Shock jolted through Sophie’s body. “W–what are you saying?” Was this a proposal?
Max breathed a heavy sigh. “I’m not sure exactly. I’ve never…” He swallowed hard. “I won’t lie to you. I’m not the marrying kind. I can’t give you that. I wish I could, but I can’t. I’m not good with long-term commitments.” She felt the slight tremor in his hand as he held hers tight. “I can only promise to be here for as long as you want me.”
Sophie blinked. Not exactly a marriage proposal, but certainly a step up from his earlier grand offer of take or leave it.
Which, of course, she had taken and regretted.
Fear prickled beneath her skin. So if I take this one will I regret it too? Most likely, she realized, but she might regret it more if she didn’t. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out she was falling for Max. The question was would she come out of this unscathed if things went south?
Her thoughts must have been transparent because Max said quietly, “I’m not just talking about sex, Sophie. Of course, that’s part of it. Making love to you is unbelievable. I’m talking about something more stable.” He brushed a thumb absently across her knuckles. A thrill of pleasure zipped through her. Then Max set his chin. “I want an arrangement we can both be comfortable with. I care about you and I want to be with you. Both of you. I believe you care for me too.” His gaze settled on her. “Am I right?”
Sophie’s eyes widened at his bold question. Of course he was right, but should she admit it? Or should she pretend not to know what he was talking about.
“Sophie?” Max hesitated after a taut silence. He took his hand from hers and pushed back a strand of hair from her eyes.
She inhaled sharply and nodded. “I do care about you, Max. More than I’d like to admit.”
Relief washed over him briefly then it was gone. The corners of his mouth turned up in a rueful smile. “I wish I could offer you more, but I can’t. Marriage isn’t for me. It never will be. But I’m offering you the closest thing to marriage I can give. What do you say? Should we give this a chance?”
Should she risk it? Take what he was offering and see where it took them? Could she trust him enough to put her and Alex first? Or would he always place business over them like her father had?
Sophie’s pulse beat against her throat. She wanted to believe him. Believe she could trust him, but doubt niggled at her. If he truly cared about them and wanted a relationship, why couldn’t he go the distance and make a real commitment so they could give Alex the family stability he needed? The family she needed. Was it because deep down Max knew he wouldn’t be there in the long run?
Sophie knew what her head told her do, but her heart had a whole different agenda, and she’d always heard it was best to listen to the heart. Still, if she agreed to this, then there had to be some ground rules. She couldn’t enter into any type of relationship with him with blinders on. Heart or not, she had to have some kind of assurance that he was serious about them.
Sophie lifted her chin to look him square in the eye. “First, what happens to Alex if this doesn’t work out between us?
“I don’t see that happening,” Max stated smoothly. “We can make this work if we want too. But, if for some reason it doesn’t, then we’ll have to be adults and do what is best for our son. He won’t get hurt. That I can promise. I’ll be there for him no matter what.”
So far so good. She could deal with that.
Now for the deal breaker.
“If we do this, then you have to promise me you will put us first. I don’t want Alex growing up like I did. With a father who disappoints him over and over again by putting his business before his child. If you promise him something, then you have to follow through. No exceptions.” She stared at him pointedly. “I mean it, Max. No exceptions.”
Max’s features tightened. “I told you before I keep the promises I make and I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” His knuckles brushed across her cheek. “I’m not your father, Sophie. I won’t disappoint you or Alex. Not if I can help it anyway.”
Sophie searched his face for even the smallest hint of uncertainty. All she could find was sincerity.
His offer might not be the one she wanted, but it was a step in the right direction. She’d promised herself she’d give him a real chance to prove he wasn’t ruthless and callous like she once believed. It was time to man up – or rather woman up – to that promise.
Sophie flashed him an uncertain smile. “I think I can live with that.”
“Thank God,” he growled before slipping his hand behind her neck and gently tugging her toward him. “I want you, Sophie. Don’t ever doubt that.” His mouth covered hers with a hard kiss. Something stirred inside sending a rush of heat to her core. Sophie met his kiss with a pent up fervor of her own, deepening it until they were both moaning with pleasure. Somehow her arms found their way around him and she clung to the sheer male hardness of his torso. Her heart pulsed against her chest matching the accelerated thump of his beat for beat. The feeling of coming home engulfed her. Maybe her heart was right. This was where she belonged.
Several pants and a few moments later Max broke the kiss. “We’d better get back before Alex wakes up.”
A tingle of satisfaction settled in her stomach at the obvious regret in his voice. He apparently didn’t want to end their impromptu make-out session any more than she did.
Not trusting her voice, Sophie nodded. She felt as if she’d been on a three-day high and was now experiencing a withdrawal as Max placed another quick kiss on her lips and shifted back to his seat. Her body begged for more even as her mind agreed with him.
Max started the ignition. “Don’t worry, cara, “he whispered seductively. “That was only the beginning. Tonight, I’ll show you exactly how much I care.”
Another electrifying thrill rushed through her at his silky promise. She settled back against her seat and silently cheered nightfall on. Tonight she might just let go of all her doubts and show Max a thing or two of her own. After all, a girl has needs too.
