by Rachel Lyndhurst; Carmen Falcone; Ros Clarke; Annie Seaton; Christine Bell
“I’ll need to pay you back for giving me a roof over my head.”
“Help me get organized so I can finish my book and make the deadline.”
“But I’m no writer. I have no idea how to go about writing a book.”
“I can do the writing…it’s the time management, and as much as I hate to admit it to you, some list-making would speed up my output. I tend to waste time and miss most of my deadlines. This is my last chance before I’m in breach of my contract.” She dropped her head. “And I’ve already spent the advance.”
He nodded. “Is it a psychology textbook?”
“You could say that.” She avoided a direct answer. He wasn’t quite ready for the subject matter of her book. She didn’t want him running away yet; she needed him to stay around until her grandfather accepted her and she was sure she could keep the villa. Plus, she was getting quite used to having him around.
“And Tom, one more wee favor?” She reached up and ran her fingers down the side of his face. “You know, I really, really want this house. You don’t know how much it means to me to have the opportunity to find out about my real mother. So when we see my grandfather, would you keep up the ‘loving husband, so much in love with me, you can’t keep your hands off me’ act?”
He let go of her hand and stood and moved away to the edge of the balcony.
“As long as you keep your side of the bargain. No more early-morning visits to make it real.”
“I promise. No more friends with benefits.” She tipped her head to the side. “I’ll wait until you ask.”
He rolled his eyes at her.
“You, madame, are incorrigible, and I can smell burning sauce.”
With a squeal, she ran into the kitchen and whipped the saucepan off the stove before it boiled over.
…
Tom sat back and wiped his mouth with the linen napkin. Brianna had set up a small dining table out on the balcony and they made plans for her writing routine while they ate the spaghetti marinara.
“Now that we’ve got your writing space organized, do you think you might need to get Internet access here?”
She shook her head. “No, too much temptation to chat instead of writing. I’ll come to Lipari with you to the Internet café when I need to contact my publisher.”
He was surprised at her self-discipline. She tipped her head forward and flicked her thick braid over her shoulder. It was less tempting for him with her hair tied back, but he still remembered how the tendrils had brushed against his bare skin. As it was, he was having a hard enough time forgetting how her skin felt, the taste of her, and how she’d pulsed around him. He swallowed and desperately tried to think of something other than reaching for her and kissing her exposed neck. He grasped at the first thing that came into his mind.
“Oh, by the way, your aunt sent a message to the marina and said someone will pick us up here on Sunday for the dinner at your grandfather’s place.”
Brianna sat with her chin propped in her hands gazing out over the water, her eyes reflecting the moonlight, and she spoke softly. “I’m a bit nervous about meeting him again, you know. He is such a sad man.” Her body was outlined in the soft moonlight, and the gentle swell of her breast under the loose T-shirt drew his gaze.
Tom stood suddenly and dropped his napkin to the table, fighting the surge of desire pulsing through him.
“I’m going to bed.” His chair scraped on the tiled balcony. If he didn’t leave now, he was going to do something he’d regret and break every damn promise he’d made to himself. “Good night.”
“Good night, Tom.”
He lay on his back for a long time, watching the moonlight play across the ceiling, angry at himself and frustrated, wondering what sort of a fool he was. He’d never been so fascinated by a woman. She’d breathed life into every minute of the day. She was willing and had made her position as clear as day, so why was he hesitating?
He didn’t need that emotional stuff. It sounded too much like commitment to him, and he wasn’t going anywhere near that.
…
“You can have the bathroom first,” Brianna called out from the room she’d set up with a table and her laptop. Tom stripped off his sweat-soaked work shirt and threw it into the old stone tub in the laundry room off the back balcony. In less than a week they had settled into a routine, and there’d been no major fireworks between them. And he’d managed to keep his hands off her.
Aunt Carmen was still in Naples, and he’d spent the past four days working on the boats. Instead of catching the old bus back to Canneto today, he’d left early and walked along the cliff path between the villages. The view was spectacular, and he’d promised himself a trip to climb the volcano, which puffed out white smoke all day. Another one off the list.
“Thanks,” he called back. “I’ll be quick. Maria said we’ll get picked up about five.”
He stripped off, surprised by the deep tan he’d acquired in a few days. He shaved for the first time in a week. Brianna had been quieter than usual the past couple of nights, and he suspected she was nervous about meeting her grandfather again. Either that or it was sexual frustration. He knew all about that. He couldn’t get her out of his mind, and knowing she was just through the wall in the next room each night was killing him.
He turned the water off in the shower and jumped as the door opened before he could reach for a towel. And then he realized there were no towels hanging on the rail.
“Sorry, I took the towels out this morning and washed them.” Brianna stepped into the bathroom and handed him a clean towel, and broke into a huge grin when he grabbed it and wrapped it around his hips.
“Wow, great tan.” She turned and headed for the door. “Don’t be embarrassed. I’ve seen it all before.” Gently closing the door, she laughed. “I’ve got brothers, remember.”
Tom shook his head. She was so confident and so full of the joy of life, he had no doubt she would have her grandfather and the rest of her family under her spell before the night was out.
