‘Really?’ she whispered.
His lids lowered, breaking the connection. ‘Sì. I think we both know we’re under each other’s skin. It’s up to us to decide what we do with that knowledge. What’s your most prized ingredient?’
‘The white Alba truffle, hands down,’ she blurted, reeling at the abrupt question. ‘Truffles make everything taste better.’
He slowly nodded. ‘Bene.’ He said nothing else and resumed eating.
Ruby felt as if she’d fallen down the rabbit hole again. The conversation felt surreal. ‘Why is that important?’
His jaw clenched slightly. ‘I need a truffles day to make me feel better.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I can’t wrap my mind around the things I spilled to you yesterday.’
‘I didn’t force anything out of you, Narciso.’
‘Which makes it even more puzzling. So I need a minute and you’re going to give it to me,’ he stated blatantly.
‘How?’
‘We’re going to spend the day together. And you’re going to tell me every single thought that jumps into your head.’
Her brows rose. ‘You want to use me to drown out your thoughts? You realise how unhealthy that sounds, right?’
His grimace was pained. ‘Yes, I do, but I’ll suffer through it this once in the hope I emerge unscathed.’
‘And if you don’t?’
Silver eyes darkened as they swept over her. The message in them when they locked on her lips punched heat into her belly. ‘Then I’ll have to find a different solution.’
* * *
Six hours later, Narciso was wondering if he’d truly lost his mind. Although he’d learned everything about Ruby from the moment she’d learned to speak to the present she’d received from her roommate, Annie, on her last birthday, he yearned to know more.
Never had he taken even the remotest interest in a woman besides her favourite restaurant and what pleased her in bed. The fact that he wanted to know Ruby Trevelli’s every thought sent a shiver of apprehension down his spine.
He was unravelling faster than he could keep things under control.
Every emotion he’d tried to lock down since that summer in Sicily threatened to swamp him. He gritted his teeth and watched Ruby surge out of the turquoise sea. She walked towards him, clad in the minuscule bikini he’d supplied her with. Her body—supple, curvy and dripping with water—made his mouth dry. When she dropped down next to him on the deserted beach they’d swum to, he burned with the need to reach for her. Dio, with the amount of sex they’d had how could he still be this hungry for her?
‘So, is the inquisition over?’ she asked playfully.
‘Sì,’ he growled. ‘It’s over.’
Her gaze darted to his and he saw her tense at the coolness in his voice.
‘Something wrong?’
‘Why would anything be wrong?’