Page 27 of Destino

Grabbing a fistful of his hair, she brought his face back to her mouth, devouring him with her own desperate kisses. Lorenzo walked her backward, pushing her up against the wall, causing her to lose one of her shoes as his massive frame pinned her to the wall. Fighting for control, she turned her head, breaking the kiss. “Wait,” she said putting her hands up to his chest. Kissing her forehead, he lifted up from her, allowing her to ease to the floor.

“Too fast?” he panted, his face desperately close.

“Don’t confuse me,” she said trying to escape him. His arm flew up and kept her before him. Their eyes met. She struggled to catch her breath, staring into his eyes.

“Slow and easy. I can do that. Don’t punish me for this misunderstanding. Trust me. I’m not the bad guy here. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she smiled up at him shyly.

“Sono spiacente bella.I’m sorry, beautiful. You keep me wanting more.”

Timing could seal a man’s fate. The perfect example would be the first time Giovanni watched the woman, who would soon own his heart, descend a flight of stairs. In a single moment, he was changed. It began innocently. After a brief update from his men on why Lorenzo threw his temper tantrum, he strolled outil soggiornoheaded for the front foyer.

And then he saw her.

She wore a classy, yet sexy sundress. It was simple, strapless; the skirt did flare a bit at the hem and swirl around her knees. And she’d chosen the loveliest shade of mint green to flatter her medium brown skin, which stirred the loneliness in him. How long had it been since he felt anything outside of raw lust for a woman? What was this fresh, new desire that calmed his inner beast when she smiled his way? She hadn’t fallen for his trick, or maybe she knew what would please him and for once decided to give in a little. Whatever her reason for the dress choice, he was grateful. Her hair was a riot of curls, picked out lovely and bouncing on her shoulders behind a matching headband.

Their eyes met.

“Ciao,” she said.

He admired her legs as they came into view with each measured step she took. Smooth, hairless, and flawless as he imagined the rest of her body to be.

“Bennisma,” he said more to himself than to her.

“Grazie.”

Giovanni touched his chest. “I knew you were beautiful, but even I didn’t know how much more lovely you could become.”

She stepped down and walked directly toward him. “Is Fabiana around? I’d like to talk to her before we leave.”

“Yes. She, uh, she is,” he said, held captive in the deep brown swirls of her irises. They remained silent for a moment staring into each other’s eyes. Fabiana and Lorenzo reappeared. Mira noticed first. Giovanni, however, could not look away from her.

“There you are!” She smiled in a way he wished she had for him. He blinked out of his longing trance and watched her go to the redhead and embrace her. He felt like a lovesick schoolboy. It had become ridiculous. He could see the smirk of humor on Lorenzo’s face, and it made his chest tight with frustration.

“Excuse us.” Fabiana said, taking Mira’s hand and pulling her toward the hall out of earshot of the men. Her friend began to pace, wringing her hands. “I had no idea Lorenzo would bring him here. He’s the one, isn’t he? The one with the flowers, the man you said threatened you?” She spoke in a hushed hurried manner that alarmed Mira.

“He didn’t threaten me.” Mira touched Fabiana’s arm. “What’s wrong? Did he say something to you?”

Fabiana put a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. “Here’s the thing. I think I might be wrong about these men. The two of them could be connected to some dangerous people. Wait. No. The two of them are dangerous people. Lorenzo denies it, but I’m not stupid. I’m sorry Mira. I screwed up. Again. I can think of something to get us out of here. You don’t have to go anywhere with him. We can leave today. Let me think of something.” Fabiana began to pace again.

Mira’s heart sank a bit. She couldn’t hide her disappointment. The more she felt herself drawn to this man, the more she tried to ignore that he might not be who he appeared to be. But this was just breakfast, and her time for fun was short. She glanced back out to the hall. The voices of the men speaking in Italian drifted along the hall, indicating they remained close. A small voice in her head warned her that she should tread carefully.

“I got it. I’ll have Angelique call. You stall the men, and I’ll have her call here. Say we have some trouble in Napoli, that we need to come back.”

“No. No. That’s silly. Do you think they will do us harm?”

Fabiana sighed. “No of course not. But I sure as hell don’t think we know enough about them to stay here.”

“Well, we are here.” Mira shook her head. “And we accepted their help. Look. I spoke with Giovanni. We’ll have breakfast and do some sightseeing. That’s all. I don’t want to antagonize them. And be honest, you aren’t done with Lorenzo. Are you?”

“You don’t have to stay here for me. I like Lorenzo, but you and Giovanni are not part of that.”

“I know this. Fabiana stop. It’s okay. Let’s go.” Mira turned and walked back out to the men. She could hear Fabiana on her heels.

“Shall we?” Giovanni extended his arm. Mira exchanged a look with her friend. For a minute he thought she’d further humiliate him by not responding. But she graciously walked over and hooked her arm in his. He walked them out, a bit more encouraged by her willingness to comply. Four armed men climbed inside cars and she was led to his Ferrari. The doors were raised and she eased inside covering her thighs with her skirt like a lady.

“Nice car,” she said when he climbed in and the doors lowered.

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