Velocity (4 page)

Marco drove them back to the hotel and Paolo got off the
elevator with Savannah, giving his brother a quick salute, and turned away
before Marco could make any comment. Savannah stopped and looked at him. “Very
smooth.”

“You did not think I was going to let you go to your door
alone, did you? I thought I explained myself last night.” She gave a
disbelieving chortle, but continued down the hall. When she got to her door, he
bracketed her hips with his hands and leaned into her from behind.

“Someone’s happy to see me.”

“Someone has been for a while. You make me that way.”

Savannah turned and leaned against the door, biting her lip.
“I’m…I’m not sure I’m ready to sleep with you. I mean, we just met.”

“I understand.” And he did. As much as he wanted to sink
inside her, to really claim her as his own, he didn’t want to fuck and run like
he usually did. Not by a long shot. “Would you prefer if I left?”

Thumping the back of her head on the door behind her, she
groaned. “No.” She closed her eyes briefly and then opened them again. “I know
I’m giving mixed signals. I don’t mean to, it’s just… I’ve never been one of
those girls who falls into bed with every man I’m attracted to.”

Paolo nodded. “Tell me what you want, Savannah.” He was
careful to keep some distance between them, not wanting her to feel
uncomfortable or under pressure to move too fast.

“Would you be really mad if I just said good night?”

He took her face in his hands so she’d hold his gaze and
said, “No,
cara
. I want you to be ready. If you’re not, that’s fine. If
you never are, I will deal with that. I like talking to you. You do not treat
me like an annoying younger brother like many of the people on tour. You talk
to me like I’m an intelligent adult. That means a lot to me, and even if this
never goes any further, I would like to keep seeing you.” Leaning in, he
dropped a soft kiss on her lips and let her go.

“You’re too good to be true.”

Barking out in a laugh, Paolo answered, “I doubt anyone who
knows me well would say that.”

“I disagree. Your brother may treat you like a typical older
brother, and he’s definitely protective of you, but he also clearly loves you.
Natalie loves you. I’m actually surprised neither of them have asked me my
intentions.”

“Intentions?”

One side of her mouth kicked up. “Yes, if I am going to be
good to you or not.”

“Are you?”

“I intend to.” Savannah kicked at something on the
industrial carpet, staring down, and Paolo waited her out. She looked back up
and the heat in her eyes startled him. He’d been beginning to fear he felt much
more for her than the reverse, but now… “I want to be clear. I didn’t come on
tour to find a boyfriend. Despite that, I like you. Hell, I like you a lot.
This doesn’t have to turn into an epic love affair. Let’s just get to know each
other, have some fun and see where this goes. Can we do that?”

“Of course,
cara
.”

“I kind of like how you call me
cara
.”

“It means dear, but it’s pretty commonly used by men with
women in Italy.”

“I know. I took one semester of Italian in undergrad to
satisfy a course requirement.”

“Oh, really? Well,
sei bellissima
.”

“There’s that silver tongue yet again.”

“It is true. You are one of the most beautiful women I have
ever seen.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m…um…I’m going to go into my room now, before I change my
mind.”

“One kiss?”

Savannah held up one finger. “Only one.”

She didn’t say how long that one kiss had to be.

Paolo put her arms around his neck, pushing his body into
hers. “Just one.” He captured her lips with his, pouring everything he had into
the kiss. If there was one thing he loved doing, it was kissing. Some men went
right for the big prize, and he certainly wasn’t averse to that, but what could
be better than spending hours kissing a beautiful woman?

Savannah moaned into his mouth and he took the kiss even
deeper, exploring the warm inside of her mouth in leisurely swipes of his
tongue. Tightening his arms around her, he dropped his hands to her ass and
pulled her closer, grinding just the slightest bit and releasing a tortured
moan of his own. A door slammed down the hall and they jumped apart.

“For one kiss, you certainly made it count,” she choked out
as she panted.

“I didn’t want you to be in any doubt about how much I like
you.”

“No doubt…” she murmured. “I have to go.”

“I know.” He stepped back into the middle of the hall. “I am
going to the arena early tomorrow with Marco, but I will ask Natalie to come
get you when she leaves. Is that all right?”

