Alexa laughed at his boyish expression. “Poor thing, you haven’t eaten all day because of me.”
Her phone rang. “Damn it. Greg again. I’d better take it.”
****
Dante watched her as she talked to her ex. Her stance rigid, she clutched the phone and a frown replaced the smile that had brightened her face since they’d left Holy Cross. Even her breathing had changed, rapid and short.
“I went for a swim in the morning,” Alexa said on the phone.
Greg must be questioning, insisting on details. “I had my phone off.” She raised her chin. “No, Greg, don’t come... I’m not home... No, I’m not coming back soon. I have a lot on my mind and I don’t want to talk to anyone... Bye.”
Dante clapped his hands. “Good, I like your firm tone.”
“He’s going out with Dianna. So he won’t call.”
“Wonderful. I’m taking you all the way to West Palm Beach for dinner. This way we won’t run into anyone we know.”
“Thank you, Dante, for everything you’ve done for me.” She had that little sad smile that clogged his heart and stirred his blood at the same time. Alexa had no one who cared about her, except the autocratic Greg. No parents, no siblings, no husband, and as far as he had seen, no friends. He’d stand by her side, no matter what the cost.
“You don’t need to thank me. What are true friends for...” He drew her into his arms and lowered his head for a passionate kiss that had nothing to do with simple friendship. She needed him, and he liked her to need him. Finally, he released her, collected his box of files, and ushered her to the door.
“Michelle,” he said to the receptionist. “Forward my calls to my cell phone from now on. I’ll be working from home for a few days. Have a good evening.” He’d have Alexa to himself tonight away from the Blue Waves and its nasty atmosphere.
In West Palm Beach, Dante chose a restaurant located on the Intracoastal and asked for a table on the terrace. They placed their orders and toasted their happy evening. The romantic view of the sunset helped soothe Alexa’s rattled nerves.
After dinner, they danced and kissed under the stars, and enjoyed the moment, the music, and the moonlight. On the way back home, he put on a CD of soft music. A moment later, Alexa’s head lolled to the side and her hair cascaded on his arm. He smiled as he glanced at her parted lips and smooth forehead. At last, she’d relaxed into a blissful rest.
Last night, he’d held her in his arms until she fell asleep, cuddled against him. Not wanting to leave her alone, he’d eased to the other side of the bed and stared at the ceiling. For hours, he’d mentally reviewed his most difficult cases while willing his body to ignore the soft form laying too close for comfort and praying for the sleep that eluded him.
Would he have to go through the same torture tonight? But there was no way on earth, he’d let her sleep alone in her apartment, knowing someone had tried to kill her.
****
Alexa woke up as Dante turned off the engine in the garage. Disoriented, she spun her head left and right.
“We’re home. I hope you had a good nap.”
“I’m sorry.” She bit her lip and fixed a confused gaze on him. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. I really had a good time tonight.”
“I did too.” He caressed her hair with a tender stroke. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m glad you were able to rest during the drive.”
She got out of the car and shook her head to clear it. Dante cupped her elbow and walked her to the elevator. Yes, she’d needed her rest, but now she was wide awake, and would probably spend the night pondering the events of the day.
During a silent ride in the elevator, she frowned and fixed her eyes on the floor. A masked face twirled in her mind and she froze in front of her apartment. “Dante, someone wants to kill me,” she mumbled.
“Shh.” He put a finger on her lips. “We won’t talk about that now.” He held out his hand. “Your key?”
She gave it to him. He opened her door, entering after her. After switching the lights on, she wriggled out of her high-heeled sandals and picked them up, balancing them around her fingers, without taking a step forward.
“Is it safe here? This is my apartment, my own haven, but I’m scared to enter.” She surveyed the hall and living room with a suspicious look.
Dante grabbed her arm. “Come. We’ll check the place together so that you can sleep in peace.”
After touring the kitchen, living room, guestroom suite, and office, he stopped in her room, checked her closet and bathroom, and even scrambled down on the floor to glance under the bed. “It looks safe enough. Why don’t you go to sleep? I’ll be in your office.” He offered her a reassuring smile and walked out without closing the door.
