by Annie West
‘You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.’ Luca raised his hand to clasp her beautiful breast, cream against black lace, then hesitated, knowing once he touched her he’d be unable to hold back. Instead he let his gaze rove from her breasts, plump above the miniscule bra, to the inward slope of her ribs down to a surprisingly small waist. Pale skin shimmered in the faint moonlight as he traced the flare of her hips then the delectable brief lacy band that passed for underwear.
Just looking at her made him feel too big for his skin.
How would it feel to touch her?
‘You don’t need to exaggerate, Luca.’ Her voice was soft but he felt every word imprint itself on his heart.
‘I’m not.’ He inhaled, drawing the fragrance of her skin deep inside.
‘You’re beautiful.’ She pressed a soft palm to his chest and his heart raced harder. Her other hand went to his jeans. Moments later they were undone and he was strung so tight by the feel of her knuckles brushing his skin that he feared he’d disgrace himself at any moment.
Quickly, he finished undressing and she gasped. He hoped it was in appreciation, not dismay for he’d never been more rampantly aroused. And her soft gasp merely fuelled the conflagration that was his libido. He dropped to his knees and lifted her legs from her pooling trousers, shucking her footwear at the same time.
Then, when the weight of restraint pressing down on him became unbearable, he wrapped his hands around her thighs. Slowly, savouring each delectable spot, he kissed his way from her ankles up her shins to her satiny thighs.
Allegra shifted and her breathing became uneven, especially as he approached the strip of lace around her hips.
‘Open your legs.’
There was hiss of indrawn breath, a long moment’s silence, then she complied.
Luca smiled as he gently nipped her flesh through the lace. Then lower, grazing with his teeth so she shook in his hands. Holding her more firmly, he gripped the lace over one hip and dragged it down, loving the hot bloom of her skin against his mouth. Then the other side, then finally he nipped at the tiny V of lace right at her core and carefully dragged it lower.
Allegra said something far above him. It sounded like a prayer, but he couldn’t hear it over the pounding of blood in his ears. He buried his face against her mound and instantly she tilted her hips towards him, offering herself for his delectation.
Using his hands now, he rolled the lace down her legs till she could step out of it. But he didn’t take his eyes off the banquet before him.
He bent, licked, found the spot he sought, and heard her keen above him. Tremors racked her thighs and her fingers grabbed his head as if she was afraid she’d fall, or that he’d stop.
Luca smiled. Instead he slid a finger across the slick spot to probe deeper, then leaned in to graze his teeth across that sensitive bud. Immediately she clenched around him, drawing him tight and high as her gasp turned into a cry of pleasure. It undulated through her, wave after wave of climax, scenting the air with sex and woman, and making restraint a physical impossibility.
Rising quickly, he pushed her down onto the bed, breaking her fall with his arm around her. Then he disengaged to search for protection in the bag beside the bed.
It was only seconds later but it seemed hours when, sheathed, he stretched out above her.
‘You like it when I use my mouth?’
Allegra nodded, even in the dim light he thought he read hectic colour darkening her breasts and cheeks.
‘Good.’ He lowered his head and closed his teeth around her nipple, biting ever so gently. Instantly she rose off the bed, only the weight of him keeping her down.
‘Luca! Please.’ She cradled his head again and he almost laughed with delight that she was still so eager after that first quick climax.
‘Sh.’ He settled himself between her thighs and felt her heat all around him as she splayed her knees either side of his hips. Then he took her other nipple in his mouth through the lace and sucked hard.
This time her gasp was close to a scream and he could sense the heavy, beckoning throb of rapture beginning deep inside her. Allegra was glorious. So ready, so adept at pleasure. So exactly what he wanted.
Her hand inched down between them but he caught it before it reached his aching erection. He was too close to the edge to survive fondling.
‘Another time,’ he growled against her breast, and lifted her hand to the pillow above her head. The action arched her body delightfully up towards his mouth. With his other hand he slipped her bra undone and nudged it away so he could kiss her flesh.