* * *
Max hummed to himself as he picked up a bottle of his special wine and two glasses from the wet bar in the parlor. He started up the stairs toward Sophie’s room.
“Can I get you anything else before I retire for the evening, sir?” Vincenzo appeared at the bottom of the stairwell.
“No, grazie, Vincenzo. You’re free for the rest of the night.”
“Very good, sir.” Vincenzo turned to leave then hesitated. “Sir?”
Max paused on the stairway. “Yes?”
“Well, I know it’s not my place, sir, but I just wanted to say it is nice to see you so content. I think Ms. Sophie and Alex have been good for you.”
Max couldn’t help but grin. He thought so too. “Is that what you think, Vincenzo?”
“Oh, yes sir,” Vincenzo rushed to say, the crinkles around his eyes deepening. “Ms. Sophie is a fine lady. I’m just pleased to see how happy she’s made you. Everyone needs someone to love, sir.” A deep flush crept up Vincenzo’s tanned face. “Luisa and I are just glad you found Ms. Sophie. You deserve to be happy, and we’ll be glad to see her and the young one come back again.”
Surprised by the older man’s sincerity, Max replied. “Thank you, Vincenzo.”
Max continued up the stairs, wondering if his feelings for Sophie were really so obvious. The problem was, he wasn’t quite sure what those feelings were himself. He desired her, no doubt there. He cared about her, most definitely. But love? He wasn’t really capable of loving anyone. Was he?
Max knocked on Sophie’s bedroom door. It was ajar, but he couldn’t see her in the moonlit room.
“Come in.” Her voice came from the adjoining bathroom.
He pushed the door open with his knee while holding the wine and the two glasses then stepped inside. Placing the glasses on the nightstand beside her bed, he poured them both a drink.
He’d barely taken one sip when the bathroom door opened and Soph
ie stepped out. Max’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
She stood, bathed in the moonlight filtering through the bedroom window, clad only in a short, see-through nightie. Sheer black lace falling just below her bottom left very little to the imagination. Her firm round breasts pushed against the plunging neckline and bounced lightly with each step as she sauntered toward him.
“See anything you like?” she asked silkily.
Max swallowed hard. For once he was speechless. When he didn’t answer, she laughed softly, took the glass from his hand and set it on the bedside table. “I believe we have some unfinished business.” She slipped her hand underneath his tee-shirt and trailed her fingers across his abdomen.
Instinctively, his arms slipped around her small waist and pulled her against him. He could feel the warmth of her skin against his arms. She felt so good. All soft, sensuous and curvy. The swell of her hips beneath his hands sent an electrical spark searing through him. Max brushed his lips across the top of her head. Her freshly washed hair smelled of lavender, vanilla and shampoo. A scent he’d spent six years searching for.
Sophie leaned her head against his chest and a soft, almost inaudible whimper escaped her lips.
“Ah … cara.” Max nuzzled her neck. “You are driving me crazy.” His hands stroked her hips. “I want you so much.” Why was it just touching her made his heart pound? He’d had his share of women, of course, but none made him feel the way she did. Actually, none had ever made him feel period. But it was different with her. Not just the primal-driven need to make love to her. There was something more. Something he couldn’t quite explain.
Sophie lifted her head and smiled. Max’s heart halted. The desire shimmering in her eyes took him by surprise. “I want you too,” she whispered.
Max groaned and crushed her mouth with his. Another soft sigh escaped her lips, then she slid her hands down his stomach until they found the snap on his jeans. She gave it a little tug. The pop sizzled the air around him.
Max stilled. Dio! When she made up her mind about something, she certainly didn’t waste any time. He’d thought he might seduce her with a bit of wine and charm first, but apparently she wanted to get straight to the point. Not that he was complaining. Somehow her take-charge position was quite a turn on.
“I do believe you are a bit overdressed,” Sophie murmured, pressing her body into his. Max felt her nipples harden against his tee-shirt. Desire bolted through him and he could feel his loins responding in kind. His erection pushed against his jeans causing an uncomfortable moment until Sophie unzipped them. Then he nearly cried out with relief.
She deepened the kiss and tugged down on his jeans. Within seconds they hit the floor with a soft whoosh. Max stepped out and kicked them aside as he met her fervor with deep searing kiss after deep searing kiss. He broke away only long enough to yank his shirt over his head, then he claimed her lips once again. He slid his hands around her once more and cupped her soft bottom, hauling her against him. White-hot tingles shot through him as her nipples hardened against his shirt.
“You’re driving me insane!” he muttered against her lips. “I want you … now!”
Sophie laughed huskily nibbling his bottom lip lightly. “Not so fast, sugar. I want to savor every moment.” She gave him a light shove toward the bed. He tumbled backward and landed on his back, his desire for her prominent in his boxers. “You’ll be begging for relief before I’m through.”
“I’m begging now,” Max said hoarsely, propping himself up on his elbows to look at her. Christo! He was about to explode.
“Patience is a virtue.” Sophie reached over to the night table and picked up her cell phone.
Max set his jaw. For the love of Mike, surely she wasn’t making a phone call now. His whole body was on fire and she was reaching for the phone?
