She sighed. “I still don’t quite understand what happened between us. It was very intense and took me by surprise.”
“It took me by surprise too. I thought I was just going to spend a couple of quiet days with my friends and eat some turkey.” His warm grin disarmed her. “I had no idea I was going to encounter the most beautiful and intriguing woman I’ve ever met.”
Serena’s stomach quivered. She tried to remind herself that he was a seasoned charmer who always knew just the right thing to say to a girl.
“I would challenge you, but I suspect that somehow I’d only seem like I was fishing for compliments.”
“I mean it.” Sandro leaned in slightly. The warm, male scent of him further undermined her defenses. “I love that you’ve built a career out of giving people advice. That kind of confidence is very sexy.”
“I miss that confidence. It seems to have gone into hiding.”
“Nonsense.” Sandro smiled. “Despite your recent heartbreak and the surprise news that you’re carrying a child you still managed to get out in public and represent yourself well. I watched your TV interview before we left the studio this morning. No one could have any idea that you weren’t on top of the world.”
“Perhaps I should be up for an Academy Award myself?” She said it as a joke, but suddenly it didn’t seem so funny. “Wait—I’m not comparing myself to Maya Dunham in any way.”
“You don’t have to.” Sandro looked at her steadily. The heat of his gaze had a strange effect on her body. She was glad he couldn’t see her nipples tightening under her baggy pajama top. “I find you more exciting in every way.”
Anxiety flared in her gut. What did he think would happen now? “But remember everyone thinks I’m still together with Howard. Besides, we barely know each other and neither of us has any idea what is going to happen between us. I don’t want to get my heart broken again, especially not in public.”
“I understand. We can be very discreet.” His mouth was very sensual. He had a way of twisting it that drew her attention and made her want to kiss it.
Would it be so bad to kiss him?
Yes, it would be disastrous. Look what happened last time! She needed to protect herself, and her reputation, from further potentially public disaster.
Serena steeled herself. “I think it would be better if we didn’t see each other for a few weeks.”
Sandro frowned. “We can see each other in secret.” He rubbed her fingers gently with his broad thumb, stirring heat.
“This is New York City, nothing is secret here. My building has a doorman, for one thing, and I bet yours does too.” She tried to manage a smile. “The last thing I need is to have the media thinking I’m cheating on Howard. At least until my book has a chance to hit the lists.”
Sandro rubbed her hand. “Is the book selling? Or is that a rude question to ask the author?”
“It’s funny, I really don’t think of myself as an author. I think of myself as a blogger, even though that’s actually the thing I do least of these days. It’s hard to make money from blogging anymore. The book seems to be doing okay from what I’ve heard. I haven’t seen the final numbers for this first week, but I will find out in two days if it hit a list. I would love to hit the New York Times best-seller list again, so my publisher won’t think it was a fluke the last time.” Her first book—a collection of blog posts about being a single girl in the big city and published as Living Your Best Life—had been a surprise hit that paved the way for the big advance on this one.
Sandro smiled. “I think you’re going to blow them away.”
“Until everyone discovers that I’m a total fraud.”
“Or that you just found the wrong Mr. Right the first time.” He grinned. “And now you found the real one.”
Serena blinked. Could it really be that easy?
Her gut told her no.
What were the chances that things were going to work out with Sandro? For one thing his family likely expected him to marry some kind of princess or aristocrat, and she was anything but.
Then Sandro leaned in and—before she could summon the power to resist—he kissed her full and hard on the lips.
CHAPTER FIVE
Serena felt her lips part and Sandro’s tongue slid between them like a key. All her fears and inhibitions suddenly floated away. Her hands took on a life of their own, fisting into his dark sweater, roaming up into his thick hair. Even the stubble of his hard chin against her cheek seemed wonderfully soothing and reassuring.
He’s here, isn’t he? That said volumes. And he’d broken up with one of the hottest stars in Hollywood to be with her. That meant something.
She kissed him back, letting her tongue seek his. His arms closed around her, drawing her into a cocoon of his hard muscles. Oh, how great it would be if she really could just relax into his strength and let go of all the tension and anxiety that seemed to be the only thing keeping her going lately.
Hot sensation flared in her core and flowed through her all the way to her fingers and toes. Her entire body responded to his and she felt herself drawing closer, as if by just kissing him hard enough she could bridge the distance between them.
I had no idea I was going to encounter the most beautiful and intriguing woman I’ve ever met.
Did he really feel that way about her? His kiss said yes. His hands said yes. Her heart said yes.
Her fingers slid under the hem of his soft sweater and pressed into the warm skin beneath. She raked them up along his spine and felt her insides shimmy. Why was she wearing all these dumb baggy clothes? Right now she wished she looked as gorgeous as he made her feel.
When he lifted the hem of her oversize pajama top, she let him pull it off over her head. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and she loved the way his eyes widened as he revealed the view. At least she was comfortable in her own body.
“You’re so beautiful,” he breathed, fingertips skimming her nipples. She gasped with pleasure as his mouth lowered over one breast.
“You need to take your top off too,” she pleaded, amazed she could still form words.
