His Dirty Demands (Dirty Billionaires 1)
She mumbles something I can’t make out.
“What?”
“It’s a go bag.”
I know what a go bag is. However, they’re far more common for people on the run from various law enforcement or criminals, not a civilian like Alicia. They’re what people grab when they need to get out of their location fast, usually cash, clothes, a gun, anything they might need until they could get somewhere safe to regroup. Is there something else she’s keeping from me? “Why in the world do you have a go bag?”
“Don’t you remember after 9/11 when we had all those drills? They said at the time it was a good idea to have a bag packed for clothes and stuff in case we got evacuated and couldn’t get back to our apartment. I thought it was a good idea. Once the boiler went out in the building and I almost checked into a hotel before they got it going again. Then when Bethany went to Mexico to volunteer in a medical clinic, they told her not to put her passport with her other luggage, basically they told her to have a go bag hidden. I added the knife and flashlight after...um, I watched this television show where a guy talked about a go bag.”
“When did you add the vibrator and the lube?”
She rolls her eyes even as she blushes. “When I got a new one. It still works fine. I don’t like throwing things away.”
This is my Alicia, a crazy mix of careful, thoughtful, dreamy all in one package. I tug her to me. “You’re crazy, neurotic, and beautiful, but I’m glad you’re mine.”
Her arms go around my neck to bring me to her mouth. Sweet, so sweet, my sweetness. Gasping, she backs up, her arms still around my neck. “For six long weeks I dreamed of you here with me in this bed. Before I get rid of it, care to make my dreams come true?”
“All you have to do is ask.” I moan into her mouth as I tug at her shirt.
***
Alicia
Listening to the steady thump of Cesare’s heart below my ear, I’m relieved all is right again. Cesare sighs. “Cara, it’s getting late. I don’t want you to be late. You still have to go home and get changed.”
“You’re right. I need to pick up the car from the rental place.”
“No you don’t, Daniel is driving you.”
I sit up. “What? When were you going to tell me? And I can drive myself, I’m a big girl.”
Cesare shakes his head as his hand comes around the back of my neck before yanking me down to inches from his mouth. “There is no need for you to spend the cost on a car when I have three with drivers at my disposal. I feel better knowing Daniel is driving you.”
“Cesare—I—”
“You would deny me the assurance you’re safe?”
He’s driving me crazy. I do not want to fight with him after just making up. “Okay, fine.”
Which is how I find myself being driven to Bethany’s graduation in a fucking limo. Why couldn’t we have used the Town Car? I feel like people are watching when I pull up outside the small apartment complex to pick up Bethany.
She opens the door and we both shriek as we hug each other. It feels like way too long—it’s been since Christmas. Not surprisingly, she lets go before I do. “Okay, Mom, I need to breathe.”
“Oxygen is overrated,” I mumble as I continue to hold her tight.
“Wow, who has the fancy ass limo?”
Letting her go, I groan. “Us. Cesare at his bossy finest.”
“Wow, I really like this guy.”
“Say that now. We’ll see what you think after you meet him tonight. He wants to take us for dinner at the restaurant in the Hancock Building.”
“Ooh la la, which fork do I use for what again?”
“Haha. Oh, but I do have to admit he’s the donor of a part of your graduation present, so I can’t be too mad at him.”
Her face lights up. “Am I getting a limo?”