Playing for Real: Paolo's Playhouse, Book 5 Page 4

“I hope this woman is the one for you, but remember, I’ve had to listen to you make excuses for every woman since Holly.”

  “And so I give up?” Paolo snapped. “Go back to the clubs and be happy flogging and fucking nameless subs?”

  “No, man, that’s not what I meant.”

  Paolo’s anger drained out of him quickly. Ben had been his friend for too long to stay mad at him, especially when he was looking out for Paolo. “You had your share of lousy relationships too. You did not give up before you met Piper.”

  “No, I didn’t, but I didn’t jump in with my heart wide open when we’d just met.”

  “I…fuck…”

  Ben leaned closer. “Speaking of Holly…she’s been in here a few times in the past couple weeks, looking for you.”

  “I heard she was back in town.” He’d ignored her voice messages. Made sure he was unavailable at the Playhouse. “I’ve been trying to avoid her.”

  “You can’t do that forever.”

  “I can try.” The last thing he wanted to deal with right now was his ex-wife and their mess of a marriage.

  Piper came back to the bar with more orders, letting Paolo off the hook for a few minutes. Or giving him too much time to think. He should probably go home, but he was used to being up all night at the Playhouse. He wasn’t tired enough yet for sleep to give him relief.

  “Why didn’t you bring her here with you tonight?” Piper asked while she waited for Ben to get her drink order. And here he thought he was off the hook. “I want to meet her.”

  “It is probably a little early for that.”

  “No, it’s not. If you don’t want to introduce your girl to your friends, does that mean there’s something wrong with the girl? Or with the friends?”

  Did women have an entirely different brain than men? Where did they come up with these things? “That does not even make sense. If we keep dating, of course, you will meet her.”

  “You can’t blame me for being curious. I want to hear all about her.”

  “Do you not have work to do?”

  She glanced around them so quickly she couldn’t have checked every table. Or then again, maybe she could have. “Everyone’s good right now. Tell me something about her.”

  “She is an interior decorator. She’s tall and slender with fiery hair and bright green eyes.”

  “What do you like most about her?”

  Women. Paolo was going to shoot off a quick answer, but paused for a moment and thought about the question. “She gets all sassy when she’s nervous and she thinks it’s a weakness, but she’s really strong and brave.”

  “Wow. I’m impressed. You didn’t mention her boobs or ass.”

  Paolo laughed. “Those are impressive too.”

  “I knew it.” She bounced on her stool. “We have to double date sometime.”

  “When the time is right, Piper.”

  Piper tipped her head like she was studying him. She put her hand over his. “You’re a great guy. There’s a woman out there for you. If you really like this new woman, I hope she’s the one. But if she’s not, you’ll find the right one. I’m sure of it.”

  Paolo leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Thanks.”

  “Hey,” Ben called out. “Don’t try to horn in on my girl.”

  “I would not think of it,” Paolo replied with a grin. He had one of his own.

  Maybe.

  Julianne was more than a little scared at how fast she’d submitted to Paolo. How fast she gave over her body to him. How much she loved it. How desperately she wanted more. As frightening as it was, something soul-deep told her it was right.

  But a voice in the back of her mind screamed out a warning. She couldn’t let this go on too long, couldn’t let herself get used to his control over her.

  Or get used to him taking care of her.

  She would always take care of herself. Julianne had made that vow years ago when she saw how lost her mother had been when Julianne’s father walked out on them. Her mother had no backbone and no skills to make it on her own. Julianne made sure she’d been able to take care of herself from an early age. She might agree to being a sexual submissive, but she’d never allow anyone else to have a say over the rest of her life.

  After Paolo left, she wandered into her bedroom. She wished she could call Stacey and talk things out with her, but for all the time they’d spent together, they’d never talked about sex. Julianne could never tell her that Paolo gave her an orgasm while she was sprawled across his lap. Or that he’d tied her up with ropes. Bound her with chains. She’d never admit to anyone she wanted more of that. More bondage. More sex. Yes, more submitting to his dominance.

