Propositioning the Rich Italian (18 page)

“What are you thinking about?”
 

She turned her attention back to him and smiled. “If I had a dollar for every time you asked me that—”

He chuckled. “You would be rich?”

She shook her head. “No, but I would be off to a good start.”

He laughed. “Maybe so.”

She stared at him for a moment before sighing.
 
“To begin with, I’m thinking about me having to pack.”

He leaned back in his chair and studied her. He tried to find the words she needed to hear, even if it wasn’t what he wanted to say.

“Don’t forget, I am here to help.”

She sighed again. “Yes, but packing is only one part of it.”

Antonio wiped his mouth before putting the napkin on the table. “Well, why don’t we go ahead and get it over with so we don’t have to worry about it?”

He wanted to think of reasons as to why she should postpone the packing but couldn’t find one—at least not one that wouldn’t cause her to run from the room in a panic. Before he could come up with anything else, she scooted her chair back.

“You’re right. Let’s get this over with.”

He stood and followed her back into the room. Several moments later, they had her bags packed with the exception of a swimsuit and the two outfits she planned to wear tonight and tomorrow. He picked up the bags before setting them by the door. His gaze traveled over to her.

“Are you ready to go swimming?”

She nodded as she headed into the bathroom. He chuckled at the irony. As many times as she’d been intimate with him, there was still something that made her nervous about getting completely naked in from of him in broad daylight. She returned as quickly as she left, clad in a tangerine colored two-piece swimsuit. It wasn’t as revealing as the first one she wore, but she looked just as good in it. When she stepped outside the bathroom, she hesitated, telling him his expression was as heated as he felt. She definitely made a good choice in what she picked out. He watched her walk over to the bed and pick up the sarong she laid out, tempted to tell her she didn’t need it. Antonio stifled a groan when she wrapped the sarong around her waist, covering up the area of her body he seemed to be obsessed with. He had never been a butt or hip man, but thanks to Tierra, he was now a fan of both.

A few moments later, she drooled over him. He smiled as she gave his body a once over, lingering over his stomach area. He chuckled when she licked her lips and her head jerked upward, her expression full of guilt. He smiled as he held his hand out to her.

“Are you ready to go?”

She nodded, and they made their way to the pool. As usual, the area was almost empty. Most guests at the hotel preferred to go to the beach. He sat down in a lounge chair as Tierra dropped the sarong and walked toward the edge. She smiled as she stepped into the water. He watched her sink farther into the water before turning to look at him.

“The water feels really good,” she stated as she drifted backward.

“Does it?”

She nodded, and he made his way toward her.
 
He slipped into the water, wading deeper until he stood next to her, enjoying the feel of the cool water. The Mediterranean sun could be stifling, but Tierra hadn’t complained.

“What do we have planned for the rest of the day?”

He shook his head. “Nothing. We are just going to relax and enjoy the rest of our afternoon together.”

She nodded, and he moved farther into the pool. They didn’t have long. Dinner with his family was scheduled in a few hours. It gave them a little time to relax before they needed to get dressed. He knew she had to make her daily call to her parents as well. She still needed to provide them with her return flight information. The statement still felt strange to him. To know he would have to let her walk away from him tomorrow was the toughest thing he would ever
 
have to do. It made him aware of just how close her departure was. He planned to make the best use of the rest of the time they had together. Looking over at her, he smiled as she continued to tread water.

“Are you actually going to swim today,
cara
?”

She shook her head. “If I do, we will be late for dinner.”

He chuckled. “Do you want to go for a swim?”

She nodded. “Of course I do. I love the water, but my hair will be hell to deal with if I do.”

The corners of his mouth curved upward. He held his hand out to her.

“Don’t worry about your hair. I will help you wash it, and I promise you we won’t be late.”

* * * *

Tierra stared at the hand Antonio held out to her, and she started to decline the offer but couldn’t think of a good reason why she should. If she learned anything from this trip, throwing caution to the wind on occasion with him could be very rewarding. Besides, it was her last day in Rome, it was a beautiful day, and she really wanted to swim. She smiled as she reached out to take his hand. Antonio slid farther back, pulling her with him. A second later, he dipped underneath the surface of the water, and she followed. He released her hand after giving it a slight squeeze. She swam a few laps before resurfacing. A quick glance around told her Antonio still traveled through the water with graceful strokes. She laid back and began to float. Antonio appeared by her side, his expression amused, but she didn’t miss the quick glance he spared her breasts.

“Good to see you relaxed.”

“I’m glad you talked me into swimming.”

His expression became serious. “I’m glad you talked me into having an affair.”

She smiled. “But it has been so much more, hasn’t it?”

He nodded. As complicated as it might make things, she knew what they had could never be just described as an affair. They milled around the pool a little longer until they both knew they had to get out. Her skin started to become prune like, and it was time for them to start getting ready. She stepped out of the water and reached for a towel. She turned around just in time to be treated to the sight of Antonio exiting himself. The way the water ran down his body should be a crime. It was more his body than the way the water ran down it. She wrapped the towel around her body, then turned to pick up her sarong, needing the distraction. As difficult as it might be, she needed to control her hormones until later on tonight. It would be their last night together, and she wanted it to be something both of them would remember for a long time to come.

She breathed a sigh of relief as he toweled off, happy to be heading back to the room—until they entered the shower and his hands touched her scalp. Antonio was true to his word. He helped her wash her hair, although it might have been a mistake. The feel of his strong hands massaging her scalp was almost more than she could bear.

