Kylie nodded, her eyes huge and earnest. “Uh huh. I wanted you to come home before my bedtime.”
“I’m sorry I got in late, sweetie,” he said softly, “but I’m here now. Do you forgive me for being late?”
She nodded again. “Uh huh.”
“Thank you.” Pierce smiled and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. “Now let’s go get you some water.”
As Kylie rested her head on his shoulder Pierce turned around to glance back at Celine. She sat on the loveseat staring up at them, or more accurately up at him, as if in shock.
“Go to bed.” Pierce mouthed the words soundlessly then before Kylie could start asking questions he took her out of the room and down the hall.
After Pierce had settled Kylie back in her bed and returned to his room he lay back in the pillows for a long time reliving every second he’d spent with Celine. He ached, thinking of what could have been. He knew without a doubt that if Kylie hadn’t walked in when she did they’d have found ecstasy in each other’s arms. But it was not meant to be. Not this night, anyway.
He folded his arms behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. His brain was telling him to stay away from her, that he’d acted out of line and should back off. She was his employee, after all.
But then there was another part of him that wanted to possess her, body and soul. He’d gotten just a taste of sweet Miss Celine Santini and he desperately wanted more…
CHAPTER FOUR
Celine sat up in the bed and twisted the blankets in her hands. She stared at the curtains blowing softly by her window. After that episode last night how was she going to face Pierce?
She could hardly recall how it started. All she remembered was finding herself in Pierce’s arms then he was kissing her and then she was lost. Pierce had expertly awakened her body to a sensual symphony played by his hands, his lips, his body, so powerful and vibrant to her touch. He’d kissed her lips till she melted in his embrace. Thank God Kylie walked in when she did. Somehow deep in her heart Celine knew that if the spell had not been broken she would have been powerless to resist him.
Taking a deep breath Celine summoned her courage and climbed out of bed. It was Sunday and there would be no Mrs. Simpson to fix breakfast for Kylie so she needed to be up and ready to face the day. Like it or not, she would have to face Pierce D’Amato.
When Celine went downstairs with Kylie the man who dominated her thoughts was already sitting at the table, cup in hand, reading what looked like the New York Times on his iPad. He turned around as they walked in.
“ Hello, Miss Bright Eyes,” he said with a smile then set the cup down and opened his arms to give Kylie a Good morning hug. He kissed the top of her head then still smiling, he raised his eyes to Celine who hung back, keeping a few feet of distance between them. His smile seemed innocent enough but in them was a look that made Celine squirm.
So he was remembering, too. That much was obvious from his look. But where she felt shame at her behavior, at how easily she’d fallen under the spell of his seductive caress, he seemed pleased. There was not a hint of regret in his eyes.
Celine didn’t know whether to feel angry at his lack of shame or flattered. This was all so confusing. She dropped her eyes and walked over to the stove, anxious to find something to do, anything to keep her from having to meet his eyes again.
“Good morning, Celine.”
With his greeting Pierce forced her to turn her attention back to him. She pasted a smile on her lips. “Good morning,” she said and glanced at him then quickly turned back to her task, painfully aware of his eyes trained on her. Furtively she took a quick breath then exhaled slowly, trying to calm her jangling nerves. How was she going to survive a day in his company?
Celine breathed a sigh of relief when Pierce engaged Kylie in conversation. They began a serious discussion about the merits of each of her toys and which would make the best friend of all, Barbie or Elmo or The Little Mermaid. Celine fixed Kylie’s oatmeal and within minutes she’d set her cereal, orange juice and banana on the table.
Only then did she turn her eyes to Pierce. “What would you like?” she asked, her voice a lot more controlled and calm than she felt.
Pierce stared back at her, his look enigmatic, but there was a curl to his lips that told her he was reading far more into her question than she’d meant.
She felt the heat rise to her face and she was turning away, trying to hide her distress, when he spoke.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having,” he said then gave a soft chuckle which was not lost on her.
Celine struggled through a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast with Pierce. It was difficult sitting right across from him, trying all that time to avoid his eyes. Thank goodness Kylie was there to entertain them.