Page 43 of Sicilian Sunset

I want to kiss him… I really do. But unease of where this kiss might lead takes over. He more or less admitted to being a player, and I don’t want to be yet another girl in a long line-up of conquests.

Beyond that, though, a vacation fling is a really, really bad idea. I can’t separate my heart from my mind, especially after being intimate with someone. It’s a guaranteed disaster waiting to happen.

Shit. I’m so overthinking this!

Tiero’s head is lowering to mine as if in slow motion, the heat of his breath fanning my skin.

And what do I do?

I panic.

I can’t do this!

As if struck by a lightning bolt, I slide over on the bench to put distance between us. My dress slides up, exposing more skin than I’d like. Suddenly, there’s movement up my legs.

And it’s not Tiero’s hand.

I scream.

Tiero jumps up. “What happened?” I hear him ask, but it’s fading into the background. My breath is raspy and my pulse races.

The commotion has Tiero’s security team surrounding us immediately.

Where were they hiding? And here I thought we were alone.

Movement near my panties has the hairs on my neck stand to attention. Something has crawled up my thigh, something with lots of legs, and it’s hiding near my girlie parts.

Ignoring my sudden audience, I shoot up straight, frantically trying to shake off whatever is underneath my clothes.

Then pain… and heat.

“Oh my God,” I yelp. “Something just bit me.”

Chapter Nine

Ella

Shit,shit,shit.

What bit me? Why is this always happening to me?

The shock has made my legs go weak, and I’m feeling dizzy. Tiero helps me sit down and lifts my dress immediately.

What the hell?

I push my dress back down, but he stops my hands with a growl. “Stop. I need to see the bite,” he says, sounding worried.

Okayyy.

If he’s concerned, this can’t be good. Who cares if he sees things he shouldn’t?

“A spider… I saw it run off,” he says, as if this piece of information will help calm me down.

I’ve got news for him. Noooo, it doesn’t.

“Are there poisonous spiders in Sicily?” I squeak, beginning to sweat.

“Unfortunately. I better get my doctor to have a look at you.”

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