Matteo Read online

  Matteo

  by

  Cassie-Ann L. Miller

  Matteo

  Copyright © 2016 Cassie-Ann L. Miller

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents appearing therein are products of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be interpreted as real. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status of the various products referenced in this work

  Stories by Cassie-Ann L. Miller

  Esquire Girls Series

  Amber’s Story

  Up All Night (Amber – Book 1)

  In your Arms Tonight (Amber Book 2)

  Live for the Night (Amber Book 3)

  When the Night is Over (Amber Book 4) - (The conclusion to Amber’s story)

  Or get Amber’s full story, all in one boxed set: Amber Nights (Amber – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)

  Madison’s Story

  Waiting, Always (Madison – Book 1)

  Yours Always (Madison – Book 2)

  Loving You Always (Madison – Book 3)

  Always & Forever (Madison – Book 4) – (The conclusion to Madison’s story)

  Or get Madison’s full story, all in one boxed set: For Madison, Always (Madison – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)

  Ruthie’s Story

  Desire, Untamed (Ruthie – Book 1)

  Blinded by Desire (Ruthie – Book 2)

  Desire Ablaze (Ruthie – Book 3)

  Beyond Desire (Ruthie – Book 4) – (The conclusion to Ruthie’s story)

  Or get Ruthie’s full story, all in one boxed set: Ruthie’s Desire (Ruthie – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)

  Hailey’s story

  Moment of Weakness (Hailey – Book 1)

  A Moment in Time (Hailey – Book 2)

  Beyond this Moment (Hailey – Book 3) – (The conclusion to Hailey’s story)

  Esquire HEAT Series

  A Very Eager Intern

  A Very Frustrated Attorney

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  Table of contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Preview of "For Madison, Always (Madison – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)”

  Preview of “Ruthie’s Desire (Ruthie – Books 1, 2, 3 & 4)”

  Chapter 1

  The door swings open and my cock twitches sharply.

  There’s a hot, little thing standing in the doorway. Black leather jacket hanging open over a royal blue dress that clings onto her every curve, a smatter of freckles dusts her plump, swollen cleavage. Her blond hair falls past her shoulders and the tips are electric pink. Her eyes are gray – the type of eyes that could cast a freakin’ spell on you.

  This broad is hot, for sure.

  I whistle low under my breath and a disapproving grunt explodes to my left. My eyes dart over to where my assistant, Anna-Maria, is pinning me with a disdainful glare.

  I smirk at her.

  I know she thinks I’m a misogynistic asshole. Most women do…

  …But that usually doesn’t stop them from fucking me.

  As the 31-year-old head of the real estate practice group at one of New York City’s premier corporate/commercial law firms, I can have any woman I want. It’s one of the many perks of being me and I indulge as often as I can. I’m successful, charming and good-looking, if I do say so myself. So, why the hell would I adjust my behavior to appease anyone?

  Go ahead, say it – I’m a cocky bastard. I don’t mind. I’ve heard it a million times before. I take it as a compliment at this point.

  My attention shifts back to the broad standing in the doorway. She struts confidently into the room as Michael holds the door open for her.

  Left. Right. Left. Right.

  Wow – look at those luscious hips go.

  Her pretty gray irises quickly scan the room, taking in the faces of all the legal professionals seated around the long conference table. Her eyes pause momentarily when her gaze collides with mine. I take the opportunity to toss her my trademark dimpled grin. Her lips twitch ever-so-slightly right before she shifts her eyes back to Michael.

  He clears his throat. “Good morning, everyone.” The roomful of drowsy, under-caffeinated attorneys mumble in response. My brother continues. “This is Ellie Parker –”

  Ellie Parker?

  The name sounds vaguely familiar. Shit – I should know who this chick is, shouldn’t I?

  I lean over and softly nudge Anna-Maria in the ribs. “Who’s Ellie Parker?”

  She rolls her eyes at me as she slides her manicured finger across the highlighted paragraphs of the inter-office memo sitting on the table in front of me.

  I toss her a sheepish grin and her annoyance seems to melt instantly as she tries to fight back the smile tugging at her lips.

  It’s my dimples. She’s told me that when I flash them, she forgets why she’s even mad at me…So naturally, I parade those little suckers whenever necessary to keep her wrapped around my little finger. But in all seriousness, Anna-Maria makes my life so much easier. I would fail miserably at my job without her.

