She looked at his face, his eyes so dark and heavy with desire that shivers of delight rushed over her. Very slowly she pushed open the shirt and kissed his chest, little kisses as light as a feather all over him, his musky scent invading her senses. She heard him groan with pleasure, his hold on her waist tightening, and she smiled.
She pulled back from him and pushed the shirt from his shoulders. ‘This has to go.’ Her voice was husky and she almost didn’t recognise it, but then she’d never done anything so bold before.
One-night stands had never been for her, not after the devastation caused to her parents’ marriage, when her mother had succumbed to temptation. But this was different. Deep down, she acknowledged that if it had happened at a different time, in a different place it could have been so much more than one night.
She pushed that thought aside, refusing to allow it to defuse the sexual tension which filled the room.
He lifted his arms behind her as he unfastened the cuffs of his shirt, pressing her unbearably close. Before he released her, his lips pressed hard to hers, his breathing deep as his tongue slid into her mouth, teasing and tasting. She kissed him back, demanding more. For a moment his kiss matched hers, then abruptly he pulled back. ‘The shirt?’
She smiled, feeling more brazen by the second. ‘Yes, the shirt,’ she whispered. ‘It has to go.’ She slid her hands up his chest, making him groan and close his eyes as she lingered there before pushing the white material from his shoulders. He moved first one arm from her, then the other and the shirt fell to the floor.
Again he pulled her close, but this time his fingers caught the zip at the back of her dress, slowly pulling it lower and lower; all the while his eyes held hers. Shyness swept over her and she resisted the urge to look away as his hand slid over her shoulder, pushing the one sleeve away and revealing her skin to his kisses.
The dress slipped down her body and slithered into a heap of silk and sequins at her feet. She stood against him, conscious of the fact that she now only wore the red underwear she’d bought to go with the dress and the strappy sandals she’d fallen in love with instantly.
Before she had time to think, he’d swept her off her feet and carried her to the bed. She lay where he’d placed her and looked up at him. He kicked off his shoes and was reaching for the fastener on his trousers when she knelt up on the bed and pushed his hands away. ‘My turn.’
Who was this bold woman, this seductress? And why did it have to be this man who’d revealed her? This was a side of her she’d never known existed. Never before had passion taken over, making her want things with scant regard for the consequences.
A string of Italian that she was unable to understand flew from his lips as she opened his trousers, letting them slip down, leaving him in only a snug pair of black hipsters. As she looked up at him he caught her face between his hands and bent to kiss her. The spark was well and truly lit. Electricity shot between them. There would be no stopping now.
Before she had a chance to catch her breath he tumbled her onto the bed, his body pressing her into the softness of the covers. His kiss became urgent and demanding and she surrendered willingly to his domination.
His hands cupped her breast and inside her something exploded as she arched herself up to him, wanting his touch and so much more. Kisses trailed down her throat and she sighed in pleasure as her fingers slipped into the silky thickness of his hair. His tongue teased her nipple through the red lace of her strapless bra and her fingers tightened in his hair.
As if reading her urgent need, his hand slipped under her arched back, his fingers expertly flicking open her bra, releasing her breasts to his erotic kisses. Possessively he took a nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around it, making her cry out with pleasure. Moments later he moved his attention to the other nipple as his hand slid down her side and over her thigh, pulling her closer to the hardness of his erection.
‘So beautiful,’ he said huskily in between kisses and he moved back up her throat; the warmth of his body scorched hers until she felt as if flames licked around her.
She moved her hands down his back, savouring the latent strength beneath her fingertips. Lower she moved until she slipped her fingers in the back of his hipsters but, before she could make any attempt to remove them, he moved quickly onto his back, taking her with him until she sat astride him.
‘That was...’ she blushed beneath his open admiration, once again empowered by his need ‘...very masterful.’
