Chocolate and Italian Wine (Music and Mayhem Book 1) (13 page)

Once inside the limousine, Liane said to Karisma, “What’s going on with you and that boy I’ve been seeing on television? And why did I have to see it on TV? You didn’t want me to know about your new boyfriend?” 

“Mom we haven’t decided whether or not we’re even dating yet. We’ve just been enjoying each other’s company. And he’s been out of town for nearly a week,” Karisma answered. 

“What’s his name?” Liane asked. 

“Paolo. He bought FutureShock Records.” 

“Hmm. What is he, Italian?” Liane asked.

Karisma looked at her mother. “Yes. That’s not a problem, is it?”

“Not for me. Is it for you?” she asked.

”No, not at all. Why would you ask that, Mom?”

“You just be careful. How old is he?”

“Twenty-eight,” Karisma answered.

“And he owns a record company?” her mother asked suspiciously. 

“Yes, and I’m twenty-four and own one.”

“This is true, Kari, but you’re worth half a billion dollars. You’ve worked very hard for what you have. FutureShock sold for a quarter of a billion. Where does his money come from?”

“I’ve never asked him anything like that, Mom. That would be rude,” Karisma said, frowning at her mother.

“If you continue to enjoy his company, as you say, find out more about him, sweet pea,” her mother advised.

Karisma thought about what her mother said, but didn’t think it was any big deal. A lot of young people were extremely wealthy these days. His father was some rich man back in Italy. That’s probably the source of his money. He had bought several companies and appeared to be successful on his own. Perhaps his father had nothing to do with any of that.

“I like him, Mom…a lot. He’s real sweet to me. And there’s just something about him…and he’s absolutely gorgeous. You
have
seen him, right?”

“Ray was a cutie, too, Kari. Don’t get caught up in that. You want others to see 
you
 as more than just a pretty face, don’t you?” 

“I don’t like him for how he looks. Just about every man in Hollywood is good looking. We have a connection that’s hard to explain. I don’t know. We fit,” she said earnestly. 

“Really? You fit, huh? You said you can’t even say that you’re dating him yet, but you know you fit. Like I said, just be careful. You’re very passionate. About everything. You lead with your heart. Try to lead with your head this time, okay, child?” 

“Geez, Mom, thanks for the vote of confidence. Don’t you trust me with guys?” Karisma asked with large doe eyes.

“Oh, I trust you, sweetness. It’s the men I don’t trust. Not one teeny weeny bit.” 

Karisma looked out the tinted window of the limo at the carload of paparazzi that rode along side her car, snapping away. Her mother was almost always right.

                                                          ***

Saturday evening could not have come quickly enough for Karisma. Paolo had asked her to meet him at the airstrip. He’d sent his driver to pick her up; along with another carload of bodyguards. They rode behind them in an inconspicuous black SUV. Waiting for him in the backseat of his limo, she felt nervous like never before. They had been in constant contact since he’d been gone on his weeklong trip to his family’s home in Italy.

She had to admit, she was falling head over heels for Paolo. He was all man, yet he was so loving and gentle with her. She could not wait to see him again in person. She wanted to smell him, kiss him, touch him. She was in deep and she needed to be close to him. The intimate talks they’d had since meeting had allowed her to see beyond his obvious physical beauty. She watched the private jet and waited for him to descend the stairs.

Too impatient to wait to get into his arms, Kari stated, “I’m going to wait outside.” Since there was no debating it, the driver immediately exited the vehicle to open the door for her. Two other guards who had been riding behind them got out to stand near her. She leaned against the car door wearing a leopard skin double-breasted trench coat with a wide matching belt and a beige button down silk top. Her brown knee length leather boots hugged her legs and her form fitting jeans hugged her curves. Her shiny midnight black hair hung below her shoulders in waves, glimmering underneath the airstrip lights, and the signature red lips, were like a neon light in the night calling out to Paolo.

Finally, her big, beautiful, sexy Paolo appeared at the exit door. He wore a black trench coat and dark pants. The two locked eyes and she blew him a kiss. Her heart was racing, and the way he smiled at her, it made her think that he loved her the way she knew she loved him. It was happening so quickly, but she had no desire to use caution. The heart wanted what it wanted.

Paolo walked right up to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Hi beautiful.” He leaned in to kiss her and she wrapped her arms around his neck and eagerly anticipated the half second wait for his full, luscious lips to connect with hers.