“That’s perfect. I can get some things done that way.”

“See you tomorrow.” He turned and walked away from her as
soon as she had the door open. Once he’d turned the corner to the elevators, he
reached down and adjusted himself. The way he felt right now meant it was going
to be another long night.

Savannah balanced her laptop on her knees as she watched the
competition. Paolo was part of the first group, and Marco, Brady, Conner and
some of the other riders with higher rankings would get their shots in the
second round. Even though using the laptop while perched on a metal bleacher
seat was less than comfortable, she needed it to make notes of facial
expressions and other body language cues depending on whether or not the rider
was bucked so she’d be better able to expound upon their reactions when she
actually wrote her thesis. She could’ve used pen and paper and may resort to
that, but for right now she was trying to keep all her data together.

Paolo stayed on his bull and as the bullfighter handed him
his rope, Paolo turned to the crowd and gave them a shy wave before climbing
over the rail.

Natalie, who was sitting next to her and explaining rules,
procedures and other little things to her, said, “That’s the first bull he’s
stayed on in, God, I don’t even know how many rides. Maybe you’re a good-luck
charm.” She winked and Savannah tried to hold in a grimace. Hopefully that
wasn’t the case since she was leaving the tour in a few short weeks.

“I’m sure that’s not it.”

Natalie smirked. “He likes you.”

“I like him.”

“I’ve only known him for about nine months, but I’ve never
seen him like this. Normally, even though he parties with the other single guys
some, he’s pretty quiet. I’m sure he’s had his share of interest from the
buckle bunnies, but you don’t hear about him catting around like you do some of
the other guys.”

“What do you mean, seen him like this?”

The other woman shrugged. “He’s animated, talkative and very
attentive to you. Marco thinks you’re good for him.”

While I’m here…

She pushed that depressing thought aside. “I’m glad he’s
happy.”

“What about you?” Savannah raised her eyebrows. “Are you
happy?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? But Paolo and I talked about this last
night. The tour doesn’t end for a while and I’ve got to get back to school for
the next semester. This thing between us, while fun, can’t go anywhere.”

“And he agreed to that?”

“Why do you sound so surprised?”

Natalie tilted her head. “Italians are a little different
than American guys and I guess I’m just surprised he’s willing to let you ride
off into the sunset.”

“We don’t have any other choice.”

“I know, I know, but like I said, Paolo really likes you.”
She frowned. “I just hope the whole thing doesn’t blow up in your faces. Marco
and I had that problem and I don’t want to see Paolo hurt.”

“Neither do I, which is why I wanted to make things clear
from the beginning.” Savannah understood what the other woman was trying to do.
She was Paolo’s friend and was looking out for his well-being, but Paolo was a
big boy who could make his own decisions. Briefly she wondered if Paolo himself
realized that. Shifting the laptop, which was rapidly becoming too hot to leave
where it was, she decided a change of subject was in order. “So how long before
the other group starts?”

“Probably about twenty minutes. I leave Marco alone until
he’s done riding. He’s not as bad as some of the other guys, but he needs to
concentrate.”

“Yeah, I can understand that.” Figuring no work was going to
get done for a while, she closed her computer and shoved it into her messenger
bag. “Want a snack? I’m hungry.” Natalie declined and Savannah vamoosed before
her new friend could quiz her further.

She decided to call her sister Lesley while she had a free
minute. Lesley was a few years older than Savannah’s twenty-six and ran a small
store that carried all manner of things—gifts, books, stationary and other
eclectic items. Savannah loved the little place and knew her sister did too.

“Everything and All That, this is Lesley.”

“Hey, Les.”

“Savannah—you do exist.”

She rolled her eyes at her sister’s typical sarcasm. “I’ve
been texting you and Mom every day. It’s not like you don’t know where I am.”

“Hang on.” Savannah heard her making conversation with a
customer and then her sister was back. “So tell me about it. What’s it like?”

She and her sister were best friends, which was probably one
of the reasons she recognized a kindred spirit in Paolo. But now she debated
how much she wanted to say. Lesley knew she wasn’t one to jump in bed with
guys, but she’d no doubt be surprised how far Savannah had allowed Paolo to go
already. She wasn’t a lecturing type, but Savannah still wasn’t sure how much
information she wanted to divulge.