His hands held her hips, keeping her exactly where he wanted her, and a hot stab of desire rushed over her. Following his need, she moved against him. With eyes as black as ebony he held her gaze until, drawn by something inexplicable, she lowered her body over him, bringing her lips against his.
‘I am,’ he said hotly between fast passionate kisses. ‘Now, all night you will be mine.’
Charlie liked the sound of that; she wanted all night with him, wanted to enjoy this wonderful feeling again and again. ‘Make me yours,’ she whispered against his lips. ‘Now.’
With the same suddenness of moments ago, she was once more lying on the bed, Sandro at her side. His fingers hooked into the lace of her panties and slowly pulled them lower, his eyes holding hers all the while.
She quivered as his fingers moved back to touch her, closed her eyes as a wave of pleasure rushed over her like the tide washing over the sand, taking her higher, almost to the point of no return. He took her lips in a hard and bruising kiss, his tongue as demanding as his touch, and her breath came hard and fast. It was too much and not enough both at the same time, leaving her wanting more.
Just when she’d almost slipped over the edge he pulled away from her. She opened her eyes, looking up at him and blinking against the pounding and unsatisfied passion of her body. He reached across her and roughly pulled open the drawer of the cabinet beside the bed.
Of course. Protection. How had she not thought of that? His eyes met hers, a knowing light in their depths, as if he knew she’d almost lost control. She watched as he dispensed with his underwear and rolled on the condom. Anticipation zinged through her and a pulse of heady need throbbed heavily between her legs.
He moved over her and she opened to him, wanting him deep inside her, but he paused. Propped up on his hands, his muscles straining with the effort, he looked down at her, his breathing deep and fast.
‘Sandro?’ She couldn’t keep the question from her voice. Was he having doubts? What had she done?
Then his mouth claimed hers in a hungry and possessive kiss as he pushed into her, taking himself in deeply. She gasped against his lips, his kiss smothering the sound as he moved inside her, sending firecrackers of explosion all around her.
She moved with him, taking him deeper still. He dropped down against her, his warm skin pressing against her body as he kissed her neck, his hands grasping her hair tightly. A flurry of hoarse Italian erupted from him as he thrust harder, sending her over the edge and beyond. Further than she’d ever been before.
She dug her nails into his back, moving with him as the ecstasy crashed into her. His grip on her hair tightened as he gasped out his release and kissed her hard. Then, as the heady lust ebbed slowly away, their bodies tangled, she wrapped her arms around him, keeping him against her, and softly kissed the dampness of his face.
She’d just experienced something she’d never before known and wanted to hold onto the moment just a little longer.
* * *
Alessandro could hardly think, the beat of his pulse was so loud. He couldn’t move; every muscle in his body had been weakened by the power of hers. She kissed his face and he closed his eyes against the tenderness of that kiss. It was too intimate, too loving and he didn’t deserve it.
He didn’t deserve any of this and had almost stopped, but his name on her lips, husky and seductive, had made that impossible. Quickly he
pushed aside the guilt. She’d wanted this as much as he had, leading the seduction like a temptress.
In a bid to hide the turbulent emotions racing through him, he propped himself up over her and looked down into her flushed face. ‘You make love as wildly as you drive.’
She trailed her fingertips over his chest and looked up at him, coyness and temptation filling those emerald-green eyes. ‘Are you going to insist I stop again?’
He should do—this wasn’t what he’d imagined when he’d promised Seb he’d look out for his little sister, but then he hadn’t expected to be so attracted to her and certainly he’d never have guessed at the passion hidden within her.
Gently he kissed her, tenderness that he hadn’t felt for such a long time filling him. She responded, her kiss telling him that the fire of passion still burned within her, as it did inside him. He needed to cool things down, needed to calm the riot of emotions which raged within him. Emotions that were so intense and completely unwelcome.
‘Sì. For now.’ He pushed his protesting body away from hers, trying to ignore the wounded look on her beautiful face. Before he had a chance to question his motives, he left the bed and made his way to the bathroom.
