Page 59 of Out of the Gold

Hopping out of bed, I grab my shorts and put them on, commando. I meet her on the balcony as she takes off the silver domes, revealing a pasta carbonara for her and broiled bronzini for me. Freaking diet. I take my place at the table.

“Wine?”

She holds up a bottle of chianti. It’s not pinot noir, but I have enjoyed this vino while we’ve been here in Italy. When I incline my head, she pours us both glasses and holds hers up. I join her.

“To new experiences,” she says, a beautiful blush staining her cheeks.

“To enjoying every single second.”

After sipping the wine, we dig into our meals. I enjoy the fish, but not as vocally as she devours the pasta. I can’t stop myself. I reach over to her plate and spear some spaghetti and bring it to my lips. When I pop it into my mouth, I understand her moaning. “Damn, that’s good.”

“Next time order your own,” she grumbles, a smile on her face.

When we’re both satisfied—at least as to food—we return into the living area of the villa. Melody pulls out her phone. “We need to make reservations for the flight.”

“I can have Thomas do that,” I reply, placing my hand on top of hers.

She gives me a quizzical expression. “Really? I want to do this for you.”

Warmed by her response, I incline my head. “Thanks.”

She pecks at her phone and says, “Okay. Got it. Best I can do is a flight out tomorrow from Rome at ten twenty-five that lands at JFK at two fifteen.”

It’ll be tight, but I’ll make the audition. I give her the go-ahead.

Her attention returns to her phone. “Return flight leaves at nine forty-five and lands back in Rome right after noon on Saturday. Not even time to get jetlagged.”

My stomach dips. “But we’ll be shooting on Saturday.” My hopes for this audition plummet.

“Not without Doctor Manipul8. You can tell Noble you’re stuck in Lake Como and will be on set by two. He was the one who canceled shooting for two days—he won’t have a leg to stand on to yell at you.”

“You make a good point.”

“Of course I do.” She holds her hand out. “I need your passport.”

At her request, I head into the bedroom and rummage through my bag. Retrieving the document, I turn it over to her. After a few minutes, she lays her phone down. “Done.”

“Thanks. I’m so sorry we had to cut our mini vacation short. We haven’t even explored Ravello yet.”

“There’s still time tonight. But I do think we need to get some sleep, as the helicopter leaves at six thirty so we can make it to Rome for our flight.”

Her words sink in. “We? Our?”

“Yes, silly. I’m not letting you fly there and back alone. You’ll need someone with you to give you moral support.”

The fact she booked herself with me on my flight doesn’t irritate me at all. In fact, it makes me feel warm. Hopeful. Positive. Like I can conquer the world—or at least this audition. “Thanks. It means so much to me.”

She stands and unties her robe, letting it hang open. “Think we should go to bed? You know, for our early wake-up call?” She slips the terrycloth off one shoulder.

I stand up as well and discard my shorts, thoughts about my audition forgotten for now. “Oh, I seem to recall you were interested in learning about balcony sex.”

Her voice rises a full octave. “Really?”

I take one step toward her and grab the end of the robe. “Yes, really.” I pull and it ends up in my hands. For every one step I take, she retreats one, until her back is against the French doors. Her breath comes in pants.

Even though I’m all in for another round, I need to make sure she’s okay. “Are you up for this?”

She nods, her eyes trained on my lips, then dip lower. That’s all it takes.

“Right answer, Goldie.”

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