But it was no good. He was too aroused. His usual repertoire of foreplay was beyond him when he had Allegra whimpering for him.
Bracing on one elbow he found her entrance and positioned himself.
Silvery eyes snared his. He felt the impact shaft through his chest as he tried to breathe. Then, without thought or technique, he moved, driving into her with one solid, powerful thrust.
There was a strange moment of hesitation, of delay, and he felt her flinch infinitesimally. But then he was sliding deeper and deeper, till he was firmly lodged right at her core.
All was stillness. He wasn’t even sure he breathed. And Allegra didn’t. She was still as if made of marble. But she was warm flesh and blood. Her heat sheathing him so tightly was an irresistible aphrodisiac.
He was only human. He meant to hang on, to give her pleasure after pleasure but instead found himself withdrawing then bucking again hard. And again and again.
With each movement Allegra’s eyes narrowed, till all he saw was the bright glitter through lowered lashes. But her body spoke volumes. Quickly, even a little clumsily, her legs lifted to lock around his waist. Her nails dug at his shoulders and at every thrust she angled her pelvis high in welcome, her gasps becoming ever more raw.
It might have been minutes or maybe only seconds, till he registered the ripple of her muscles around him, growing in strength to a shudder then a delicious tight clamp as she came again. She called his name, making him smile until his own crisis hit with an urgency he’d never known. On and on it went, bliss and desperation making him jerk and empty himself deep within her, till there was nothing left and he collapsed, boneless, on her heaving, gorgeous body.
CHAPTER EIGHT
* * *
Allegra stretched, enjoying the lethargy of wellbeing that enveloped her.
Yes, she was tender in unfamiliar places, and she suspected her throat and breasts in particular were a little red from Luca’s beard, but the knowledge only made her smile. Strangely, to her surprise, even her legs felt sore.
He’d been ardent and demanding, passionate yet tender. Had he guessed it had been her first time?
She grinned and snuggled deeper beneath the cloud-soft eiderdown. She remembered the tender way he’d held her close, cocooning her in his warmth, stroking her gently, as if she were some fragile treasure instead of ordinary flesh and blood. The kisses he’d pressed to her burning skin had been heartbreakingly sweet.
Allegra had never known such peace as when she’d drifted to sleep in Luca’s arms.
Then later, as fingers of pink stole across the blue peaks on the other side of the valley, she’d woken to find herself spooned against him, his arm heavy at her waist, a delicious weight. She’d been encompassed by him, the rough hair of his thighs abrading her legs, his hot, powerful chest at her back, his hand on her breast and that heavy erection… Her heart somersaulted at the memory of what he’d done with that.
He’d caressed her, drawing her from slumberous lethargy to eager abandon with a thoroughness that undid her. Only when she’d been squirming and panting in his arms, needy…no, desperate, did he take her.
He’d been so urgent, filling her even more than she’d imagined possible, yet she’d felt cherished, adored even. She’d loved the sound of his hoarse, broken breaths and the tell-tale quiver in those powerful hands as he’d brought her to ecstasy yet again.
His clim
ax when it came had been a revelation. For though his expertise far outweighed hers, there’d been something about his shuddering abandon, his sheer intensity as he lost himself utterly within her, that made Allegra feel powerful and possessive. Triumphant even.
As a lover Luca was second to none.
To think she’d feared revealing her attraction! Imagine how they could have filled the empty nights before this if she’d been honest with him earlier.
But, this way at least, she knew he was attracted to the real Allegra Davis, not just to her looks. They’d worked together so long their relationship was founded on trust and respect. She’d already known so much about him before last night, and even though she’d hidden a lot from him, he knew her better than practically anyone.
A sound made her look up. There in the doorway, stood Luca, a tray in his hands. His damp hair was brushed back off his face and he wore denims and a black T shirt. A strange little jitter of excitement started down between her legs and travelled up through her body. After just one night her body associated him with sexual arousal. And satisfaction.
