Page 27 of His Beautiful Revenge
“I understood.”
“Good. Now, it’s best if we don’t communicate for a while. I don’t want to be tied to Carmel Price’s murder.”
Lucian got out of the car and walked back to his own Audi, parked a little way down the street. Tara watched him, the sneer returning to her face.Revolting little punk. She’d only ever fucked him to try and make Giacomo jealous when it seemed like her Italian lover had lost interest in her. Now, though, Lucian had just made thingsveryinteresting. If the police ever came looking for her …she would have no problem in framing Lucian for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. As Tara felt the sore places on her throat again, she smiled. Lucian himself had just signed Norah’s death warrant.
“Hello,Bella.” For a second Norah, who had been thinking about Giacomo all day, thought she imagined hearing his voice, but when she looked up, there he was, gorgeous in blue jeans and a dark green sweater, smiling as he swaggered to the counter.
She grinned and their eyes met. His smile at seeing her made her want to cry with joy.
Giacomo slid behind the counter and stood next to her, his hand brushing down her hair.
“Hi.” His eyes were soft.
“Hi yourself.”
They gazed at each other as Zulika came bowling out from the back room and broke the spell.
“Hey, No-No Bear?”
Norah and Giacomo looked at her.
“No? Took me ages to think that up.” She looked disappointed.
“You might want to keep working on that.” Giacomo shook his head, feigning disapproval.
“MacReddy?”
Norah nodded, mock-disappointment on her face. “Nothing with a ‘mac,’ please.”
Zulika rolled her eyes and grinned at Giacomo. “Hello again. Good to see you.”
“You too, shorty.”
Zulika looked outraged. “Just because you two are bona-fide giants …”
Giacomo couldn’t help but grin. “That’s what the ladies tell me.”
Norah snickered. “Modest as always.”
Giacomo laughed. Zulika made a gagging noise.
“Jesus, that’s not an image I’m comfortable with.”
Norah pretended to consider for a moment. “I’m pretty much okay with it.” Giacomo made a clicking noise and made finger-pistols at her. Zulika grinned and hoisted herself up onto the counter. Norah and Giacomo looked at each other for a moment, an unspoken agreement taking place. They both looked at Zulika, who grinned backguilelessly.
“Zul?”
“Yes?”
“Go away now. Go grab a coffee down the street.”
They waited until a grumbling but smiling Zulika left the bookstore. Norah followed her, locked the door, and flipped the sign. Nervous now, she motioned for Giacomo to follow her into the back room. She was about to speak when he put a finger over her lips.
“Whatever you’re about to say …” He leaned in, hesitated, and then pressed his lips against hers. She sighed and gave in to the kiss, Giacomo moved closer to her and slid a hand onto her stomach, the other onto her back. She held his face in her hands as the kiss deepened. Waves of pleasure shuddered down her body. She felt the warmth of his hands through her dress and slid her own hands into his hair. Giacomo’s arms tightened around her, pulling her against his body. Norah couldn’t help the small moan of desire that escaped her lips. Giacomo smiled.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered against her mouth. His fingers were at the zipper of her dress, gently tugging at it.
“Wait, wait, wait.” Norah pulled away, breathless, her voice shaky. Giacomo froze and she felt a pang at the hurt in his eyes.
