I rode my Ducati here, leaving my full-face helmet on just in case someone sees me lurking in the shadows. Not many know I ride a motorcycle, a piece of information that helps me stay off the radar.
Crossing the street, I step into a recessed part of the building and wait.
When the courier leaves, I wait with bated breath until Vinnie steps through the doors just moments later.As I step away from the building, she’s looking around, and I grab her hand.
She gasps, and I don’t say anything in greeting. Instead, I guide her just beyond the doors and through a covered breezeway. On the other side is a private parking lot, and looking around, I see another recessed portion of the building, this time with an overhang.
Gently pushing her into it, I step forward and crowd her space, letting my hands roam over her hips. The tight skirt she’s wearing instantly sends me into a frenzy, loving the way it hugs her soft curves and forms so exquisitely to her body.
“Sly,” she giggles, her hands coming up to grip the side of my arms. The smile on her face rivals the beauty of the sun.
Taking my helmet off, I hold it at my side and lean forward to kiss her. Her lips part willingly, granting me entrance to her perfect mouth and allowing me to explore. Bracing my palm against the stone wall behind her, I lean in, deepening the kiss.
She sighs against my lips, melting into me.
It pains me to pull away, but my time is limited.
Brushing a small piece of hair from her face, she smiles up at me.
“The flowers are gorgeous. Thank you.”
“Gorgeous flowers for a gorgeous woman,” I remark, bending to kiss her neck.
I can’t stop.
Her head tilts to the side to allow me access, and I slowly kiss a trail against her soft flesh. Not bothering toremove my lips from her, I tell her about the overnight excursion I’m being forced to go on. “My best friend and cousin are stealing me away for the next twenty-four hours. I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
“That sounds like fun,” she muses, her hands sliding down my chest. They come to rest at my waist, so I remove one, and interlace our fingers.
“At least it’ll be quick.”
“You’re not looking forward to the time away?”
“I’d rather be here with you,” I say honestly. A faint blush touches her skin, her lips pursing in a small smile. “Speaking of which, I realized earlier that we have not exchanged phone numbers. And I’d like to see you again this week, but it’s difficult to make plans when my only way to reach you is by courier.”
“Well then, you should have my number. I can cook for you, if you want,” she suggests. “Tomorrow, after you return home? Eight o’clock?”
“You cook?”
Her eyes fall to the concrete below us, then meet mine again. Laughing, she shakes her head. “Absolutely. I can make you the best bowl of cereal you’ve ever tasted.”
The image of her in a kitchen surrounded by a plume of smoke flashes through my mind, and I begin to laugh, too. “Perhaps it would be better to order in.”
“How about this? My chef, Theo, is absolutely amazing. I’ll askhimto cook dinner.”
Letting go of her hand, the backs of my fingers skim down her side and back to her hip, and I pull hercloser. “How will that work, Vincenza? No one is supposed to know about us.”
Tilting her head, her lips practically touch mine, and her eyes twinkle with excitement. “You’ll come over once he’s gone. No one but me will be home. You’re just as safe at my apartment as I am at yours.”
“I’m not so sure about that—my apartment doesn’t have staff who might see us and report back to your father.”
Vinnie’s face flashes with a hint of sadness, and I sense I’ve struck a chord, but we need to think about this logically. I cannot pursue this attraction between us and risk my family. And neither can she. Not until we know if this can be something real or if it is purely attraction and curiosity.
“You’re right, but I can assure you my staff is onmypayroll and reports to me. But they will be sent home prior to your arrival.”
“Okay, piccola ladra,” I say before brushing my lips against hers. “I must go, but let me put my number in your phone, and I will send you messages tonight while Sullivan is dragging me around Houston.”
“I left my phone upstairs, but I’ll add my number to yours.” Her palms pat against the front pockets of my pants, and she reaches into the one with my phone, pulling it out.
