Page 44 of Burning Beauty

They lapsed into silence for a few minutes. She also felt for Luke, the big scarred man was completely in love with the Italian beauty. Yet, he couldn't strongarm his way into her depression. He had to just sit and watch her suffer. Like a silent sentinel that was suffering just as much as his woman.

"Boss wants to see you," Luke finally said, straightening in his seat and getting back to business.

This time Maria didn't distract him. She shut off the TV, stood up and followed him from the room. Together they walked to Nic's office. Luke knocked briefly, but didn't wait for an answer as he opened the door and waved Maria inside.

She walked in and Luke closed the door softly behind her, leaving Maria and the boss alone. She looked around and frowned when she didn't immediately see Nic. Then she spotted a door she hadn't seen before. It was a balcony door and it was open. The aromatic scent of Nic's cigar teased her senses and she realized he had slipped outside for a smoke while waiting for her arrival.

She wandered over and peeked outside. His back was to her, giving her a momentary advantage to just watch him without his keen, intelligent gaze on her. He was wearing his usual uniform of a beautifully cut suit that made Maria wonder if he kept a personal tailor on the grounds somewhere. She had to stifle a giggle as she imagined one of the outbuildings containing all the extra staff that she'd yet to meet. A tailor, a dog walker for the guard dogs, a personal shopper for Nic because she couldn't imagine him doing his own shopping. There would probably be a whole whack of gardeners, a pool boy or two, and general maintenance people. Actually, the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed he kept these kinds of people around. She wondered if she and Nic had reached the point in their relationship where she could ask him staffing questions? Or maybe she should ask his wife, since they were old school Italian and it would be the wife's job to maintain the estate.

Maria laughed out loud at that particular thought, imagining what Cassandra would come up with if she had free rein over the property. Maria pictured a multi-coloured tie-dyed mansion with animal shaped shrubbery lining the driveway.

Nic turned at the sound of Maria's laughter and for one brief moment, she saw utter vulnerability on his face when he looked at her. It was such a shock that it knocked the breath and the mirth from her and terrified her at once. His face was a study in concentration, his brows pulled down in a deep scowl that spoke of inner turmoil.

As he looked at her, his expression changed but instead of peace, which she might have hoped for, his face became even bleaker, even more intense, completely focused on her, as though that's where his thoughts were prior to being interrupted. It was like he saw every hurt in the world and wanted to take it all on while shielding her from the pain. It was both frightening and awe-inspiring.

It was a momentary glimpse into his soul, that was quickly replaced by a blankness that caused chills all along her spine. Maybe she imagined it. She was being fanciful after all, deciding he wanted to protect her from the world. Wishful thinking.

"Luke said you were looking for me?"

He nodded his head and turned his back again, but he reached for her, wrapping his long fingers around her wrist and tugging her next to him. "I'm leaving for a business trip tomorrow."

She nodded. "How long will you be gone?"

"Two or three days."

It wasn't such a long time, but she still felt an ache form in her throat as she imagined being parted from him. "Stay safe." It was the only thing she could think of to say.

"You're coming with me," he informed her bluntly.

Excitement rushed through her at the idea that he wanted her enough to take her on a business trip. But she put the brakes on her excitement and shook her head. "No, I can't come."

He raised a brow, the one that was usually preceded by something like, 'do you imagine you have a choice, woman?' but before he could speak she rushed to say. "Cassandra is ill and I need to stay with her. Make sure she recovers."

"Cassandra is not your problem. And she's not ill, she's in a mood. She'll pull out eventually, she always does," he said dismissively.

Fire sizzled through Maria's veins as she rushed to defend her friend. "How do you know she’s not sick? Have you gone to see her? It is not normal to lock yourself in a bedroom for a week! And you’re part of the problem if you're treating her like she's just in a mood."

Nic raised his brow again and cocked his head slightly. Again, she was getting to know him well enough that she could read that look. It said, tread lightly and don't say anything you'll regret in the next few minutes. Of course, Maria didn't heed the warning but ran her mouth full tilt forward.

"Have you even considered getting her help? Her father sounds like a monster and she's married to a cold and unfeeling man who parades his mistress under the same roof as his wife, no wonder she's depressed." Maria waved her finger at him, feeling a righteous fury on behalf of her friend. Maybe her arguments weren't totally sound, but her feelings were, and if she could find a way to help Cassandra, she would. "What are you doing to help her? Have you contacted a professional that she can talk to? Does her family know she gets like this? Does anyone even check on her?"

He gripped her shoulders tightly, pressed her back against the railing of his office balcony and, before she could launch a protest, kissed her soundly. Maria's mouth had been open from talking so he was easily able to take advantage of the opportunity, sliding his tongue inside her mouth and sweeping the velvety recesses. As she relaxed into the magic only his lips could provide for her, Nic wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tight against him, pressing his body full length against hers. She gasped into his mouth as she felt the hardness of his cock against her belly.

He granted her a reprieve when she needed to breathe, and even then, he only allowed her a few seconds at most to suck precious air into her lungs before dropping his face to hers and devouring her mouth once more. God, if this man ever wanted to quit mobstering, he would make a fortune in kissing booths.

Finally, after many minutes had passed and her lips stung with the force of his kisses, he lifted his head fractionally and asked, "Are you finished talking now?"

Maria's knees felt weak, her whole body was warm and needy, and her panties were wet and sticky. "Uh huh," she said, slightly dazed. She wondered how hard it would be to convince him to abandon his work and follow her to the bedroom. Then she remembered her mission. "About Cass..."

He chuckled, the sound deep and rich, rocking her already shaken core. "Fine, bella, you win. You can stay with Cassandra and try to bring her back to us."

"Thank you!" Maria threw her arms around Nic's neck and squeezed, digging her fingers into his hair and holding him as tight as he was holding her. She felt a rush of affection for him. It was so strong it gripped her before she could remind herself who he was, that Niccolo DeLuca didn't have time for distractions. That she was only temporary, when his obsession lifted, she would no longer be necessary to him. Her heart didn't care about any of that.

Nic pushed away from her, but kept her trapped against the railing, his hands on either side of her. He looked her in the eyes, his own dark with possession. "I do not want to leave you behind, but since you ask so nice and you have a good reason, I will grant your wish this once. But, while I am away, you will move into my room and you will sleep in my bed, rest your head on my pillow. I want you to smell me as you sleep, and I want to smell you in my bed when I return."

Maria nodded her understanding, still dazed from his kisses, and now further dazed by his desperate need to keep her close.

"I will," she promised softly.

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