Rooted in the middle of the room, she released a sigh of longing and regret. It wasn’t fair to let him while the night away on a sofa because of her unfounded and childish fears. On the other hand, she wanted him here, in her apartment, more precisely in her room and her bed. Just like the previous night. Except that, tonight he wasn’t jet-lagged, and she’d already had a nap.
With mechanical gestures, she peeled away her new outfit and neatly hung it, then slumped on the edge of the bed. Confusing thoughts clamored her mind as she buried her face in the pillow he’d slept on last night. A faint scent of lemon cologne lingered on the satin and stirred longing in her heart. Call him, let him take you in his arms.
Heat swamped her body and crazy fantasies assailed her mind. She and Dante rolling on the wet sand of the beach in the moonlight, the waves unfurling over their entwined limbs. Dante pulling her on top of his muscular frame on the leather bench of his boat. She, sitting on his lap, facing him as they rode a Jet Sky with the surf slashing them. More images piled up in her mind—pictures of them kissing, caressing, stroking. A moan escaped from her parted lips. Beads of perspiration moistened her forehead. She jerked away from the tempting pillow and forced herself to stand and proceed to the bathroom.
A shower would cool her overheated body. She yanked off her bra and her drenched bikini, and let the water refresh her skin. Invigorated, she dried her hair, slipped into a satin chemise trimmed with lace and a matching thong, and sprayed a whiff of her favorite after-bath fragrance on her throat. Much better.
She padded barefoot to her office and called, “Dante, I’m—”
The rest of her sentence stilled in her throat under his blazing stare. He slowly straightened and rose from the sofa. “Why didn’t you go to sleep?” he grumbled as his gaze roamed over her nightie and legs, burning her with its intensity. “Why aren’t you wearing pajamas?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sleepy and it’s too hot for p.j.’s. I’ll stay here and watch a movie. You can go home and rest.”
“I’m not leaving you alone.” He took a step forward. A scowl gathered on his forehead, but he reached for a long strand of hair on her shoulder and curled it around his finger, lightly pulling on it until she almost stumbled against him. “Alexa, please, go to sleep.”
His eyes reflected the desire that had engulfed her a moment ago and was coming back to her belly in hot waves. Dante wanted her. It was up to her to decide. She could go back to her room and lock her door, or...
A smile escaped her as joy bubbled in her chest. She’d never made love with a man of her choice. A man she trusted, appreciated, and wanted. How would it feel to sleep in Dante’s arms? Wonderful, her heart sang.
Without further hesitation, she slapped the lid on her worries and the outside world, and linked her hands around his neck. “I want to stay here with you.” She’d have her night of passion in Dante’s arms, real memories instead of created fantasies.
He threw his head backward and inhaled deeply. “We’re playing with fire, and I’m about to combust.” A shiver of anticipation slithered down her spine at the intense male look in his eyes.
“Let me feel the heat,” she whispered, with a flirty tilt of her head, although her breathy tone sounded ea
ger and heartfelt. Playing with the silky tendril of hair at his nape, she rose on her toes and brushed her tongue across his upper lip.
Accepting her invitation, Dante brought her hard against his chest and invaded her mouth. He’d been waiting so long for her to come to him. Would she change her mind and stop him after a few kisses as she had on the previous days?
His hand splayed across her back, grinding her to him. His chest burned, and his lungs filled with her perfume and the scent of her skin. Their tongues entwined, tangled, and danced as his heart beat a happy staccato in his chest.
She pulled away and inhaled.
Immediately on alert, he released her and peered into her eyes, ready to revert to his role of protector and friend. Even if it killed him. He knew her trust in men teetered on a thread and he didn’t want her to compare him to Greg or Steve.
“What’s wrong? You didn’t like our kiss?” A pout scrunched her mouth, deliciously red from his kisses.
“Oh I did. Believe me I did. I thought you—”
“Stop thinking, please. We’ve done nothing else all day. My mind can’t accommodate another thought, but if you’re tired, or not interested, I’ll understand. You’ve been a great support. Thank you.” With a big sigh, she averted her gaze to the door.
