Page 131 of Torrid Passion
“In what sense?”
“The way your curves filled that outfit… priceless.”
She smiles. “I’m still in awe. You put so much thought into this day.”
“You’re worth it.”
“You’re an amazing man.”
Her eyes bore into mine for a few seconds.
The intensity of her heated gaze is overwhelming.
Fuck, she’s going to make me lose my head if she keeps looking at me that way.
“It’s not over yet. Grab your glass,” I point west. “The sun is setting and we can watch as the sky changes color.”
“Oh, right! Another reason why I’m happy to be back home. No spectacular sunsets in the Big Apple. I guess I should say I didn’t have time to appreciate them.”
“I’ll be honest, I had this deck built so I could chill out at the end of the day, but the way the business has been growing, I’ve been guilty of ignoring a beautiful sunset myself.”
“Well, we get to enjoy one together tonight.”
“We do. Come on, my sexy little dumpling. Get your sweet ass over here.”
“You know, you don’t have to call me that. Magnus isn’t around.”
“I know, but I can’t resist,” I chuckle.
I extend my hand and she grabs it. We get upand saunter over to the edge ofthedeck.
“I can’t believe this insane view,” she marvels. “Everything about your sprawling home is outstanding. It’s modern, but comfortable. You have great taste.”
“Thank you. I’m proud of this place. The renovations were a bitch and I had to stay with Jace for four months, but in the end, I got my little castle smack in the middle of Manhattan Beach, with spectacular views to boot.”
“It would be a dream to wake up and sit on a deck like this one as the sun rises, as I lose myself in my writing,” she says. “I have so many drafts of scripts just rotting on my laptop. I really need to get back into it. This would be the perfect setting,” she opens her arms wide. “There’s something freeing about being able to see the ocean… even if it’s only a glimpse at a distance. My parents’ exclusive gated community doesn’t offer that. I might have to consider looking at real estate in your area unless I buy something near Hayden and Stella.”
I make no qualms about it. My place is the ultimate bachelor pad. So why am I envisioning this gorgeous woman sitting on my deck, draped in nothing more than one of my sheets, pouring her soul into one of her stories? I shake my head.
One week and she’s turning my world upside down.
“It is beautiful,” I say simply. I wrap my arms around her shoulders, pulling her to me so her back rests against my chest. “And, FYI, if you want to use a spare laptop to get going on your award-worthy script, let me know.”
She doesn’t respond.
She kisses my forearm before pulling my arms around her neck.
I embrace her a little tighter.
“Award-worthy?” she asks finally.
“Of course, I believe in you.
“Right out of the gate?”
“Why not? Your mom did it.”
“It flows in her veins. She’s the daughter of famed Italian movie director Bruno Gianniello.”