Christ knows, she’s got me sucked right in.
The most explosive sex of his life had left him wanting more. Once he finally got to sleep each night, he dreamed about her and those magic hands. It took all his willpower to stop himself from knocking on her door, climbing into bed with her, and taking up where his imagination had left off.
Earlier in the week she’d shared some of her work with him, and he’d seen another side of her. He’d wandered over to her desk to help her with a printer jam and read the chapter list on a piece of paper stuck in the printer.
This giggly, free-spirited girl was writing a textbook on sex therapy. He shook his head and smiled. A couple of weeks ago he would have run a mile, but their conversations had shown him a different side to her and he’d developed a respect for her knowledge and her obvious clinical experience. Her exuberance for her subject had impressed him, and she’d challenged him with some questionnaires and shown him the fun side of being psychoanalyzed. It had gotten him thinking and he’d mulled over the couple of failed relationships in his past as he’d worked out in the fresh air this week. Like everything he did, he’d focused on them too much before they had developed. His total approach was wrong.
No more.
Half an hour later, Tom and Brianna waited together on the balcony for the promised lift. A small crescent moon hung low over the horizon. The pungent aroma of herbs surrounded them, crushed underfoot when they crossed the stone path.
“Do you know who’s picking us up? Do you think it will be him?” She ran her fingers through her loose curls, a sure sign she was nervous. “My grandfather…Nonno, I mean.”
“I don’t know. Maria said to be ready at five.”
She smoothed her dress down with nervous hands. A deep plunging back left her tanned skin bare. Tom put his arm around her and tried to ignore the jolt that went straight to his groin when he touched her warm, satiny skin. Her loose curls tumbled over her bare shoulders, and she smelled
of coconut. “It’ll be fine. I’ll be the loving husband and I’ll watch out for you. If he gets nasty, we’ll come home early, even if we have to walk.”
She snuggled into him. “You are a good man, Tom Richards.”
The purring of a car motor coming slowly up the hill caught Tom’s attention and he whistled in appreciation. He gently turned her around and pointed to the car silhouetted by the setting sun.
“Not bad,” he said. “Not bad at all.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“A C-Class Mercedes-Benz coupe. Very nice.” He had considered one of them before purchasing his latest BMW back home.
She shrugged. “A car’s a car.”
“Oh, you philistine. It’s a thing of beauty.” He laughed. “I can see I need to educate you. Just because I’ve been depending on that old rattletrap of a bus to get around, I still appreciate a fine motor, and you and I are about to have a ride in one of the best.”
The large white car drew to a halt beside them, and Tom glanced across at Brianna. She choked back a laugh when a middle-aged man wearing a chauffeur’s uniform and a cap with a gold insignia stepped out of the car and bowed to them.
“Signore, signora.” He opened the door and gestured for them to enter. Brianna slid in, and Tom joined her and placed his arm around her.
“You never know, the hired help may have been sent to spy on you, too,” he whispered with a smile. Besides, it was an innocent opportunity to touch her.
“Why would my nonno send a hired car to pick us up?” she whispered back.
“I’m not so sure it’s a hired car. I think we may be in for some surprises tonight, so best prepare yourself.” He squeezed her shoulder, appreciating the way she tucked in under his arm. A warm contentment filled him. The driver turned the car around in the drive and headed down the hill toward Lipari. They cruised through the town and climbed the hill to the west, where a large villa on top of the ridge was bathed in light.
“Holy Moses, don’t tell me that’s my grandfather’s house.”
“I think it’s more than a house.”
Brianna reached over and gripped his hand. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“You’ll be fine. Remember how sweet Aunt Maria is…and I’ll be with you to look out for you.”
The car turned through a large set of ornate gates that opened automatically when they approached, and then down a sweeping driveway flanked by a low hedge. Bright spotlights highlighted ornate statues of gods and goddesses placed at regular intervals.
The car drew to a halt in front of a small fountain, and the chauffeur opened the door on the passenger side. Brianna slid across the black leather seat, hitching her dress down over her long, bare legs. Tom followed, pleased she’d discarded her usual garb of khaki cargo pants and T-shirts. Apart from their wedding it was only the second time he’d seen her in a dress. With legs like that, legs that went forever, she should wear dresses every day.
“Quit gawking and be a good husband.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him closer just as Aunt Maria came running down the steps to greet them.
“Benvenuto.” She clutched at Tom’s arm and pulled him down and kissed both his cheeks.
“And my cara nipote.” Aunt Maria looped her arm through Brianna’s. “Now you come and meet your famiglia.”
Tom hurried to catch up to them and took Brianna’s other arm. He straightened his back, stiffening his resolve to protect his “wife” from any unpleasantness that might ensue. Maria led them through a marble foyer with a massive chandelier hanging from a domed ceiling.
“Close your mouth, Bri.” He leaned over and jabbed her in the ribs.
They followed Maria and passed through whitewashed arches and over cool ceramic floors until they reached the back of the house. The view looked out over the mountainous interior of the volcanic island. A solarium, a tennis court, and a lawn for playing bocce were surrounded by a large garden of citrus and olive trees.
