Buttons and Shame (Buttons 4)

That would be a dream come true. “That would mean the world to me…”

Pearl pulled into the circular driveway around the fountain then parked the car. Her hand moved on top of mine and gave me a squeeze. “You aren’t alone, Adelina. Never forget that.”

20

Cane

The only reason I didn’t scream at Pearl was because I had a tracker in Adelina’s arm. I arrived at the house before her, but I was able to pinpoint her location on the road. She was headed back to the house, so I didn’t bother giving Pearl a piece of my mind.

Adelina walked inside wearing light jeans with holes in the knees and a black top. She wore a black scarf around her shoulders, looking like a classy Italian woman shielding her beautiful skin from the Tuscan sun.

I’d already showered and changed into my sweatpants and t-shirt. The fire was roaring in the hearth, and I had a full bottle of scotch to get through. I’d become addicted to it after seeing my brother drink it since we were teenagers. It would probably kill me someday, but I didn’t give a damn.

She stopped when she saw me on the couch, her brown hair slightly past her shoulders. I still hadn’t seen her with makeup, but she truly had no use for it. Her features were already bright and highlighted on their own. She didn’t need anything to bring out her innate sparkle.

I sat forward and set my empty glass on the table. The ice cubes were slowly melting, shifting in the bottom of the glass. “How was your day?” I asked the question without really caring about the answer. All I wanted was for her to straddle my hips and ride me like she’d been thinking about me all day.

“Good. Pearl took me to the winery.”

“What did you think?”

“It was pretty. I’ve been to a few wine tastings back at home, but it was nothing compared to that.”

“Did you guys drink?”

“We sampled some of the wine so we would understand the tastes. She said I could help out with the tastings for customers.”

“And you’d want to do that?” She had this beautiful place to herself. She could lounge by the pool, read in the gardens, or just lie in the tub all day. “Just because she asked you to do that stuff doesn’t mean you need to do it.”

“I know. It’s nice to get out of the house.”

I’d bring her to work with me, but no work would get done. I’d fuck her in my office, right on my desk with my pants around my ankles. Phone calls wouldn’t be made, and my employees wouldn’t get any directions.

And Crow would be pissed.

“You want a drink?” I held up the full decanter and grabbed an empty glass.

She walked to the couch and sat beside me. “Sure.”

I’d never known a woman to handle scotch, and I was impressed she voluntarily chose it. I poured her a glass then handed it to her.

She eyed the amber liquid as she swirled it. Then she brought it to her lips and took a long drink. She didn’t cringe as the bitterness flooded her mouth. It was smooth, and she swallowed it like water.

“You like scotch?” I really didn’t know anything about her likes and dislikes. I’d never taken the time to ask her anything. So far, I knew she took her coffee with cream and sugar, and she loved it when I went down on her. But that was it.

“My dad is a big scotch drinker, so I’m used to it.” She wiped her lips with the back of her arm.

When she asked if she could call her parents, I almost felt bad when I said no. Of course, the option was off the table. If Tristan couldn’t trust me, everyone else would know the Barsetti name was untrustworthy, and that could be catastrophic for business. Plus, I could end up in jail. But I stuck to my guns and didn’t change my answer.

“So you like it?”

She tilted her head before she nodded. “Yeah, I guess I do. I like wine too.”

“Beer?”

“I like a good lager here and there.”

I smiled when I pictured her drinking a frosty mug of beer while watching Monday Night Football. “Anything you don’t like?”

“Margaritas, cosmos, martinis…”

“Fruity drinks?”

“Yeah. Pretty much anything you can stick an umbrella in.”

I never would have pegged her for such an experienced drinker. “Not much of a sweet tooth?”

“Not true. I love all kinds of sweets. Just not when it comes to alcohol. Gives me a sugar crash.”

I refilled her glass. “I’m glad I have a drinking buddy.” I clinked my glass against hers and took a drink.

“Misery loves company.” She took another drink then set the glass on the table. “I met your brother today.”

“I’m sorry.”

She chuckled, and it was the first time I’d ever heard her laugh. Her smile was beautiful, and her eyes crinkled in the corners. “He was nice.”