Page 69 of Destino

“Again with the sea urchin?”

“Have a taste. It’s far better than what you’ve had before. You’ll love it.”

She hesitated. He ate a sample first then scooped some for her. To his delight she gave it a try. She chewed with a small smile, and then her eyes stretched. “It tastes good. The sauce, it’s so sweet and tangy. Give me more?”

“Come here.”

The chair scooted back, and she came around the small table to him. He opened his arm for her to sit on his lap. He stared into her eyes insistent she do as he requested. Mira straddled him and the split to the front of her dress parted all the way up to her panties. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and her lips brushed his. He could taste the sauce on her lips. “How am I going to eat this way?” she chuckled looking down between them.

“Look at me.”

Her smile dimmed and she lifted her stare to meet his. “Stay.”

“I plan to.”

“No. Stay. Here. With me.”

Mira drew back, and her brows shot up in surprise. “I can’t stay here.”

“Of course you can. You said you were renting a hotel room while you look for a place to buy. I’m just outside of Napoli. I have more than enough space.”

“No. No. Giovanni. It’s generous but I wouldn’t impose. This is your family’s home.”

She tried to rise, but he kept a hand to her hip and forced her to stay. “I plan to spend the rest of the week convincing you why we fit.”

“Then ask to date me, not for me to move in.”

“Date, move in, what difference does that make to anyone when we both want the same thing?”

“I hate to sound like a broken record, but I’ve only known you for a few days. No one moves this fast.”

“I make my own rules. My father saw my mother and loved her on sight. They were together from that day forward. I’ve denied myself the love of a woman. Told myself it wasn’t needed. I want you.” He kissed her chin and his hand eased up to cup her right breast. He gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m a man who normally gets his way.”

“Is that so?” she exhaled.

“You’re here now, aren’t you?” In their embrace, he could feel the rapid race of her beating heart.

“You have a point,” she smiled. He reached around her and scoopedpatateto his fork and fed her. She accepted the offering from his fork. Mira chewed staring into his eyes. When she swallowed he repeated the action, until she nearly ate half in silence. She let him take care of her without objection. It pleased him.

“No more,” she whispered to him forcing him to lower the fork to the plate. Her succulent bow shaped lips parted and her sweet tangy tongue slipped from her mouth to his. “I’d rather taste you,” she said within their kiss. And she did. He turned away from her mouth, and she brushed her kisses along his neck. Giovanni groaned, his lids fluttered shut.

“Finish, we haven’t had the main course yet.”

She sucked softly at his jugular and combed her fingers through his hair, moving seductively on his groin. Giovanni’s head went back. Mira began to unbutton his shirt easing her lush lips to the center of his neck and his throat. She rushed to insert her hands inside of his shirt and run her palms over his chest. The feel of her delicate hands was too much to bear.

“What are these tattoos on your body? What do they mean?”

“Growth, change, life. That’s what they mean.” He lifted his head and captured a kiss. It was more of a clashing of lips and tongue that had her whimpering and clinging to him. It was her turn to break the exchange.

“Each one has a meaning?” she asked, touching his cheek.

“Yes. And one day I’ll tell you the story.”

She brushed her lips over his. “I find you so strangely beautiful, and strong.” She said against his mouth. “I can’t wait to know all of you, Giovanni.”

He smiled. She grinned at him. Maybe things weren’t as glum as he previously thought. Maybe Lorenzo hadn’t betrayed the family or started a war with the Calderone’s. Maybe the delivery of his guns and the transport of them back out of the Amalfi coast didn’t require he hurt her business.

“What are you thinking about?”

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