A Night of Living Dangerously(17)

She felt as if she were exploding into pure light.

When he pulled away, she heard the low, hoarse gasp of his breath—or was it her own?

She stared up at him, knowing she’d remember that first kiss until the day she died.

Streaks of light moved across their skin as the limousine traveled through the city. They stared at each other, and Lilley’s cheeks burned like the rest of her. She’d never known a dream could feel so real. So warm. So hot. She felt as if she were floating—flying. She blinked, feeling dizzy. She could almost see a trail of scattered diamonds sparkling against her skin where he’d touched her, like synesthesia.

Prince Alessandro Caetani could have had any woman he wanted. And he wanted her. He moved towards her, gently pushing her back against the leather seat, and she felt the hard weight of his body over her own. She felt his hands on her skin, and suddenly, she no longer felt like a timid, cowardly mouse.

She felt beautiful.

Powerful.

Reckless.

In his arms, she wasn’t afraid. Of anything.

She closed her eyes, tossing back her head as he kissed down her throat with his hot, sensual mouth. “No one’s ever made me feel like this,” she breathed. “Touched me like this.”

“I …” Suddenly his hands stilled against her skin. His head lifted. “But you’ve had other lovers,” he said. “At least two.”

Her eyes opened. She swallowed. “Not … exactly.”

“How many have you had?”

“Technically, well … none.”

He sat up, looking at her with wide, shocked eyes. “Are you trying to tell me you’re a virgin?”

She sat up beside him, her mouth suddenly dry. “Is that a problem?”

He glared at her, his jaw hard. Turning, he pressed the button to lower the privacy shield.#p#分页标题#e#

“Sir?” the driver said courteously, not turning his head.

“Change of plans,” Alessandro said. “We’re taking Miss Smith home.”

“What?” Lilley gasped. Her cheeks burned. “Why? That …” she glanced uneasily at the driver in the front seat, “that thing I just told you doesn’t matter!”

Alessandro turned to Lilley with cold eyes. “Give Abbott your address.”

Folding her arms, Lilley muttered out the address of her apartment building. The driver nodded and smoothly turned left at the next streetlight. Lilley waited for Alessandro to roll the limo’s dividing window back up so they could have privacy. But he didn’t, and she realized he intended to leave it open, keeping the driver as their de facto chaperone.

Setting her jaw, Lilley turned to stare out the window at the passing lights of the city. Her body felt suddenly cold. She felt bereft. Alone.

As they drove into the increasing traffic of the city, Alessandro wouldn’t even look at her. Sulkily, Lilley picked up a plate of food. The dinner was delicious, but cold, and epicurean pleasures suddenly seemed small. The plate was empty by the time they reached her working-class neighborhood, when she realized that Alessandro really, truly did not intend to kiss her again.

Kiss her? He wasn’t even going to look at her. Her night of magic, her time of feeling reckless and beautiful, was definitely over. But she couldn’t accept it. After the brief, explosive joy she’d experienced so briefly in his arms, she couldn’t just shrug off her loss and go quietly back to her empty apartment!

Her heart hammered in her throat. “You’re making a fuss over nothing. It’s not a big deal.”

Alessandro looked at her. The lights and shadows of the city swept over the hard, angular lines of his cheekbones and jaw. “It is to me.”

Glancing uneasily at the driver, she leaned towards Alessandro. “Just because I am slightly less experienced than your other lovers—”

“Do you not understand what I was offering?” he bit out. “A night. Perhaps two. Nothing more!”

“I wasn’t asking for more!” she said, affronted.

“I will never go home to meet your parents, Lilley. I will not marry you.” His dark eyes were furious. “I will not love you.”

A pang went through her at his cold words, but she lifted her chin in defiance. “Who said I wanted love?”

“Virgins always do.” He looked her up and down. “Do not be stupid, Lilley.”

Stupid. Her cheeks felt suddenly cold as echoes of childhood taunts from school went through her. Fri-lly, Li-lley, stupid and si-lly!

Alessandro stared out the window, his jaw like stone. His body language informed her that he was done talking, his decision made.

The limo pulled to a stop at her building. The driver got out and opened her door. The night air rushed in, cool and clammy against her burning skin.