  I quickly scan the memo in front of me as Michael circles the table, introducing the client to the members of our legal team.

  Ellie Parker…

  22-years-old…

  Sole remaining heir to the estate of the recently-deceased Elias Parker...

  Inherited sole ownership of the shares of ToneWave, one of this law firm’s biggest clients. ToneWave’s current value is estimated to be hovering just under $1 billion…

  “…and this is Matteo Moretti, head of the firm’s real estate division.” I glance up just as Michael is introducing me.

  I rise from my chair and stride over to where she’s standing. An impassive look slides over her expression when our eyes lock. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says in an aloof tone. But she’s not fooling me – I caught the heat that flickered in her eyes as they travelled up my body before landing on my face. She likes what she sees but she’s going to try and hide it.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Parker,” I say as I offer her my hand together with that smile I know makes women swoon. But her eyes remain guarded as her palm slides against mine. My skin sizzles as it touches hers.

  My goddamned cock is twitching again.

  She quickl
y breaks the contact and takes a step back, shifting her soft gray gaze to Michael. “Let’s begin, shall we?” he says as he pulls out a chair for her.

  She gives him a curt nod as she sinks into her seat. Michael adjusts his tie as he lands in the chair beside her. “So, Ms. Parker let’s discuss some of the finer points of the ToneWave file. There are obviously probate law issues such the transfer of the corporate shares and your father’s other assets into your name. Our estate planning department will oversee those matters over the coming weeks.”

  One of the partners from the probate law group speaks up. “Yes, we’ve already reviewed the will and confirmed that, since Elias Parker, his wife Catherine and their only son Benjamin all died simultaneously in that tragic helicopter accident last month, you are Mr. Parker’s sole living heir. The transfer of title of all his assets to you should be pretty straightforward.” He offers her a reassuring smile.

  Ellie gives him a solemn nod before Michael continues. “There are some intellectual property issues as well. As you can imagine, ToneWave’s intellectual property portfolio is comprised of a plethora of valuable patents, but the company also held a handful of trademarks. Ruth from our IP department will brief you on that.”

  I watch as my sister-in-law offers the client a generous smile. Ellie nods, acknowledging her.

  Domenic Gattusso speaks next. “We’re also in the process of finalizing a settlement agreement concerning litigation ongoing between ToneWave and one of its competitiors.”

  Ellie nods again.

  “But most pressing, I believe, are the real estate law aspects of the file. You see, just before your father’s death, he signed a letter of intent to purchase a manufacturing facility in New Jersey. The due diligence is scheduled for next week and the projected closing date on the transaction is a little over eight weeks from now. We’ve reviewed the document and unfortunately, there’s no provision that allows us to nullify the promise on account of your father’s untimely death. We have to proceed with the purchase. So, Matt will be working closely with you to ensure that the process unfolds as smoothly as possible. We expect you will be interested in participating in the factory inspection; it’s part of our due diligence process. Your father was always very involved in those aspects of the business.”

  I can’t resist the urge to grin as Ellie Parker’s gray-eyed stare shifts to me. “Well, Ms. Parker – it looks like you and I will be seeing quite a bit of each other over the coming weeks.”

  Chapter 2

  Have you ever been in a room full of people who are simultaneously smarter and better looking than you?

  That is exactly the situation I find myself in this rainy April morning as I sit here in the conference room at the law offices of Cartwright Moretti Stevenson.

  They’re all gorgeous. I’ve seen hundreds of pictures of them, but in person, they’re that much more beautiful.

  Michael Moretti with his dark hair, blue eyes and chiseled face. His wife, Ruth, looks like she just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine. Domenic Gattusso is all smooth tanned skin, wild blond hair and charming smile.

  And of course, there’s Matteo.

  Matteo Moretti.

  Unrepentant playboy. New York City’s most eligible bachelor.

  He’s striking. Everything about him screams arrogant bastard. From his thick, dark hair – cut short on the sides but long and shaggy on top. What kind of lawyer wears his hair like that, anyway? – to his perfectly-polished, patent leather shoes. He’s tall with wide shoulders that fill out his expensive suit just right. His juicy lips look like they’d be mighty fun to suck on. And those darned dimples dent his cheeks each time he flashes that panty-melting, white smile.

  But it’s his eyes that really get to me. They’re intense and twinkle with mischief. I have to literally force myself to stay away from his gaze for fear that I might swoon on the spot like a damn groupie.

