Dangerous Kiss

by Michelle Love

  “He was sweet,” Biba told her, “sweet and professional.” That was almost the truth. She still felt the touch of his hand on her cheek—the tenderness, the intimacy of the gesture—but she was damned if she’d share that detail with Stella.

  She knew what Stella wanted, of course. She wanted to know if Cosimo had talked about her; she didn’t care if Biba got to spend time with the director. It never occurred to Stella that Cosimo and Biba might share a connection, and the idea of an attraction between them would be laughable to the blonde movie star.

  Biba was grateful for that fact. It meant Stella wouldn’t be jealous or be a bitch if Cosimo and Biba were to talk. And, God, she wanted to talk to him, find out about him, his son, his life. She’d had a taste of what a friendship with him could be like, and Biba wanted more.

  After breakfast, Stella appeared to forget she had given Biba the day off, but Biba was grateful for the list of chores Stella barked at her. Lazing around wasn’t Biba’s style, and the quicker she got back to work, she figured, the quicker her colleagues’ fascination with what had happened would dissipate.

  Cosimo was surprised when he saw Biba back at Stella’s side on the set. He smiled at the young woman, and she grinned back. “You okay?” He mouthed to her, and she nodded, her sweet face lighting up.

  Cosimo felt a shift inside him. Biba May was nearly half his age but there was something in her nature, her spirit, the way she dealt with Stella Reckless, that belied her young age. She was an old soul, like him. She was beautiful, but that wasn’t what drew him to her. Cosimo had met, seen, even slept with some of the most beautiful women in the world and knew very well that beauty meant nothing at the end of it all. Kindness, intelligence, humor—that’s what he looked for.

  He stopped himself. Woah. He was thinking about what he looked for in a woman? That was…progress. That’s what Grace would have called it…progress. You would like Biba, Grace…but I wouldn’t look for your approval now, and you wouldn’t want me to. Can I really move on? Cosimo watched Biba move around with the crew, laughing and joking with them, but remaining efficient and responsible at the same time.

  “Cos? You ready?” Lars, his assistant director, called over to him, and Cosimo switched back into director mode.

  Filming went smoothly. The man playing ‘Thornton’, Stella’s character Lucy’s much older husband, was an Italian star, one who had made his name decades before Stella was even born. Franco Discali was an old-fashioned gentleman, respectful but flirtatious with the female members of crew. He had little time for diva antics, but he had taken a shine to Biba, and she in turn adored the older man. He was funny and erudite, and she loved talking to him about movies and his career.

  Now, as he waited to film his next scene, he beckoned Biba over. “Buongiorno, Biba May.”

  Biba giggled. Franco always called her by her full name and Biba wasn’t sure if it was because he thought it was her full name—like Biba-May Bloggs—or if he knew better and just liked using her full name. Franco was mischievous like that.

  “Buongiorno, Franco. You got everything you need?”

  “I’m fine. Wishing Stella would hurry up and read her lines. She seems to be flirting with Cosimo instead of acting.”

  Biba glanced over at Stella, who was rubbing her hand up and down Cosimo’s arm. Biba looked away, trying to quell the stab of jealousy that made her stomach hurt. Still, she couldn’t help but talk about Cosimo to Franco.

  “You’ve worked with Cosimo before, right?”

  “Many times since he started his career.” There was a strange hint of paternal pride in Franco’s voice. “I’ve never seen anyone with his vision before. I should have retired a decade ago, but I wanted to continue to work with him. I only act in Cosimo’s films now.”

  Biba was touched. “He’s a good guy.”

  “He is, he truly is. I knew his mother, you know, back in the day.” Franco smiled at Biba. “You remind me of her.”

  “How so?”

  “Your kindness. She would like you.” Franco looked back at Stella, and his mouth twitched up in a smirk. “Unlike Ms. Reckless. She’s not subtle, is she?”

  Biba grinned. “Nope. Not in any way. In a strange way, I kind of admire her for saying what she wants.”

  “But there’s no mystery, no allure.” Franco studied her. “Cosimo told me what happened, Biba May. I’m so sorry.”

  Biba felt choked up, so she just nodded. “Thanks, Franco.”

