Shirley
A Few Years Prior
It has been incredible being the center of Evgenii’s attention these last couple of weeks. I haven’t been quite brave enough to tell my family about him. My brothers can be overprotective. I am starting to feel very serious about our relationship though. Evgenii is wonderful. He’s so patient and kind and such a good listener. He dotes on me and is always gentle and caring, and I feel like we have a future together. I believe in it so much that I’m almost ready to bring him to meet the rest of the family.
I opened up to him about the abuse my father put me through and how he would call me names like slut and prostitute to ‘deter’ me from sleeping with boys. So Evgenii hasn’t pressured me into anything more than a few stolen kisses and holding hands. I appreciate it so much. I have appreciated it so much, I should say, but I think I’m ready to move on to the next phase. I want to plan a huge night for the two of us, hopefully ending it together in each other’s arms in my bed.
Mom, well Helena, knows that I’m seeing someone and is excited to meet them, but I want to have him to myself for a little longer. I start deep cleaning the apartment and set out some fresh scented candles around the room.
I text Evgenii to confirm he’s coming over for dinner at seven and that he mustn’t be late. He texts back quickly and promises he will be on time. He sends a cute row of little X’s kisses.
I’m giddy with anticipation. I start cooking early, a recipe Nonna wrote down for me. I’d bought all the ingredients fresh, and I’m not bad at cooking. Every woman in the Sorvino family learned to cook with Nonna sometime or another.
I work hard making proper garlic bread from scratch, Ricotta Gnocchi, and a pesto bolognese lasagna. I make homemade Italian kisses, ice cream, and some creamy chocolate sauce for dessert.
The smell from the kitchen wafts out into the living room of my apartment, and my mouth is watering. I light the candles around the room, turn some lights on low, and put music on in the background. Instrumental music, nothing with distracting lyrics.
With the food on low heat and the desserts in the freezer and fridge, I shower and get dressed. I give myself big cascading curls and light makeup, specifically outlining my eyes and lips. I wear a low-cut top with a push-up bra and a sexy black thong. It feels weird, and I’m really nervous about our night together, but I know Evgenii is the one.
The dinner goes amazing, and although he tells me how delicious the food is, I can see how much he enjoys it while he eats. Afterward, I make an Irish coffee for each of us, and we move to my living room in the low light and sit beside each other, close.
“This has been incredible,” Evgenii says with a soft smile. “I feel so spoiled.”
I set my coffee cup down, “I’m not finished.”
“There’s more? I don’t know if I can eat another bite,” he chuckles, but his eyes watch my body as I stand.
I swallow and blush. “What if it involved…eating….”
“You…” he breathes and licks his lips slowly. “I could probably do that.”
I swallow hard as I stand in front of him. He sets his coffee down on the table to his right and shifts, opening his legs. “Straddle my lap,” he says softly.
I do as I’m told, and my soft breasts are at eye level for him, but he looks up at my face. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes,” I say nervously, “I do.”
Evgenii smiles. “If you want to stop at any time, just say so, okay?”
I nod. It’s my turn to lick my lips as his hands slowly trace their way up the sides of my body and then onto my breasts, which are straining for freedom. Evgenii slowly pulls my shirt down to expose my push-up bra and breasts. I watch him, familiar with the tingling sensation building up between my legs.
He leans forward and kisses the tanned flesh of my breast that is exposed, kissing them slowly everywhere. As he moves to kiss the right breast, his left hand grabs my opposite breast. He swirls his fingers around, and I gasp as he finds my nipple. I can feel him smile against my flesh.
He reaches with both hands and undoes the clasp on the front, releasing me. He holds a breast in each hand and gently massages them as he looks up at me. I lean down and kiss him tentatively but then with hunger. I can feel something hard in his pants underneath me, and I know he wants to be satisfied.
He breaks the kiss to suck on one nipple and then the next as his hand slips between my legs and rubs my clit through the fabric. I buck slightly, and he chuckles. “You really are horny.”
I blush, and he shakes his head. “It’s enticing.” He suddenly grabs my hips and guides me to lie on the sofa. He continues kissing my lips, neck, and breasts, and I close my eyes and tip my head back. I can feel his hands busy with something near my legs and then feel it: the tip of a hard erection at the entrance to my pussy.
My eyes flutter open, and I look up at him. He strokes my hair out of my face and whispers, “I won’t hurt you, I promise.”
I nod and kiss him deeply as he slowly teases me with the tip of his dick until it’s lubricated enough with my juices to push into me slowly.
He keeps his word and moves gently in and out of me. It’s an experience that I could never replicate with anyone else. He hits me in all the right spots, his thumb teases my clit, and I whimper and squirm under him in pleasure.
I’m sure he will orgasm before me, that’s what I’m told most men do, but he doesn’t. He stops at numerous points to pleasure me, and there’s a build-up, an intense fire coiling between my legs. A tension that I can’t deny, and my legs start to clamp shut around him as he moves his finger faster, his dick buried deep inside me. I arch my back, yelping like a little dog, until I cry out, gushing juices all over him.