Karisma felt intoxicated from his touch and she instantly wanted him so badly. It had been too many days without the pleasure of his touch and she was addicted to it.

“Get a room!” Davit yelled from behind Paolo.

Karisma smiled and leaned around Paolo. “Nice to see you, Davit.”

“Where’s my greeting?” Daniel asked.

“Hey Danny,” she said, laughing and turning her attention back to Paolo. “Welcome back,” she said softly. 

“I missed you, baby,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “You’ve been okay, right?”

“Everything is fine aside from me missing you like crazy. It’s been tough, I’ll admit.” She stuck out her lip slightly.

Paolo leaned back over and licked her lip affectionately and then sucked on it gently. It was arousing and he was instantly hard. He was thankful that he could conceal it with his long coat.

The four sat in the back of the limo. “Paolo missed you, Kari, can you tell?” Davit teased. “He sure seems happier now that you’re here with him. Don’t you think, Danny?”

Daniel looked at the pair who sat close, Karisma tucked protectively under Paolo’s arm. Daniel shrugged his shoulder. “I can’t tell,” he said. 

“You’re no fun, dude,” Davit said.

Karisma smiled and looked at Daniel, noticing that Paolo was, too. He looked a bit off.

Paolo wrinkled his brow and asked, “What’s up, Danny? You alright?”

Looking at his older brother, a man he was always in competition with, he said, “Nothing’s wrong, Paolo. I was just thinking that Karisma is quite possibly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Bold. Blunt. Obvious.

Davit knew Daniel best and interrupted. “You’re right about that. She’s a beauty. Paolo is one lucky bastard.” 

Karisma blushed. “Thank you both for the compliments. And I thought that it was just Daniel who was the flirt. Looks like you both are!”

Paolo didn’t answer and chose to dive in and kiss her neck. Then he looked at his two brothers and mouthed, “Mine.”

“So, busy week, Kari?” Davit asked, with an amused smirk.

“Extremely,” she said, turning to look at him. “We did a few talk shows, had rehearsals,  made some hospital visits, had more rehearsals, there were plenty of meetings, and even more rehearsals, and oh yeah, did I tell you?, Chris and I met with Oliver the Poet, finally.”

Davit said, “Great news. What did you think?”

“I liked him, and the song has some potential. Once we work out the details, it should come together. Of course, I have no idea if that will be before or after the concert tour. It’s getting to be crunch time,” Kari said.

“Which is why I am eager to have you to myself, not share you with my brothers,” Paolo said. Then he added, “Thank you for working with him, sweetheart. This might be the boost his career needs.”

Daniel said, “Kari, you were quite the topic of conversation at my parents’ home this past week.” He smiled slyly. Both Paolo and Davit gave him a hard look. 

“Yes, you were, baby. My parents wanted to know how well you and I know each other based on those salacious pictures of us.” 

Daniel snickered. 

“I’m sorry, Paolo. The media is relentless.” 

“They didn’t like him having his picture splattered all over the television and internet. You two even made the rag mag covers in Italy,” Daniel said unceremoniously. 

“Welcome to the world of Karisma Montgomery,” she said. Inside, she was loaded with questions. Had Maria Elena seen them? What had happened?

“Kari, you’ll have to excuse Danny. He’s often in a bad mood when he leaves Italy and all those Italian women he finds so irresistible,” Paolo said. He looked at Daniel with eyes that expressed that he was treading on thin ice.

“American women are just as irresistible. And beautiful, I might add,” Daniel replied. 

“In case you hadn’t already figured it out, Kari, Danny’s a player!” Davit announced. 

Daniel pounced. “I’m not the only one, am I Paolo?”

Paolo cut him off cold, instantly angered. “What the fuck, Danny? What’s your fucking problem, man?” 

“Danny, you need to chill, bro. What’s going on with you?” Davit asked, grabbing his arm and trying to stave off a fight.

“If you’re talking about Maria Elena, Danny, I know about her,” Karisma said. Paolo looked straight at his brother.

“Oh, yeah? He told you about that, huh?” he said.

“Okay, Danny, that’s enough. Why everybody’s so fixated over who other people love is beyond me. Shut the fuck up,” he demanded.

“Yeah, do as your better half says and Shut. The. Fuck. Up,” Paolo said icily. Danny was about to say something and she thought he would, but he didn’t and she was thankful.

