And then he pulled back.
‘Li…’ he said.
‘It’s okay,’ I whispered.
I knew what he was going to say. We couldn’t. We shouldn’t. I went to take a step back, too, but instead he pulled me into him again, sliding his free hand underneath the wrap miniskirt I’d ill-advisedly decided to wear, slipping it deliciously between my thighs.
And then he kissed me.
He actually did it this time, and I didn’t have time to think, I just reacted, arching into him, a moan escaping from my throat that I hadn’t even realized was there. I’d wanted this so much; for years and years I had dreamed about it, daydreamed about it, and now it was happening. I let myself go with it, giving everything of myself to him.
‘Lira, what are you doing to me?’ he growled, picking me up again, like he had during the dance, carrying me effortlessly over to the mirror with his strong arms, resting my back against the cool glass.
I gasped with pleasure. ‘This feels so good.’
I slid down the mirror, planting one leg on the ground and curling the other around his waist, wanting his wholebody close to me. My hands were tangled in his hair, his tongue was filling my mouth. It was like every single cell in my body was on fire. And then, over his shoulder, I saw something – or should I saysomebody– peering through the window of the studio.
I put my hand on Gabriele’s chest, pushing him lightly away.
‘Somebody’s out there,’ I said.
‘They will soon get bored and go somewhere else,’ he said, not moving, stroking my cheek instead, looking at me with those hypnotic eyes you couldn’t ignore even if you wanted to.
But whoever it was didn’t go away, they rapped on the window and then they moved to the front door and knocked on that, too. Frustrated, I checked my watch – it was nine-thirty in the evening. Who on earth could it be at this time? Unless one of our clients had forgotten something and had swung by to see if we’d found it.
‘I’d better go and see who it is,’ I said.
Gabriele groaned as he released me from his hold.
‘Fine. But hurry back.’
I laughed lightly as my foot dropped to the floor. Was this really happening?! I straightened my skirt and patted down my hair, which I was sure would now be all over the place after Gabriele’s hands had raked deliciously through it. I smiled to myself as I ran out into the reception area, immediately realizing exactly who it was at the door, because they were currently yelling drunkenly through the keyhole.
‘Lira?! Are you in there? It’s me, let me in!’
It was Sedi and she sounded off her face. I stepped away from the door like it had burned me.
‘One second!’ I called.
I rushed back into the studio, where Gabriele was leaning enticingly against the mirror, slightly flushed, looking at me as though I was going to fall right back into his arms and carry on where we left off. I’d have liked nothing more, but this was an emergency.
‘It’s my sister!’ I explained, hearing the panic in my voice. ‘You’re going to have to sneak out the back door.’
He looked at me, confused. ‘Why would I need to sneak out?’
Seriously, could he just move?! There was no time for this! ‘Because I haven’t told anyone about the show! And if she sees you here, she’ll know something’s up and I’ll have to explain to my entire family what I’m doing and—’
‘Your family don’t know you have been cast inSlow Burn?’ he asked, seemingly incredulous.
Of course it would sound weird to anyone else. Nothing about what I was doing felt remotely normal, but I’d got myself into it now, and tonight wasnotthe time for the big reveal.
‘No. They don’t. I’ll explain it at some point, but right now, you need to go.’
Sedi hammered on the door.
‘Tell me now,’ said Gabriele, infuriatingly refusing to vacate the premises.
‘It’s complicated.’