I’m embarrassed and try to stammer an apology, but he kisses me passionately, starting to move again, murmuring about how hot I am, how that was so sexy.
We eventually get uncomfortable and transfer to my bed, where we continue. At one point, he has me on all fours and is pounding in and out of me, his hands roughly groping my breast, and I’m crying out his name because of how sensitive the walls of my vagina are post-orgasm.
After trying out several positions and having several orgasms, we fall back into my bed with satisfied smiles. I throw a leg over his leg, an arm around his waist, and rest my head on his chest. He puts an arm around my shoulders and kisses my head.
After we both catch our breath, we lie there as he gently strokes my back.
“I got a promotion at work today,” I comment to break the silence.
I don’t have to look at him to see his big smile. I can feel it in how his body moves under me. “That is so awesome. I’m so proud of you,
Shirley.”
I grin, feeling a little sleepy. “Yeah, they’re going to allow me to choose properties in Lower Manhattan to purchase to run legit businesses from. They said I could oversee those projects.”
“Lower Manhattan, huh? Any interesting leads?”
I nod. “Yeah, there’s a lot of potential there that not many other families see, so we’re taking it while we can.”
We talk a bit more about my work before I finally start to doze off on his chest.
Present Day
After ignoring Evgenii and leaving La Club, I go back to the estate and my makeshift office. I’m not there long before there’s a knock at my door.
It’s Carmine holding a beautiful bouquet of dark purple and bright blue flowers. I frown, thinking Evgenii is trying his luck again.
Carmine smiles as he sets them on my desk. “Nothing suspicious about them other than they’re from Mikhail Gobulev. The man seems to be obsessed with you.”
I shake my head. “He thinks he can use me.” I read the card. It’s an invitation to dinner that night.
“I don’t trust him, but I might be able to get some useful information from him. Please let Alessandro know where I’ll be tonight. I won’t need a guard.”
Carmine looks hesitant but then nods and leaves.
I text the number on the card and confirm I’ll have dinner with Mikhail at a restaurant of my choosing near the beach.
I remind myself that he, Evgenii, and everyone else outside our family just want to use me to gain power.
As I return to work, I wonder about Mikhail and Evgenii, mainly about the latter, and I wonder what his problem is.
A wave of nausea hits me, and I decide to lie down until it passes. I hope I’m not getting a stomach bug.
Evgenii
I lightly knock on my sister’s bedroom door, despite it being open. My sister used to be part of an elite Russian army operation. She’ll take my head off before I can blink.
Natalia looks up from where she’s resting on her bed, playing on her phone. “Brother?”
“I thought it would be nice to get out a little.” I smile my charming smile. “The family we have joined forces with owns this bistro on Fifth
Avenue. I thought we could go have dinner there.”
“You want to use me for cover so you can see your little American girlfriend?” She shakes her head, but she’s smiling. “You know you’re a player. Why get involved with one you’ve already played.”
I keep my calm. “I don’t, I just want to take my baby sister out to get some nice food, and then we’ll come back. I’m not thinking about
Shirley at all.”
That was the biggest lie I’ve ever told anyone in my family. All that I’ve been able to think about is Shirley. What she’s doing, what she’s wearing, what she looks like when she’s not wearing that, and how warm her mouth is when it’s wrapped around my…
“Okay,” Natalia jolts me from my thoughts, “I know you’re lying, but I am hungry. We can go.”
I don’t retaliate, although it’s hard because she and I both have that signature smirk that belongs to our immediate family.
We leave the house, taking my car into New York toward Fifth Avenue, where the bistro is. It’s hard to find parking because the bistro is busy, but I eventually find a spot, paying off the Sorvino guard to ensure it isn’t towed or clamped.
We both look around as we walk in. Natalia admires the decor while I’m looking for Shirley. If she’s not here, she’s at La Club, and I’m sure I can go there after dropping Nat off.
We wait for the hostess to fetch us to take us to our table when I see Kira.
“Kira, hey!” I try and look casual. “I thought I’d bring my sister
Natalia to taste your fine cooking.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Natalia,” Kira smiles, holding her hand out. “The special tonight is to die for.”
“We’ll take two,” my charming smile activates on its own. There’s a moment’s pause before I ask, “I’m surprised the rest of your family aren’t here. Where’s Dominic? Miguel? Arianna and Shirley?”
Natalia snorts but composes herself quickly as Kira says, “They don’t eat here every day, you know, Evgenii. Dominic is probably home. Miguel is looking after our kids. Arianna is out with Carmine, and Shirley had some date.”
My mood sours, but I try not to let it show on my face. “Oh, okay. Oh, look, it’s our turn to be seated. We’re looking forward to the excellent food.”
Kira smiles at me and walks back to the kitchen as Kimber, the hostess, leads us to the private booths reserved for family and friends. I sit opposite Natalia, but all I can think about is Shirley and who the fuck took her on a date.
“You’re not supposed to be distracted by her,” Natalia’s comment is quiet and casual but to the point, and my head snaps up in defense. “What? No, I don’t care what she does with her time. That’s her problem.”