She looked from one brother to the other. The air in the limo was thick and the men were tense. Davit’s phone buzzed and he looked down at it smiling. He looked up and caught Kari staring at him. He winked at her and tapped out a message. Paolo kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry about that, baby,” he said. She waved her hand like it was no big deal.

The fight didn’t bother Karisma, but her red flag went up, reflecting on her mother’s warning and combining that with Daniel’s words. It made her suspicious.

“I think Italy’s a really beautiful country. It’s like Heaven. Don’t you think so, Paolo?” Kari asked.

Paolo stared at her and then grinned. “Heaven?” he chuckled. Then he leaned in and whispered to her, “Only with you, sweetheart.”

Karisma noticed that Daniel shook his head at Paolo.
Okay, what the hell was going on?
Well, Paolo was back and that’s what was important to her at that moment. She lifted her chin up to him and he put his finger underneath it, locking eyes with her. Then he kissed her again with a bit more aggression. It was a kiss that both playful and one that staked his claim for all to see. Paolo was telling his brother, “
This is mine, so back the fuck off if you know what’s good for you.
”

12

With Davit and Daniel dropped off, Paolo’s limo driver made his way to Karisma’s home, pausing at the front gate for the guard on duty to let him pass.

With everything still on high caution, the guard walked up to the limousine and talked to the driver briefly, and then pressed the button so the limo could enter the Montgomery premises. It pulled up the long, circular driveway and stopped in front of the main doors.

The driver came around to open the door and Paolo got out first and then extended his hand to Karisma. The two walked up the stairs to the mansion as the car drove away. Before Karisma hit the top step to the front entrance, the door swung open and Clyde was standing there, a bright smile on his face.

Karisma looked at Paolo and didn’t need to say anything for him to receive her message. They were going to make a beeline to her bedroom and celebrate being reunited.

“Oh Kari, you home,” Stella’s familiar, thickly accented voice said.

Karisma looked at her and smiled. She knew she was being nosy, just looking for an excuse to see her company up close.

“Hey Stella,” Kari said, unable to hide her smile. Then she turned to Paolo. “Paolo, this is Stella and Stella, this is Paolo Montovani.”

Stella was holding laundry, but she said, “Hello,” as she smiled at him with appreciation.

“It’s nice to meet you Stella,” he said, looking down at the petite, fiery woman.

“Nice to meet you, too,” she said.

“Okay then,” Karisma said. “We’ll be in my room. Don’t disturb us.” Karisma playfully arched an eyebrow before she winked at Stella. Paolo smiled at her mischief. Stella, used to Karisma by now, still found herself embarrassed by the suggestion. She mumbled something Karisma didn’t understand and hurried down the hall.

                                          ***                             

Paolo smiled when he entered Karisma’s room. “This room is so you, Kari.”

She turned around and giggled. “Think so?” she asked, wrinkling her nose. 

“Definitely,” he said. “But you are the perfect finishing touch to its décor.” He pulled her in closely and stole a kiss.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said. Her hands pressed against his chest and the feel of his body pressed against hers was exhilarating.

        He rubbed himself against her soft body. He took her mouth as his own opened and his tongue explored and licked it like candy. His mouth slipped to her bottom lip and slowly sucked it as she moaned sexily into his mouth.

She returned the kiss, which felt like as much a statement of love as any words ever could. Neither Karisma nor Paolo had said they loved each other and logically, it felt too quick, but the feelings and the connection couldn’t be anything but love, right? He was so beautiful. She reached up and ran her hands through the silky softness of his black hair. Her head fell back when he began trailing lovely, feathery kisses down the side of her neck.

Then the waiting was over and a sense of urgency had taken its place. They started to disrobe quickly, both eager to relish in the heat of the other’s body. Within seconds, they were both naked and the moonlight streamed in through Kari’s window, cascading on their bodies.

Paolo’s face lowered, impatient to taste her soft, sweet breasts. His hands caressed one and then the other as his mouth alternated between the two. She held on to him, as he bent to accommodate the difference in height. As his hand slid down between her thighs, her body shuttered in excitement.

”Fuck, baby, you’re so wet,” he groaned.

She was hoarse when she responded. “I want you, Paolo.” 