  No – I have to avoid his gaze. I don’t need the distraction. It’s hard enough following along as Michael explains the details of my file and the work to be done.

  Don’t get me wrong – I’m not dumb and I have a pretty decent vocabulary. I make a very handsome living as a professional blogger, after all. Plus, I hold a degree in journalism from Columbia University, having graduated at the top of my class.

  But this legal jargon is flying way over my head. Due diligence? Probate? Letter of intent? I curse the memory of my father for having me thrust into this meeting as unprepared as I am. Even from the grave, that asshole found a way to remind me of my inadequacies.

  The money I spent on buying this outrageously expensive dress, I should have invested in hiring a goddamn translator for this meeting.

  I blow out a discreet sigh of relief when Michael brings the meeting to a close, promising that lawyers from the firm’s various departments will contact me to keep me abreast of the issues as they unfold. The dozen or so legal professionals present at the meeting all clamber out of the conference room, chatting with each other or tapping away on their smartphones as they go.

  Michael straightens his tie as I rise to my feet. “Let me walk you out, Ms. Parker,” he says graciously as the room empties.

  Just as I’m about to accept his offer, I feel an overwhelming presence approaching. “I’ll see her out.”

  I turn in the direction of the deep, husky baritone. Matteo Moretti throws me a brash smile.

  “Ms. Parker and I have some issues to discuss,” he addresses his brother but his eyes stay trained to me. “Do you have a moment, Ms. Parker?”

  I nod, determined to keep my wits about me. I won’t let him see me all starry-eyed like a schoolgirl with a crush. But, I’ve got to admit – he’s so much more attractive in person than he was in all the photos I’ve seen of him.

  Must be nice, being so damn good-looking.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see Michael shrug. “Okay, then. We’ll be in touch, Ms. Parker.”

  I mumble out a reply as he heads towards the door.

  And then, I’m standing, face-to-face with Matteo Moretti. All tall and suited and gorgeous.

  He smiles, dimples denting his cheeks.

  I bet he’s doing that deliberately. Cocky asshole.

  I try to play it cool and that’s not easy because truth be told, dimples fuck me up. Throw in good hair, mesmerizing eyes and a sleek, tailored suit…I don’t stand a chance, do I? It doesn’t help that when he steps in closer to me, his body towering over mine, the scent of him envelops me – a spicy, warm musk that makes me heady.

  Damn – he smells good.

  And, he’s charming in a way that makes your heart pitter-patter even when you’re trying to resist him.

  “Ms. Parker, it’s lovely to meet you,” he says. His eyes wander indiscreetly down the long strip of bare flesh peeking out at the plunging neckline of my dress. “Firstly, let me extend my condolences on the passing of your father.”

  That’s what people do – they offer their condolences when a loved one dies. But I’m not sure I’m grieving, I’m not sure I care that my father, his wife and my half-brother all died in a freak helicopter accident just weeks ago.

  I was Elias Parker’s dirty, little secret. His bastard daughter. I didn’t appear in high society magazines along with Catherine and Benjamin, his legitimate family. I wasn’t ‘upper crust’. Financially, I was always taken care of – support checks came regularly and reliably – but a girl needs more than hush money. She needs her father. And Elias was never that to me.

  But I don’t need to air my dirty laundry to this complete stranger. Instead, I try to keep my facial expression impassive. “Thank you,” I say quietly to Matteo with a half-shrug.

  His hand flits gently along my shoulder. The touch threatens to melt me. But I won’t let it. I know all about Matteo Moretti and his philandering ways. And I’m not about to let myself become his next victim.

  “Is there something you wanted to discuss with me, Mr. Moretti?” I ask pointedly, facing him squa
rely and looking him straight in the eye. I won’t waver in front of him although my stomach is doing flips. I’m prepared to fake it till I make it. I have lots of practice. I’ve been feigning confidence for as long as I can remember.

  He lowers himself to the lip of the conference table, leaning his weight on the wrist splayed behind him and crossing his legs at the ankles. It’s an elegant, fluid movement. “Well, we’ll be commencing our due diligence next week and I just wanted to brief you on the way the process unfolds.” He looks at me with that soul-piercing gaze and a smirk pulls across his lips. It’s like he’s looking right through my tough-girl façade and straight at the little girl beneath who’s quaking in her $600 red-bottom heels.