Moments later, his face stinging from the cold water he’d splashed over it, he returned to the bedroom, but the bed was empty, the rumpled covers the only hint of the passion that had just played out there.
A rustle caught his attention and he looked towards the door where, clutching the red silk dress against her nakedness, Charlie stood. She was running away again. Was this what she always did? He should let her walk away—every rational sense inside him shouted the advice—but the hot-blooded man she’d resurrected wasn’t about to let her slip away from him now.
He strode over to her, heedless of his nakedness and empowered by the shock and need that filled her eyes. She still desired him, just as he desired her. This passion wasn’t spent yet.
‘Come back to bed, Charlotte.’ His voice was deep and raw, leaving him with the distinct impression that his emotions were as naked as he was.
‘But...’
He silenced the hoarse whisper by tilting her chin up and kissing her lips, still swollen from his earlier kisses. She sighed and kissed him, dropping the dress carelessly to the floor. He pulled back but still held her chin and looked deep into her eyes, saw the green darken to resemble the heart of the forest, hidden from the sun.
‘Tornare a letto, cara.’ He brushed his lips on hers as a frown of confusion slipped over her face. Desire rushed through him and all he could think about was making love to her again and again. This might not be for ever, but it was certainly for now and, as far as he was concerned, now would last all night. ‘Come back to bed, cara.’
* * *
Charlie all but melted at his feet, almost as crumpled as the sea of red silk on the floor between them. The raw and potent desire in his eyes couldn’t be ignored. Neither could the kiss that promised so much more. She couldn’t deny she wanted him. She knew she shouldn’t and briefly wondered if this was how it had been for her mother. Had her mother been drawn inexorably towards the flame of desire, a flame that had then extinguished all the love she’d had for her husband, Charlie’s father?
‘Don’t look so worried, cara.’ His soft words broke her thoughts. Now was not the time to worry about the past. Unlike her mother, she wasn’t married or committed in any way. She was free to enjoy this for what it was, a short and passionate affair.
But what of Seb? What would he have said? Hurriedly, she pushed that thought to the back of her mind, remembering what she and Sandro had enjoyed earlier. Seb had always wanted her to be happy and right now her whole body was alive with happiness.
She smiled at Sandro as he took her hand and led her back to the bed, the passion that had raged between them earlier beginning to heat again. Desperate to drown her misgivings, she wrapped her arms about his neck, pressing herself against his nakedness, and kissed him as if her life depended on it.
Suddenly he tumbled her back on the bed, his body over hers as his hot kisses stoked the fire of passion ever higher and she was lost once more.
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘BUONGIORNO.’ THE SOFT Italian greeting stirred her senses and Charlie opened her eyes. Sunlight poured in around the closed curtains, but all she could focus on was the man beside her. Every limb in her body was replete with Alessandro’s lovemaking and she stretched, smiling up at him, enjoying the way his eyes clouded with passion. ‘Breakfast awaits.’
‘Breakfast? How long have I slept?’ She sat up, pulling the soft sheet modestly against her. He stood by the bed, dressed in jeans which hugged his strong thighs and a black T-shirt which highlighted the contours of his chest to perfection.
His gentle laugh knotted her insides and she dragged her gaze from him, to look at the clock which ticked beside the bed. ‘Long enough, cara, but then we didn’t sleep much last night.’
She turned quickly to look at him, heat infusing her cheeks as his words confirmed her memory was correct. Was it all over now—the one night of passion she’d willingly entered into? Was this now time to go back to her room, to return to the professional relationship they’d had initially? There was still more promotion scheduled for the car over the weekend and into the following week. How was she going to get through the weekend after what they’d shared last night?
‘Thank you.’ She was confused by the way she felt and the need to distance herself from him. Wanting to return to the businesslike dealings they’d had with one another until last night. ‘I’ll get dressed, then we can discuss what’s next on the promotion agenda.’