He lifted her and carried her the few feet to the bed and gently laid her down. Lowering himself over her, he found her soft lips again. His tongue circled hers. Her breathing was rapid, and his staccato, forcing them to pull away for a brief moment to catch their breath. Then their lips reconnected, his kisses continuing to excite her to the point of madness, as they trailed lower still. With his hands firmly on her thighs, he parted her legs. The heady, intoxicating scent of her arousal nearly made him come. He was so hard and she smelled so good. Her hand went to his head and she ran her fingers through his hair. His kisses were on her inner thighs now and the moment his lips touched her clit, she began pushing back against his mouth. Paolo’s eyes opened to watch her, and she moaned, high pitched and sexy. Forcing her back to the bed, he inserted a finger into her hot, wet core. Her head, now glued to the pillow, began to roll from side to side. She gasped as he sucked harder. 

“Oh! Yes, baby,” she panted.

He paused to watch her beauty. “You’re even more beautiful when you’re so excited,” he groaned.

“Don’t stop,” Karisma pleaded with him lustfully, pulling his hair.

Paolo granted her demand and a second finger was inserted into her and he moved them in and out of her opening. He was delighted to feel her body stiffen as her muscles contracted around his fingers.

Arching off the bed, her body spasmed. Her moans became louder and higher pitched. He moved up her body and stifled her cries with his mouth. Gripping her breasts in both hands, he slowly messaged them. She wanted to scream. She could feel the large mushroom head of his cock at her opening. She reached between her legs to help with its entry, but he halted the movement when he grabbed her wrist and leaned down to bite and suck on her breasts again.

She had become his weakness. His constant thought. Finally, he could stand no more, and fell over her, looking deeply into her eyes. “I want you so much, Kari. Do you know that? Do you know how much I want you? I think about you all the time. I can’t stop,” he confessed, burying his face into the side of hers. His whiskers tickled.

She held him closely to her body and tried to calm her breathing. “I want you, too, Paolo. So much. This is where you belong.”

And with those words that touched his soul, he pushed into her. So big. So hard.

To Kari, he felt like the smoothest steel. She was so full. “Ahh…” he groaned. 

“Ah, Paolo, I love the way you feel,” she cried. Her words fueled his desire. He rocked into her, moving slowly, closing his eyes, bending to plant soft kisses at the corner of her mouth. He lifted her legs around his waist and she dug in her heels. Pulling him further into her, they both moaned as his thrusting became harder and more demanding.

“Mmm…” she breathed softly. Her nails raked his back and she moved with him in perfect rhythm.

“Fuck!” he hissed, his balls tight and ready to burst. “You feel so fucking good, baby! Kari! So good, baby!”

“Aw, Paolo, baaaby…” She was coming apart. His strokes lost their rhythm. She purred. He howled. She became hypersensitive as her toes curled and her sweat-slicked body began to quake. Her back arched off the bed and he ground himself into her, bringing forth his own climax. 

Paolo fell on top of Karisma. Her arms wrapped around his wide back and stroked its wetness. Kissing his shoulder, she knew she was a goner.

Rising up onto his elbows when she squirmed beneath him, he told her, “I don’t want to crush you, love.” He rolled to his side. Her leg was thrown over his and their bodies were completely tangled in one another. “You okay?” he asked while twirling her wavy hair around his finger.

Her dark brown eyes opened lazily and looked at him adoringly. She 
was
 gone. He made her heart flip. She nodded and they kissed sweetly. He rolled her on top of him. She rested on his chest, and he smoothed her wild, curly hair. Kissing his muscled chest, she raised her head when he said, “Hey.”

“Hey,” she whispered back softly.

They continued to gaze at one another. 

“You’re so beautiful,” Kari replied, reaching up to trace his lips. “You hear that all the time, don’t you?” 

“Not as much as you do, I bet,” he answered. She shook her head and lay back onto his chest. “Karisma…”

Using her full name caught her attention. She glanced up, amused at first, and then saw a very serious look on his face. He brought his mouth close and held her jaw with his fingers. “I’ve wanted to tell you…how I feel,” he said softly. “Don’t say anything. Not yet. Not until …” his voice trailed off. She stared at him.

“What?” she asked, fearful of what he might say.

“Is this crazy, Kari? What I feel for you? We haven’t known each other long.”

Her look was serious when she asked softly, “What do you feel, Paolo?”