  How could she ever make this work?

  She kicked off her shoes and carried them into her closet to place them back in their shoe box. Julianne stared at the rows of boxes she’d arranged to keep things neat and tidy in the small space. To keep things where they belonged, so they didn’t interfere with the other stuff and make a mess.

  And she knew she had her answer.

  She could have it both ways. She could give up control to Paolo sexually and still keep the rest of her life her own. All she had to do was keep her time with him tucked in a neat little box, completely separate from her real life.

  The next morning she kept picturing Paolo in her workspace while she was finalizing the plans for the Olsen house. The young couple had been a joy to work with, not like some clients who expect the impossible, insist upon high end designs and products and then balk at the cost. Julianne didn’t mind working with clients who had modest budgets. She could often blow them away with what she could accomplish with little money. She enjoyed the challenge.

  Maybe she should consider her relationship with Paolo as another challenge. Embrace it and use it and control it. It was what she did best.

  Her mind was still full of Paolo, distracting her from her work. She was grateful when her business line rang. “Designs by Julianne.”

  “Miss Barnes? My name is Ingrid Stevenson. I’m opening a small retail shop and really need some help on the decorating end. Do you work with commercial space?”

  “Absolutely. I recently completed a project at a new coffee shop on Main. The Coffee Café, do you know it?”

  “Yes. I was there a few days ago. I loved the color scheme. And I was telling my husband about the cool art on the walls. Such a great combo of quirky and welcoming.”

  “Thanks. I love coming up with the perfect look for my clients. I’d be happy to meet you at your shop and talk about what you have in mind.”

  “Would tomorrow be too soon? My husband thinks we should paint the walls white and be done with it, but I want to make a statement.”

  “Of course you do. Let’s see. Tomorrow? Wednesday.” She ignored the way saying the day out loud was a reminder that she’d see Paolo tomorrow night. She glanced up at the calendar on the wall. She was meeting the Olsens early. “I’m free late morning. How does eleven work for you?”

  “Perfect. It’s a small space in the left corner of the Warehouse. Do you know where that is?”

  The Warehouse. Was everything going to remind her of Paolo? “Yes. I know it.”

  “Great. It’s the only empty space on the first floor now, but it won’t be empty for long. Oh, I’m excited.”

  Her open enthusiasm made Julianne smile and when she met Ingrid Stevenson the next morning, her excitement was contagious. As the curvy blonde described her plans for the long, narrow space, Julianne filled her notebook with measurements and ideas, the necessary and the hoped for.

  “My husband is not at all sure that an accessory shop stands a chance in this economy, but I’m lucky that he’s willing to indulge me.”

  They hadn’t talked budget yet, but Julianne could tell by that comment and the designer clothes and tasteful gold jewelry Ingrid wore, that money shouldn’t be a stumbling point. However, if the husband was financing his wife’s business and didn’t think an interior decorator was necessary, the m
oney for her services might not be in the budget.

  “I’m no business expert,” Julianne said, “but I think your shop should fit in well with the other businesses that are already here.”

  “Exactly.” Smooth gold bangles slid on Ingrid’s arms as she waved her hands. A matching gold choker necklace nestled along her collar bone. “I want The Finishing Touch to draw traffic from the restaurants and clothing stores here.”

  “So…jewelry, bags, scarves?” Ingrid nodded. “It sounds as if your stock will have a lot of colors, a lot of detail. You’ll want to keep the wall color simple, something that won’t clash with any of the merchandise on display.”

  “Richard was right, wasn’t he?” Ingrid asked, wincing. “Plain white walls?”

  Julianne smiled. “Not necessarily white, but definitely a neutral.” She nodded to a niche in the one wall. “Maybe we could use a bold color as an accent on that section.”

  “Oh good. But no quirky wall art either?” Ingrid sounded so disappointed.