He obliged with a smile, pulling his sweater off in one swift motion that caused such a seismic rippling of muscles that she almost lost it right there and then.
Sandro was gorgeous. By far the best-looking man she’d ever dated. And she’d thought Howard was Mr. Right? She must have been delusional. He was dull as ditchwater compared with Sandro.
Uninhibited, she let her fingers explore the hills and valleys of his chest, and his powerful upper arms.
He kissed her other breast and sucked the nipple until a tiny moan escaped her.
Then he slid her pajama pants down over her legs and pulled them off along with her embarrassing fuzzy socks.
His rock-hard erection strained against his pants, and she suppressed a giggle at the sight of it.
“Where’s the bedroom?” he rasped, as if he was now having trouble breathing.
She nodded to the door behind him. Before she had a chance to stand up, Sandro swept her up off the sofa and into his arms as if she weighed no more than Lucky.
Lucky! A quick glance showed Lucky fast asleep on his dog bed in the corner. He must be exhausted after playing with her neighbors dogs for two days solid.
Sandro carried her into the bedroom and deposited her gently on the bed utterly naked. She felt strangely unself-conscious. Being with Sandro felt oddly natural. And why wouldn’t it, when she was carrying their baby inside her.
He knows about the baby, and he still wants me.
The thought sent an odd jolt of emotion to her heart. She hadn’t expected that, and it floored her. And scared her. She didn’t trust her emotions or her judgment anymore after what had happened with Howard.
If it seems too good to be true…
She’d heard that saying many times during her upbringing, but the sight of Sandro unzipping his pants and pushing them down over his muscled thighs drove all thoughts from her mind.
He climbed onto the bed, expression serious, and resumed kissing her as if both of their lives might depend on it. “I’ve been craving you,” he murmured, breath hot on her neck. “Dreaming about you, longing for you.”
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Honestly she’d been too worried to think about much but surviving from day to day lately. She certainly hadn’t dared to let herself fantasize about Sandro. His words shocked and energized her. Her hips lifted toward his, and she enjoyed the sensation of his hard erection between them.
“We don’t need a condom,” she whispered. Already she wanted him inside her. “I’m already pregnant.”
“So true,” he said with a smile. He laid a trail of kisses over her breasts and belly, then pushed his face between her thighs and flicked his tongue over her hot flesh.
Her hips bucked, and a shiver of arousal ran through her. She didn’t remember being this overstimulated the last time with Sandro. How did he do this to her?
She writhed as he licked and sucked her, drawing tiny groans that escaped her throat. Finally, fingers woven into his hair, she couldn’t stand it anymore. “Please…inside me…now.…”
Sandro rose up slowly, dark eyes glittering, and moved over her body until his arousal was right over her pelvis. Her hips rose to meet him, begging him to enter. First he teased her with the tip of his penis, then he slowly slid it inside her wet folds. A wave of pleasure rushed through her as she opened to welcome him.
She wrapped her arms around him when he lowered over her, drawing him into a tight embrace. She could feel him moving inside her, and the sensation was so intimate that for a split second she almost wanted to cry.
Too much emotion.
This was dangerous and scary. She felt way too much for Sandro when she dared to let her guard down. He’d been so kind to her, from their first meeting when she broke a vase on his head, to his quiet and warm acceptance of her shocking news. She didn’t deserve someone like Sandro, even if he weren’t royal and gorgeous and fabulously wealthy.
He moved over her, guiding her into a realm of pleasure she’d never experienced before. His lovemaking was gentle and thoughtful, passionate and breathless, and she could swear she felt his emotion throb in the air alongside her own.
Maybe we really can be together.… She let the thought drift through her head and fill her senses. Was it so crazy? If he liked her and she liked him, then anything was possible, right?
She felt her insides clench around him as she dared to dream something as outlandish as her and Sandro as a real couple—a real family—with all that that entailed. As she gripped him, Sandro cried out and she felt the force of his release.
As they lay together afterward, he kissed her and caressed her and told her she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.
And this was without any of her carefully applied and diligently vlogged about makeup. The craziest part of all was that she actually believed him. He made her feel beautiful and desirable and irresistible. He even managed to make her feel that her accidental pregnancy was not an awkward twist of fate but a kind of miracle that happened to bring them both together.
That part was only in her mind. Sandro didn’t actually say anything after the beautiful compliment, because shortly after that he eased out of her, pulled the covers up over them and fell asleep in her arms.
The whole scenario was so intimate—so darned normal—that she almost felt like they were already in a real relationship.
Lucky thing she’d already laid out her outfit for tomorrow morning’s TV show appearance and packed an overnight bag for Chicago. You can never be too organized.… Her mom’s familiar words rang in her head. But she couldn’t even imagine how her mom would react if she could see the circumstances her daughter now found herself in.
She had to wake Sandro up and gently kick him out at an ungodly hour since her breakfast show appearance was at seven A.M. She promised to stay in touch with him during her trip. For some reason their late-night encounter had given her just the confidence boost she needed to sail through the morning talk show, even engaging in somewhat witty banter with the male cohost.