Natalia smiles but says nothing more as the waitress comes over to take our drinks order.
Our first round of drinks comes, and I settle back. “So you say
Europe was good? Our parents are fine?”
“As fine as can be, they’re living in the lap of luxury,” Nat says, sipping her cocktail. “Maybe you should try to see them sometime.”
“Nah,” I brush her off. “They will never be happy that I didn’t become a surgeon, CEO, or some sort of leader.”
“They are proud of you,” she says, reaching for my hand.
I grin and squeeze her hand in mine. “Tell me about you. What made you decide to set up shop here?”
“I needed a job, and Ivan was kind enough to agree to help me out.” She looks away as she speaks, and it rouses my suspicion.
“Is there something you’re not telling me, Natalia? Is everything okay?” I ask, leaning forward and keeping my voice low.
She glances at me, and our eyes meet briefly before she shakes her head. “Nothing happened. I’m just not feeling well.”
“You should see a doctor then. We have one that will come to the house to see you.”
“Evgenii, please. If I need a doctor, I will ask for one. Can I just be left alone to deal with my life for a few days?”
I don’t answer as the waitress brings our food. It smells delicious, and Nat instantly tucks in, moaning softly as she tastes the food.
“Almost as good as Aunty’s food,” I comment, stuffing a piece of cheesy garlic bread into my mouth.
“Almost, but not quite,” Natalia agrees. The conversation becomes lighter, and we reminisce about our childhoods and the trouble we used to cause and get into, especially with Ivan.
After eating and drinking our fill, I return Natalia to the car. She climbs in while I pause to message Shirley and ask her if she wants to meet for a nightcap at La Club. I know she’ll feel safe there.
After pocketing my phone, I get into the car and drive us home. Natalia hasn’t said much since we finished our meal, and I can tell there’s something she’s hiding, but she won’t come out and say it. Briefly, I wonder if she is questioning her loyalty to me or my loyalty to Ivan, but no, she has clearly been off since her trip. Something must have happened in Europe. I’ll have to ask my parents if they know anything-without her knowing- because if she finds out I’m prying into her private life, she will make me pay for it.
Natalia kisses my cheek when I pull up to the house. “Don’t punch anyone. It’ll make you look like the bad guy.” Young but wise, my sister knows me too well. I watch her walk into the house, my phone to my ear, as I get one of my tech guys to trace Shirley’s last known location.
I wait in my car, wondering if Shirley has a type. If her type is me. What if it’s someone entirely different from me? Does that mean I don’t stand a chance at all with her ever again?
My phone buzzes, and Jessie is talking quickly in my ear.
She’s at a restaurant, or at least was there five minutes ago, and it isn’t far from my house. I sit in my car for a few moments, considering how Ivan would feel if he found out I was doing this, that I was going insane over an ex. Then I turn my car back on and pull out of my driveway. I have to know who she agreed to go on a date with. I won’t do anything. I’ll just look and leave. Nothing serious, and Ivan and Alessandro will never find out I was there anyway. No harm. No foul.
Surprise, surprise, it’s a cheesy, over-priced French restaurant, the kind new money kinds take their dates to so they can flash how much cash they spend in the hopes it’ll convince their date they’re worth going home with. I go to the hostess and am about to ask for a seat at the bar when I see Shirley.
Talking and laughing with Mikhail.
My blood boils, but I smooth down my suit and smile at the hostess. “My friends are already here.”
I stride past her despite her protests and head straight for their table.
I stop to the side of them and smile. “Well, isn’t this a small world?”
Mikhail looks at me with irritation, while Shirley looks livid. “What are you doing here, Evgenii?”
“I was just looking for a bite to eat,” I say innocently. “Imagine my surprise when I find you here. Why don’t we make this a party?” I grab a free chair and sit down on the open side of the table. “This way, we can all have some fun.”
Mikhail smiles at Shirley and then turns to me. “I’m afraid we’ll have to party some other time. This is a private dinner.”
I widen my eyes and act surprised again. “Oh! Oh! Shirley,” I turn to her, “do Ivan and Alessandro know about this? Because I’d doubt either of them would be happy about this development.”
“You certainly aren’t,” Mikhail comments, wiping his mouth on his napkin.
I smirk. “Now, now, Mikhail, you came to us for a truce so we wouldn’t wipe you out, not the other way around.”
“Perhaps Ivan should reel in his dog and train it better,” Mikhail snipes at me.
“Jesus!” Shirley exclaims. We look at her as she picks up her handbag and jacket. “You are both acting like damn toddlers.” With that, she walks away without another word.
Mikhail stands and fixes his jacket, intending to go after her, but I stand, a head taller than him. “Don’t even think about it. You stay away from her.”
He snorts and flags a waitress. “The bill, please.” He turns to me with a smirk. “You have no authority over me, Evgenii. You can’t tell me what I can and can’t, will or won’t do.”
I want to punch him, I do, but instead, I decide to go after Shirley. I glance back twice as I walk out and realize Mikhail isn’t following me.