Off the Record (With Me in Seattle Mafia 3)

I want to cry in relief. God, I’ve missed him.

Soon, we arrive on the top floor, and when the doors slide open, we follow Noreen into the space.

“Wow,” I breathe as we step inside.

“It’s twice the square footage as the unit you just walked through,” Noreen begins.

“And twice the price,” I murmur but cross to the floor-to-ceiling windows to stare at the mountains to the west. “The view is incredible.”

“One of the best in the city,” Noreen agrees.

I turn to Rafe, but he’s not looking at the mountains. He’s watching me.

“Feel free to wander around,” Noreen says and sits on the sofa. “I’ll just answer some emails here and give you some privacy. If you have any questions, I’m here.”

“Thank you.”

We walk through the spacious unit. I like the bedrooms and bathrooms. Laundry. And when I walk into the master closet, I almost have an orgasm from all of the space.

“Wow.”

“They always get you with the closets,” Rafe says with a grin. “It’s a hell of a closet.”

“You’re not kidding. But, damn, the price on this place is ridiculous.”

“Denver is expensive,” he says.

“Yeah.”

And when I walk out to the bedroom and stand at the window to take in more of the views of the mountains, he does what he did at the last place. He steps up behind me, rests his hands on my shoulders, and lowers his lips to my neck.

How is it possible that my body can spring to life with just the simplest touch from this man? It doesn’t matter where we are—this or any other room. His touch will forever make me burn.

“What do you think?” he asks.

“It’s not right. The house, not you.”

He kisses me once more, then turns me to face him. “Are you determined to stay here in Denver?”

“My business is here.” But the statement isn’t firm; it’s more conversational. “I’d rather not close it. I have employees I would hate to lay off.”

“I understand that.” He nods thoughtfully. “But a lot of things have changed for you. Have you given any thought to Seattle?”

I blink and frown. “No, honestly, I haven’t. But Nadia will be there more. And probably Ivie, as well.”

“You’re wounding my ego, sweetheart.”

I laugh. “Right. But, yes. You, too. Maybe moving to a new city and not just a new house is the fresh start I need. But my business…”

“There’s no need to make any big decisions right away.” He takes my face in his hands. “It’s just something to think about. Talk to Ivie about it.”

I love that he knows that I’ll need to bounce this off my best friend.

He always knows.

“You’re right. I’m in no hurry. And I’ll think about it.”

Chapter 7

~Annika~

“I can’t even begin to tell you how good it feels to have a girls’ night that doesn’t involve the mafia,” I say as I pour us each a glass of wine. We’re at Nadia’s place in Denver, all in our leggings and baggy shirts, hair up in knots, looking way less than glamorous but incredibly comfortable.

“Every day involves the mafia,” Nadia reminds me. “But it feels good to have things wrapped up and calm for once.”

“And you get to go on your honeymoon tomorrow,” Ivie adds, clinking her glass to Nadia’s. “There’s a tropical beach with your name written all over it.”

“Thank the good Lord and all of the saints,” Nadia agrees and takes a sip of her wine. “I’m ready to sip fruity drinks and soak in some sunshine. And have all the honeymoon sex. I still can’t believe I’m a married woman. It’s absolutely ridiculous to me.”

“Carmine is perfect for you,” I remind her.

The grin that spreads over her face is full of satisfaction. “Yeah. He is. Okay, enough about me. How are you, honey?”

“Oh, I’m good.” I wave her off, but both Ivie and Nadia narrow their eyes at me. “What? I am. I’m fine.”

“Fine.” Ivie nods and sips her wine. “You’re fine.”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“Bullshit. Spill it, Tarenkov.”

I shake my head and laugh at my friends as I reknot my hair.

“Something’s up with you,” Ivie agrees.

“Okay.” I take another sip of wine for courage. “I do have some stuff to talk through. And you guys are the only ones I can do that with.”

“And we’re right here,” Nadia says.

“You know I’m selling the house.”

“Thank God,” Ivie says. “I hate that place.”

“Me, too. I’m selling. Rafe and I went and looked at some condos the other day.”

“You went without us?” Nadia demands. “Damn it, A, I love house hunting.”

“But she went with Rafe,” Ivie reminds her. “We would have been third wheels.”

“Rafe isn’t the point. I went, and nothing felt right. The thing is, I don’t know if Denver feels right anymore. I’ve been here a long time, and I love it, but there’s nothing here for me except the spa. And I love it, and people depend on me there, but it’s just…”