She sailed out of the studio and headed right for LaGuardia airport feeling like a million bucks. The book was selling—according to her agent—and the feedback was positive. She hadn’t dared to look at any reviews herself, but her agent said they were all four and five stars so far. Her agent seemed to think she had an excellent chance of hitting at least one list and if that happened there was a good chance that Walmart would give her shelf space—which virtually guaranteed a new wave of sales.
She arrived in Chicago in plenty of time to do a drive-time radio show about dating etiquette, then retired to her hotel and ordered room service.
I hope you’re having a great day, I miss you. She smiled at Sandro’s text.
I miss you too, she texted back. It really did feel as if they were dating! And telling the world that she’d broken up with Howard would be way less embarrassing if she was walking right into a new relationship with a considerably more fabulous Mr. Right.
Last night was amazing. I can’t wait to see you again.
She sighed. It was wonderful, she responded. She wanted to say more: I’m crazy about you, you bring out something wild in me, I’ve never enjoyed sex so much before, but she managed to restrain herself. Even though texting was theoretically private there was always the possibility that someone else could read her words over his shoulder.
Good night, sexy. I hope you have sweet dreams, preferably about me.
She smiled. You have sweet dreams too. I’m looking forward to seeing you back in New York.
And she really was. She couldn’t wait to see him again. All her hesitation and anxiety about protecting her heart had wafted away, replaced by confidence that Sandro was truly sincere. That they might really have a future together.
Serena was in a cab on her way to the TV studio in semidarkness when her agent texted her.
Just got word. You hit NYT at 11.
Yes! If she hit the New York Times she’d be sure to hit the USA Today list as well because it was a lot longer. She texted back a smiley face and a thumbs up. She’d accomplished her main tangible goal, and now she could finally relax a bit.
She could even tell people she’d broken up with Howard.
Her stomach clenched. Okay, maybe not just yet. She might as well ride this wave of success as long as she could.
She was beginning to feel like a pro at this, sipping her water in the green room, smiling at the other guests—none of whom were famous—and touching up her lipstick. She’d just finished greeting the hosts and describing the subject matter of her book when the female host leaned in to her. She was a tall, elegant woman in a bright blue suit and perfectly penciled brows. Her smile was glossy and huge, but the look in her eyes suddenly made Serena’s insides crumple.
“Serena, a little bird tells me that you and your Mr. Right are no longer together?” She asked the question with a syrupy sweetness that made Serena blink in disbelief for a moment that she’d actually said that.
How could she know?
“Uh, yes, that’s true. We did decide to go our separate ways.” Her voice had a ring of forced cheer. She knew she should keep going to guide the conversation out of dangerous territory, but her mind was now blank and she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
“So you realized he wasn’t Mr. Right after all?” She lifted a perfect brow.
“Exactly.” Serena managed a shaky smile. “He’s a wonderful man and I wish him all the best, but he’s not my Mr. Right so I had to keep waiting.”
The male host, a jovial older personality, looked surprised. “When you say waiting, does that mean you’re still….” He paused, expectantly.
Serena gulped. “A virgin? Uh, no. The title of the book is more about waiting for the right person to marry, not waiting until marriage to have sex.”
She felt her face heating. So far she’d managed to
avoid discussing sex on air, though there had been a few veiled mentions of it. If her mom saw this she’d be mortified.
The female host teased her cohost and observed that he hadn’t read the book. He went on to explain that he’d been married for thirty-seven years and was out of touch with the dating scene.
Serena was dying to ask how she’d found out about the breakup. Hardly anyone knew except a few people who knew them both personally. And possibly everyone at Howard’s law firm. And his new girlfriend…and everyone she knew.
Stay focused! She struggled to drag her attention back to the present and keep her breathing steady. The female host was talking in that same syrupy tone. “It must be hard promoting a book about relationships when your relationship has just ended.”
“Actually, I’m already involved with a new Mr. Right.” She could hardly believe the words as she heard them coming out of her own mouth.
“Wow!” The female host looked appropriately shocked. “So you dumped your previous Mr. Right and found a new one already.”
“Something like that, yes.” She tried to smile. How bad was this going to sound? And what in the name of heaven had possessed her to bring up her new almost-relationship with Sandro? She must be losing her mind. “There’s no shame in moving on when a relationship isn’t working. It’s one of the principles of the book to keep looking until you find that person who’s truly right for you.”
“That makes a lot of sense,” said the male host, who must be trying to make up for embarrassing her earlier.
“It sure does,” said the female host with a shiny lipsticked smile. “When it isn’t working out, dump Mr. Right! There are plenty of fish in the sea, ladies. And with that I’d like to thank our guest Serena Raines for…”
Serena barely heard a word she said, and it was a struggle to keep her smile intact as they held up her book for the last time.
Dump Mr. Right? That had an awfully catchy ring to it. And wasn’t on-message at all.
She was dying to ask the host how they got the scoop but decided there was nothing to be gained by that so she exited the studio as fast as possible and headed for her hotel to change for her book signing.
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