Page 60 of Claiming His Throne
“Work together. Let her rebuild those properties, and influence her on exactly what you want in them,” he says.
“Influence her?” I raise a brow. “Molly is headstrong and the fucking smartest woman I’ve ever met. She’s not just going to be influenced when it comes to her business.”
“You could always marry her,” he states.
“I’m not the marrying type,” I grumble and walk towards where my mother has introduced Molly to a woman who makes no secret of giving me the once-over as I approach.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The woman, Harriet Fran, Mrs. Giuliani just introduced to me is the wife of some politician in attendance. She could be a valuable friend to have for when I’m pushing for building permits. And then she goes and ruins the good vibe I had by looking at Alfie like she wants to eat him.
I stand by my words. This man is not my boyfriend, but we are at this event together, which means tonight he is mine and I can be a little territorial over what I consider mine.
Alfie doesn’t disappoint, though. He reads me like I’m an open book. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulls me against his side and then places a kiss to my temple. Tender, soft, caring.
I’m blushing, because of course he does all of this right in front of his mother, and he doesn’t seem to have a care in the world.
“Mrs. Fran, mind if I steal my girl away?” he asks with that panty-melting smirk of his.
“Ah, no, Alfie, of course,” the woman stutters.
“Wait! I want to show Molly something before you steal her away all night,” Mrs. Giuliani says, already linking her arm through mine as she looks at her son. “You’ve had her all day, Alfie. I think you can share her with me for five minutes.”
“Fine,” Alfie grumbles, clearly unimpressed. “I’m going to the bar.” He leaves me with his mother, who is now leading me to the opposite side of the room.
“Whatever it is you’re doing, keep doing it,” Mrs. Giuliani tells me.
Okay, not what I was expecting her to say.I was expecting her to order me to get my claws out of her son.
“Um, I don’t know…” My words trail off because I have no idea how to respond to that.
“I’ve never seen my son so besotted. Even that one time he had a girlfriend, years ago, he didn’t really care for her. I think he was trying out the whole relationship thing and decided really quickly it wasn’t for him. I honestly thought he might just die a lonely old man. But now, I have hope. You’re different,” she says.
“Oh, we’re not… I mean, I’m not…” I shake my head.
“You’re both in denial then.” Mrs. Giuliani sighs. “Okay, well, between you and me, he has not taken his eyes off you since you walked in this room. Even now, he’s at the bar scowling at you.”
I turn and look over my shoulder. And sure enough, Alfie is looking right at me. “To be honest, we’re kind of on opposing sides of business at the moment. I came here to purchase some properties, and Alfie is doing everything in his power to prevent those sales from going through,” I admit. “I don’t think that’s a foundation for a relationship.”
“Are you going to quit and leave town without a fight?” She lifts a manicured eyebrow at me.
“No.” My face scrunches up.
“Good. What is it you’re planning to do with these buildings?” Mrs. Giuliani asks.
“Usually, we knock down and rebuild. But we’re going to refurbish these. Basically gut them from the inside out. Make them green.” I give her tiny details, because I don’t want to be rude. But I’m also not an idiot. I’m not going to hand the woman my entire business plan for her son’s properties.
“That doesn’t sound that bad,” Mrs. Giuliani says. “Well, I wish you luck in getting those buildings, Molly. I’ll let you get back to Alfie before his glare sets this place on fire.” She laughs and turns to walk away.
“Thank you,” I tell her.
On my way back to Alfie, I spot my target. Levi Brown. The creep is eyeing me up and down. He has no idea who I am. I pretend not to notice and continue to the bar.
“You are turning heads,” Alfie says, reaching out and pulling me flat against his chest. His palm lands on my lower back, right above my ass.
“And so are you with all this PDA,” I tell him.
“Does it bother you?” Alfie asks, looking into my eyes.
