Taming Ricardo, The Italian Billionaire

*****

“Good morning, friend!”

Kyra glanced around with a deep scowl. Friend? “Don’t friend me, Allegra.”

Seemingly taken aback, Allegra clutched her chest. “What’s with you?” She glanced at the empty cup in Kyra’s hand. “Oh, you haven’t had your coffee yet.”

“No, I haven’t so don’t piss me off any more than you already have.”

Allegra’s eyes widened. Well, she wasn’t the only one surprised by Kyra’s unusually cross attitude, Kyra shocked herself.  Apparently, she turned into the Grinch when she didn’t get any sleep plus lack of caffeine. She was annoyed with Allegra for the dinner debacle the previous night but it wasn’t Allegra’s fault that she tossed and turned all night. That was all Ricardo’s fault. His scent had lingered in her apartment all night and damned if she didn’t like it. And that damn kiss. It was a simple kiss on the cheek for goodness sake! Totally meaningless. But, she had thought about it all night, wished that he had kissed her on the lips instead. Then, there was her guilt for feeling as if she had failed the Griggs and everyone else who lived in the apartment building.

“Gosh, I’ve never seen you like this. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”

Kyra gritted her teeth. “Are you really going to play the best friend card after what you did to me last night?”

Grabbing a Styrofoam cup, Allegra busied herself pouring out her coffee. “What are you talking about?”

Kyra glared at her back as she avoided making eye contact. “You humiliated me in front of Ric- Mr. Bianchi last night. Not to mention, you totally sidetracked the purpose of that dinner. What happened to helping me convince Mr. Bianchi not to go ahead with his renovation project? What happened to voicing your concerns? The only concern you addressed last night was trying to get into a rich man’s bed.” She snapped her mouth shut when her last words slipped out. Did I say that out loud?

Allegra’s mouth fell open. “I’m just going to go ahead and assume that you’re crabby, either because you’re tired or you need to get laid. So, I’m just going to let your completely out of line comment slide. And how the hell did I embarrass you?”

Fuming Kyra set her still empty cup down and glanced around the lounge, ensuring they were alone. “How could you tell a stranger that I’m boring? I may not have many friends but I’m sure true friends aren’t supposed to put each other down.”

With light laughter, Allegra waved a hand. “Oh, come on, Kyra. I was kidding! Look, I’m sorry if you felt like I was putting you down. I meant no harm, sweetie, honestly. Okay, maybe I got a bit nervous. You know how chatty I get when I’m nervous.”

“Since when do you get nervous around men? Around anyone?”

“Since I met Ricardo Bianchi. Okay?” She sighed. “I really like him, Kyra. I might have said some things I didn’t mean. One look at the man and a woman turns to mush. Isn’t he sexy?”

Biting the inside of her cheeks, Kyra mumbled. “Yeah, he’s alright.” And the biggest liar award goes to me. Of course, she found the Italian sexy. He was more than sexy, if that were possible. She was embarrassed to tell Allegra that she liked him, especially after hearing the other woman gush about him.

Allegra snorted. “Clearly, you’re half-blind.” She moved closer. “Guess what? When he dropped me home last night, he kissed me.” She let out an excited shriek that made Kyra wince.

Kyra’s heart plummeted to her feet and her face collapse. “He-he did? Oh.” Quickly composing herself she continued, “Wow, that’s great.”

“Isn’t it? I hope we go out again soon. Keep your fingers crossed for me.” Allegra grinned. “Enough of that and on to more important matters. You and I are good right?”

“Yeah, sure,” Kyra murmured absently. She could barely register what Allegra said after dropping the bomb that Ricardo kissed her. She didn’t even remember that she was also supposed to attack her friend about the way she had diverted Kyra and Ricardo’s business dinner. Her mind was stuck on one thing at the moment. Her chance with Ricardo had officially gone down the toilet. Any man Allegra wanted, she got and it seemed Ricardo was equally interested in her.

Kyra figured she might as well throw in the towel and take her mind off of Ricardo Bianchi. The only dealings she would have with him would be business because she was far from done fighting his project. Now that she was a little pissed that he and Allegra had something going on, she had even more fire for the battle. Steeling her mind and her heart against her feelings for Ricardo she decided to focus on her job, helping the Griggs and many others.

With a nod she repeated, “We’re good, Allegra. I’ll catch you later.” She poured her coffee and waltzed out of the lounge.