Ready for You (A San Francisco Brides Book)

by Juliano, Celia

  “Wait ‘til I get you alone,” he whispered as he leaned close. Bain de Soleil and her own perfume made him linger longer than he should.

  “Is that a promise?” Her sweet warm breath caressed him.

  “Hell yes,” he said almost in a groan. He better get in the water, now.

  “Looking a little dirty,” she said. She smiled as he stepped back. “Better run and have a swim. But come out nice and slow.” She lingered over the words before licking her lips with a quick flick of her tongue.

  He shuddered and grinned. He jogged down and into the cold water. Just as well. He was about to embarrass himself. He’d come out as slowly as she wanted, anytime, hopefully lots of times. Pushing off, he threw himself into deeper water, slicing the rippling surface with his arms. The twinge of pain in his shoulder didn’t stop him when other parts of him throbbed harder which could only be stopped at the moment by his steady movements and the chill waters.

  When he strode out of the bay about twenty minutes later, Chiara stood down the beach. She stared out at the water but at his movement she angled toward him. Running his hands over his hair, he glanced at her. Even in her sunglasses, he knew she watched him. He didn’t acknowledge her, though, because her husband walked up behind her. That idiot had no idea the woman he had. Soon he wouldn’t have her anymore. Rocco planned to give himself the best birthday present ever. All he had to do was get Chiara away from her husband. He’d done it before, he could again. The real problem was keeping her from going back. Once they stopped teasing and enjoyed each other fully, she’d never leave him again.

  “Ready?” Sabrina asked as they packed up to go change.

  He nodded. “For everything.”

  Following Sabrina and Maddy, he heated from his toes up. He would have to wait until Sunday or Monday, but then he and Chiara would be together. This afternoon would be a building block, another brick in their foundation.

  Soon he would have everything he never knew he wanted, until Chiara.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Phil ruined everything. She’d been standing, amazed at the sight of Rocco emerging glistening from the bay, when Phil walked behind her, like an eager but irritated puppy. She wanted to put him on a leash and lead him back to his original home. Instead she ignored him for a few moments, marveling that her daydream of Rocco came true, right down to the dripping red swim trunks. He was every bit as built and masculine as she’d first imagined. And he had more.

  “Claire,” Phil said, tightening his grip on her arm. “Can’t you even listen to me anymore?”

  “Sorry,” she breathed out. Rocco walked toward the expanse of the Bahia Resort, away from her.

  “We need to get the boys ready.”

  She followed Phil back up to the house, where the boys ran in the back with Kitty and her husband close behind. Bennington and Phil went to get the boys cleaned up.

  Kitty faced Chiara. “I hope you’ll use this evening well, dear,” she said, almost spitting out the last word. “Phil has been very patient with you finding yourself, shall we say,” she said, though clearly she’d rather not, “I believe you best decide what you will do.”

  “I agree,” Chiara said. She met Kitty’s eyes with a glare.

  “I do hope we understand each other,” Kitty said.

  “I think I understand perfectly,” Chiara replied. The last two weeks convinced her she needed to leave Phil, but she better be careful how she did so or she would lose everything. Kitty would make sure of that.

  “Good,” Kitty said. The charming smile returned. “We’ll call this evening to check in. Max is so…emotional.”

  On their visit last summer, Max had cried half the night for Chiara when she and Phil had gone on a couples retreat. Chiara had insisted they return early. “We’ll pick them up tomorrow.” She and Phil planned to meet them for lunch near Disneyland and then head home.

  Once her in-laws and the boys set off, Phil went to change. Chiara waited, though it would make her late. She wasn’t about to change in front of Phil. He kissed her on the cheek and reminded her to be back by five. His tone held a warning that made her stomach clench. He walked out to meet his sister for lunch.

  Chiara ran into the bathroom, took a quick shower, then stood, wondering what to wear. She almost wanted to wear her new pink dress, but she was saving that for dinner, just to see Phil’s reaction. Something bright, though, because of what Rocco said. She hadn’t brought much, though, mostly black and earth tones. Slipping on a black cotton skirt with teal blue trim and a matching blue tee, she wriggled in excitement and smiled. Rocco must have lied about that bet. She would find out. A coat of mascara, lipstick, and some black flip-flops on, she grabbed her purse and ran out.

  She slowed as she approached the hotel, not wanting to seem too eager. Rocco, Sabrina, and Maddy already waited by his truck. Chiara apologized for being late.

  “You’re here,” Rocco said, giving her a quick appraisal as he held open the passenger door for her. Sabrina and Maddy clamored into the back. “Worth the wait,” he finished in a low whisper before he shut the door.

  Chiara gave him a sideways smile as he started the truck. The girls chatted in the back. She settled into her seat, at once giddy and comforted. Rocco’s manly scent embraced her before dissipating in the fresh air and mingling perfumes of herself, Sabrina, and Maddy. A sharp yearning to lay with him, just to breathe him in, caused her to look out the window for some distraction.

