No Strings Attached Read online

  I knew my day would be anything, but peace and quiet.

  Well, Happy Monday, Jill! And it’s just the beginning of the week…

  “Okay, I didn’t know you were driving this,” Oliver said, staring suspiciously at my bright-yellow New Beetle.

  “It’s small, fast, and easy to park, almost anywhere. So get in, Your Highness. This is going to be a long day.”

  “And a long ride,” Oliver added almost in a whisper, getting into the passenger seat.

  “So, tell me Jillian, how do you like working with my brother?”

  I almost burst out laughing. “Do you really want to hear the answer?”

  “Dying to actually. I bet he likes bossing you around.”

  “That doesn’t even start to cover it.”

  Oliver nodded, smiling. Of course, I couldn’t help but watch him out of the corner of my eye. Why didn’t I ever pay any attention to him? Yes, I saw him many times, but never had I looked at him like I was looking at him today. I always thought that he was not an option, to start with. Dating my boss’s brother was a bad idea, then why did it suddenly feel so damn thrilling?

  You need a margarita, Sweetie. A bar, some dancing and a margarita – your favorite The Holy Fucking Trinity.

  I made a mental note to call Scarlett later. She always knew when I was in a bad mood, and she always helped me deal with it. Well, at least until I found a better option anyway, whose distraction skills included something so much hotter than just a talk.

  “I know exactly what you’re feeling,” Oliver said.

  “You do?”

  “Yeah, well, Dominick has this annoying habit of trying to control everything and everyone around him. Thank God, at least Scarlett knows how to cut him down to size.”

  “Serves him right,” I muttered, thinking a little too late about the person I was talking to. Maybe it was too early to be that frank with Oliver? He was probably just a year or two older than me, but his last name was the main reason for holding my horses.

  He laughed. “Why do you hate him so much?”

  “I don’t hate anyone.” I forced a smile. “Sorry, it’s just not the best of my days.”

  He studied me for a long minute, and then he said, “What’s his name?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “What’s the name of the guy who offended you?”

  “He didn’t offend me.”

  “But I am right; it’s about a guy, isn’t it?”

  “I didn’t know you were a psychologist as well.”

  “As well? And what do you think my other profession is?” His honey eyes bored mine. Even though he wasn’t smiling this time, I could still see those teasing devils dancing in his eyes.

  “Um, a musician?” Or a reckless womanizing-sex-pot party-boy, who has a hard on for anything with a vagina. In Oliver’s case, there was no difference between the two mentioned above things.

  “Not exactly. I’m an economist actually.”

  “Really?” I hope he didn’t see my jaw drop to the floor.

  “Why is everyone so surprised that I don’t only have balls, and a penis, but brains as well?”

  Well, maybe because we all think that your brain lives in your boxers?

  “You just don’t look like an economist at all,” finally I said.

  “Who would you think I was, if you didn’t know me?”

  Uh, crap… The best of my dreams coming true? The sweetest of my fantasies, and the most exhausting of my nights? Jeez, I couldn’t believe I was such a helpless, lost cause today.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Come on, Jill. I know you always tell the truth. So what’s wrong with you today? And just don’t tell me that you are afraid of losing your job because you decided to be honest with me.”

  “Well, actually, I am. I kind of like my job, you know?”

  “Even though you want to kill your boss with a paper knife every time you see him?”

  “Nothing lasts forever, neither will my work with Dominick.”

  “Are you planning on leaving the company?”

  “No, I want to head one of the departments.”

  I could almost feel Oliver’s surprise. “Which one?” He asked.

  “I will tell you when I get the position.” I smiled and turned into the parking lot near one of my favorite cafes.

  Chapter 2

  Oliver

  I have always admired Jillian. First, because she can handle working with my brother side by side, five days a week. And second, because she is the most honest person I have ever met. She always says exactly what is on her mind, even though not everyone likes it. And I have been on the receiving end of just a few too many lies and fake smiles in my life; talking to her is like a breath of fresh air.

  Unlike Dominick, I never thought that working for some big, famous company was the only way to prove to the world that you were worth something. I had my own opinion about that, and of course, it was completely different from what my relatives thought. My parents always said that I should follow in Dom’s footsteps, but I wanted to study economics for a different reason. Music had been my life for as long as I could remember, and one day, I wanted to have my own production company that would give talented people a chance to show what they were capable of. And of course, someone needed to work on a good business plan, which I was hoping I would be able to do myself.

  I didn’t like telling people about my life and my plans for the future, but today felt like the right day to finally tell everyone that I wasn’t just a horny, drunken, bad-ass musician, who never knew how to stop when it came to sex and drinking. For the first time ever, I was tired of everyone thinking I was that low; just because I enjoyed having fun didn’t make me the scum of the Earth.

  “So what would you like to have for breakfast?” Jillian asked. I felt like the question might have been asked more than once by the time she brought my thoughts back to the here and now.

  You, was the first thought that came to my mind. Then I shook my head and smiled mentally. So much for the being a good guy theory…

  “Omelet with bacon and an espresso,” I said to the waitress. She looked at me with that curious, lusty expression that I saw all too often. But I wasn’t in the mood for a quickie today, so I ignored her unspoken invitation and turned to Jill, saying, “What about you, Sweetie?”

