The rest of the drive was silent. Red didn't stop teasing her until they pulled up to a fancy restaurant. The sign above the front entrance read, The Black Rose. Julia had never heard of the place, but the name gave off an alluring vibe, and she felt her stomach tighten with anticipation.

The car door opened, and Red stepped out, turning back to help her, Julia noticed his green eyes were dark. A dangerous glint sparkled there, and she knew the man was up to no good.

"This way, amore mio." He took her hand, leading her towards the large white doors. They were opened, and the couple stepped through into the dimly lit room. It was almost romantic, but the tension between them was thick and lusty.

"Welcome to The Black Rose, Mr. Alfonsi, I have a table at the back set up as requested." A waiter spoke.

"Thank you." Red led her towards a secluded corner of the room, the lighting was low, and there was no one else dining in the area. "Have a seat, Julia." He gestured to the booth, she slid in first and then he followed in closely behind her. His hand brushed against her bare leg as he asked the waiter for a bottle of Chateau Margaux.

"What are we doing here, Red?" Julia finally asked.

"Eating."

"Are you going to tell me where you went this morning?"

"Should we start with beetroot and blackberry cured salmon." He completely ignored her question, "what do you feel like for your main?" He held out the leather-bound menu.

Julia huffed, taking the menu and placing it face down on the table. "I'm not hungry for food, Red. I'm hungry for answers. Now, tell me, where were you this morning, and why did you not show up to work?"

The waiter appeared again, placing the bottle on the table. He popped the cork and poured some into a glass, Red raised the wine to his nose and inhaled the aroma, "it smells delicious." He handed the glass to Julia.

"I'm not drinking, until you tell me what is going on, Red." She folded her arms across her chest and pouted, the man was testing her, and she was seconds away from climbing onto his lap and forcing him to give her answers.

"Tesoro, this is a lovely vintage. If you insist on not having any, it would be a waste, wouldn't it?" He picked up the second glass and sipped the dark red liquid.

Looking between the glass and her infuriating boyfriend, Julia snatched the glass up and downed the entire contents in one sip. She placed the empty glass back on the table and watched Red.

A slow smirk spread across his handsome features, he loved her stubbornness and her fire, "main?" He offered the menu once more.

Julia placed it on the table with a loud thump, "fuck this." She moved to stand. Red moved quickly, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.

"You don't want the food, Tesoro, then let's skip ahead." He murmured into her ear, his voice was gruff, and his breath tickled the nape of her neck. Julia's skin pebbled, and goosebumps ran up her spine. She felt the material of her dress move up her thighs, and then his palm was against her pussy, over her panties. Her eyes flashed up and scanned the dining space, they were the only ones in the restaurant, but she was afraid the waiter would return any moment now for their order.

"Red, this is hardly appropriate." She hissed, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.

"What's inappropriate, love, is you trying to leave before I've even fucked you." He bit the lobe of her ear and pressed a finger against her clit.

Julia's head fell back against his shoulder, a whimper escaping her. Red continued to circle her clit, and she felt herself getting wetter by the minute. "Tell me, is it my touch or the thrill of possibly being caught that has you dripping?" His words were seductive, and Julia couldn't form a response. Her body was on fire, and his words only added fuel to the flame, his hand slipped into her panties, his fingers brushed her folds, "wet, Tesoro. Very wet."

"Red," Julia breathed.

"That's it, baby, let go." He plunged two fingers into her core, and Julia moaned. He pumped his fingers in and out of her slowly, building a rhythm. Her hand reached down and gripped his strong, muscular thigh. She could feel the muscle tense under her touch, and her core clenched in response.

"Oh, God."

"Do you feel how hard I am for you, love? You are so fucking sexy when you're mad, it takes everything in me not to take you right here, Tesoro."

"Red," Julia gasped, her body tensing and preparing for her orgasm, "don't stop, please, please."

"As you wish."

The coil inside her snapped, and Julia's mouth parted as she panted through a silent release. Red didn't slow his pace even when she shuddered against him, even when the waiter returned, and she had to bury her face in his neck to hide her embarrassment. "She will have the Scandinavian steak and potatoes and I'll have medium rare steak with portobello." His tone was completely professional.