“Now listen, I don’t want to push you or rush you. You’ve had bad experiences so far. I’m not like...others.” He’d rather not mention names and spoil the mood.
“Of course, you’re not.” She offered him a lovely smile. “That’s why I want you. That’s why I’ve dreamed so often of you coming back, of us together.”
No man could resist such a charming offer. “Alexa mia, I’ve been waiting for this moment since the last time I saw you, before my trip.” He touched her lips in a soft caress. Convinced she wouldn’t have a change of heart, he scooped her up into his arms. “How about moving to your comfortable bed?”
“You always have fantastic ideas.” She chuckled and laced her fingers behind his neck. “I’d like nothing better than to share my bed with you.”
His breath hitched at her cheery disposition. He was finally recognizing the feisty girl he’d entertained the night before his trip, the one who’d asked him to play on his guitar while she danced in his living room. “Keep saying things like that, and we won’t have time to reach your bed.”
Her crystalline laughter bubbled and swirled in his head like an Italian melody. Through the sheer material of her nightie, her breasts pressed against his chest and stirred his blood to the boiling point. Their lips met and his tongue swept into her mouth, claiming her. She responded with her previous enthusiasm as he strode with his precious load through the living room. In her luxurious bedroom, he set her on her feet on the plush white rug, against the side of the bed, and switched on the light. The spaghetti straps and deep v-cut of the mini-nightgown beckoned.
Holding her shoulders at arm’s length, he stared at her smile of eagerness and allowed her to assimilate the turning point in their relationship. She tilted her head, waiting, lips parted, eyes shimmering with a new fire.
With impatient fingers, he traced the edge of her sun-colored throat and collar bone, and skimmed the milky white of her generous breasts and the valley in between, and grinned. “Nice tan, but it’s too hot here.” Easing the straps down her arms, he smoothed his hands along the nightie and thong, and let them glide over her hips and heap on the rug.
“You’re so beautiful,” he groaned when Alexa stepped out of her clothes and proudly stood in front of him. She had the most magnificent breasts he’d ever seen, full and pert. His hands closed over the heavy mounds, kneading and caressing. His fingers fondled the rounded tips. “Bella… Bellissima. Lovely, so pretty.” He lowered his head, and licked the tender flesh around each hardened peak.
“Oh Dante…” How did I survive this long without him? Every nerve in Alexa’s body quivered in response. Impatient for a passionate reunion and an overdue tumbling, she climbed onto the bed. Kneeling on the firm mattress in front of him, she tugged at his shirt. “You’re overdressed.” With nervous fingers, she undid the buttons, peeled the shirt off his torso and arms. He helped her and threw it away, as she pulled at his belt and unbuckled it.
“Now this.” She pointed at his zipper, unable to gather the guts to lower it.
“Can’t you handle it?” He laughed. “Feeling too shy?”
“Huh... no.” A blush warmed her face as she reached for the zipper and yanked it down. Sure enough it jammed. She scowled and jerked on it with both hands. The damn thing wouldn’t shift one tooth, but the bulge under the zipper grew bigger with the accidental rubbing of her fingers. Embarrassment heated her face and throat. After floundering for another minute with the stubborn slide fastener, she stared at it in dismay, and then flipped a glance at Dante who visibly struggled to keep a straight face. “It’s stuck.”
“No problem, darling. You’ll get better with experience.”
“Oh.” The air lumped into her throat. She’d been married for five years, but had never taken the initiative. Was it so obvious? Blood suffused her cheeks.
He cupped her face between his hands and gave her a tender kiss on the mouth. “Excuse me.” He moved her hands away, rattled the coil of the zipper, and managed to loosen it over the toothed track.
A whoosh of relief exhaled from her, but she swallowed hard when he lowered both pants and briefs in one motion, and stepped gloriously naked in front of her.
Lordy, what a body. Broad bronzed chest rippling with muscles and narrowing at the waist, with a white area over his flat abs marking the part usually covered by his bathing suit. Quickly glancing below, she blinked at the sight of his strong member, licked her lip, and smothered a gasp of appreciation.
