Page 12 of West Bound

“You know her, too?” Luca asks, surprised by our interactions.

“I do. But it’s been a long time. Now that I’m in Houston, I’m hoping we can get reacquainted.”

Vivian’s smile grows tight and she mutters from between clenched teeth, “I’ll reacquaint you with my fucking foot up your ass.”

I can’t help my grin because her attitude is as fiery as her hair. She’s nothing like the shy, meek, innocent twenty year old I met ten years ago. Oh no. Now she’s a spunky little temptress who looks ready to serve my balls to me on a platter.

“Well,” CeCe says, clapping her hands together. “Shall we get started? Mr. Amato-”

“Luca,” he growls.

“Right. Luca, if you would like to sit and answer a few questions with Vivian, she can get ahead of any speculations regarding the change in ownership. Phoenix,” she turns to look at me with a pointed stare.

“Yes, Cecelia.” I arch a sarcastic brow and let my lopsided smirk that I know wins over even the harshest critics play across my face.

CeCe, nor Viv, seem affected by it.

“If you can take a minute to meet with hair and makeup, you’ll be next to answer a few questions for Vivian.”

I bite my bottom lip, causing Viv to move her eyes to me and linger on that very spot. I swipe my tongue across where the small imprint of my teeth sits and watch as her chest rises with a deep inhale.

“It would be my pleasure.”

Vivian and CeCe both look at each other then proceed to give me a very obvious eye roll. They didn’t bother hiding it from Luca but I doubt he noticed since he seems to be preoccupied with memorizing the curve of CeCe’s hips.

Oh boy. Looks like we were all playing a new game. And I play to win.

Houston, we have lift off.

CHAPTER FOUR

VIVIAN

“How to Be a Heartbreaker” - MARINA and the Diamonds

Fuck me sideways and call me Sally.

I was not expecting to see Phoenix today. I thought I had at least another twenty-four hours to prepare before I had to face him. At the very least I had hoped not to be buzzing from my boozy lunch with CeCe.

And goddammit! Why’d he have to look so good after all of these years? I’ve seen him on tv over the years–thankfully never having to interview him or get too close–but I always thought it was camera trickery or perhaps the hat. You know, how a hat pulled low over a man’s face can make him look mysterious and tempting as his eyes peek out from beneath the shadow of the bill.

But noooo. Phoenix is literally as good looking in person as he is on camera. Better, even! With his smoldering brown eyes shaded by dark and thick fringed lashes, a manicured brow that would make any woman jealous, and those god forsaken lips that look so plump and juicy I want to live off of them.

OH! Let’s not forget about his jaw and cheekbones that somehow grew more chiseled, more defined over the years. Add-in, of course, a perfectly trimmed scruff, tattoos and the body of Adonis and you have a lethal combination for spontaneous self combustion.

“Did you know he would be here today?” I whisper to CeCe as we follow behind the men.

Our heels click against the smooth concrete floors. The cadence of my steps is fast and erratic as I try to keep up with the long strides of CeCe–who is basically a supermodel–and the two men who are like gods amongst men.

“I had no idea,” she whispers back through a tight smile. “I was just as surprised as you when he walked through the doors. No one told me and you’d think I’d be one of the first, since I’m in charge of running this whole fucking circus. It seems pretty logical that the person heading press conferences, interviews and press releases would be damn close to the top of the list as to who should know.”

Her tone borders on the edge of annoyance and completely overwhelmed. I can’t even imagine the chaos that is raging in her brain. Not to mention she is absolutely, one hundred percent correct about her smoking hot, asshole boss.

Holy shitballs, batman. The man had me swiping my mouth a few times to be certain drool wasn’t dribbling down my chin. He was so sexy and smooth and debonaire, yet I could just tell he had an air of arrogance about him.

He was hot shit and the fucker knew it.

He was very professional when I did my brief interview. His answers to my questions were precise and adequate, never giving too much detail on any one thing. Most especially not his personal life. When I asked him about it, all I got was a “I am a self-made man who delves into the world of shipping. It has been very lucrative for me and now I get to live my dream of owning a professional sports team.”

---