The Business Arrangement | Mafia Romance 18+

Chapter Eighteen: The Proposition (part 1)

POV: Maya

As promised, Henry joined me in the hotel after a quick talk with Trevor. We were both so exhausted from the gala that I barely managed to shower and get in bed before falling into a deep and extremely needed sleep.

As a result, I didn't notice how preoccupied Henry was until this morning, after an unusually quiet breakfast.

Add a couple mysterious phone calls, and several blatantly-mischievous stares from Trevor to the mix, and my curiosity has shifted into downright suspicion.

They are definitely hiding something.

As if he can read my mind, Trevor winks at me as he opens the car door.

"Thank...you?" I mutter.

Henry's phone vibrates for the millionth time today, and I sneak a glance over at him. Just like earlier, he's uncharacteristically distracted, and it's not until he texts whoever it is back and replaces his phone in his pocket that he notices me staring.

"Ready?" he smiles, though it looks more forced than usual.

"Maybe if you told me what, exactly, we're doing tonight, I would be," I tease.

His mysterious behavior has also coincided with a weird spontaneity. Mainly involving tonight. I can only hope it's some kind of elaborate date, and not another horrible business meeting.

Henry doesn't respond to my teasing, so I squeeze his hand to draw his attention.

"Hey, you okay?"

He turns to look at me, and he's so fucking sexy I have to resist the urge to tell him to cancel whatever plans he's made and take us back to the hotel, sans-dinner.

Seriously.

Whatever he has planned must be important, because he's dressed to the nines.

Perfectly tailored black tux and polished leather shoes.

Neatly combed hair and beard over a jaw that could cut glass.

And those eyes?

They're a muted, misty-blue here in the parking lot, but as soon as we step into the light I know they'll be shimmering with electricity.

In short, I could stare at him forever and never get tired of it.

It's like he's fucking made for me. And that's not even starting on his chiseled abs, or his wide shoulders, or his...

"You look beautiful," he says, interrupting my train of thought before it can dive into the gutter.

Before I can protest, he leans down and presses his lips to mine.

It's only a kiss, but the intensity of it promises that there's more to come later, and I find myself wide-eyed with surprise.

"Hey," I chide, pushing him off gently, "I am trying to keep my lipstick on tonight. Especially after the big deal you made about it."

He was insistent that I dress equally as extravagant, though he emphasized my choice of outfit and makeup should be one I like, and not just something others would deem appropriate.

As a result, I picked a satin slip dress with a slit up one leg cut high enough to be sensual, but not scandalous. My shoulders are bare, but a gold chain necklace—another of Henry's gifts—and matching earrings elevate the outfit.

"Where are we, anyway?" I ask.

He motions for me to turn around, so I do.

"Oh," I stammer. "Oh."