  Her eyebrows rose in surprise, but she didn’t say anything about my frivolous manner of calling her Sweetie.

  “Just coffee,” she said, closing the menu.

  “Bad appetite?” I asked, watching her closely. She was fairly skinny. Though she did have curves, just enough to make me wonder about what she had going on underneath her clothes, especially when thinking about the things she wore to bed each night.

  “I can’t afford to think about myself right now. According to your brother’s unspoken message, you are my priority for the day.” She smirked humorlessly and took out a notebook from her bag.

  “Your little black book?” I smiled, leaning against the back of my seat.

  To my surprise, she returned the smile and even dared to look into my eyes. “Yes, but unlike you, I only put down the names of those people who I would gladly kill one day.”

  “Really? And whose name is first on the list for today?”

  “Yours,” she said without hesitation.

  I laughed. “You sure are adorable when you’re angry, you know?”

  “And you sure are obviously enjoying getting on my nerves. Is that some familial character trait that all of the Altier men share?”

  “Kind of.”

  I don’t know why, but I always enjoyed my conversations and bantering with Jill. There was something about the girl that made me think about things that never even crossed my mind whenever I was with a woman. She was cute, smart, funny and just sexy enough to make the lower part of my body go rigid. In fact, she was the first woman in weeks that my dick reacted to. Not that I had any problem with women getting me hard, but recently, I’d been
so busy working and thinking about my future career; I didn’t have time for women, no matter how ridiculous it sounded. Maybe that’s why today I was so hyperaware of every small move Jill’s body made.

  She was wearing a simple dark-blue dress, with a flared skirt that danced with her every step, and a short white jacket with the sleeves pushed up to her elbows. But the most attractive part of her outfit was her shoes. They were definitely bend-me-over-and-fuck-me heels. I couldn’t imagine a woman driving in heels like hers, but she obviously didn’t have a problem with that, it was as if she were born wearing them.

  “You know what scares me most?” I asked, looking at her shoes, peeking out from under the table.

  “What?”

  “Dying in a car with a lady wearing heels like these.” I waved my hand in the direction of her shoes.

  Her lips curved in a small smile. “Don’t worry, I had a few extreme driving lessons, and yes, even then I was wearing heels.”

  “Well, it’s not that I’m afraid of you killing me, but I’m afraid I will die and I will not be able to see these mind-blowing heels of yours again.”

  She watched me for a long minute, and then she said, “Stop flirting with me, Mr. Altier. I’m not an easy nut to crack.”

  “Hmm…” I leaned forward, still smiling at her. “Sounds like a challenge to me.”

  She shook her head. “Don’t even think about it. I kind of hate men right at this second.”

  I sighed, a little disappointed. I was not used to women blowing me off. But that was probably one more reason for me to like Jill. It was kind of nice that she wasn’t falling at my feet, begging for me to have sex with her, and then expecting more from me later down the line; expecting a phone call, then a second date, then a marriage proposal, and of course, the wedding would be the next logical step in that series of events, but I would have never let it get past second date. Besides, Jill was always unpredictable.

  “That’s too bad,” I said, shaking my head. “But let me know if you change your mind. I would gladly study those heels of yours more closely, among other things.”

  “Your omelet, Sir,” the waitress said, setting down my meal.

  “Thanks.” I waited for her to leave and took a bite. “Damn, this is delicious.”

  “I knew you would like this place,” Jill said, sipping her coffee. “Not just because I knew the waitresses would be dying to be your second delicious breakfast.”

  Of course, Jillian was very observant. “She’s not my type,” I said, chewing on a piece of my bacon.

  “I didn’t know there was some particular type you fu… liked.”

  Again, I rolled my eyes. “You know, I don’t sleep with every woman I lay my eyes on?”

  “No, really? Good to know that.”

  I looked up at her and my eyes met her smiling dark-brown pools. She obviously didn’t believe a damn word I said.

  “Smirk as much as you wish,” I said. “I’ve heard a few stories about you as well, did you know that?”

  She laughed. “I’m still sure I will never be able to excel you in your seducing arts.”

  “Again, it sounds like a challenge to me.”

  “And I don’t really care. I’m here because you are my job for today, whether I like it, or not.”

  “I can guarantee that by the end of the day, you will be totally in love with me.”

  “Why don’t you finally shut… I mean stop talking and finish your breakfast?”

  It was one of those rare moments when talking to a girl didn’t necessarily mean sleeping with her right after the conversation ends. Not that I wasn’t thrilled about that idea…

  After I was done with my meal, I paid the check, even though Jillian insisted on paying for her coffee herself. Then we left the café and headed for my parents’ place.

  “Mrs. Altier, good to see you again,” Jill said, greeting my mom.

  “Pareillement – Likewise, Darling.”

  “Mother.” I bent down and kissed her on both cheeks. Even in her late fifties, my mom always looked great. She didn’t have to go to work in the mornings, but still the first thing she did when she woke up, was her self-grooming, dressing, and putting on some make-up.

