Page 23 of Dangerous Kiss
He couldn’t stop thinking about her, her soft lips, those big brown eyes, that caramel skin. When they had been naked together, just holding her had been so thrilling. God, he wanted to make love to her.
Maybe in a couple of years, maybe…but he knew he was in trouble. Biba had gotten under his skin in a way no one ever had—not even Grace.
He was going through his notes for the next week’s filming when there was a knock at the door. He opened it to find his old friend Sifrido grinning at him. “Sorry that I’m not a certain little cutie-pie?”
Cosimo laughed. Sifrido knew him well. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to those who know you well. Can I come in?”
“Of course. Mini-fridge is full if you want a beer.”
“Hit me.”
Cosimo snagged two beers from the fridge and handed one to Sifrido. “So, you need to catch me up on your life. What’s it been, two years?”
“Five and don’t change the subject. What gives between you and the lovely Biba?”
Cosimo sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I’ll sound like a creep.”
“Not possible, buddy.”
Cosimo grinned. “You sound more American every day.”
“You’re prevaricating.” Cosimo had forgotten that Sifrido was a no-nonsense kind of guy.
Cosimo shrugged. “I’m crazy about her. She’s like a blast of cool, clean air. She’s funny, smart, and doesn’t take any shit.”
“And she’s beautiful.”
“That’s incidental.”
Sifrido raised his eyebrows but didn’t call Cosimo on his statement. “Is she okay after what Damon did to her?”
Cosimo hesitated. “I can’t answer that for sure. ‘‘’Frido, what I’m about to tell you can’t leave this room.”
“You have my word.”
“We almost made love the other evening. Out on the jetty on the lake.”
Sifrido looked impressed. “Almost?”
“She stopped it, and of course, I was okay with that. She told me she was…conflicted. Something happened to her when she was a kid.”
“She’s a virgin?”
Cosimo nodded, feeling disloyal to Biba, but he had to talk things through with someone. “The abuse didn’t progress to rape, not that it’s any less horrific. So…I can’t pursue anything with her. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“To you or her?” Sifrido took a swig of his beer. “Don’t you think you putting the skids on a relationship you both wanted would make her feel even worse? My sister got raped at twenty-four. You know Clara. She didn’t let it stop her falling in love. She knew the difference between rape and sex. One is violence. The other comes from a place of love. You want to help Biba? Love her. Trust yourself. Trust her to learn—if she doesn’t already know—the difference. She seems like a smart girl.”
Cosimo felt his heart lift a little. He leaned forward. “There’s also the fact I’m her boss.”
“So? How long will you be filming here?”
“Another six weeks.”
“That’s nothing. If you want her, but are afraid of lawsuits, wait six weeks. See how you both feel then. You deserve love, my old friend.”
“Old is right.”
“Bullshit. You’re still young.”
When Sifrido had said goodnight, Cosimo went to bed but lay awake thinking about Biba. He closed his eyes and imagined running his hand slowly down her body, cupping the full breasts, stroking the soft curve of her belly. He imagined taking her clit into his mouth, teasing and licking at the small bud until she was gasping and so wet for him that sliding his big cock into her would be easy—pain-free for her and totally exhilarating for both of them.
Cosimo groaned and rolled out of bed, heading to the bathroom where he masturbated slowly, thinking about her, until he was shaking and groaning, his orgasm taking him over completely. “Biba,” he whispered, leaning his hot forehead against the cool tile. Yep, he was in deep trouble.
When he went to bed, he dreamed of her, but it wasn’t pleasant dreams of lovemaking, but nightmares about someone stalking her, hurting her, taking her away from him.
At four a.m. Cosimo woke, shivering and sweating. He got out of bed and poured himself a Scotch, draining it in one go.
He couldn’t bring himself to go back to sleep that night, not wanting to see any more horrifying visions of the woman he was falling in love with, bleeding out and dying in his arms.