  “What do you think of displaying your beautiful stock as the wall art?”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  They spent the next hour or so going over ideas and timelines and the generous budget Ingrid quoted her. They were laughing together when the door opened and a mountain of a man with thick gray hair walked into the store.

  “Julianne, this is my husband, Richard.”

  Richard Stevenson shook her hand, then held it briefly in both of his. His steady gaze swept over her as if he was looking for something in particular. “I’m very pleased to meet you.”

  “Very pleased to meet you too.” She eased her hand from his grasp.

  Ingrid raised gracefully onto her tiptoes to lightly kiss him. “Paolo was right,” she said softly. “I like her. She has some great ideas and she really gets what I want the shop to be like.”

  Julianne froze. “Paolo?”

  “Yes. Paolo Mancini? Our landlord? He said he knew you.”

  “Paolo owns the Warehouse?”

  Richard chuckled, his deep voice reverberating in his broad chest. “Among others. He didn’t tell you?”

  “No. But then I haven’t known him for long.”

  “I’ve known Paolo for years. My friend sometimes hides behind that charm of his.”

  “He can be very charming,” she said, although she wasn’t sure why she was talking to this stranger about Paolo. He seemed to have that same kind of commanding presence that Paolo did. But if Richard was a friend, maybe she could learn a little more about the man she would be spending time with. “I didn’t know he owned more than the Playhouse itself.”

  “Didn’t he tell you he began investing in real estate when he was still in college?” His dark brown eyes held her fast.

  “Well…we don’t really talk about that kind of thing,” Julianne mumbled, feeling her face heat up.

  “Men love to talk about themselves,” Ingrid said with a grin. “Or maybe that’s my husband.”

  Paolo hadn’t shared much information about himself with Julianne. She hadn’t expected him to. Or for this business call to turn personal. She certainly hadn’t expected Paolo to infiltrate her real life.

  “Are you two dating?” Ingrid asked brightly. “Richard didn’t tell me that.”

  “Um, we only met last week.” She still wasn’t sure if they could call what they did dating. “I’ll have to thank him for the recommendation. I’ll pull some ideas together and email an estimate to you, does that sound good?”

  “Sure.” Ingrid looked at Richard. “I love her ideas.”

  “I’m pleased to hear that, pet. I knew Paolo wouldn’t steer us wrong.”

  Julianne gathered up her things. “It was very nice meeting you. I look forward to talking with you soon.”

  Richard took her hand again, held her once more with that steady gaze. “We look forward to working with you. If you see Paolo soon, give him our best.”

  No. No. No. She took a breath before she smiled and nodded. “I will.”

  Chapter Three

  Fina and their mother were already seated when Paolo left his third floor office and took the elevator down to one of the restaurants on the first floor. He met his sister and mother for lunch once a month and each time he noticed more of the weight of the years on his mother’s face. He kissed her cheeks and sat across from her at the round table. He leaned over to kiss his sister’s cheek as well.

  “I cannot believe I am sitting with the two most beautiful women in the restaurant.” He winked at his mother and she smiled and blushed.

  “Your sweet talk does not work on us,” his sister said dryly.

  “Hush,” their mother said softly. “There is nothing wrong with a man complimenting the women he is with. I taught him well.”

  “You look wonderful, Mama. You are feeling well?”

  “Yes, thank you. And you, my son?”

  “Very well.” He called the waiter over and ordered drinks, then turned to his sister. “How are my nephews? Keeping you running as usual?”

  Fina smiled. “Of course.”

  “And is my son still working night and day?” his mother asked, a soft reprimand in her voice.

  He picked up the menu, although he knew the selections by heart. “You will be glad to know I hired a new manager to free up some of my time.” The new night manager meant his evenings were free for Julianne.

  “Ah, so you did listen to your mother.”

  “Of course. Do I not always do so?”

  Fina laughed.