But the smell of fresh coffee made her nostrils twitch and her stomach growl.
He smiled and crossed the room, putting the tray on the bedside table. Despite the last twenty-four hours, Allegra wasn’t used to seeing him in anything but business clothes. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He looked good enough to eat.
His eyebrows rose and he chuckled, the sound like rich, dark chocolate lapping along her veins. ‘I’d be happy to oblige except we won’t be alone much longer.’
Heat bloomed in Allegra’s face as she realised she’d spoken aloud. But it was a little late for embarrassment. Besides, she wanted the opportunity to explore that potently masculine body at her own pace.
Her gaze dropped to the zipper on his faded jeans and her interest in coffee disintegrated.
Till he sat on the side of the bed, cupped a hand around her jaw and kissed her with such ruthless thoroughness that she lost her train of thought.
When she swam back to reality he was propping pillows behind her back, then lifting her up to lean against them, his hands roving and caressing along the way. Allegra wriggled and tugged at the sheet that had got caught around her leg. She winced as she shifted, her leg protesting the sudden movement. It hadn’t hurt like that last night. Clearly the painkiller had worn off.
Luca frowned then ripped the sheet away and swore, his gaze fixed on her leg.
From ankle to thigh ran a dark bruise where she’d hit the gravel on the side of the road yesterday. Funny how it had barely been tender when she’d made love with him. Just now her leg had been stiff but not nearly as much as she’d expect from a bruise so vivid and vast.
‘That must hurt like the devil.’ His voice was grim. ‘I’m sorry. I should have realised.’
‘No.’ Allegra closed her hand around his. ‘I didn’t realise either.’ And neither of them had seen the damage to her leg last night. ‘I’m fine, truly.’ But even as she spoke pain tingled the length of her leg. It was as if, in the cold light of day, her body insisted on making the injury obvious. Last night she’d been buoyed on an ecstatic wave of excitement and pleasure. Now she was mortal again.
The sudden silence was broken by the rev of an engine approaching the resort. Not one engine, but two, she realised.
‘The workmen,’ Luca said, his eyes still on her leg, his brow puckered into a scowl.
‘What time is it?’ Suddenly she realised how very bright the light was. She’d overslept, but who could blame her?
‘Don’t worry about it. Just relax and enjoy your breakfast.’ Those dark eyes lifted to hers and the intensity of his stare snagged her breath. Even her silly heart fluttered.
She breathed in, trying to centre herself and instead inhaled the fresh, unadulterated scent of Luca. Excitement trembled through her, swirling lower and lower to settle deep in her pelvis.
Oh, she had it bad.
He wasn’t kissing her or whispering outrageously sexy comments in her ear. He wasn’t even touching her anymore yet her heart was battering her ribs in eagerness. Not just for his touch but for everything about him. His attention, his passion, his quirky sense of humour, his tender consideration and impatience, his delight in her body and his understanding of so much she’d shared about herself.
Because you love him.
You’ve loved him almost from the start. You just didn’t let yourself believe anything could come of it so you pretended it wasn’t real.
Suddenly it all made sense. Even her enthusiasm for working late into the night when Luca was finalising a new project. Because she knew he relied on her and she didn’t want to let him down.
The air rushed from her lungs in a puff of astonishment. At the same time her chest expanded, filling with a warm, unfamiliar glow as unstoppable joy rose.
She loved him!
‘Luca—’ She put her hand on his arm, not knowing exactly what she was going to say, but before she could continue he was on his feet, his expression surprisingly stern.
‘I’d better go and head them off before they come looking for me.’ His gaze flickered back to her leg and his frown deepened. Allegra dragged the sheet over herself, feeling abruptly naked in a way she hadn’t last night.
How silly was that?
‘No time even for coffee with me?’ She looked at the two cups on the tray. Okay, so there was no time for him to come back to bed, but, with the sudden knowledge of her feelings, wonderful, scary and overwhelming, she needed another of his smiles.