“The NBT is a machine. It’s actually pretty fascinating.
Everyone moves from event to event and somehow all the equipment, bulls, dirt
and tons of other stuff ends up at every site. I can’t imagine the logistical
nightmare it must be.”

Lesley groaned. “I can’t either. Just getting stock for the
store can be a nightmare. I would probably lose my sanity in a few days if I
was trying to coordinate something that big.”

“Well, they do have this whole staff, but yeah. It’s kind of
crazy.”

“So what are the cowboys like? Everything you thought they’d
be?”

And then some.

“They’re cool for the most part. Like any large group of
guys there are different types. Quiet ones, obnoxious ones, charming ones…”

“Charming, huh?”

“Like I said, they’re a diverse group, so yeah, some of them
are charming.”

“Any in particular?” Savannah must’ve hesitated too long,
because Lesley pounced. “There
is
someone you like, isn’t there?”

“Well, there’s one I’ve spent a little more time with than
the others. He’s twenty-three and he and his brother came over from Italy to
become bull riders.”

“Oooh, a foreign man.” Savannah could practically see
Lesley’s eyebrows waggling.

“Yeah. And younger than me by a few years.”

“Man candy? Or boy candy?”

He’s no boy…

Rather than directly commenting, Savannah chose to describe
Paolo and get her sister’s reaction. “He’s not too much taller than me. He’s
got some muscles, but he’s not huge, you know? And since he’s Italian, he’s got
that tanned, olive skin, dark hair, dark eyes.”

“Sounds like a hottie.”

“He and his brother both are. Marco, the brother, has a
girlfriend. I’m actually sitting with her today. She’s been great about
explaining stuff to me.”

“So what’s your man’s name?”

Savannah felt her face grow hot. “He’s not my man.”

“But he might be, so what’s his name?”

“Paolo.”

“Wow. Love that name.” Savannah heard more background noise.
“I gotta go. A whole crowd of confused-looking guys just walked in.”

“No problem. I should get back too. The higher-ranked riders
will be starting any minute now.”

“Keep in touch.”

After hanging up, Savannah grabbed some food and returned to
her seat to make more observations.

* * * * *

Later, after the riders were done with that night’s
competition and the draft for the final day, several of them, plus assorted
wives and girlfriends, gathered in a makeshift circle to discuss the night’s
results and tomorrow’s plans. Savannah watched closely as the guys compared
bulls and rides, filing away information to compare them with other adrenaline
junkies.

Conner was gesticulating wildly as he described his
adventures on the bull while Jessica and Garrett listened. Savannah smiled,
watching his face as he explained how he’d stayed on the beast. Turning, she
made note of the expression of pure joy on Marco’s face as he described his own
ride to a fellow competitor. Even though Paolo had stayed on his bull, he
remained quiet, occasionally conversing with one rider or another. She made her
way over to him.

“Why aren’t you reliving your night?”

Paolo shrugged. “It was only one ride. It does not seem
right to…how do you say…talk up about it.”

“Brag?”

“Yes, brag. I am not the type of person to do that anyway.”
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. “I saw you with your computer
and with a little notebook. Are you writing down everything we say?”

She grinned. “Not everything, but I want to be able to
compare and contrast the behaviors of the different subject groups.” Savannah
noticed Paolo’s blank look and rushed to explain. It had to be hard living in a
place where you didn’t speak the language well. Marco had clearly taken to it
better than his younger brother.

“Oh, all right. I see what you are saying.” Leaning closer,
he said, “You smell good and look very beautiful.”

With a smile, she bowed her head. “Thank you.”

“Can we see each other tonight?”

“Sure, but don’t you need to rest?”

“Yes, but I have some time, and I would like to spend it in
your arms.”

“Silver tongue.”

Paolo grinned. “Are you ready to leave?”

Savannah looked around. Guys were starting to file out of
the arena and she decided to wait until the next morning to corner some of them
for interviews. “Let’s go.”

In the cab, he pulled her toward him. “I want you,” he told
her, nuzzling the side of her neck.

Her head dropped back onto the seat behind her. “I want you
too.”

“Tonight I would like to be inside you if you are ready.”

