“I missed you, too.”

She looked like the admission hurt and that worried him. He let the towel slip from his fingers as he crossed the room and braced his hands on the doorframe. “Allegra?”

She shook, perhaps a little startled and by the scent he inhaled into his lungs, more than a little aroused. “Hmm... yeah?”

He leaned closer, brushing his cheek against hers until his lips closed over her sensitive earlobe. “Put your hands on me. Please put your hands on me.”

Her mouth opened on a moan and the scent of her arousal filled him, pushed more blood through his veins. He was harder than he’d ever been and desperately in need of her, but only when she was ready.

She reached for him, trailing her fingers over his chest.

And then she hesitated.

“Allegra? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” The answer came too quickly. Her tone a little harsh. “Nothing.”

He lowered his hands and bent to pick up the towel.

She drew in a breath. “Stop, don’t go.”

He stood but didn’t try to reach for her. “I’m not going anywhere, Allegra. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Did you go and see his parents?”

He hesitated and then answered her. “Yes.”

“And then you went to court to get his information.”

“Yes.”

“And…”

He could feel her frustration, but before he could ask her about it, she continued.

“And then you and your brother went all the way to Geneva?”

“‘Berto will remain to watch him. Make sure he stays put until we figure out who is trying to hurt you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She lifted her hands and slipped her fingers through her hair, yanking through the tangles. “Why did I have to find out through-” she stopped suddenly, hesitating again. “Why did I have to find out from Salvatore?”

“Once we found out I had to make arrangements and get on the plane. Allegra, I didn’t want to upset you.”

“And Lance? You found him?”

“He’s there in Geneva.” He couldn’t help the growl in his voice. “And he’s going to stay there.”

“Yeah,” she swallowed, “I’m sure he will, but I doubt Uberto is happy about being away from home.”

He touched her shoulder and froze when she pulled away. “What’s wrong?”

“I,” she stepped back and stumbled a bit, warding off his help, “I don’t know.”

She turned and made her way back to the bed, using her fingertips to walk along the edge before she came to the night stand and picked up her purse.

Valerio paused just a few feet away, his heart hammering in his chest, his bear pacing in erratic circles inside of his mind.

She set her purse back down and turned in a little half circle, orienting herself. Moving to the closet she reached in and grabbed her coat, pulling it from the hanger. She crossed the room and reached for her phone turning it on. The automated assistant answered her verbal command.