Love was such a big thing. She needed reassurance, even if she had no intention of sharing her feelings just yet.
Luca reached for the cup and drained it in one swallow. When he put it down, his expression bordered on grim.
‘Sorry, no. Take your time, Allegra. Rest, then bathe. I can manage here.’ He nodded and turned away.
Nodded! Just as if they were back in the office and he was giving her instructions – boss to PA.
What about a kiss? Even one of those bone-melting smiles?
He paused at the door and her heart banged her ribs. Now he’d smile. Her lips curved up in anticipation and she wrapped her arms around herself, nursing secret pleasure.
But when he turned back he looked, not at her, but at a point between her and the tray. ‘Take the day off. We did most of what needed to be done yesterday. I’ll finish up here and you head back to Milan. In fact,’ he dragged his phone from his back pocket, ‘I’ll arrange a car to take you back. You won’t want to ride the bike when you’re stiff and sore.’
Allegra was glad for her crossed arms. They imparted a little warmth to a body that turned glacially cold. On the surface his words were thoughtful but the way he refused to look at her, and the fact he was sending her away…
Distress climbed her spine like icy, numbing fingertips.
‘I’d rather stay. I can—’
‘No.’ His eyes met hers and she felt a discordant jangling of nerves, then he looked away. ‘It’s better that you go back to Milan. There’s no need for you to stay. I’ll see you in the city.’
Allegra sank back against the fluffy pillows. It shouldn’t feel like a rebuff. She knew he was going to see his family after the site visit. She surely didn’t expect him to invite her to meet his relatives simply because they’d spent the night together?
Did she?
Of course not. Yet she’d expected more than coffee and an order to return to Milan.
She’d thought they could spend more time together.
Yeah, making love while the place is filled with workmen. As if!
But at least a smile, another cuddle.
She opened her mouth to say something, so needy in her newly-identified feelings, that she had to have more – a tender word, anything.
Before she could speak he was out the door and she was left behind, listening to it snick shut after him.
Silence.
Nothing but the hammer of her pulse in
her ears and the hoarse gasp of her indrawn breath.
She reminded herself he was protecting her from prying eyes, heading off the workmen before they came to the bedroom wing. But it felt as if they were back in the office, he giving orders and she obeying.
No, not quite. Over the months they’d developed a rapport and Luca treated her as a colleague whose opinion he valued, not a robot to comply with his every whim. There’d been none of the rapport just now.
Because he’d read the feelings she hadn’t been able to hide?
Because, despite his kindness in bringing coffee, he wasn’t interested in more than a single night?
He’d looked at her bruised leg and something had changed. But what? Had he been reminded of yesterday? What they’d been to each other before she kissed him? Of their lives outside this place? Maybe Luca had simply responded to her neediness last night but in the clear light of day couldn’t bring himself to continue a liaison with his PA.
Allegra had seen the women he took out – gorgeous, leggy blondes with megawatt smiles and golden skin. Women who hung on his words and presumably deferred to his every whim. Not like his conscientious assistant who could be relied on to ask the difficult questions no-one else would.
She reached out and took the coffee in fingers that trembled. Surely she was reading too much into this. Luca had a lot on his mind. Things would be fine, better than fine, when she saw him next.
Except when she saw him next, Luca was in conversation with the project manager. And in addition to the workmen finalising the sun deck, there was an army of decorators delivering curtains.
‘Luca.’ She was proud of her voice. Light, warm, not at all clingy.
Instantly he turned, his eyes zeroing in on her, warming her from her scalp to her soles. No, that connection hadn’t disappeared. It had intensified if anything.
He said something to the manager and crossed to her, frowning as he took in her motorcycle leathers.
‘There’s a car coming—’
‘I cancelled it. The bike’s okay so I’ll ride it. I’ll take my time since I’m not due in the office till tomorrow. Of course,’ she paused, smiling, her voice low, ‘I could stay here a little longer to help.’