Maid to the mafia: totally alluring

CHAPTER 8

He stood and stalked toward me. Once he was in front of me, both of hands fell on my shoulders. He inched closer until his lips hovered just above mine, eyes the color of the midnight-sky staring down at me.

“Just hop in the changing room like a good bunny and try them on.”

Straight to the point. I wanted to cry. And that reference to the bunny wasn’t helping my mood one bit. Instead, I offered a small moan in protest and went into the changing room as directed. The sales assistant secretly smiled at me, as if to say I should be grateful for having such a kind and generous boyfriend like Giovanni. Well, he ain’t my boyfriend, I wanted to tell her. He’s my boss. My god damned mafia boss. And if I don’t listen to him, I’ll be dead meat by tomorrow.

I was just about to get out of my sweater when there were three knocks on the door, followed by a deep baritone that sent my heart racing.

“Jay, how are you getting along?” Holy Crap! My soul almost flew to meet my ma. So, Giovanni still hadn’t left. What was he doing outside my changing room door? Surely he must have some other business to attend to. Why was he waiting on me?

“Jay, you hear me? Answer me now, or I’ll come in there myself.” Such an impatient man.

“Good, boss. Very good. I’m almost done.” I quickly pacified him with my hasty reply.

“Well, come out, then,” he growled. “Let me see.” A minute longer and I was sure he’d be pissed off as hell. I quickly picked a green dress, the soft lacy material catching my eyes. After only tugging the dress halfway over my head, I was stuck. Not because it didn’t fit me. It was because my messy bun got caught on the seam of the dress.

I swore, so ticked off at this whole scenario, and my left eye twitched. My left eye always twitched whenever I was pissed off. I tugged on the dress a bit more to get it over my head, then decided my buns would only get caught on more. I pulled the hair tie out. My brown tresses came tumbling down all over my oval face. After zipping up the dress, I quickly walked out of the changing room, poised, ready for Giovanni’s inspection.

The minute I stepped out, Giovanni had his eyes on me. Well, on my body to be precise. His eyes were like liquid coal, so dark they shone beneath the bright chandelier. Those dark pupils ran up and down my body as he took a turn around me. A full minute later, he completed his circle, standing erect in front of me once more. He turned his lips upward, a full, bright smile lighting his whole face.

“Beautiful. Very beautiful,” he commented subtlety, his fingers caressing my hair, coiling a few strands around his fingers. I stood very still, not moving an inch, as the boss inspected me for any faults. Keeping this thought in mind, I was aware of his fingers moving down from my hair to trace my flushed cheeks. The brush was gentle; I wanted to lean into for him more. The act was a soft gentle caress, as if he were petting his favorite dog.

And I snapped back to reality. I was his maid or, in this case, his pet. And his comment on my new look, only added truth to my conclusion.

“Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Jennifer would definitely look beautiful in this dress.” I didn’t comment; I was too upset at his words. Would he ever say I looked beautiful? The last time I was dressed in a womanly dress was when I was trying to con some money out of old Mr. Hermit, to try to get on Giovanni’s good side.

Although, the result was anything but positive. I was told not to dress like that ever again. A person like me only belonged in the kitchen, as a maid, making coffee. Yes, that’s right. I should never forget my place. I was his maid. But inside, I was rebellious.

If I had all the money in this world, I’d buy that dress for myself. I wouldn’t be like his Jennifer, for whom he had to buy a dress in order to please her. Still, she was a lucky girl to have Giovanni’s affection. Why did I dislike her already, even before I’d met her?