  Filming went smoothly for the rest of the day, and it wasn’t until they broke for a meal that Rich came to find her. For once, his bright blue eyes were serious. “Beebs, I’m so sorry. I had no idea Damon would react like that.”

  Biba smiled at him. “Don’t worry about it, Rich, really. He’s gone; that’s all that matters. Did Cosimo bawl you out?”

  “And then some, but I deserved it.” He smiled at her ruefully. “But he did tell me you asked him not to fire me. I’m grateful, Beebs, really.”

  Biba hugged him. Rich had a kind heart even if he was sometimes thoughtless. He squeezed her in his arms. They’d known each other long enough now, that they were as close as…

  “Beebs?”

  “Yup?”

  “Maybe some night…I could take you out?”

  Woah. Biba looked up at him. There was no denying he was utterly gorgeous, all dark hair and bright blue eyes and sexy smile…and she didn’t mind him asking. She was flattered, but…

  She shot a quick look at Cosimo. Out of your league, girl, and you know it. He’s a grown man. You’re just a kid. She smiled at Rich. “That would be fun…I do have to warn you that I’m, um…not looking for anything serious.”

  Rich grinned. “Me neither. Just thought we could have some fun.”

  The kind of fun Rich wanted wasn’t what she was looking for either, but Biba thought she could be honest with him later. Rich wasn’t threatening at all, and at least Biba felt safe with him in a way which she hadn’t felt with anyone…ever.

  Cosimo looked over at them now and smiled, and Biba’s belly quivered with desire. Stop it. She gave him a half-smile then moved out of his line of vision. Yeah, you need to tell Rich it can’t go anywhere. But the thought of a night out with fun-loving Rich was probably what she needed right now—and if something grew out of it, at least it would distract her from thinking about Cosimo DeLuca.

  After dinner, Cosimo caught up to her as she was walking slowly to the trailers. “Hey.”

  Her skin trembled with pleasure, and she smiled up at him. Even his ‘Hey’ had so much intimacy in it. She wanted to fold herself into his arms, breath in his woody, spicy scent, press her mouth against his lips.

  Jesus. Stop. “How are you feeling?”

  She nodded. “I’m good, honestly. Stella’s had me running everywhere, so I’ve not had time to sit and brood. Which is good.”

  Cosimo frowned a little. “But you’ve processed what happened?”

  Biba didn’t know how to answer him. “It happened. I can’t…let it stop me.”

  His eyes were so serious, so intense on hers. “Sweet girl…maybe you should see a counselor? I’m worried about the PTSD aspect.”

  God, he was lovely. “I’m honestly okay, Cosimo, I swear. But I appreciate your concern.”

  Please touch me, please don’t touch me. Biba couldn’t look away from his gaze. Cosimo’s fingers reach for her face, then dropped as if he realized what he was about to do. He looked away.

  “There’s a mist out on the lake. I’ll be walking down there tonight about ten, if you and caretaker’s dog are around. If you feel like talking.”

  Biba could see his cheeks were a little flushed, and she felt her own face burning. She nodded. “That sounds like something I could do.” God, the whole thing was so awkward and yet intoxicating.

  “Good. See you later then.” He smiled, the corners of his eyes wrinkling, then he nodded and walked away. Biba stared after him. Why the hell did this man have such an effect on her? A pulse was
beating steadily between her legs, and she wanted to go after him, wrap her legs around his waist and beg him to fuck her…

  A cold shower. A very, very cold shower was what she needed now. She turned back and went back to her room.

  He watched Biba May talking to Cosimo DeLuca. That was interesting. There was clearly something going on between them if the way they looked at each other was anything to go by. Good. It would mean Stella’s assistant would be distracted, and he could gain access to the blonde.

  She haunted his dreams and had done so since he was a teenager. He didn’t care that she was a lot older than him. Her smooth skin and icy-blue eyes made his groin tighten. Soon, he would bury his cock deep into her welcoming cunt, and she would tell him over and over how much she loved him. Then once filming was done, they would go away to his cabin down in the Oregon woods, and there, with his knife, he would show her how much she meant to him before he joined her in the forever world of death.