‘Oh, no, cara. There is only one thing on the agenda right now.’ A teasing smile lingered on his lips and the suggestive tone of his voice made her stomach flutter wildly. He still wanted her.
Her heart thumped as he strode back to stand beside the bed. Her mouth was as dry as a desert and she tried to moisten her lips but, from the smouldering look in his eyes, that was a mistake. ‘There is?’ The strangled whisper only just managed to squeeze out.
He leant on the bed, so close that her lips parted without her consent, waiting for his kiss. When it came it was soft and teasing and loaded with promise. She closed her eyes, slipping under his masterful spell far too easily. ‘I’m taking you somewhere we can be alone, somewhere we can explore what is between us.’
She pulled sharply back from him. ‘But the launch...the promotion? You’re supposed to be hosting a promotional afternoon at the test track.’ She’d already expressed a wish to be there and was torn between the idea of spending time alone with him and being with the car her brother had designed.
‘Someone else can handle that.’ He moved towards her again, stretching his body across the bed, making her want to reach out and touch him, feel his strength. ‘We have far more important things to do.’
‘But...’ She raised her hand, pressing it against his shoulder, stopping him coming any closer. The sheet she’d pulled against her slipped down, exposing her breasts, but she held her ground, keeping a firm expression on her face.
His eyes looked down at her, his appreciative gaze sending heat to the centre of her again, and her breath hitched audibly as if he’d caressed her. ‘Per Dio, but you are so hard to resist.’ His accent became heavy and she released his shoulder and clutched the sheet quickly against her once more, shyness rushing over her now that daylight flooded the room.
‘It was only meant to be one night, Sandro.’ Her voice was barely above a whisper and she felt emotionally exposed and vulnerable.
‘You need to stop running, Charlie, and face what scares you.’ His body, tall and overpowering, dominated the room but his expression was gentle. Did he understand her fears? Empathise with her?
She looked up at him, willing the carefree attitude she’d had last night to infuse
her again. With alarming clarity she realised she was using not just Seb’s accident but her disastrous love life as a shield. Retreating behind it and potentially denying herself more pleasure than she could imagine.
‘I want to be at the test track.’ She injected a firmness she was far from feeling into her voice and, from the look on his face, he knew she was already running.
‘It is not necessary, not after last night.’ He stood back up, his height dominating the room. ‘We will spend the weekend at my villa. I intend to explore what you started last night, enjoy it. Do you not feel the same, cara?’
Should she lie? Tell him she didn’t want to be with him any more when the heat of her body and the pounding of her heartbeat told her she did? She slipped from the bed, dragging the sheet she clutched with her. ‘What about the car?’
‘The car will still be there on Monday.’ His voice was deep and the darkness of his eyes told her he wasn’t thinking about the car at all.
He was right. The car would still be there after the weekend, but the passion which still burned fiercely between them wouldn’t be. She didn’t want it to be anything more than a brief affair. This way, it would burn itself out, enabling her to concentrate on what she’d come to Italy for. The truth about Seb’s accident.
‘Just the weekend.’ She smiled at him, enjoying the power she seemed to have over him. ‘But no more.’
‘Bene.’ He moved to the door of the bedroom, filling it with his oh-so-sexy body, and she could hardly think. ‘We leave in an hour.’
* * *
Alessandro revved the car along the open road, the bustle of Milan far behind them, but tension still filled him. He’d seen the panic in her eyes as she’d sat in the bed, but he’d also seen the desire. Whatever was holding her back hadn’t been quite strong enough and he sensed it was more than just her brother. That was only a smokescreen.
His body longed for the moment he could make her his again, but he questioned if he was right to do so. If he was a betting man he’d stake everything on the fact that Seb had never intended this to happen when he’d made Alessandro promise what now turned out to be impossible. How could he possibly look after Charlie when all he wanted to do was make love to her again and again?
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