Fire Bound (Sea Haven Sisters)(82)

Clearly your thoughts are on something besides your job, she accused.



Casimir didn’t reply or show in any way that he heard her.

“The family particularly loves this design.” Mariana handed Lissa the sketch of the chandelier she’d loved the most and had hoped the hotel would go with. It was a little bit more difficult to create, but it was gorgeous. The piece spoke to her. Beautiful, like Italy, glamorous and even a little decadent.



“I do too,” Lissa admitted. “It was my favorite.” Another nipple brush. A hot mouth closed over her breast, drew it deep, tongue pushing her nipple hard against the roof of his mouth. His teeth scraped erotically. She gasped as flames rushed through her bloodstream to burn low and sinful between her legs. She felt the familiar dampness.

Two can play this game, Casimir, and I have a vivid imagination.



Not as vivid as mine. Pure male amusement. Pure arrogance.

She didn’t want to start a war with him she couldn’t win, but she was definitely going to retaliate.



“Using this design for the lobby, can you make a variation of it for the restaurant and another for the ballroom?” Mariana asked.



Lissa nodded, trying to keep the flush from creeping up her body to her face. “I’ve already been playing around with ideas because I loved it so much.”



“It’s elegant – exactly what we want, and it feels like it comes from this region. That it might have been here in times gone past, but yet is very sophisticated.”



Casimir’s tongue teased at the underside of Lissa’s breast. Clearly his imagination wasn’t nearly finished.



I’m conducting business here.

I’m just standing here passing the time while you close this deal.



Lissa had to concentrate on what Mariana was telling her. She clearly liked the design, but really, for the chandelier to come off the way they needed it, color was important. “The other thing I love about this piece is the color. It is a muted white like the cliffs in places. It says your hotel like nothing else,” Lissa admitted. “This is one of my favorite places in the entire world, so it was a privilege to create something that made me feel it was part of a place I love.”



They got down to business, discussing price. Fortunately, Casimir didn’t continue his assault on her senses during the money discussion. Lissa had learned not to sell herself short. She knew the worth of her masterpieces, and these chandeliers would be masterpieces. Mariana didn’t wince. They’d had a tentative discussion before. In the end, they came to agreement, one that made Lissa want to dance around the room, but she kept her business face on, smiling and allowing the talk to drift into personal avenues.



She found out that the Loria family expected their children and grandchildren to work in the hotel from the bottom up, learning every aspect of the care and maintenance of their family business. Their employees were treated with respect and many workers were generational. Clearly Mariana was proud of her hotel and family. Lissa liked her even more for that.

Wrap it up, malyshka. I’m hungry for you all over again.



You worked yourself up, she teased, although in truth, he’d worked her up. Still, she wanted to be somewhere she could practice a little payback.



“We would love to have you eat lunch here,” Mariana said. “You’re welcome to walk around the grounds. They’re beautiful and very extensive.”



“Thank you,” Lissa said, rising with her hostess. “I’d love that. It’s very relaxing here and I would enjoy exploring.” She turned to Tomasso. “Are you hungry? Would you join me for lunch?” Better to ask him right in front of Mariana than to have any speculation afterward. She was from the United States and who knew what they did there, maybe everyone had meals with their bodyguards.



Tomasso raised an eyebrow, but inclined his head. “I would enjoy that, Miss Piner.”



“Lissa,” she corrected, sounding slightly annoyed, as if she’d corrected him a million times. If anyone was reporting back to Luigi, they would tell him his houseguest found her bodyguard a little irritating.



Mariana graciously hid her smile as she opened the door and waved them through. “If you need anything at all, let us know.”



Lissa nodded, wanting to kick Tomasso in the shins when he deliberately crowded her. His body heat set her heart pounding. His masculine scent enveloped her, and the brush of his body against hers sent more damp heat spilling into her panties. “Thank you, Mariana. I’ll get the contracts to you and get started on the chandeliers right away.”



As they walked away she glared at Tomasso. “You are terrible. I should kick you.”