Page 14 of Ciao, Amore

“My brothers are all over their wives. It’s actually too much sometimes. Like, save it for your house,” he muttered.

Honestly, he’d never enjoyed such displays with his exes, but it sure had been pretty easy having his arm around Daniela’s waist at the Martinas’ house as often as he’d been able. After that first touch, he craved the dewy warmth of her bare shoulders under his hands. Probably because he was so hard up for a woman’s touch that he was thirsty for any physical contact, public or not.

“So a little kissing, a little hand-holding?”

“Yeah, we could do that.” He eyed her from the side. “Hug a little bit. Dance together. Squeeze this irresistible ass of mine,” he said with a grin. “Just kidding. We should also hang out for a while in my room at night before you go to yours. Nonno asked why we won’t be sharing.” He flushed.

“What did you tell him?”

“I said you’re a good Catholic girl, and you don’t do that before marriage,” he replied, and she burst into laughter this time. Laughed a little too hard.

“That’s right, I am born again,” she chortled.

Nico’s sophisticated response was a noise of disdain, followed by, “Yeah, right.”

“Unfortunately, it’s true. I stopped for Year Zero, trying to develop a ‘healthy relationship’ with a ‘man who takes me seriously’ like thatGet Wifed-up Gurupodcast lady said.” Dani scowled, using air quotes.

“Wifed-Up Guru podcasts? I think I need to listen to those. But I should tell you right now, that advice is bullshit,” Nico said. “Any dude who’s worth a damn shouldn’t be judging you on something he wants too. That’s Neanderthal shit, and he’d be an automatic loser.”

“I know, I know. I’m just mad I wasted that time for nothing. Now it’s too late, and I will die in my re-born virginal state.”

“Wait,” Nico said slowly, realizing the length of time that covered. “You haven’t done it in a year?”

Oh no.There was a renewed twitch in his pants.

Dani shrugged, not looking at him. Her high, rounded cheeks had a faint swish of expertly applied blush, but that wasn’t the only reason for the deepening color. “That’s what I just said. English? Do you speak it?”

“Easy, Sam Jackson, just clarifying.” Christ, his leg was jiggling again. He should stop asking questions. “So, a year? Nothing at all?” He glanced at her neckline, pitying the nipples that were faintly visible through the tank top and her bra. No one had paid any attention to them in that long, sucked or teased them? It was criminal.

“Nope. And there won’t be going forward, hot European men notwithstanding. Most dudes are selfish, and I’m not wasting my energy.” She flipped her braids over her shoulder with a scornful twist of her glossy lips.

“Dani, you’re in your thirties, but you’re gonna go without for the rest of your life? Get outta here,” he said dismissively, ignoring the pang in his chest and the tightening in his balls.

“Without saying too much, I’m handling it pretty good so far.”

“What’s your secret, meditation?” he asked, masking his excitement with sardonic humor.

Damn, it was getting hot in there. He uncapped the overpriced bottle of airport water and took a sip as she leaned closer to his ear, overwhelming him with lavender.

Quietly, Dani said, “Buzzzzzzz…”

Laughter, embarrassment, and a surge of lust choked him, and he coughed hard, the water going down the wrong pipe. This was his fucking fault for asking. He didn’t need those pictures of her in his head, those long legs spread wide while she feverishly worked her wet pussy with a toy shaped like his cock. It was a bad idea to imagine replacing that toy with his tongue, lapping up her cream until she screamed.

“Are you okay?” she asked, half smiling, half concerned, as she whacked him on the back once or twice.

“Yeah, I just wasn’t expecting that answer.”

Don’t ask, don’t ask, don’t—

“Did you bring it with you?”

With a prim eye roll that was freaking delightful, Dani crossed her leg, swinging her sneakered foot. There was a golden panel on the side, and it caught the light in the darkening gate. Night was falling fast, like his resolve not to want her so badly—not to cross any new lines.

“Okay, how did we get started on this topic? Nico. No strings means no sex in Naples.Io e te.Niente. Capisci?”

He fucking loved hearing her speak Italian, even when she was being rude. Maybe especially when she was rude. Nico shoved her arm slightly.

“Me, you, not happening, blah, blah. I know that. I was only curious about them. Never seen one in action.”

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