#2—Chapter 12
I cleared my throat and attempted to sound unaffected by the whole show. “Well, I wouldn’t say I play hard. But I sure study hard.” I chatted away as if Giovanni had no effect on me. But boy, was I sweating inside. “When I graduate, I’m going to become a great accountant and earn heaps of money. Hopefully in the millions so I can pay off Pa’s debt. Then I’ll be free of being your maid.”
“Jay, you little bunny.” He startled me.
One minute he was sitting in his seat; the next he was beside me, fingers sliding around my neck, lightly caressing my nape, then quickly cupping my chin, turning my face to meet his.
“Listen, Jay. Even if you studied until your brain spewed out and got a good job as an accountant, you’ll be at least fifty before you’re free of your old man’s debt. I have a better proposition. Care to listen?”
“What other proposition?” I asked, totally mesmerized by his sight, voice, and touch.
“Before that, answer me truthfully.”
“Of course, boss. Have I ever lied?”
Giovanni smirked, and then slammed his fist down so hard I almost collapsed from fright.
“Do you have a lover, someone you like perhaps, stashed away in a closet somewhere? Because if you do, I’ll tell you right now. Cut off all contact with him. From this day forward, you will devote all your time to me. Do you understand, Jay?”
Why am I not surprised?
“That was your proposition? We’ve already established that I’m to be your maid until such time as I’ve paid Pa’s debt off. That was in the contract, right?”
“Yes, it was. But I have another clause to add tonight. And as your debt collector, I’ve the right.”
I sat uncomfortably, not sure if I liked where this was going. “Please elaborate, boss.”
“Jay, how would you like to earn a shitload of money without having to pick up a mop or clean the bathroom again?”
Wait, this sounded like that conversation we were having at the amusement park, right before Mr. Giuseppe called us.
But what Giovanni said did sound tempting. I was never a fan of cleaning the bathroom in the first place. But was there more to this proposition?
“Please elaborate further, boss. I’m listening.”
Giovanni had a small smile on his lips. He leaned into me and said huskily, “I’m here to fulfill your fantasy, Jay. We’ll have a swell time tonight. Right here in this hotel.”
I stared at him blankly, afraid to even move. “Boss, what are you saying?”
“Don’t act naïve with me, Jay. I thought you said you were smart. Try to figure it out why I took you out shopping, bought that dress for you, let you eat dinner at this expensive restaurant, and…”
“And the lack of Jennifer’s presence.” I finished off his sentence.
“Guess you are smart after all, Jay.” He smiled, rounding out his game. “Can you guess what I’m about to say next?”
“Boss, I… I don’t believe it.” The truth hit me square in the forehead. “You… you… you want me to be your Jennifer?”
Giovanni laughed. With a snap of his finger the panther was on full display. He clamped my face between his palms and stared down at me. Hard. “But you’re not pretending to be my Jennifer, Jay. You are my real Jennifer.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
“What…?” Okay, this just confused me.
“What, what? Let’s go. Don’t you want me to fulfill your promise of fourteen years ago? Now let’s go.” Giovanni stood, jerking me up from my spot and dragging me to the elevator.
“Boss. Wait! Go where?” I pushed back, digging my heels into the carpet to stop him from dragging me to who knew where.
Giovanni swirled me around and pinned me to the wall. “To sleep with you, of course. Tonight, I’m going to eat you up. Every piece of you will be devoured by me. I want to run my tongue over and lick every inch of your body. Tonight Jay, you belong to me. And as promised from fourteen years ago, I’m starting now.”
And he did. By taking my mouth into his and kissing me senseless against the wall.