She bit her lower lip, swallowing hard. She lifted her chin and angled her face closer to his, her lips near his mouth. He pressed his lips on hers, and then parted them, kissing first her upper lip, then lower lip. She closed her eyes in ecstasy when he licked her upper lip, nibbled at her lower only to assault the inside of her mouth the next second. His tongue made love to hers, probed, circled, teased in a dance of total arousal. Little ripples spread down her belly like waves breaking against the shore.
I must be dreaming…such things exist only in fairyta—
“Tessa! Tessa, there you are!”
Tessa’s eyes flung open at the sound of Carlo’s voice. Alessandro pulled away and pressed a hand to his lips, looking down like a thief caught in the act.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I… didn’t mean to… we…I was looking…” Carlo’s puzzled look darted back and forth between Tessa and Alessandro. He finally seemed to understand what he had just witnessed. A wicked smile spread over his face as he nodded his head approvingly.
“It’s okay, don’t worry,” was all Tessa could mutter. Could the balcony just open up and swallow her alive? She couldn’t be more embarrassed than being caught kissing a stranger by no one other than her friend, who for years teased her for being too uptight, too scared to let her guard down.
“Sorry to interrupt, but we need to go,” Carlo said.
“Why so soon? What’s the matter?”
“Well, Lara doesn’t feel too good. Too much cake is not good for the baby, so we have to take her home.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Oh, no, no, no. No need for you to come. But we can take you to your hotel, if you’d like,” Carlo said. He extended his hand and shook Alessandro’s, then patted him on the shoulder. “Nice meeting you, man.” He took a step aside and waited for Tessa.
She turned and looked at Alessandro, then whispered, “Thanks for a wonderful evening…I had fun...Nice meeting you.” She stood on her toes, placed a kiss on his cheek and walked away.
“Tessa, wait,” Alessandro said.
She stopped and so did Carlo.
Alessandro caught up with them. “Let me walk with you to your room. This way Carlo can take his wife home faster.”
They walked inside the club where the rest of the group waited. Lara looked ready to throw up and after short introductions, everyone was on their way outside. They parted in front of the club, making plans for the next morning to meet and drive up to Taormina’s beach. Of course, Alessandro had been invited to tag along.
***
“You’re kidding me, Victor, right?” Tessa slumped on her bed, her cell phone caught between her shoulder and her head while she snapped her watch and bracelet open from her wrist.
Once inside her room after Alessandro dropped her off and promised to pick her up around nine the next morning, Tessa checked her cell phone. Its storage memory neared its threshold due to messages left by Victor, her boss, at ten minutes intervals. She decided against calling him, but then did it anyway. Too late regretting she’d called.
“Kiddo, I wish I did. But I’m not. I need you back in the office tomorrow.” Victor’s voice sounded serious and Tessa doubted he played a prank only to annoy her on her birthday.
“You do realize my vacation just started two days ago, right? And I haven’t been on one—thanks to you—in more than three years!”
“Tessa, we’ve worked on this project for too long to let it slip away. If the Council wants to negotiate now, then we should jump at this opportunity. It’s now or never.”
“You mean I worked on this project, unless sitting at your desk and barking orders counts as work.”
“Hey, don’t you get snappy with me. On your way back to the office see if those Italians have something for sassiness, pills or something. You need them more than anybody I know!”
“Who said I’m coming back?”
Victor sighed so loud Tessa thought her eardrum might explode. She heard him shuffling papers, then grunting.
“Kiddo, please. You know I’m not good with words…I beg you to come back. The company’s future depends on you. I know, I know, I’ve promised to let you go on vacation, but I just can’t do it without you being at the negotiations table.” He sighed again, trying to catch his breath.
Tessa closed her eyes envisioning her boss still at work so late at night, mugs of coffee under every pile of papers and no connection to the outside world.
“I can’t believe you are doing this to me…” she made a last attempt to convince herself—or him—this was not a good idea.
“Look, I’ll pay all your expenses, I’ll pay for your ticket to change the date, and I swear I’ll pay for another vacation—anywhere you want, just tell me and I’ll cover everything.”
“Damn right, you’ll pay for everything. This agreement better be waiting for me on my desk, signed by you.” Tessa walked to her luggage and began shoving her clothes back in.
“So you’re coming?”
“Do I have another choice?”
“Kiddo, that’s why I just love you. I knew I could count on you. See you tomorrow!”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Tessa said and hung up on her boss.
So much for a vacation. So much for spending time with her friends. So much for soaking lazily in the sun for two weeks…so much for getting to know Alessandro. Not that she should; after all, a relationship was excluded since they lived in different countries. But still; it would’ve been nice to be with him…maybe continue what they started on the balcony—kissing and dancing…
Stop dreaming, girl. Get your head back to reality—there is no Alessandro or any other man for you for that matter…She shrugged as disappointment spread over her like a plague. She felt lonely and on the verge of crying. Why did I call Victor? Why can’t I enjoy a damn vacation without having to work?
She sighed as she closed the zipper on her luggage. It didn’t take long for her to pack since she hadn’t even been there long enough to completely unpack. She flipped her laptop open and looked for possible flights back, found one at nine-fifteen the next morning and booked her ticket. She called Isabella and left a voice message for her, then got ready for bed.