“Yes, oh God, yes.” She’d given up on trying to stay away
from Paolo. Now she just needed to guard herself as they shared some fun while
she was on tour. The last thing she needed was a broken heart as she went into
what would arguably be one of the busiest semesters she’d ever dealt with.

He continued to assault her senses with gentle nibbles and
touches and soon they’d arrived at the hotel. Paolo paid the cabbie before
reaching in a hand to help her out. Grabbing her messenger bag, Paolo slung it
over his shoulder. “I have condoms in my room. Is it all right if we go there?”

“Sure.”

Paolo waited until they were inside his room before he
backed her all the way to the bed, climbing on after her and settling his lean
body between her spread thighs. His arousal was obvious and she ached to know
what it would feel like to have him inside her. She was distracted from that
thought as Paolo pushed her t-shirt over her head and then slipped one bra cup
down to expose her breast.

“Yes,” she hissed as his tongue lashed her rapidly pebbling
nipple.

“Your breasts are so beautiful. They feel so good on my
tongue.”

“Please, don’t tease me.”

“I won’t,” he told her before closing his teeth around the
distended nipple and pulling just the slightest bit. “I will give you what you
need.”

When he bent his head to his task once more, a low, needy
moan escaped her and she grabbed his head to hold it to her breast. Paolo
snaked a hand underneath her and unhooked her bra before divesting her of it
and attacking the other nipple.

Savannah couldn’t believe how much she wanted this man.
She’d only known him for a short time, but he was all she could think about.
Even the research project—the entire reason for being on this trip to begin
with—paled in importance. Once morning light came she’d have to focus on her
work, but here, right now, she was planning to concentrate all her energy on
the incredible man on top of her.

Sitting up, Savannah reached for Paolo’s shirt and shucked
it over his head. She tossed it away and said, “Roll over. I want to see your
back.” When he’d taken off his shirt the day before, Savannah had noticed Paolo
had a tattoo going down the top of his spine. Normally she wasn’t a huge fan of
tattoos, but on Paolo they were an incredible turn-on. Savannah used the very
tip of her tongue to trace over each symbol. “Chinese?”

Paolo shuddered. “Yes. They stand for the Chinese years me,
Marco and my mom and dad were born.”

“Oh wow.” She caressed his right biceps. “What’s this one?”

He shrugged with a self-conscious smile. “The Chinese symbol
for mother, along with my mother’s name. Marco has the same one. We each got
them when we turned sixteen to honor her.”

“You guys must’ve been close. You really don’t speak to her
anymore?”

Paolo looked pained and she was sorry she’d brought it up.
“I would like to see her and to speak with her, but she sides with our
padre
and I need to stand by my brother.”

“You’re very loyal.” She pressed a kiss to his tattoo and
scooted to his other side. “And this one? It’s beautifully done.”

He rolled onto his back. “Thank you. It’s of our horses.
Marco and I each had our own growing up. I loved to ride and to hang around the
barn helping out. Funny enough, Marco wasn’t as excited as I was about horses
and I was a much better rider. It would seem that did not take away from his
ability to be a great bull rider or from mine about not being able to ride
bulls.” Paolo smiled, but the sides of his mouth turned down. “The bottom is
something I got once we’d left Italy for America. It’s a bald eagle.”

She felt as if she’d taken down the mood of the entire
evening with the discussion of his tattoos so she swung a leg over Paolo’s
waist and straddled him. “You’re very sexy.”

He grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”

“Oh, I do.” Pushing back until she was sitting on his
calves, she reached for his belt buckle and Paolo’s breath caught. She met his
gaze and then focused lower, pulling the leather from the buckle, leaving it
hanging on each side of his straining zipper. Savannah ran her hand gently over
the bulge and Paolo arched into her touch. Never before had a man been so
responsive.

With fumbling fingers, she finally managed to unbutton and
unzip his jeans and heard a soft sigh from Paolo as his hard-on gained a little
breathing room. It was difficult to contain the Cheshire smile threatening to
erupt on her face, but she didn’t want him to think she was laughing at him, so
she instead moved to the foot of the bed and removed Paolo’s cowboy boots,
dropping each on the floor with a thunk.