Page 11 of Dangerous Kiss
Cosimo heard Reggie come out of Biba’s room and looked up. “She okay?”
Reggie nodded, looking drawn. “Yeah, she’ll be fine. Just shocked, I think. It…well…it’s not the first time… Never mind. Look, thanks, Cosimo, truly. Thanks for looking out after her.”
“Anytime.”
Reggie nodded. “You staying up here?”
“For peace of mind.”
Reggie smiled at him. “Cool. Biba’s still awake if you want to go in. I know she wants to thank you herself.”
“There’s no need, but I’ll go and say goodnight. Thanks, Reggie.”
“See you in the morning.”
Biba heard the soft knock at the door, and her heart began to beat a little faster. “Come in.”
She almost sighed with pleasure when Cosimo came in. God, the man was so freakin’…beautiful. That was the only word for him. The sedative the doctor had given her was kicking in, and her mind was a little swirly. She smiled at him. “Hello, again, savior.”
His smile was sweet. “Nothing anyone else wouldn’t have done. How are you feeling?”
She nodded. “Alright. A little dopey—the doctor gave me the good stuff.”
Cosimo laughed. “Good, you deserve it. Look, take tomorrow off. Hell, take as long as you need off.”
She held out her hand, and he took it, winding his fingers between hers as he sat on the side of the bed. His thumb stroked a gentle pattern over the back of her hand. “Thank you, Cosimo. I mean it.”
Cosimo hesitated before tracing a finger down her cheek. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you,” he said, his voice breaking. “Damon is in jail. If he doesn’t want to stay there, he’ll never come near you or this set again, I promise.” He sighed. “I’m so sorry this happened, Biba. I’ve already kicked Rich’s ass.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Please don’t fire them.”
“I won’t, don’t worry. Damon…was a ticking time bomb. Reggie tells me he was harassing you before.”
“A little. Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Cosimo smiled. “I believe you.”
They gazed at each other, still holding hands. The silence stretched, but neither felt awkward. Finally, Cosimo, his eyes curious, gave a short laugh. “What is this happening here?”
Biba, her face burning, smiled. “I don’t know. But I…I like it.”
Cosimo stroked her hands. “Me, too.”
God, she wanted to kiss him so badly, but she knew it would be wrong. He was her boss, and he’d just saved her from being raped or worse. “Friends is always a good start,” she said quietly, and Cosimo nodded.
“God knows I could use a few.”
Biba squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry about your wife, Cosimo. Reggie told me about her.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Hey, listen, my son is coming down from Seattle in a week or so. He’s…let’s just say he’s sixteen and not that fond of his dad at the moment. If you have any ideas on how to entertain him, I’m all ears.”
Biba smiled. “I’ll get thinking about it.”
Cosimo nodded and reluctantly, it seemed, released her hand. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead. “Get some rest now, Beebs. See how you feel in the morning.”
Her whole body was crying out for him to kiss her mouth, but he got up and left the room, shooting her a final, devastating smile before he closed the door behind him.
Biba lay back, feeling sleep begin to creep over her body. Her stomach ached where Damon had punched her, but she didn’t care. She was okay. And she had a new friend.
In the moments before she fell asleep, she told herself she wasn’t falling for Cosimo DeLuca, but she knew, deep down, that wasn’t true.
