Page 11 of In Italy for Love

‘Just tell me if you need…’

‘This is exactly what I need.’

6

If Alex had been able to think clearly, he would have seriously questioned the wisdom of bringing Julia back to his place – for more reasons than just the temperamental cat, who was thankfully nowhere to be found. As it was, he experienced only a vague sense of misgiving as the rest of him was overwhelmed by the lightness in his chest when she pressed kisses to his face.

She was leaving tomorrow, so it didn’t really matter what she thought, but he hadn’t brought a woman home here since… What if he did something terrible, like call her the wrong name? Were there photos anywhere? Keepsakes? Was there etiquette in these situations?

The few times he’d met someone with the mutual agreement that things would be short and casual, he’d made sure it wasn’t here in Cividale, where there were eyes at every window – pitying looks, usually. He hadn’t been a monk over the past three years, but tonight didn’t quite feel like the other times and Julia didn’t feel like a stranger, even though they’d just met.

They stumbled into his bedroom, all smiles and busy hands. He was drawn to the spot where her short hair brushed hershoulders and she gave a throaty, pleased laugh when he kissed her there. He liked the way her voice dropped and roughened.

Items of clothing ended up on the floor – he couldn’t quite remember who had removed what – and then he pulled her close and breathed her in. Wow, he’d needed this, to switch off from normal life for a night with no past or future, no consequences.

‘Your eyes remind me of chestnuts,’ he hummed, kissing her again to cover the words he hadn’t quite meant to say aloud.

‘Do you like chestnuts?’ she asked doubtfully, tugging him towards the bed.

‘Love them.’ They made it onto the bed and all he could feel was her and it was glorious.

‘I’ve never tried them.’

He reared up on his elbows. ‘What? How is that possible? I should find you some right n?—’

‘Not right now,’ she crooned, looping her arms around his neck and dragging him down so her lips were at his ear. ‘I’m interested in something other than chestnuts right now.’ When she dragged her teeth over his earlobe, goosebumps prickled all over him.

‘I could live on chestnuts for two months of the year,’ he murmured, digging his fingers into her hair and feathering his lips over her jaw – such a strong jaw.

She grinned. ‘Chestnuts and my eyes, right?’

With a deep chuckle, he said, ‘Right.’

‘My body too?’

‘Mmhmm,’ he agreed, his thoughts slipping. ‘And your jokes,’ he whispered, burying his face in her neck until she shuddered.

Her hands touched down on his shoulders, slipping around to his neck. ‘I should tell you… it’s been a while – for me. Just… so you know.’

‘Thanks for choosing me then.’ He skimmed the backs of his fingers over her cheek as he lifted onto his elbows to meet her gaze. ‘And tell me if you want to stop – at any time.’

Her hands ventured down his back, as a smile grew on her lips. ‘I don’t want to stop.’

He lost himself happily with her, almost believing he could be someone else – someone with a different life, another past and a carefree future. She was so soft and strong, open and full of smiles, and she delighted in every touch.

When her fingers gripped his hair tightly as her breath hitched and stalled, he was almost sad this sweet, impatient interlude couldn’t last forever, but he was on the edge as well. As the feelings snapped and washed over both of them, he fumbled for her cheek, needing to express… something – something more than how much he liked her chestnut eyes.

But as his breathing finally slowed, the sudden lethargy drained everything out of him and he collapsed next to her.

‘Huh, wow,’ she mumbled.

‘Yeah.’ He peered at her from under heavy eyelids. Her smile was smaller now and he would have laughed at her smugness if he had the energy.

‘Not bad for an accordion player,’ she said softly, pressing a kiss to his cheek that was somehow just as devastating as the deep kisses they’d shared a few moments ago. Her gaze snagged on his upper arm and before he could distract her, she traced a finger over his tattoo. ‘What are these?’

‘Bay leaves?—’

A sudden crash from down the hall made Julia bolt upright. Alex tried to drag himself up, but his limbs felt like syrup.

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