Enticing the King: The Sovrano Crime Family, #7

By Jessa York

With my wonderful interlude over--it's back to real life.

 

Until it isn't.

 

There's more than one billionaire standing in my way--and yes, that's a big problem.

 

And I don't know how to get out of the predicament I've found myself in.

 

One of them wants an heir.

 

And the other one just wants--me.

 

They've left this impossible decision in my hands.

 

What do you do when there's no easy choice?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessa York
• Release date: Mar 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215601273

Book preview

1

Giselle

Not many things really surprised me anymore.

But, seeing Carlo sitting in that chair, casually drinking a glass of amber liquid—while staring at me with his devilishly handsome smirk—well, yeah.

That surprised me.

I’m guessing this is some kind of mix-up, I said, and pulled my purse strap further onto my shoulder. I’ll just be going now.

I turned, more than ready to leave.

Stop! Carlo’s voice shouted through the room, directly into my ears.

My entire body tensed.

There’s no mix-up, Giselle. I specifically asked for you. His deep, gravelly tone drew me in.

Dammit.

I tried to take a breath, but my lungs weren’t interested in obeying.

I slowly swiveled around. You’re joking, right? I tilted my head and set my hand on my hip.

His dirty, mischievous grin grew wider as he shook his head. Never been more serious in my life. Come in. I have your drink ready. He nodded to the table beside him.

My eyes followed his, and I saw a tall glass of orange soda sitting on the other side of the small, round table.

It looked delicious.

And I was suddenly very thirsty.

I don’t accept drinks from strange men.

His head tipped back, and he let out a deep, low laugh that made my body tingle.

In a good way.

Which was also in a bad way.

Carlo quieted down but still kept the smirk. I asked you to sit down. So, sit with me. His head jerked to the chair on the other side of the table.

Part of me wanted to stay—and drink orange soda—and do other things with Carlo.

A large part.

Another part of me wanted to pick up the orange soda and dump it in his lap.

What’s your deal? I asked him and walked a few steps further into the room.

He tilted his head slightly. What’s my deal? he asked as though we met this way every evening.

Do you need your hearing checked? I asked sarcastically, making him chuckle again.

He kept laughing and said, Fuck, I missed this, he shook his head, I missed you.

That hit hard to my unsuspecting heart. Those were the last words I thought I’d hear from him.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself—there was no way I was going to fall for anything that tumbled out of that man’s mouth. Why am I here, Carlo? Ilona has a billion other girls you could have requested. Even though I asked that question, my stomach twisted just thinking about Carlo being with another woman.

His eyes trailed over my body—head to toe, then back again. He shook his head. I don’t want anyone else. I want you.

Oh, gosh.

My brain knew he said that because he wanted to get off.

I mean, why else was I here? Other than to fill that need for him.

I sighed and pulled my phone out, busying myself and ignoring how his words affected me.

I’ll message Ilona’s and tell them to send someone else over, I said, my eyes cast downward to my phone as I scrolled and found what I needed.

You do that, Carlo’s voice was so dark and menacing it gave me a chill, and we’re going to have a very large problem.

My body froze and so did my fingers.

And it pissed me off.

Even after everything he’d done, and all the ways he’d hurt me—I still reacted to him.

I gazed up, into his eyes. What do you want with me? I asked in a whispered voice. My knees barely held me up, and if my damn lungs could start working now—that would be great.

He grinned his deadly smile at me again. I want all of you—all the time.

My poor brain jumped around, not understanding at all what he was saying. But I assumed that wanting all of me meant he really wanted to sleep with me.

No.

To fuck me.

And yes—as I thought about letting him do exactly that—I clenched down below.

Because, yeah.

I wanted to sleep with Carlo.

Most of the women in Chicago wanted that.

Heck, most of the women in the world would want Carlo Sovrano in their bed.

I also knew—if I let him in again—it would mess even more with my head.

Crap.

What I needed was less of Carlo.

Not more.

If I felt his touch one more time—I just might be a goner.

I steeled my heart and my mind. Why don’t you go home and fuck your baby mama? I bet she’s waiting for you.

He raised his eyebrows. Stassia’s not an issue.

Now it was my turn to laugh. I think she probably disagrees with you on that. I stuffed my phone back into my purse. Go home, Carlo. Sleep with your—Stassia. And hey, I shrugged and finally felt the circulation return to my legs, you’ll save some money.

I turned to the door and took two steps before Carlo said, Stassia’s no longer an issue. We broke up.

I inhaled as a weird, jagged prickle crept through my body.

What the heck was that feeling? I’d never experienced it before and it confused the crap out of me.

What he said hit me so deeply—no, I allowed what he said to hit me so deeply, that I was speechless.

Stassia and I are done. I came here for you. Goose bumps formed on my arms and I shivered.

Luckily, I was able to take a deep, cleansing breath. Slowly, I spun back around to face him.

She kicked you out? I raised my eyebrows and tried my best to sound like I didn't really care.

But dammit.

I did.

I really freaking cared.

I didn’t want Carlo anywhere around Stassia.

I didn’t want him to plant his lumberjack babies inside of her.

Carlo chuckled and poured himself another drink. Actually, he said and took a healthy swig of his drink, I broke up with her.

His white button-down shirt had a few too many buttons open. Carlo’s muscular chest was more than visible. My fingers urged me to walk over and touch it.

My brain warned me off.

Can I be honest with you, Carlo? I took a few steps closer to him. It was like my feet couldn't help themselves.

Always, he said, and let his eyes rake over me. And—oh, man—I could feel his stare as though it were his fingers gliding along my flesh.

You’re a handsome guy and you know it, I said and watched his head quirk slightly to the side.

He shifted slightly in his chair. And?

Yeah, he knew it.

Why pay someone—anyone—for sex when you can easily get it for free out in the real world? I nodded my head toward the window.

His eyebrows drew close. I’m not paying, he scowled at me, anyone. I’m paying you.

I shut my eyes for a few seconds, feeling more confused than ever about why I was here.

He and Stassia were going to start a family—and had been actively trying their best to achieve that.

Now, Carlo said he’d broken up with her.

Which made no sense.

Stassia was gorgeous.

And she was obviously into starting a family with Carlo.

I opened my eyes and stared directly at him. So you and Stassia had a fight? And coming to fuck me is your way of getting back at her?

He glowered at me. Not even close. I’m here for you. Stassia and I are done. Forever.

I shook my head and gazed down at the floor—looking for an answer as to what I should do.