Taming Ricardo, The Italian Billionaire

Chapter 4

She was beautiful, a golden skinned goddess with the most gorgeous upward tilted, almond shaped eyes. They were a rich dark brown and shone with intelligence, eyes he could stare into, tirelessly. Her eyes alone seemed to have awaken him from a mental slumber. Laying eyes on the beauty standing before him made him feel more alive than he’d felt in a long time.

 He couldn’t keep his eyes off of her mouth. Every word she uttered, his gaze was drawn to her full, sensually curved,  painted red lips. Instantly, he began to fantasize about how they would feel against his. Were they as soft as they looked? Did they taste as delicious as they looked? He could imagine that they did. 

Everything about her was perfect to him, even the cut of her sleek black hair that swung above her shoulders. Her dress hugged her curves, curves any man would want to get their hands on. She wasn’t tall because he towered over her despite her high heels, but she had long slender legs. He could picture them wrapped around his waist.  Ricardo blinked, erasing the erotic images forming in his mind.

“How do you expect me to make things up to you?”

The breathy, sultry voice that he had fallen in love with before laying eyes on her penetrated his thoughts. Ricardo blinked. “What was that?”

Kyra folder her arms across her middle, shifting from one foot to the other. He stifled a smile. She was nervous. Good.

“You said you expect me to make it up to you. I already apologized. What else can I possible do?”

 Right. For a second he had forgotten what they were conversing about. Kyra Fisher was indeed too much of a distraction. It was surprising to him because he wasn’t easily distracted.  “Yes, as I was saying. I was incredibly insulted by your message, Kyra. You called me a callous monster.”

She hung her head. “I’m sorry.”

“You said I was an old devil, looking to make the world as miserable as I am.”

Kyra cringed and began to nibble her lower lip. Ricardo had to pry his gaze away from her mouth.  “Well, I-“

“I am miserable at times and I very well might be a devil but I am most certainly not old.”

“No, no, you most certainly are not, sir. You appear to be quite youthful.”

“Are you complimenting me on my looks, Kyra?”

“Yes- I mean, no. I just-“

Ricardo’s amusement escalated when she fell silent and sent him a glare. Why he enjoyed baiting the young woman was beyond him. He wasn’t one for needless banter but interacting with Kyra excited him. She exuded a timid air, but the fire flaring in her eyes at the moment intrigued him. It made him want to push her buttons further, to see the inferno in her dark brown orbs ignite to greater proportions.

“Okay, Mr. Bianchi. Can you please cut the crap?” She seemed surprised by her own outburst but continued. “Either you make your complaint to my boss, or you tell me what you want me to do to gain your forgiveness.”

“Dinner.”

Her arms dropped to her sides and she shook her head slightly. “I beg your pardon?”

“Have dinner with me.”

“How will that-“

“We can further discuss why you think I’m a callous monster.”

Kyra pursed her lips and looked repentant. “I really don’t think we have much to discuss.” She sighed. “Look, I didn’t mean anything I said. I don’t know the first thing about you so I had no right to use such harsh words.

“I think you meant every word, Kyra, so of course we have much to discuss. You’re unhappy with my project and I would like to hear exactly why. With all the insults you threw my way, you still didn’t make it clear what problems you have with my property development project.”

“I really don’t think my opinions or concerns will make any difference, Mr. Bianchi.”

“Ricardo.”

“Perhaps we should keep things formal.”

“And perhaps you should have dinner with me. You can’t be sure that I won’t take into consideration, your concerns, Kyra. I am willing to hear you out, after all.”

That made her pause. Ricardo could see the gears turning in her head and smiled with satisfaction. He had her hooked. There was no way she would turn down his invitation now.

“Dinner sounds good. I too have concerns about your development plans, Ricardo.”

Kyra and Ricardo’s eyes swung to the door in surprise.

“Allegra, what are you-“

She cut Kyra off. “I think we should accept Ricardo’s dinner invitation, Kyra.”

Ricardo scowled as the woman extended her hand but he accepted, reluctantly. “Ricardo Bianchi, but I gather you already knew that.” He wanted to mention that he only gave Kyra permission to use his Christian name but remained silent.

“Allegra Romano. A pleasure to meet you, ” she purred. “Before you arrived, Kyra and I were discussing your plans. We’re both very concerned about the effect it will have on a lot of people. Let’s talk over dinner.”

Ricardo didn’t miss Kyra’s shocked expression, which she quickly covered up. “Uh, Mr. Bianchi, Allegra is my co-worker and very good friend. I-I suppose we could meet up with you to discuss things. Maybe two voices will better be heard.”

Ricardo was careful not to let his disappointment and utter annoyance show. “How does tomorrow evening, seven o’clock sound?”

“It’s a date,” Allegra chirped.

“If you give me your addresses, I’ll be happy to pick you both up.”

“Perfect!”

“I’ll meet you there.”

Allegra and Kyra chorused. Allegra quickly jumped in. “So you’ll pick me up and Kyra will meet us. Sounds like a plan.”

Ricardo gave her a tight smile and then rested his gaze on the woman that captivated him even when all she did was stand silently, glaring at him as she was doing now. Kyra cocked a brow when he continued to stare and he ginned. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”

When she nodded, he didn’t know whether to be disappointed about her lack of excitement to see him again or be impressed that she was one of few who didn’t throw herself at him. Unlike Kyra, Allegra was virtually salivating as she took him in from head to toe, no doubt sizing up his worth. Ricardo sighed and proceeded to get Allegra’s address.

*****

        She walked in and there was that stir again. A stir in his gut that spread through the rest of him, as if every part of him had been waiting on her to come to life. Ricardo sat up straighter in his chair and watched Kyra advance into the room. Allegra had been boring him with stories about her party adventures. That was why he avoided younger women, yet, Kyra must be around the same age as Allegra and she held his interest. So much so that he spent all of last night thinking about her and all of that day anticipating seeing her again. What was it about Kyra Fisher that drew him in? Hopefully, he would find out tonight.