  While they waited for their lunch, Paolo sat back and listened to his mother and sister talk about Fina’s sons. They were growing so fast. Paolo remembered when they were born. The love he felt for his nephews warmed his chest. He still hoped he might have sons of his own someday. Or a pretty little girl with fiery hair and big green eyes.

  Paolo took a long drink of water and when he set down his glass he glanced up and was surprised to see a delicate woman with fiery hair following the hostess to a small table near by. Paolo was on his feet almost before he knew what he was doing. “Julianne?”

  Her eyes widened when she saw him. “Paolo, hello.”

  “Join us.” He glanced at his mother and sister. “I hope you do not mind. This is a friend of mine.”

  His mother smiled. “Of course not. No one should have to dine alone.”

  “I don’t want to intrude,” Julianne said softly.

  “Not at all,” Fina said, a small gleam in her eye. “Please join us. I am Paolo’s sister, Fina. And this is our mother, Maria.”

  “Julianne Barnes. I’m pleased to meet you.”

  Paolo held out the chair for Julianne and couldn’t resist brushing her hair over her shoulder so he could feel the silky strands fall over his fingers. “What a lovely surprise.”

  “I met with your friends Ingrid and Richard today. I just came from their shop. Thank you, by the way, for recommending me.”

  “It was my pleasure.”

  The waiter came then and took Julianne’s order. Paolo watched his mother and sister sizing up Julianne, wondering exactly what kind of friend she was.

  “What do you do?” his mother asked when the waiter left.

  “I have an interior decorating business.”

  “I had a chance to see some of her finished projects and I was impressed,” Paolo said. “I didn’t hesitate to recommend Designs by Julianne to Richard.”

  “So you showed him your photographs? Is he hiring you or are you dating my brother?” Fina asked in that no holds barred attitude he usually appreciated.

  Julianne’s cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink. “Um…well, we’ve only had a couple…well, really only one real date so far.”

  So Julianne did not consider their Monday night together as a date? She was more stubborn than he thought. She still wouldn’t accept that their dominance and submission could be a real part of her life. All right. He’d play along for the moment.

  “We have another di
nner date for Saturday night, do we not?” Paolo said softly. Julianne nodded and lowered her eyes to the table. “I have not chosen a restaurant yet. What would you like? Another elegant place or something more casual?”

  “Go all out,” Fina said with a grin. “Expensive and fancy. He can afford it.”

  “I can choose?” Julianne asked, her brow raised.

  “Of course.”

  “I enjoyed expensive and fancy last weekend. I’d love to see what you think is casual.”

  “A challenge?”

  She shrugged. “I’m curious.”

  “Very well. Casual, it is.”

  While the women chatted over their meal, Paolo discovered new things about Julianne. That she was an only child. That she loved gardening but lacked a green thumb. That her parents were divorced. He watched his mother’s and sister’s reactions to Julianne, pleased to tell they liked her.

  “I should get back before Franco gets home,” his mother said after their plates were cleared away. She leaned over to pick up her purse from under the table.

  “Franco?” Julianne turned to Paolo. “That’s your father?”

  He nodded. “He is a science professor at the university.” He stood and kissed his mother and sister goodbye. Julianne said goodbye to them as well, then reached for her purse. Paolo sat down and placed his hand over hers. “Can you stay a little longer? Some coffee perhaps?”

  Her gaze bounced to the door and back, but she set her purse back down beneath her chair. “All right.”

  “Good.” He waved over the waiter, who poured coffee for them immediately.

  “I understand you own this building,” she said, staring into her coffee cup. “Ingrid mentioned it.”

  “Yes. I own several properties,” he replied carefully.

  She studied him for a moment. “I discover more sides of you every time I see you. Artist. Business owner. Real estate investor. Dominant. Are there more?”

  “Do we not all have many facets of our personality? Many ways we occupy our time? Many things we enjoy?”

  “I’m an interior decorator.”

  “You are more than that.”

  She shrugged, lowered her voice. “I suppose you would say I’m a sexual submissive.”