Together, they managed to get her hair clean, as well as their bodies, without her having an orgasm, but there were a few close calls. Close calls he seemed to be well aware of, and she suspected he attempted to arouse her intentionally. She had to put an end to this before they got into trouble. She stepped out of the shower with him following close behind. She dressed quickly, donning a turquoise knee-length halter dress.

“
Cara
?”

She looked at Antonio. He held a jewelry case in his hand, and for a moment she thought he found his gift. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a different jewelry case. She looked at him with confusion, and he smiled.

“I bought a gift for you. Something I want you to have to always remember me by.”

He stepped closer to her, opening the case. A gasp escaped her when she saw the exquisite necklace and matching earrings.

“Turn around, Tierra.”

She did as he asked, watching as he set the case down before lifting the necklace out. He placed it around her neck, clasping it in place.

She glanced at her reflection in the mirror briefly before turning to face him. “
Grazie,
Antonio. This is beautiful.”

“I am glad you like it.”

She shook her head. “I love it, Antonio.”

 
Tierra placed a kiss on his lips, and when he pulled back one corner of his mouth was curled upward. “Don’t forget the earrings,
cara
.”

She surprised herself when she put them on with hands a lot sturdier than she thought they would be. Glancing up at the mirror, her reflection stunned her. She felt like a princess. Then it dawned on her she should give him his gift as well. Tierra turned to look at him.

“Hang on a second. I have something for you as well.”

Making her way to her carry-on bag and dug out the two gifts she’d hidden. Her original plan had been to give them to him tomorrow morning before they left for the airport. She handed him the cologne first.

“I had this made for you.”

Antonio uncapped the bottle, and the woodsy masculine scent filled the room. He grinned before putting some on.

“I like this,
cara
. How did you choose it?”

Tierra shrugged. “I picked out scents I thought you would like and those I would like on you as well.”

He recapped the bottle. “Well, you did a good job.”

She waited for him to set the bottle down before handing him the jewelry case. He opened it, and his smile said it all.

“I like it,
cara
.”

She smiled. “Do you really?”

He nodded, and his expression spoke of sincerity.
“Yes, I do.”

“Sit down so I can put it on for you.”

He sat down on the bed. As soon as it was in place, she knew she made the right decision. The necklace looked like it had been made to nestle against his bronze skin. He stood up and pulled her into his embrace and walked over to the mirror.

“How do we look,
cara
?”

She turned her gaze so she could see their reflections in the mirror. They looked good together.

“Perfect,” she whispered.

Antonio tilted her head back for a kiss. A moment later, he pulled back. “You call your parents while I finished getting dressed.”

She nodded and walked toward the phone, trying to keep her mind focused. Dialing her parents’ number, she sat on the bed. Her father answered.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, baby. Are you all packed?”

She smiled. “Yes, I am. I’m getting ready to have dinner shortly.”

“You ready to come home?”

She looked over at Antonio, who was busy pulling his shirt over his head. “Believe it or not, Daddy, no, I’m not.”

Her father remained silent for a moment. She continued before her father could ask any questions that would have her spilling all of her secrets.

“I checked earlier, and so far nothing with my flight has changed. I’ll be on flight 5151 when I land, but if anything changes I will let you and Mom know.”

“Okay. I have it written down. We will be there to get you as soon as you arrive.”

“Good. I will call you once my flight touches down since I probably won’t be able to call you before I leave here.”

“We will be waiting for your call then.”

She spoke with her father a few more minutes before he put her mother on the phone. After a brief conversation with her mother, she disconnected the call.

“Are you ready?”

She glanced up at Antonio and smiled. “Yes, I am.”

They left for his parent’s home. As usual they were the last to arrive. She could only shake her head as each of the Carabelli’s embraced her. She was thrilled to see Daníella, Sophia and Talía showed up as well. What amused her the most was how Daníella and Carlo avoided each other as if their lives depended on it, yet each of them snuck glances at the other when they thought no one else was looking. The entire interaction was amusing. The two of them didn’t realize how much they still cared for each other because they were too busy avoiding each other. She looked up as Leonardo walked up to her. He
 
held a piece of a paper in his hand, which he handed to her.

“Antonio wanted me to give this to you.”

She scanned the paper quickly, fighting back tears as she did. Just when she thought Antonio couldn’t get more generous than he already had, he went and proved her wrong. She stared at Leo, speechless. He seemed to understand. “Show this to customs and you shouldn’t have any problem claiming your jewelry.”

“Thank you.”

Leo hugged her. “You are welcome, and in case no one else has told you, you look beautiful tonight.”

The corners of her mouth tilted upward. “Well, you are the first to tell me, but Antonio was the first to show me.”

* * * *

Tierra settled back into the passenger seat, holding onto the panna cotta Mona wrapped up for them to take. They stayed later than planned, but it was worth it. She’d been introduced to another Italian delicacy. Mona made lasagna magro. Antonio told her it was a type of lasagna commonly found in Southern Italy. The lasagna had been delicious. Still, she saved room for dessert. She had a special night planned for her and Antonio. He’d been quiet once dinner started, staring at her intensely throughout. She was certain he had a lot on his mind, just as much as she had on hers. They arrived at the hotel quickly and went straight to hotel room. He took the dessert from her.