Best of Bosses 2008(52)

Afterwards he lay with her curled in his arms, breathing in the sweet scent of her skin. It was the first time he’d felt at peace since the day he found his father lying senseless on the floor in the café. The black hole wasn’t there any more.

Had he just found what he’d been looking for, all this time?

And, if so…how did he get to keep her?

The questions spun in his mind, but gradually he drifted into sleep. And the last thing he was aware of was the warmth of Fran’s body against his. Completing him.





CHAPTER THIRTEEN




THE next morning, Fran woke to find Gio’s body curled round hers, and his arm was wrapped tightly round her waist, holding her against him.

Spooned.

Muscles she’d completely forgotten about were grumbling in protest this morning. But she couldn’t help smiling when she remembered last night. The promise of his kiss on Saturday night had more than been fulfilled. Incredible.

And then her smile faded. Now it was the morning. What now? Last night, they’d made no promises to each other. It had been the heat of the moment. And now…

‘Good morning.’ Gio pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck.

‘Good morning.’ Her voice sounded croaky. Nervous. Lord, this was awkward. What did she say now?

He could obviously feel the tension in her body, because he rested his cheek against hers. ‘I think we need to talk, honey. Turn round and face me.’

He released his arm from round her waist; for a moment, she lay still, but then turned on her right side so she was facing him.

‘So. About last night.’

Was this where he told her this was all a mistake and she’d have to find somewhere else to stay until her flat was habitable again?

He kissed the tip of her nose. ‘That wasn’t supposed to happen.’

Obviously he regretted it.

He smiled. ‘Though I’m glad it did.’ His eyes were very blue, very honest. ‘Very glad.’

So he didn’t regret it? That was good. But…‘What happens now?’

He stroked her face. ‘I don’t know, Fran. I can’t give you any promises.’

At least he was being straight with her.

‘But I would like to find out where this takes us.’ He drew her closer. ‘Right now, this is just between you and me. It’s nothing to do with anything or anyone else. Not my family, not the café—just us.’

The café. ‘What about work?’ Was she going to have to find a new job?

‘Wherever this takes us, it’s not going to change things at work. You’re still my right-hand woman.’ His lips quirked, and sheer mischief glittered in his eyes. ‘Though at this precise moment you’re perfectly at liberty to use your left hand on me, if you so choose.’

She placed the tip of her index finger against his collarbone, and drew a line along his sternum. ‘Like this, you mean?’

He caught her hand and brought it up to his mouth. ‘Oh, you tease.’ He kissed her palm and folded her fingers over the kiss. ‘Actually, you’re right—this probably isn’t a good idea.’ He smiled. ‘Because I’ll be late for work. I need a shower. And a shave.’

She stroked his face, enjoying the faint rasp against her fingertips. ‘Stubble. You look like a pirate.’

‘Hmm. Which means I should carry you over my shoulder and then ravish you.’ He eyed her speculatively. ‘I could carry you to the shower…’

‘And then you’d definitely be late for work.’

‘Want to know something terrible?’ His eyes crinkled at the corners. ‘I really don’t care.’

She laughed. ‘Tut, tut, Gio Mazetti. If you’re not careful, you’ll damage your reputation as a workaholic.’

‘I can think of a few people who’d kiss you for that.’ His gaze was fixed on her mouth. ‘I could always be their proxy.’

‘So you still want to kiss me?’

His gaze grew hot. ‘I want to do a lot more than kiss you, Francesca mia. But I have a business to run, and you need to find out what’s happening with your flat.’

He brushed his mouth against hers, and it turned into a long, slow, lingering kiss that heated her blood.

‘Hold that thought,’ he said huskily when he broke the kiss and looked into her eyes. ‘Until tonight. When I’ll make it a reality.’

He vaulted out of bed, completely unselfconscious. Well, after what they’d shared, the previous night, there was no reason to be shy in front of each other. She leaned back against the pillows and grinned.

He glanced over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. ‘What?’

‘Just thinking. I’d definitely pay your sister to have a sleepover at your place and stress you into sleepwalking naked.’