  Chapter Six

  It was darker tonight, the moon covered by clouds, as Biba walked down to the lake. She’d decided against bringing the dog, and she told herself it was because the dog would get bored if they sat around to do nothing but talk.

  Cosimo’s smile when she saw him made her heart soar. “Hey,” she said shyly.

  Cosimo nodded towards a little jetty a way along the shore. “It’s private.”

  At the end of the jetty, there was a small bench, above which a lamp sputtered out weak light. Cosimo took his sweater off and draped it around Biba’s shoulders when she shivered. The cream-colored muslin shirt he had on was slightly see-through, and Biba had to look away from the shape of his sculpted chest, the flat stomach, the indentation of his navel.

  They sat down on the bench closely, her thigh resting against his. The mist hung around them in a ghostly white fog. Cosimo’s arm was along the top of the bench, his fingers close to Biba’s arm. If she moved just a little, it would be as if his arm was around her…

  She felt breathless and shy. Cosimo was studying her. “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?”

  She nodded. “Gorgeous.”

  They gazed at each other. Cosmo’s eyes were somber. “Biba…if you knew what was going through my mind right now…but, I’m so much older than you, and I’m your boss.”

  “I know. Not that much older than me.”

  Cosimo smiled slightly. “May I ask how old you are?”

  Biba thought about adding a couple of years to her age, but she knew she couldn’t lie to this man. “Twenty-two.”

  He groaned, and she chuckled. “Cosimo, you can’t be older than…” Then she remembered he had a sixteen-year-old son. “You must have had Nicco very young. Barely a teen.”

  Cosimo laughed, his smile lighting up his face. “God, you’re nearer his age than mine and…”

  Biba moved in and pressed her lips to his, unable to hold back any longer. Cosimo kissed her back, his fingers sliding into her hair, his lips tender against hers. When they broke away, they were both breathless. Cosimo closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers. “We shouldn’t have done that…but, God, I’m glad we did.”

  Biba cradled his face in her palms. “I’ve been dreaming about it since last night.”

  “Me, too. I’m just scared it makes me an old pervert.”

  They both laughed. “Well, then I’m a young pervert. I just wanted to touch you so badly.”

  Cosimo took her hand and pressed it against his chest, over his heart. “Feel that? It hasn’t beat like that since…”

  “Since Grace.” Biba nodded, comfortable talking about Cosimo’s wife. “I’m honored.”

  Her hands shaking, she brought his to her chest, his big hand cupping her left breast. Cosimo stroked his thumb across her nipple, and Biba shivered. She stepped away from him and pulled her T-shirt over her head as Cosimo watched her, then straddled his lap. His arms snaked around her waist, stroked her back as he gazed at her caramel skin, her full breasts, the soft curve of her belly. “God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered. Biba tangled her fingers in his dark curls.

  “I want you so badly.”

  With a growl he answered her and lowered her down onto the cold wooden planks of the jetty, covering her body with his. He kissed her lips, moving down to her throat, trailing his kisses down the valley between her breasts, then her belly. Biba shivered with desire as his fingers found the waistband of her jeans.

  When he slid her jeans from her legs, she felt the familiar terror that came with any intimacy, but she fought it. She wanted this man so badly, wanted him so entirely. His fingers were at the sides of her panties now, and he drew them gently down her legs.

  In such a vulnerable position, completely naked with the man who held all the power, Biba felt both a terror and a desperation for his touch she might explode. She reigned it in, wanting to undress Cosimo as tenderly as he had her.

  When she freed his cock, thick and long, from his underwear, she felt it pulse and stiffen in her hand; she knew this was right and had never been so sure of anything in her life. Cosimo kissed her, his eyes never leaving her face. “Are you sure?”

  Biba nodded, knowing she could not hide her nervousness from him. “Do you have a…?”

  Cosimo smiled and grabbed his jeans, pulling a condom out of the back pocket. “Don’t think badly of me…I just wanted to be prepared.”

  That he had been thinking of making love to her made her stomach warm. Cosimo slid his hand between her legs and began to stroke her.