Thirty minutes later, Tessa still tossed and turned in her bed thinking of Alessandro. When she encountered him that afternoon in the sky gondola, she had no idea she’d see him again, let alone dance with him, be kissed by him. How could a simple kiss keep her awake all night? She pressed a pillow over her ear, squeezing her eyes shut and willing Alessandro’s face to leave her head. Impossible.
His kiss. Such an intense, carnal touch that reminded her she was a woman, a woman that chose to bury herself behind thick binders and work late hours to forget her physical needs. Such a palpable attraction; all she needed was a sign—any sign—and she’d be in his arms. Sirens went off in her head, warning her to not fall prey to his charm, but she dismissed them as soon as they came. Her nipples erected just thinking how his hot mouth would feel ravaging her body.
What if...She jumped out of bed, swapped her pajamas for jeans and a shirt and walked out the door.
***
“Tessa, what’s the matter, are you okay?” Alessandro said the second he opened the door and laid his eyes on her.
“I’m fine, nothing happened,” she assured him. She squeezed past him, and could tell she took him by surprise. Her heart hammered with such intensity, she feared it might explode.
“I didn’t expect to see you again tonight; are you sure you are okay?” Alessandro measured her from head to toe then closed the door behind her.
“You want me to go?” Courage drained from her voice as she realized she had acted on impulse to come and tell him about her leaving.
“No, no, please stay.”
Fresh from the shower, he held a towel in one hand. Water dripped from his hair. Pajama pants and a t-shirt hugged his trained body. He again looked like a giant in the small confinement of the hallway.
“List
en, I…” she put her hands in her back pockets and rocked on her toes.
Alessandro proceeded to step back into the room, around her. It was then, when Tessa’s judgment went out the window, the alarm signals silenced. She impulsively threw her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, looked into his eyes, then to his mouth and boldly kissed him. The taste of cool, mint toothpaste greeted her.
The kiss felt tender and shy, almost familiar by now, that electrifying spark running through her body. His hungry mouth sampled hers, sucking and probing. She hugged his shoulders then stroked his hair and face, refusing to let go when he made a slight move to free himself.
“You can’t do this to me…I…you…I—”
Tessa pressed a finger on his lips, forcing him to shut up. She didn’t want to talk. She didn’t want to think. She closed her eyes and kissed him again. At first innocent, tension slowly building up; the more intense their kissing became, the more she wanted. She walked backwards toward the bed and all she could think of was how aroused she felt and how much she wanted him.
“I don’t have time…make love to me,” Tessa heard herself saying. Bold, loud, clear. Did she just ask a man to make love to her?
Alessandro looked deep into her eyes, catching his rugged breath. “You are driving me crazy…you sure you want to do this?” He untied her ponytail and spread her hair around her shoulders, massaging her skull at the nape of her neck.
“Hush, don’t ask questions…I don’t want to change my mind…please…” She took hold of his t-shirt tugging at it. In no time, it disappeared.
She took a lengthy look at him; each one of the muscles on his arms, shoulders, chest and stomach were well defined—any of the Greek Gods would have been proud to have crafted a body as fine as his. She moved her hands up and down his chest and brushed her thumbs across his nipples. His indrawn breath filled his lungs. He let it go in a big whoosh, like a horse ready to race.
Alessandro caught her wrists then captured her mouth with ravenous urgency and lifted her shirt. He cupped her breasts in both hands. Her nipples hardened between his thumbs and index fingers; it was her turn to suck in a deep breath. He pulled her shirt over her head, dropping it on the floor. He stroked her breasts and placed her gently on the bed. He lay propped on one elbow while his other hand traced her full breasts, then down her abdomen. His exquisite touch sent shivers down her lower belly, ending deep between her legs with a mad throbbing. He lifted his hand and played with her hair, traced her temple, her nose, brushing a finger across her lips. He fought for his breath as she licked first his fingertip, then took his finger slowly in her mouth and sucked on it.
He slipped his pants off and lay next to her. His erection stood in full view; she didn’t look away. His mouth moved over her abdomen, kissing and licking. Low, gruff moans formed in her throat as his hot tongue traced her bellybutton. He gently sucked and squeezed her breasts, nibbling at her skin; he explored more, freeing her from her jeans, then from her dainty lace panties. Her most feminine place waited ready for him, damp and hot and longing for his touch. He kissed and touched her everywhere, in a way she had never been touched before. He discovered sensitive places she hadn’t known she had; she felt lost and wanted nothing but to feel him inside her.
Before he positioned himself between her thighs, Alessandro looked into her eyes and whispered, “Are you sure about this?”
“God, yes,” Tessa moaned, gripping his shoulders, pushing her pelvis up, inviting him to quench the smoldering ache inside of her. When he did, she arched her back.
“I’m hurting you,” he tried to pull away, but she pressed her hands firmly on his buttocks, looping his legs with her own.
“Don’t…please…just let me adjust to you,” she yelped. She took him in little by little, matching his rocking movements.