“It’s like something from the movies,” she whispered. “Is this really his place?” She frowned as she looked across the garden.
“We’ll soon find out.”
“I can’t understand this. What’s the big deal with him wanting my little house?”
Aunt Maria stepped out into a shady arbor where dozens of people of all ages stood around chatting. Tom held Brianna back and pulled her close. He closed his eyes and listened. It reminded him of home, and for a brief moment he missed his boisterous family.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he said lowering his head and kissing her briefly on the lips. “Just playing the loving husband.”
Brianna reached up and touched his face and looked adoringly into his eyes as Aunt Maria led them across to her nonno.
“Signore Caranto.” Tom stepped forward and held out his hand, and was pleased to see the old man smile. His hand was pumped enthusiastically and Tom pulled Brianna forward with his free hand.
“Brianna, say hello to your grandfather.”
He held his breath as the old man and his granddaughter stood and took stock of each other. Eventually the old man nodded and held his arm out to her.
“Nonno.” She nodded and linked her arm through his and held her other hand out to Tom. He gripped it tightly and followed them out to the waiting crowd.
Two hours later, Tom stepped into a dim corner of the lawn and sipped his drink. Brianna had kissed him, touched his arm, run her fingers up his back, ruffled his hair, and gripped his thigh on numerous occasions throughout the meal, and the old man had not taken his sharp gaze from them for one minute.
His body was humming and the blood was pumping through at a rate of knots. He needed some space and some fresh air. His attention was caught by Brianna’s familiar laugh drifting across the garden.
Jeez, even the sound of her voice gave him a hard-on.
He closed his eyes and gathered his thoughts, trying to dispel the desire shooting through his body. Playing the loving husband was not such a good idea. It had played havoc with his self-control all night. He’d squirmed like an adolescent right through dinner as he’d been introduced to cousin after cousin.
A whiff of coconut alerted him to her presence. He opened his eyes and his gaze was captured and held. Brianna pressed against him and looped her arms around his neck, her bare thigh brushing against his leg.
He groaned and she reached up and pressed her lips against his. “One last convincing display and we’ve done it,” she murmured against his mouth. “Look at him, standing up on the balcony. The old sod hasn’t taken his eyes off us all night.”
“I guess I can act like a besotted husband for a few more minutes.” Her lips parted and he kissed her soundly, his tongue delving into her mouth. When he could take no more, he pulled away and gently turned her back to the lawn where her newly met cousins were taking their leave.
Tom and Brianna made their farewells and fielded many invitations to dinner at different villages around the island. There was no doubt the long-lost granddaughter was a success and had been welcomed by the rest of the family with open arms. It was a damn shame the old fellow was still so reserved.
The driver was waiting for them in the car, and Tom held the door for Brianna as she stepped into the car. He slid in next to her and sat next to the window as far from her as he could. Brianna didn’t appear to notice his lack of conversation and chattered all the way home. He was grateful to have his attention taken away from the raging hard-on that had been with him for most of the night.
“And I found out what the problem is between Aunt Carmen and Nonno.” The affectionate term for her grandfather came naturally now, and he smiled when she lowered her voice to a whisper. “Apparently, they had a thing before your uncle came along and swept her off her feet…and they haven’t spoken since.”
“That explains why he didn’t come to lunch after we got married,” Tom said. He jumped when Brianna reached across and put her hand on his thigh.
“
And not only that. I am so excited.”
You and me both, thought Tom. He removed her hand from his thigh and put it back in her lap, but she didn’t seem to notice.
“Bella—she’s Aunt Maria’s youngest—told me a little bit about my mother. She was close to her before she left the island. Apparently, when she came back, the villa was a holiday base for her.”
“Maybe she left because she was pregnant with you?”
“Maybe.” Her voice was wistful. “There’s still an awful lot I don’t know.” She touched his leg again. “Now how about you? Did you have fun tonight?”
“I suppose that’s one way of putting it,” he said and tipped his head back and closed his eyes. She pulled her hand back as though it was burned.
The rest of the short journey home was completed without another word exchanged. They waved the driver off and crossed the courtyard to the gate. Brianna took the key from her bag, handed it to Tom, and stood beside him while he turned it in the lock. The gate creaked open. The sexual tension in the air was so thick he found it difficult to catch his breath. He bent and removed his loafers and placed them neatly by the door. She strolled ahead of him and reached for the light switch. He caught her hand.
“Leave the lights off.”
Brianna turned and looked at him, her eyes wide. She didn’t speak and made no move toward him. Pulling her hard against him, he ran his hands down her bare back. When she reached up and grabbed his hair and leaned into him, her lips were a breath away from his. He lowered his head, her lips opened beneath his, and he plunged his tongue into the welcoming depths. Her hands were soft beneath his shirt and he groaned as her nails raked down his back. Desire overwhelmed him and he deepened the kiss, wanting, needing his mouth on hers.
He walked her backward until she was against the wall, then he pushed up her short dress and slipped his fingers underneath. Her skin was smooth and warm, and he slid his finger beneath the edge of her panties.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known,” he murmured against her mouth. “You’ve bewitched me. You’re in my blood.”