  Instantly, her body reacted as if it were being attacked. No, stop it, Biba told her subconscious fiercely. I want this man. Do not ruin it for me.

  She forced herself to focus only on Cosimo’s beautiful face, the softness of his lips against hers. She wrapped her legs around his waist and felt his cock nudge at her sex.

  “I want you,” she whispered, and Cosimo nodded.

  “My darling Biba…”

  It wasn’t Cosimo’s fault, of course, and she wanted him so badly she could scream. She focused on his kisses, so sweet, so loving. She shivered through the pleasure of him kissing her, but something in her brain was stopping her from reaching the heights she had imagined. When she felt his cock notch into her entrance, her body panicked and bucked. “No, please stop…please…I’m sorry.” She burst into tears.

  Cosimo held her as she recovered, studying her face. “Sweet Biba…are you okay?”

  Tell him. “No… Cosimo, it would be my…first time.”

  His expression went from aroused to shocked, and he sat up. “Your first time?”

  She nodded, suddenly feeling miserable. “I’m sorry.”

  Cosimo ran his hands through his hair, sitting back on his haunches. He was magnificent to look at: hard-bodied, his cock still half-erect, a fine sheen of sweat on his olive skin despite the cool of the lake’s mist. Biba sat up, feeling exposed, and Cosimo seemed to notice, pulling his sweater around her naked body and settling down next to her, wrapping her in his arms. “Please, there’s no need for you ever to apologize…I just feel like I’ve let you down. If I had known…”

  “I wanted you,” Biba said firmly. “I still want you. But something inside me is…broken.”

  Cosimo frowned. “Being a virgin isn’t being broken, lovely one.” He searched her eyes, and she saw understanding creep into them. “Oh, God…Biba…”

  She nodded. “A family friend when I was twelve. Not rape, but there was other stuff. So, I waited until I knew I really wanted someone. And I met you.”

  “Dear God. I want to kill him.” He pressed his lips against her forehead. “How did your parents react?”

  Her throat closed, and she leaned into his embrace. “They didn’t believe me.”

  “Jesus Christ.” He spat the words, clearly incensed, and his arms tightened around her. “Darling, I wish you had said something before.”

  She looked up at him. “Would you still want me if I had?”

  His green eyes were troubled. “We
should have talked about it… God, Biba. I’m old enough to be your father.”

  “Don’t say that, Cosimo. I’ve never felt like this before.” Biba kissed him, but she could feel him holding back now. God… “Please don’t push me away.”

  Cosimo’s brows were knitted together. “That’s not what I’m doing.” He began to pull her clothes onto her, and eventually, they both dressed.

  Biba felt miserable as they walked back down the jetty. Cosimo took her hand. “Biba, we’re going to go back to my room, and we’re going to talk. Okay?”

  She nodded, but knew in her heart, he was about to tell her that they couldn’t continue. She felt like crying. She wanted him so badly, but it was just her screwed-up brain that was putting the skids on this.

  That, and the fact that this man couldn’t possibly want a messed-up kid with no experience and one hell of a damaged past. Please don’t send me away…

  Biba was about to stop him and beg him not to leave her, but then a scream pierced the night, and shots rang out. Looking at each other in horror, Cosimo and Biba only hesitated a moment before both of them took off, running towards the sound of the gunfire.

  Chapter Seven

  Stella was hyperventilating as Gunter tried to comfort her. “Someone tried to take me,” she wailed as she saw Cosimo and Biba arrive.

  “We heard gunfire,” Cosimo said, looking at Gunter, who nodded.

  “It was Rich. He took off chasing the guy.”

  Stella, sniffing, and obviously genuinely scared, left Gunter’s arms and went to Cosimo. Cosimo had no choice but to put his arms around the distressed woman. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

  Rich came back then, sweating, his eyes darting everywhere. “Guy got away, I’m sorry. Stella, you okay?”

  Stella, happy in Cosimo’s arms, nodded. “It was just scary. How did he get in?”

  “Well, unfortunately, it’s pretty open here, and the studio won’t pay for total protection,” Rich was breathless. “It’s difficult to police with just us.” He looked at Cosimo. “Sorry, boss.”