  Already Rocco began up the hill to the University of San Diego, where Maddy would go. They drove through part of the campus, which still impressed Chiara with its Spanish style architecture in creams and blues, palm trees lining the drive, and a new to her fountain in the middle of campus near the blue-domed church. Maddy and Sabrina exclaimed and enthused, keeping up their constant talk even as Rocco drove out and down toward the freeway.

  “We’re going to do Balboa Park, okay?” Rocco said.

  “Great,” Chiara said. She would have gone anywhere he said, done anything he asked. Then she reminded herself of the hurtful words they’d exchanged and she hugged her stomach.

  “Any lunch suggestions?” he said.

  “There are several cafés there. I like the one at the Museum of Art best.” Kitty always insisted on The Prado, which was lovely, but too fancy for Chiara’s taste.

  “We’ll follow your lead,” Rocco said. Would he? Hmm…a few dirty ideas popped into Chiara’s imagination. She crossed her legs. Rocco glanced at her and heat covered her cheeks. He can’t read your mind, she told herself, but knowing it didn’t change the feeling that he could.

  “What do Sabrina and Maddy want to see?” she asked. Those two still carried on and Chiara didn’t want to interrupt them.

  “The gardens and art museums. Maybe see a play or go to the zoo.”

  “Plays are usually at night,” she said.

  “Too bad you have to get back,” he said.

  “Yeah. Phil and I have a lot to discuss.”

  “Really,” he said. “You two talk a lot.”

  “I’m ready to take action. It’s time for change.”

  He raised an eyebrow but concentrated on the road. Navigating toward the park could be tricky. After some maneuvering and a lot of circling around, he found a parking spot. At least the gorgeous architecture and extensive gardens provided something to look at, something other than his strong, captivating profile and muscular arms.

  The four of them walked together, Sabrina and Maddy giggling together behind Chiara and Rocco, across the parking lot and up to a pathway. The girls again marveled at the different buildings as they ambled toward the café. They sat outside in bright red chairs. Rocco held hers out for her. She studied him. Even in his khaki cargo shorts and bay blue tee shirt, he stole her breath for a moment.

  When he sat, she picked up her menu. Chiara relaxed, glad for the girls’ nonstop talk which saved her from having to speak. They all ordered and Chiara and Rocco listened to Sabrina and Maddy. Soon, their foo
d arrived, the roasted chicken, peppers and onions of Rocco’s sandwich predominated the food smells drifting through the air. Chiara enjoyed her turkey sandwich, with an unusual fig spread, but she liked watching Rocco eat more. He slowly savored his meal, each bite deliberate and hearty. A bite of salad left a shimmer of dressing on the side of his mouth. Instinctively, Chiara dabbed the spot with her napkin. She instantly pulled back when all eyes at the table were on her. Looking at her plate, she took another bite of her salad, only glancing up again when Sabrina and Maddy resumed their talk. The summer heat seemed to treble in that moment, especially when Rocco’s hand found hers under the table. He squeezed her fingers briefly before he continued eating.

  Taking a sip of her Aranciata, she flickered her eyes shut as the icy, citrusy, bubbly liquid coursed into her throat. A tiny hum of pleasure rose as she opened her eyes. Rocco studied her with a smile.

  “Dad,” Sabrina said. Rocco’s eyes shifted to his daughter. “Do you two mind if Maddy and I check out the sculptures?”

  “No, go ahead. We’ll meet you in a few then go to the museum.”

  Sabrina and Maddy scraped their chairs back before huddling together, whispering.

  “Enjoying your meal?” Rocco asked.

  “Yes, thanks,” Chiara said. “It was sweet of Sabrina to ask me along.”

  “She likes you. And she wanted me to drive but she feels bad if I don’t have company.”

  “Lucky me I was there.”

  “Some things are meant to be,” he said.

  Chiara twisted her napkin before meeting his eyes. She quivered, almost forgetting her question in the intensity of his deep gaze. “Did you--”

  “Is everything okay here?” their waiter asked.

  “We’re ready for the check,” Rocco said.

  “Yes sir,” he said as he took their plates.

  Chiara glanced into the distance; the girls strolled nearby.

  “You were saying?”

  “Did you want me to pay?” she said, losing her nerve to ask what she needed to know.

  “We asked you. My treat, no strings.”

  She returned his broad grin. They gazed at each other like two goofy tongue-tied teenagers. When the waiter brought the check, Rocco placed some cash onto the bill while Chaira looked for the girls again.

  “Shall we?” he said, rising and holding her chair. He offered his arm, so she slid hers through his. His combination of old world charm and sexy manliness made her gushy. The same pleasurable sound she’d made when drinking her soda broke out.

  “Hum,” he said in a low voice. “What was that for?”

  “You,” she breathed out. She tickled the hairs on his forearm, wanting to melt into him. His sturdiness held her up as they approached Sabrina and Maddy. The four strolled into the museum.

