Page 71 of Veiled Amor

“You’ve slept on top of me for days, Lucia. You being in my apartment is no problem.”

Cheeks flamed. “That was hardly my fault. The bed was too small, and you weren’t gentleman enough to sleep on the floor.” She huffed and watched him smirk as he chose a seat. He hooked up a small remote, hitting a button; the blinds opened soundlessly, giving her an aerial view of Denver. It was breathtakingly beautiful, with the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

“I’m no gentleman, you know that.”

Ughn. She did. Sexy bastard.

When she dared look over at him, his face was granite. “Do you want a hotel room, Lucia?”

Sighing, the monster was calling her bluff, knowing she didn’t want to be anywhere else but where he was. Shunting her chin into the air, she looked down her nose at him, huffing. “No, I’d like to stay if it’s not an inconvenience to you.”

“It’s not.”

“I won’t be interrupting your lifestyle, will I?” She couldn’t say his love life, or she might scream if she had to listen to women coming to his place, staying over. The walls weren’t thick enough that she wouldn’t hear what was going on.

“My lifestyle?”

Wandering over to the windows, her eyes took in the scenery, talking over her shoulder. “Sex, Capone. I mean sex. I don’t want to cramp your style.”

She was sure she heard him chuckling, but was too embarrassed and jealous to look around.

“I don’t bring women here.”

She arched her brows. “You’re one of those men, huh? No woman can cross into your masculine territory.”

Capone looked dark and moody when she chose a seat opposite in a soft armchair that enveloped her whole. “You’re a woman in my territory,sí? How did that work out for me?”

She grinned. He had her there. And felt a little smug about it if he meant what he said, and she was the first woman here. At least she wouldn’t accidentally discover someone else’s panties.

“I guess I won’t have to hatch plans to chase women off. Thank you for letting me stay. I won’t outstay my welcome; I’ll try to get a place soon.”

The growl to come out of him nearly rattled her ribcage, and with startled eyes, she looked across.

“Swear to god, Lucia.”

“What?”

“You’re trying to piss me off.”

“How am I doing that? I was being considerate of your hospitality.”

Sitting forward, he put his arms on his knees and pierced her clean through with a cheerless stare. Oh boy, she was in for a tongue lashing, and the dirtier side to Lucia wished it were something other than a lecture.

“You crawled up my butt jealous about club groupies the other day.”

“So did you!”

He went on like she hadn’t interrupted. “You introduced yourself to a prospect as my wife and now you’re acting like a stranger with a stick up your ass.Basta ya.”Enough already. “I want you here. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t. There are lots of other places I could have taken you. Do what you want, you listening to me? Mess the place up, cook whatever, come and go as you please, for as long as you want to stay.”

Guess that told Lucia. Joy filled her. Biting on her lower lip, she saw his eyes flash, and he sighed, taking a drink of coffee. “Thank you, Giancarlo. I’ll pull my weight.” He grunted again. “Am I allowed guests?” She teased, holding a smile at bay.

“Females, sure. Men, no.”

So pleased. “You’re such a caveman.”

Another grunt. “Never claimed to be anything else. If I find a man in here and I’ll see if he can fly by throwing him out of the window.”

Laughter burst free, “Gi. I was joking, oh, my god, you’re extreme.” And beautiful. And intoxicating. She was practically panting, imagining him in a possessive rage. “How long have you lived here? It’s beautiful.”

---