Sweat covered their bodies. She dug her fingernails into his finely toned back muscles. With each thrust she cried for more, fighting for oxygen to reach her starved lungs. She rocked beneath him with a pulsating, vibrating need. Within minutes, her climax came with soul-shattering force, followed by his convulsive release.
Tessa slept dreamlessly and when she woke early in the morning, she had no idea where she was. It hit her quickly as she felt his warm body against hers, and the whole night’s escapade overcame her. She got up without making any noise, dressed and left.
She went back to her room, took a shower and twenty minutes later she asked the receptionist to get her a cab for the airport. As she took her seat on the plane, she replayed the whole episode in her head. She could still feel Alessandro’s touch all over her body, a rush of adrenaline from head to toe. She shifted nervously in her seat. What have I done? Tessa questioned herself with the hollow sensation of a sinner dodging confession. After the scene played out once again in her head, Tessa smiled. What have I done? She giggled like a naughty schoolgirl.
Chapter 1 – Six months later
Tessa sat engulfed in her thoughts in the back seat of the cab. Bucharest in winter looked depressing; tall, gray buildings that haven’t had a fresh coat of paint in twenty years, all looking identical as if designed by the same architect. Poorly paved streets sported huge crater-sized holes. Stray, hungry dogs barked and chased people for food. The first snow started two days ago and it didn’t seem there would be relief any time soon.
Dark heavy clouds hung low in the sky and the icy cold air stung the skin. Half a meter of snow paralyzed the city, schools closed down and traffic became a nightmare. To make things even worse, it rained briefly and the snow melted only to be replaced by ice. People wobbled through snowdrifts and cars swiveled and slid in a laudable attempt to maintain direction. The air vibrated with honks as irritated drivers yelled profanities.
The meeting with the City Council lasted all morning and aggravated her even more than navigating through the miserable streets and weather. But at least, after months of negotiations, the City Council approved the exchange. Titan Project Development—the German Company Tessa had worked with for the last ten years—would be allowed to purchase fifty hectares of agricultural land near the International Airport Otopeni, north of Bucharest, about sixteen kilometers from downtown. The location was crucial for future developments of office buildings, commercial property and residential parks. In exchange, the German company agreed to repair and enlarge DN1, the only road that connected Bucharest with the airport and the northwestern region of the country.
“Is anyone going to do their job and clean the streets?” Tessa said as she stomped her boots upon entering the reception area. She marched into her office, took off her heavy winter coat and scarf, and rubbed her hands vigorously to warm her fingers.
“Well, you should’ve seen the accident in downtown Bucharest last night. A truck driver lost control, hit a tramcar that derailed and hit another car on the right side and so on, like the domino effect,” Eva, her assistant came in with an armful of mail. “When they interviewed the mayor he said, ‘We didn’t expect winter to come so quickly.’ Are you kidding me? It’s December, you idiot,” she continued while pouring a hot cup of green tea and handed it to Tessa. They’d worked together for several years and Tessa couldn’t imagine anyone else as her assistant.
“It amazes me how useless those people are! And we keep voting for them. No wonder nothing works in this country,” Tessa said, shaking her head. She took a sip and burned her lips. “Ouch!” Instantly the hot liquid coated her throat as she felt the burn all the way down in her stomach. Something warm for the first time that afternoon.
“Victor’s waiting for you in his office,” Eva said and ran to answer a phone call.
“Tell him I can’t. If he needs me, he has to come here!” and then to herself, “Mountain doesn’t come to Mohammad, Mohammad comes to the Mountain.”
Ten minutes later, she heard heavy steps down the hall and Victor showed up in her office, breathing hard.
“Would’ve killed you to come to my office?” He sat and loosened his tie, a
cup of coffee in one hand, a binder in the other.
“No. But I care for your health and you don’t exercise enough,” Tessa smiled, continuing to sort through mail.
“That’s such caca, you know it and I know it. And in case you choose to forget I already have a nagging wife at home. Don’t need another one at work,” Victor snarled.
“So, I’ve landed you a multi-million dollar sale, I care for your health and in return that’s what I get—no gratitude? Where’s the champagne?” Tessa asked, hands on her hips.
“I have it ready in my office, wanted to celebrate and tell you how honored and proud of you I am, but hey, apparently I don’t exercise enough.” He stood, walked the few steps between them and placed his palms on her shoulders. “Come here, kiddo, I am so proud of you!” His bear hug left her breathless; she had to push him away.
She inhaled deeply and grimaced. “If thanking me means killing me, then skip your appreciation.” She lifted her hands up, as in surrender and put space between them. “Come on, let’s go to your office and celebrate. I’m in a hurry, we need to do it fast.”
They left her office and walked down the hall.
“Where are you going?”
“It’s late, Victor. I leave tomorrow for the conference in Berlin. You forgot already?”
“Well—not sure it will happen.” He paused and scratched the back of his head. “You can’t go. At least not to this conference.”
Tessa stopped, looked at him and realized he was dead serious. She’d known him for too long not to recognize those gray furry eyebrows bridged over his aquiline nose, lips forming a thin line.
“You’re kidding me, right? You know I’m on the panel. I need to go.”
Hidden Heart Page 2