  My sister was there too, and as always, her expression said it all — Josseline was in a crappy mood. It seemed like she was always in a bad mood, but maybe I have a bias opinion about that; she is my sister after all.

  “Salut, Chérie. Comment ça va?”

  “Ugh, please leave your French shit for yourself,” she snapped. “But thanks for asking, I’m fine.”

  “Joss! It’s not polite to talk like that,” Mom said. “Even if you’re only talking to your brother. And especially in the presence of a guest.” She smiled at Jill.

  “Oh, I see.” Joss shook her head, watching me with incredulous eyes. “You are trying to impress Jillian, aren’t you?

  “Trust me, Joss, that is impossible. She knows too much about me.”

  “My point exactly,” Jillian said, making sure my mother wouldn’t hear her comment.

  Josseline laughed. “I always liked you, girl. We should have an all-girl night one of these days. I bet Scarlett needs it too. Man, the girl must be totally insane to marry one of my brothers.”

  “I’m all in,” Jill said. “But can we add some nice guys to that night as well?”

  “I’ll be more than happy to join you, ladies,” I said.

  “She said nice guys, Oliver.”

  “I can be nice, you know?”

  “I didn’t even know that the word ‘nice’ was in your vocabulary,” she shot back with air quotes.

  Jill giggled behind my back.

  “Well, thanks for trashing the remnants of my reputation, Joss. And here I thought you were on my side. I’m the nicest brother you have, remember?”

  “You two obviously have no idea how to be anything but an ass. And don’t look at me like that. Impressing Jill is a lost cause. She’s working with the older version of you, she doesn’t have to actually know you, to know you, she already knows Dom and that’s pretty much the same thing, so I don’t think you have any chance with her.” Then my sister smiled at Jill and me, turned on her heel and headed for the stairs, promising to call Jillian later.

  “What the hell was that?” I asked, a little irritated.

  Jillian shrugged indifferently. “She’s your sister, she knows you better than anyone.”

  “Well, she obviously doesn’t know a fucking thing about me.” It was more than enough shit for one morning. I was seriously tired of people thinking and saying bullshit about me. Not that Josseline was wrong, I did try to impress Jill, but of course, my beloved sister simply didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut. Did Dom think the same things about me when it came to my stupid comments about his relationship with Scarlett? Well, apparently yes. Karma is a bitch, right, dude?

  “I’m ready to go,” Mom said, entering the room a few moments later. She was so excited about the upcoming wedding, I don’t think I had ever seen her happier than she was right now. It was not surprising actually. After all, I’m sure she thought that her eldest son would never find a woman who was able to stand his impossible temper.

  ***

  “Aren’t you going inside?” Jill asked, stopping at the curb of the church.

  “I don’t think a sinner like me has any right to even cross the threshold of a place like this.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Mom said. “Father George has always loved you. He’ll be happy to see you.”

  Jill smiled mysteriously, getting out of the car. I sighed and followed her.

  “When was the last time you were here?” She asked.

  “I don’t think I remember,” I said, truly hoping that God wouldn’t fry me alive for all the bad things I had done in my life the second I walked into the church. At least I hoped he would give me a chance to explain myself first before sending my wild soul to hell.

  “What about you?” I asked Jillian. “How often d
o you ask God to forgive you for all the dirty things you do during the night?”

  She laughed quietly. “I don’t think those times can ever be counted.”

  “And here I thought I was the only devil in this holy place.”

  “My parents did their best to bring me up as a devoted Catholic.”

  I smirked. “Too bad their efforts went down the drain, right?”

  “I bet I can say the same about you, Mr. Smarty. I’m sure your parents always wanted you to be a well-mannered gentleman, and not just an immoral asshole.”

  I burst out laughing. “Finally, you have shown me the real you!”

  She grimaced in response, but said nothing.

  “For such a devoted Christian as you are, you are a very naughty little thing, Miss Murano.”

  “Oliver, my son! What a blessing to see you here today!”

  Oh, God, here we go…

  I put on my best innocent smile and replied, “Indeed, Father.”

  “It’s been a long time since you’ve been to Mass on Sundays; I don’t even think I remember the last time I saw you here.”

  The man was obviously enjoying himself by humiliating me in front of my mother.

  “Neither do I.” I smiled at him. “So, how have things been going here, Father?”

  “Oh, I’m sure my talks will bore you to death, my son. How about you introduce me to your lovely friend instead?” He turned to Jill.

  Yeah, the man could obviously see right through me.

  “Jillian Murano, Scarlett’s bridesmaid,” I said, complying.

  “Nice to meet you, Father,” Jill said, shaking hands with him.

  “Thank God, at least one girl in this young man’s life knows what a church is.”

  “Isn’t it a sin to take the name of God in vain, Father?” I asked.

  “I’m sure he will forgive me. He knows I would never do it without a good reason. Now, why don’t we talk about the ceremony?”

  “Great idea, Father,” I said, thinking to myself, Wasn’t that what we were supposed doing anyway?

  Jill shook her head, saying in a whisper. “Unbelievable, how smart and wise the man is.”