Her toes curled in her heels, and she gripped his thigh harder. The waiter confirmed their order before walking away. Julia felt the man's chest rise and fall with a chuckle before he pressed a kiss to her forehead and slipped his fingers from between her thighs. "You've soaked my fingers, baby." He held his glistening fingers up, and she watched as he ran his tongue along the length of them, tasting her. "Always my favorite meal." He smirked.

"I'm not going to be able to walk out of here." She muttered, her cheeks heating.

"Don't worry, love, I'll carry you."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't." He laughed, his green eyes lighting with happiness.

"You're an ass, and I am still mad at you."

"Good, we'll fight after."

"After?"

"After I've fucked you."

"Red-"

"Yes, Julia." He kissed her jaw.

"Are you going to tell me what is wrong now?"

He was silent, his gaze on her, she wasn't going to drop it. Not his stubborn Julia, no she would sit there pouty and furious with her pussy dripping and arms crossed. He caved, at least to the first of their troubles, "Simon made bail."

Her eyes widened, "what? How?"

"Someone paid his bond."

"Who would-"

"I'm working on that, Tesoro. Don't worry. Men are watching him."

"Does Swayer know?"

"Yes."

"And he didn't inform me, why?"

"We wanted to keep you out of it, Julia. Swayer is handling it." Red's concern increased, "you just stopped having nightmares, I did not wish to bring them back."

She was silent for a moment, "I can handle it, Red. You can't always protect me from things, and this is not the kind of thing that you should keep from me. I would rather sleep with the nightmares and be prepared than be startled by that psychopath."

Red wisely kept to himself his suspicion that there may just be two psychopaths after his sweet woman. "Alright, Tesoro. I will let Swayer know to keep you informed. Anything else?"

"Yes." Her brow rose, "you are in deep shit for the disappearing act and skipping work."

"Oh, yeah? And what will be my punishment, sweet Julia?" He smirked.

"That will come after," she mimicked his words, and his cock throbbed with need, she was wicked.

"I cannot wait." He murmured.

Their food arrived, and Julia was surprised to find herself famished, she ate every morsel. The conversation flowed easily between them, and it seemed their problems were temporarily forgotten. The meal was delicious, and when their plates were cleared away, they sat together quietly enjoying the soft music playing through the speakers.

Julia rested her head against his shoulder, "lets head back, Red." She spoke softly, a thought popping into her head. Standing she excused herself and moved towards the bathroom, there she slipped off her skimpy black lace panties and held them tightly in her closed fist. Exiting, she found Red leaning against the wall.

Her hips sway as she smiled up at him, lifting her hand she slipped the wet material into his suit pocket. Then she turned and left.

His gaze fell to her arse as she walked away from him. His fingers grazed the lace material in his pocket, he groaned, the material was damp, and he knew immediately what it was. "Fucking wicked." He mumbled and followed her out.

They made it to the office without a single word spoken, Red could feel his blood boiling with desire, he wanted her. Wanted her naked and begging. But she was insistent they finished the working day. He parked the car and followed her into the elevator, the ride up to the top floor was torture, Julia stood next to him, an innocent little grin kissing her features. She knew exactly what she was doing.

He was thankful the doors opened when they did because he was seconds away from taking her in that elevator and to hell with the consequences.

It was only when they'd made it to his office and begun working that he realized how his woman intended to punish him. Julia managed to find every conceivable way to bend over, her tight dress slipping up her thighs and exposing her pink pussy every goddamn time. He was on the verge of snapping, watching her tight ass as she leant over the conference table and handed the men sitting around the table folders, "the reports," she spoke softly.

Red gripped the arms of his chair, his hand gripping her thigh under the table, keeping her plastered to his side. He watched the eyes looking at his woman, undressing her as she stood beside him, it was infuriating. At the same time, his cock pressed against his zipper, pleading to fuck her while they watched.

Yes, he quite liked the idea of owning her in front of these fuckers... He directed her to lean down, and she did so politely, "five minutes, Tesoro. Five minutes before I bend you over this damn table and bury my cock in that sweet pussy of yours... your choice if you'd like an audience."

* * * 

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