are you waving at?”
“Some of my staff from Dolce Sale. I’m inviting them over. Our business is done here, no?”
“Apparently.” He stood and stuffed his laptop into a leather bag. “So far, Camille hasn’t done anything out of the ordinary. I’ll let you know if I find anything else out.”
I nodded, keeping my gaze fixated on Raven. “Yeah, yeah. But none of the boring stuff. Just get to the point next time.”
Cassius towered over me and scowled. Not only was he large for a man, he was also large for his kind. Cassius was a werewolf, but luckily for me he was a patient one with a long fuse. God knows I’ve done everything to test him over the years. “Yes, princess, I’ll try to make it more palatable for you next time.”
“Very funny. Talk soon.”
He patted me on the back on his way out, passing Max and Raven on their way over to my table. Cassius paused and turned around to throw me a look. One he’s given me before. It meant he took one look at Raven and knew exactly what I was doing. He shook his head as he continued to leave. But not before sending me a quick text.
You cut our meeting short so you could get laid?
I fired back with:
Yes, that’s exactly what I did. Now go fuck yourself.
I could just imagine the smirk on his face as he read it. Cassius knew me well and he was one of the few people who could call me out on my shit.
Max bumbled over with a reluctant looking Raven a few steps behind him. “Boss! What are the odds we run into you again? I didn’t know you hung out at the Met.”
“I have many hidden passions, Max.” I winked at Raven. “Nice to see you again. Sorry we didn’t have a chance to speak last night at the bar. Thank you again for your excellent service. Please, join me?” The blood raced in my veins. I had to count back from ten in my head to keep my dick from getting hard again. In the bar was one thing, but not in broad daylight.
Raven gripped her coat to her chest like it was a security blanket. “Oh, we don’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense. My business has finished and there are no other empty tables. Besides, I’d like to buy you both a drink. Get to know each other better. You’re all going to be seeing a lot more of me. I have matters that are keeping me in the city much longer than I anticipated.” You are keeping me here. With your hungry green eyes and soft lips.
Raven inched down into the opposite chair. “You don’t live here full-time?”
Max bubbled with excitement. “Mr. Fabiano has a sick house upstate. That’s where the real parties are. The other night was nothing compared to those.”
I couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes I thought everyone else loved my parties more than I did. Especially the staff who worked them. “Please, call me Ozi. And yes, I usually only come into the city once a month. I like the quiet and the space of my estate. The air is cleaner and there are more trees. And yet I’m just a quick helicopter ride away from the city. The best of both worlds you could say.”
“Yeah, Mr.—uh, Ozi, has his own helipad. So freaking cool,” Max chimed in.
Raven did not look impressed. In fact she wasn’t looking at me at all. Instead she was fixated on the menu. Most women wet their panties when they found out how much money I had. This one seemed to be bored by it.
I gently took the menu from her hands. “Do you like champagne?”
She fidgeted with the edge of her yellow cashmere sweater. “We’ve been drinking mimosas all day, so yes. I love champagne.”
“Yes, let’s keep it going, girl,” Max cooed.
“Excellent,” I said. “Let’s change it up a little, shall we? I’ll order us a round of Bellinis.”
Max’s phone rang. “Ooh, I have to take this. I’ll be right back.” He leapt up from the table like it was on fire and stepped out of the café.
Raven nodded and smiled. She looked amazing. “I didn’t figure you for a peach Bellini drinker,” she teased.
Was that actual sarcasm? Maybe I was wearing her down. I flashed her a grin. “It’s all about la dolce vita, darling. The sweet life.” I signaled to the server, placed the order, and turned my attention back to her. “There are