Taming Ricardo, The Italian Billionaire

Chapter 9

“Hold it right there, stranger.”

Kyra froze. Damn. Allegra’s voice was not a welcoming sound, considering she’d gone out of her way to avoid her. Plastering on a smile, she turned. “Hi, Allegra.”

Allegra gave a suspicious once over. “You look different. You’re practically glowing.”

“Thanks,” Kyra murmured. “I’m in a bit of a rush. I’ll see you later.”

“Not so fast. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re trying to avoid me.”

Letting out a nervous laugh, Kyra shifted from one foot the other. You got me. “That’s ridiculous. Why would you say that?”

“I’ve only been catching glimpses of you for days now. You’re always on the move. It’s okay. I know it’s because you’re busy. You’re always busy.”

Kyra gazed down at the floor guiltily. “Yeah, I have a lot going on.” She had been rather busy trying to figure out how to help the Griggs while keeping her work life separate from her romantic life. She was trying to remain neutral but at the end of the day, it was her boyfriend who was driving Chelsea, Deborah and many others out of their homes.

Boyfriend? Was that what he was? She’d have to ask him exactly what they were to each other when he got back to New York. They’d had two blissful weeks together until he’d had to leave on business. God, she missed him. He’d been gone for only three days and she was pining for his return.

“I miss you, girl.”

Kyra’s eyes flew to Allegra’s in an attempt to gauge if she was being genuine. “You do?” A warm feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. It was a rarity witnessing Allegra being sentimental. In truth, she missed her friend too. The way she had sidetracked Kyra and Ricardo’s dinner meeting and tried to sink her hooks into Ricardo had been forgotten.

“Of course. You’re my bestie! Do you realize that we haven’t had our morning chats by the coffee machine or our afternoon chats at your desk for a while now?” She lowered her voice. “And we haven’t gossiped about all the juicy stories and rumors flying around here.”

“It’s only been a few days, but sure, I’ve noticed.” Allegra laughed. “And you’re the one who always gossip. I just listen.”

“Which makes you just as bad as I am.” Allegra sighed. “Are you still upset about that dinner incident?”

Kyra’s brows lifted. “Of course not. That was a minor thing.” She’d been avoiding Allegra because she knew she had her eyes on Ricardo. But Ricardo was hers now. The temptation to tell Allegra just that arose. The words were right on her tongue. She wanted to claim her man, let Allegra know to keep her hands and eyes off of him. Although, she hadn’t heard Allegra say a peep about Ricardo. Maybe she had moved on.

“Good. So how have you been?”

“Great.”

“I can see that. You’ve gotten laid, haven’t you?”

“Allegra!” Kyra glanced around to make sure none of their co-workers were walking down the hall.

“What? I told you, you’re glowing. It’s either s*x or you’re pregnant.”

“I’m not pregnant.”

“So you’ve recently had some great s*x by the looks of you.” Allegra squealed. “Finally! You got some. I’m so proud. We have to go out tonight and celebrate.”

Kyra rolled her eyes. Did her having s*x really call for a celebration? “I can’t. I have to meet up with a few of my families this evening.” The Griggs was one of the families she was dreading seeing. She was going to have to tell them that they would have to move. She had been helping with the search for places to rent. They didn’t have much time left. Guilt swamped her. I’m sleeping with the man responsible for kicking them out of their home. Somehow, her guilt did nothing to take away from how she felt about Ricardo.

“Tomorrow night it is then,” Allegra stated. “Don’t even try saying no. You don’t work on Saturdays.”

“Allegra, I can’t-” She stopped. Perhaps it would be the perfect time to tell her about she and Ricardo. “You know what? Let’s do it. Let’s hit whatever bar or club you want to tomorrow.”

“Awesome! Whoever this man is, I’ll have to thank him for making you more fun, girl.”

Kyra pursed her lips. “Mhmm. I have to go. See you.” She couldn’t get away fast enough. Hopefully, Allegra hadn’t caught on to how jumpy she was. Kyra was aware that she didn’t have to inform Allegra or anyone else about her relationship with Ricardo. But being that they were such good friends, and Allegra had shown interest in him, she felt she needed to say something. She wondered how Allegra would react when she told her that the man she was after had shared Kyra’s bed several times as she had shared his. The several dinner dates they’d had over the past few days had always ended with them returning to his place where they often didn’t make it to the bedroom. There wasn’t a room or surface in Ricardo’s penthouse where they hadn’t made love. Her mouth curved into a grin at the recollection but she quickly pulled herself from the lovely reverie, her mind going back to Allegra.

 “Well, at least she won’t be able to kill me in public,” Kyra murmured.

*****

The club vibrated with the base from the deafening music. Bodies gyrated on the dance floor. Kyra felt uncomfortable.  After only forty-five minutes, she was ready to leave. She should be home, in bed, resting for Ricardo’s return. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of him. He had an insatiable sexual appetite and would no doubt carry out every carnal action imagined on her. She couldn’t wait.

“What are you grinning about?”

“Huh?” Her eyes shifted to Allegra sitting on the stool beside her. “Uh, nothing. Just thinking about how long it’s been since I’ve been clubbing.”

“Aren’t you glad you came?” Allegra shouted over the music.

“Yeah, sure.” Not really.

“So, are you going to tell me about your new boyfriend or what?”

“What makes you think I have a boyfriend?”

“Because you my friend, do not do casual s*x.”

“Maybe I’ve started having casual s*x.”

“Ha! Cut the crap and spill, Kyra.”

Kyra shot back the rest of her drink. She might as well come clean. “Alright, alright. I am seeing someone.”

Allegra grinned. “Yes!”

“Allegra, it’s-“

“Hold on, hold on! This calls for another shot.” She signaled the bartender.

Kyra sighed. She didn’t want anything else to drink. She was already feeling way too tipsy. “You know what, hold my drink. I’m going to run to the ladies’ room.”

Allegra nodded. “Hey, Kyra, you forgot your phone.”

Kyra was already too far to hear her over the music. Allegra shrugged and picked the phone up off the counter. She took her shot and rocked to the music. Kyra’s phone began vibrating but Allegra ignored it. It stopped but started again.