He studied her beautiful face. Hell yeah; he was in love all right.
How the fuck did that
happen?
“I love you.” He traced her lips with his index finger.

Her eyes widened and she stared at him, unable to speak. He kissed her again. She noticed he was about to utter something else, but she cut him off. “I love you, too.”

They both broke out in wide grins. 

“Damn, Kari, say that again,” he said, unable to contain his glee.

“I love you, Paolo,” she said again. 

“Oh yeah, I am one lucky bastard,” he said as he rolled on top of her.

                                           ***

Vittore Bianchi stood looking at his old friend Raffaelo Montovani. That things had come to this saddened him. For four decades, he and Raffaelo had been the best of friends. Their bond, he believed, was airtight. That the deal they made to marry off his only daughter to Raffaelo’s middle son was iron clad. But the boy had never taken a real interest in his daughter, Maria Elena. He could see that neither her humble beauty nor her charms had captured his eye or imagination. She had often complained about his neglect and indifference. But Vittore hadn’t paid much attention to that.

There was a marriage contract, after all, and he believed above all else that a Montovani would make good on his word. Perhaps it had been foolish to assume that Paolo would come around after sowing his wild oats. Such was not the case and now he had a daughter with a broken heart and had been stung by a breach of contract, even if it was verbal. For that, someone would have to pay. In specific, the Montovanis would have to suffer.

As Raffaelo entered the office, he saw a look cross the face of his old friend. He understood the embarrassment the Bianchis must be feeling at the insult. He wanted his son to stand by the agreement. But he also wanted him to be happy. Lord knows that the deeper into this life he himself had gotten, the fewer days of real happiness he had experienced. True love, that was special. It was like the sun to a cloudy day. Paolo had said he loved this singer and that he would not marry a woman he did not love. In a way, it appealed to the hidden romantic in Raffaelo. Now, he would have to hope for the best and the strength of a long lasting friendship to mend the embarrassment.

Raffaelo stood to his full 6’2” as he greeted his visitor. Arms outstretched, the men greeted each other in the traditional way.

As the consiglieres sat in the background, Raffaelo spoke to his guest, “My friend, Don Vittore, come stai?” Don Vittore, who stood several inches shorter than Raffaelo, smiled a half smile at the other man. 

“Today, I am not so good, my friend,” he began. “How can a father be happy when his beloved daughter’s heart breaks?” he asked.

Raffaelo sighed loudly, then nodded his head thoughtfully. “I am sorry to hear that. I hope that today we can find a way to make up for what has happened.”

Paolo’s announcement that he wouldn’t marry Maria Elena hadn’t shocked the Montovani family, but it had shaken up things with the Bianchis, and clearly their families’ relationships were frayed. This had been a fear of Raffaelo’s, of course, and he didn’t welcome having to deal with the situation, which he believed was unnecessary. Having a fling with the Montgomery girl was one thing, for he was fascinated with her, but disturbing the balance was quite another. So Raffaelo found himself no longer laughing, where he once had. Yes, once upon a time he had been amused that his handsome son had found a beauty that matched his own.

“Where is your son? Where is Paolo? Should he not be here to help bring forth an understanding?” the Don asked, looking around. 

Raffaelo looked at Vittore directly. “My son has returned to America. As this began with us, so shall it end with us.”

“Ah, I see. But why has he returned to America so soon? Is the young man hiding from me? Standing behind his father as he makes everything right for him?” With his words, Vittore was no longer able to contain his anger. He’d become unleashed.

Raffaelo pursed his lips and gestured toward the sofa. “Please have a seat,” he said, tightly. Vittore sat and crossed his leg, watching as Raffaelo went to the bar. The room was heavy with silence, as both consiglieres observed the exchange. After pouring two glasses of whiskey, Raffaelo handed each of his guests a glass, using the time to curb his own growing irritation with his friend.

“Have you seen my son lately? Paolo is a man. He’s no longer a boy. He doesn’t need to hide behind me. It is very unfortunate that the engagement has been broken. I always believed that my son would stand by the arrangement. He’s strong willed with his own ideas, yes, and I admire that. I only regret that he’s chosen to do this now, with the wedding a week away. Having said that, you and I are two men who are well versed in the art of reasoning. I am prepared to do that right now. We will come up with what we can both agree is adequate compensation.” Raffaelo chose to sit behind his ebony desk.