyes first locked. Her cheeks flushed a rosy shade as she looked at me with eyes filled with desire—even though my cock was in someone else.

I fidget with the flowers in my hand, glancing at my watch. I pace back and forth, unsure of the last time I was the one waiting for someone to arrive. She drives me crazy with her insecurity, but those eyes give her away. The potential in her glows through them.

I see the limo pulling up out of the corner of my eye. I stand up straight and take a deep breath, holding in my excitement at seeing her in that green dress, and what she’ll look like when I peel it off her curvy body, my cock hardening at that thought. I shift from one foot to the other, not wanting to greet her with a rock-hard cock.

The limo comes to a complete stop, and I make my way to her door and open it. I see her chest rise and fall before she makes a move to get out. She’s fucking breathtaking.

“Eve.” I take her hand and pull her toward me as she exits the limo.

“Ash.” Her green eyes are shielded by her long lashes, her eyes averted to the ground.

I grab her chin, her skin so soft and milky. I make her look at me, even though her presence slightly waters my eyes.

“Flowers?” She takes them from my hand, clearly needing the distraction.

“They reminded me of you.”

She smells the petals, and her face lights up. Her shoulders relax, a little more at ease. My hand slips to her waist, restraining the need to just head to the fucking bedroom and do what I want to her. But I know I have to pace myself. I want her willing and ready.

“Thank you.” She steps away from my touch, my heart taking a bit of a hit.

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