“Not one of my virtues,” Max muttered, acutely aware of his growing need for her.
Sophie laughed and pushed a button on her phone. The soft lyrics of Black Velvet filled the air. She began to sway, her long hair glittering like gold in the moonlight. She moved along with the beat, her breasts shimmying in a way that nearly drove him out of his mind. Either her dancing skills had improved greatly since her G-string performance or else he just didn’t notice her lack of coordination since she was slowly slipping out of her nightie to the music.
Either way, the striptease performance was unbelievable! His pulse quickened.
She turned her back to him as the nightie hit the floor. Clad only in her sheer black thong panties, she kicked her leg back sending the negligee through the air. It landed on his chest. A whiff of lavender and vanilla jolted his senses.
She twirled back around, her beautiful breasts teasing him with every jiggle. His pulse galloped.
She smiled seductively, hooked her thumb in the string of her black lace panties and danced her way out of them. Twirling them on her finger, she tossed them toward Max. They landed beside him on the bed.
Max hissed a breath as she shimmied toward him completely naked. He couldn’t take it a second longer. He tossed her negligee aside, leaned forward and pulled her down on top of him.
Sophie smiled. “Enjoy the show?”
“Unbelievable!” Max whispered, slanting his mouth over hers as he slid out of his boxers. “Now for the encore!”
He rolled over, pulling her with him till he was on top. His lips trailed down her throat to the valley between her breasts. “God, you’re beautiful!”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Sophie panted as his tongue swirled around her nipple. He slid his finger into her soft velvet core. She moaned and arched against his hand. He moved his finger rhythmically, pleased with her response.
Sophie looped her arms around his neck, grabbed his hair with her hand and held on tight. “M–Max ... Oh, God … Max!”
He felt her body tense beneath him and knew she was on the brink of release. He removed his hand, shifted on top of her then settled his manhood between her legs. He slid into her, savoring the warmth of her core and moved his body to the beat of the music playing in the background. .
“Now, Max … Now!” Sophie panted, arching toward him.
“Patience is a virtue, remember?” He locked his eyes with hers. A shudder rippled through him as she tightened.
“Apparently not one of mine either,” Sophie muttered hoarsely.
Before he could respond, waves of pleasure crashed into them simultaneously and all he could do was bury his face in her hair and whisper, “I’ll never get enough of you, cara!”
* * *
It was nearly two in the morning when Sophie awoke to the loud incessant shrill of her cell phone. Groggily, she shifted on the bed to sit up, acutely aware of Max’s hard, lean body next to hers. His arm reached out to pull her back to him.
The cell phone shrilled again. Why in the world didn’t she have a musical ringtone like everyone else? Would it have been so difficult to pick a nice country ballad rather than this horrible sound that had come with the phone and was now grating on her nerves? Sophie leaned over Max to pick it up from the nightstand.
“Don’t answer it.” Max stroked her back. “It can’t be so important that it won’t keep until morning.”
Sophie checked the lit-up caller ID.
Felicity.
She groaned inwardly. Something must be wrong at the shop.
“I have to.” Sophie clicked the button. Seriously. It was eight o’clock in the evening in New York. What could possibly be wrong this late? “Hello.”
“Hi, boss. I hope I didn’t wake you.” Felicity’s voice sounded strained. Not a good sign.
“Well, there’s a six-hour time difference between Italy and New York. You do the math.” Sophie retorted. “What’s wrong?” Please don’t let there have been a fire. Or something worse.
“Uh … well, I really don’t know how to tell you this …”
“Great Pete, Felicity. Spit it out. It’s two in the morning here and I’m about half-asleep.”
“There’s a man here.” Felicity hesitated again.
“And?” Good Lord. Who was it? An auditor? Food inspector? Did it really warrant a call this late in the evening?
“He says he’s your father.”
It was worse. She would have preferred a fire.
A cold weight settled in Sophie’s stomach. Not possible! She’d made sure when she’d left California that she disappeared into the crowd of a gazillion plus people living in New York. He couldn’t have found her. He hadn’t had any idea where she’d gone. It must be a dreadful mistake.
“Sophie?”
“I’m here.” Sophie thinned her lips. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. He showed me his ID.”
“H–how did he find me?”
“You really don’t want to know.”
“Tell me.” Her voice rose in sheer agitation.
“What’s wrong?” Max tensed beside her.
Sophie shook her head, not wanting to believe it herself much less explain it to him.
Felicity cleared her voice. “The tabloids. He saw the article about you and Max. Since it mentioned A Touch of Spice he came here to find you. I’m still at the shop working on an order for tomorrow. I’m sorry, Soph. I didn’t know what to do.”
Sophie gripped the phone. Fabulous. Ousted by the paparazzi! How could she have been so stupid? She should have realized a delicious scandal like that would have reached her father.
“Tell him I don’t want to see him.”
“I tried. I don’t think he’s leaving until he does. He’s very determined.”
I’ll bet.
And he wouldn’t leave either. He’d stay right there until she came back. That’s the way he was. Determined to get his way no matter what. She didn’t have a choice. She’d have to face him sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner to get it over with.
Catering to the Italian Playboy Page 13