Making Mina Strings Attached(12)

“I’m sorry,” she said, “So sorry, but really… Ivy and I have to drive out, somewhere.” She was babbling. “He’s expecting me. You understand.”

Marco tilted his head slightly, a frown wrinkling his brow.

“He?” He stepped forward again, reducing the space between them to nothing. She could feel the heat of him through the lightweight knit of her cardigan. “Who are you meeting, Mina? Ethan?”

The words sounded slow and distorted, like they were floating towards her under water, and she struggled to understand. The only thing that was clear was the frown on his face.

“Ethan?” She parroted, and then realized what she’d said. “Oh! Ethan! No, no… we’re looking at an apartment. For me.” She shook her head emphatically. “An Ethan-free apartment.”

Marco didn’t move.

“I’ve been staying with Ivy.” Mina didn’t know why she was explaining—it just seemed the thing to do. “Since, well,” her cheeks were absolutely flaming with embarrassment now, “since you know. The whole Ethan debacle.”

You remember. When my fiancé dumped me and then you screwed my brains out and I ran away from your place. THIS place. She fought down a hysterical bubble of laughter at the realization, and waited for a response. Finally Marco nodded and she let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.

“I just can’t stay with her forever, so she’s helping me look for a place. Of my own.”

Hooded eyes stared at her for a long moment. Mina shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, waiting until he finally came to some internal decision. Marco took a half step backwards and turned toward the bedroom door. She watched the muscles in his shoulders shift and could see tension building in the line of his jaw until suddenly he turned, catching her staring.

“You could stay here.” His eyes were fathomless, the infinite darkness holding her prisoner.

Mina stopped breathing, convinced she’d misunderstood. Stay there? With him? Was he insane?

“I beg your pardon?” She searched his face for some sign, some indication, of whether he was serious or not but his face gave nothing away.

“It’s a simple solution—I’m going to be traveling a lot over the next few months, and you’re going to have to travel with me to make arrangements for the parts of the collection that are located on different estates,” he slowly paced back along the length of the living room. His face was guarded, but his eyes were bright. “Think of how much easier it would make your job if you were able to simply drop everything when you needed to—you wouldn’t have to make arrangements for payments, or services. No muss, no fuss, no bother.” He waited for her to object and when she didn’t immediately howl her indignation he proceeded, sounding more confident. “There’s more than enough room—you can have your pick of the guest suites, there’s one on either end of the corridor—and I promise to be on my very… best… behavior.” He was looming over her, and Mina could see the intensity in his face. It was more than she could absorb; a wave of lightheadedness washed over her and she swayed on her feet. Marco wrapped his arm around her, supporting her, in a flash and she leaned into him reflexively, his steadying hands the only things between her and the floor.

“I don’t know what to say.” Her head was swimming with possibilities, and her body was humming with electricity as she felt his body strong and hard beside her.

“Say yes.” He rubbed his jaw along her temple. “When I arrived you were saying you weren’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.” His voice was soft and gentle, completely different from the Master of the Universe tone she’d mentally prepared herself for. “Let me do this for you, Mina.” He dropped his head and ghosted his lips over hers until she shuddered in his arms. “For once, just give yourself a break. Do what feels right.”

Mina was lost in sensation. Nothing had ever felt more right in her life—everything about this man was too perfect for words—and she found herself nodding in agreement. For better or for worse she wanted him and he seemed to want her. What harm could come of giving it a chance?

He could break your heart... Mina shoved the door closed on her fear and mentally ripped up her plans for cats and sensible shoes, throwing caution to the wind.

“All right,” she said, taking a steadying breath. “It’s a deal.” Then, on impulse, she reached up and pressed her lips against his, the first time she’d taken a leading role in their dance.