Bending over his clothes, he retrieved his wallet from his pocket, extracted a few foils, and set them on the night table.
She averted her eyes, not sure if she should be pleased or unsettled. “Do you always carry these things with you?”
“Since I came back from Sicily, yes. I had to be prepared for whenever you’d be ready to come into my arms.”
“I think I spoiled the moment with the zipper problem.”
“Never. Just one look at you is enough to restore it.” He pushed her down on the mattress and followed, the mischievous glint in his eyes replaced by an ardent look. She could feel the warm stir of his breath, smell his strong, masculine scent.
His mouth settled on hers, not allowing her another word. His tongue parted her lips, danced against her teeth, teased, and tangled with hers, as he practically devoured her. She welcomed him and responded eagerly, all the while wrapping her arms around his back. His hand closed over her breast and resumed his previous caress. Throwing her head back, she drew in a breath that turned into a moan when he sucked the hard tip.
“More. I want more,” she mumbled, hardly aware of her words or the crazy thoughts careening in her mind. This was what lovemaking should be like.
“Yes, amore mio.”
She was ready, more than ready, wanting a man for the first time in her life, wanting this man. “Oh Dante,” she murmured, bracing both arms around his waist. His shaft nudged against her stomach, his hand slid between her legs. A shiver of anticipation trickled through her. His fingers played and stroked, drifted over her love bud and lingered, tormenting and pleasuring.
He raised his head, and seared her with a gaze that reflected her desire.
“Yes,” he murmured against her mouth.
She wriggled and moaned and buried her face in his shoulder.
“Look at me, cara mia. Let me see your face.”
She opened her eyes and swallowed. Unable to withstand the mounting pressure, she squirmed, closed her legs, and whimpered when his imprisoned fingers accentuated his caress. Excitement sizzled through her.
He smiled. “You’re so beautiful, amore mio.”
Needing to touch him, she rubbed her hands over his pecs and through the thin fur covering his chest
. She twisted, reached for his nipple, and sucked. It hardened. Delighted with her power over him, she nibbled, her frenzy accelerating with the dipping of his fingers in and out of her. Her whimpers hummed in the silence. “Dante, enough. Now.”
“Right away.”
She felt him moving and heard the tearing of paper. His hand tangled in her hair, tugging her head back. He covered her mouth and silenced her moans with his kisses. His shaft replaced his fingers as he filled her. She dug her nails in his back and butted against him.
His thrusts accelerated. She followed him, gyrating her hips, tightening her muscles around him. Skin slapped against skin. Tremors shook her.
He held her pressed against him and plunged. She lifted both legs, encircled him, and dragged him even deeper.
Jolts of pleasure rippled through her and myriad stars sparkled behind her closed eyes. Her body shaken by a last convulsion, she screamed his name.
“Amore mio.” Dante shuddered and sagged above her.
“My love,” she whispered. Alexa slowly emerged from her blissful ecstasy. Had he called her Love? Had she answered in the same way? She smiled against his cheek, unable to remember and not really worrying.
Splaying her hands on his muscular back, she tightened her hold. Whether they’d share more of the same or not, he’d given her an unforgettable moment. Her eyes filled with happy tears.
Dante rolled off her and gathered her against his side, peering into her eyes. “Why the tears, darling? You didn’t enjoy it?” An odd anxiety underlined his tone. “Have I rushed you?”
Rushed her? Good God, had he forgotten she was the one who jammed his zipper in her eagerness to undress him? She smiled and cradled his cheeks in her hands. “Believe me, I enjoyed it. And I’ll remember it till the day I die.”
“So you’re not disappointed?”
“Absolutely not. More like delighted.” She kissed him to prove her point.
“Good. Are you tired?”
“Not at all.” She snuggled up closer to him.
He chuckled and tickled her chin. “If you want memories, how about we built some more?” Joyful sparks glittered in his eyes.
The Ultimate Romance Box (6 Bestselling Romance Novels) Page 64