  If Sabrina or Maddy thought it was odd that Rocco kept Chiara’s arm in his as they made their way through the galleries of both the San Diego Museum of Art and the smaller Timken, they didn’t let on. If anything, they appeared happy, the way they smiled and giggled, talked and teased much like she and Jenny used to. But even their feelings couldn’t match Chiara’s, who floated from room to room, only noticing Rocco’s strength, or the way his scent would suddenly envelop her, or sometimes the beauty of a particular painting. She beamed when they both stopped to study the same piece, mostly the old Italian masters. A calm surety warmed her to her bones that they didn’t need to talk, they simply shared the same thoughts.

  “Have you been to Italy?” Chiara said as they stood in front of a painting of the Rialto Bridge in Venice.

  “No. Ray, Faith, and I have a fund to take my parents for their fiftieth in five years. I hope to get there sooner.”

  “Oh? Planning a vacation?” she said as they moved to catch up with the girls.

  “Not exactly. I hear it’s romantic,” he said as he snugged her arm closer.

  “Depends on who you’re with, I guess. I went with a group of friends in college. No romance but a lot of fun.” She tried to sound lighthearted but she ached. Why did he say that? Surely he didn’t have romance in mind with her. She ran her fingers through her hair. This was all getting too dangerous, too shaky.

  “Dad,” Sabrina said, “Maddy and I want to go over to the box office and see if there are any tickets left for ‘Taming of the Shrew.’ Would you want to go too?”

  “No thanks,” he said as they went out into the bright day. Light wind pressed Chiara’s skirt to her thighs.

  “What about the zoo?” Sabrina countered.

  “Chiara will need to get back,” he said with a glance at his watch. “It’s already almost four. Why don’t you see about tickets and we’ll make a plan. We’ll wait here,” he said, pointing toward a garden with a sunken pool. The wishing well.

  Sabrina and Maddy hurried off toward the Old Globe. Rocco slid his hand into hers. Chiara swallowed and tried to ignore the tingling moisture in her panties.

  “Want to make a wish,” he asked as they stood before the tiled-in water. He handed her a dime then threw one in.

  “Don’t need to think about yours, huh?” she said.

  “I know what I want.”

  So did she but that didn’t mean she should wish for it. Yet his hot, strong hand holding hers, his body so close, blotted out any other possibility. Tossing in the coin, she closed her eyes. Him, she wished to be with him. She squeezed his hand and leaned into him. He shrugged slightly and she moved with a glance up.

  “You okay?” she said.

  “Yeah, just aggravated an old shoulder injury. Seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  “What did?”

  “Taking a sledgehammer to my spare bathroom.”

  “Why?”

  “Needs remodeling and I needed to take out some…frustration.”

  “When?”

  He lifted her hand with his then walked her toward a row of bushes. “The night you called and said you weren’t coming.”

  “Then you didn’t mean it, about the bet?” The tingling moved through her all the way into her fingertips and toes.

  “That was a lie, this is the truth,” he said. He pulled her into him, one arm around her waist. Dropping her hand, he caressed her hair before placing his hand on her cheek. She met his eyes and her stomach dropped. She wasn’t ready for his look, so tender and intense. But her body was ready, for him and his heat, strength, and need. Sandals flapped nearby and they broke apart.

  “We got tickets,” Sabrina said as she approached, smiling. Quite a contrast to her brother’s reaction, though what he’d seen left no room for an innocent interpretation.

  “Great,” Rocco said. He cleared his throat.

  “So, maybe you could take Chiara home and pick us up later? Maddy and I can go to the zoo, dinner, and the play. Should be done around ten or eleven.”

  “You have your phone?” Rocco said.

  Sabrina nodded. “Fully charged. Plenty of cash and my credit card. And there are lots of people here.”

  “You and Maddy stay together and call me.”

  “Of course, Daddy,” Sabrina said in an isn’t he silly tone. She kissed his cheek and hugged Chiara. “Glad you could come along.”

  “Me too,” Chiara said. “Have fun.”

  “We will,” the two girls said before they strode away toward the zoo.

  Rocco took her hand again, fingering her palm. She should go. “What time is it?”

  “Just after four. You want me to take you back now?” he said.

  “I’d like to see the Alcazar garden,” she said. Maybe a little more time would be okay. She knew how to stay safe, to protect herself.

  He grinned at her. His broad smile dented her safety zone. “Anything you want,” he said.

  “You’ve got it,” she whispered. He was silent, leading them down the path. Maybe he hadn’t heard. She exhaled. “At your mom’s party, did you mean it, when you said you’d go to the hospital with me?” Where had that come from?

  “I�
�d do anything for you.” This time his voice was low, his tone serious, not playful as it had been a few moments before. Oh no. Yes. But no, no, and no. “I know how you felt,” he continued.

  “You do?” she said, trying to sound normal when her insides were twisting and turning like a tangled slinky.

  “If we’re going to…there are some things you should know.” He sat on a tiled concrete bench. Chiara eased next to him. Putting his hands on his knees, he hunched over slightly.

  “You don’t have to--”

  “Yes, I do. Unless you want to go.”

  She shook her head, unable to speak. The words that might come out would either be hurtful or tell more than she was ready to say.