Page 29 of Dangerous Kiss
Nicco grinned. “About some things. I still love fart gags.”
“Who doesn’t?”
“I know, right? Apparently, that’simmatureto some people.”
“Killjoys.” Cosimo chuckled. “Nic…can we talk about…your mom?”
Nicco stopped, a look of pain crossing his face. “It’s not that I want to forget she ever existed, Dad…it’s just I’m not ready to talk about her. I feel like…I let her down.”
“I can tell you that you didn’t until I’m blue in the face, but until you believe it…” Cosimo nodded. “Just know, whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”
On the car ride back, Nicco was quieter, but when Cosimo dropped him off at the bus station, Nicco hugged him fiercely. “Thanks, Dad. I mean it.”
“No problem. Love you, bud.”
“Love you, too, Dad. I’ll call you in a couple of days.”
“Cool.” Cosimo said and grinned at his son. Nicco laughed and rolled his eyes.
“Go get some, Pa,” he shot back as he climbed the steps of the bus, and Cosimo laughed.
As he watched Nicco’s bus pull away, Cosimo suddenly felt nervous. He and Biba had not planned what they would do this evening, where to meet, where to…God, his whole body was on fire, thinking about making love to her.
Cosimo drove back slowly to Lakewood, trying to steady his nerves. Biba would need him to be confident tonight—the weight of responsibility bore down on him, but he was determined they go on this journey together. He was crazy about her…heck, screw that, he was in love with her, had been practically since he met her. The mad chemistry between them made this inevitable.
He parked his car and was deep in thought as he walked slowly to the manor. In his room, he saw a note pushed under his door. He smiled when he saw the single word written on it in Biba’s sprawling cursive.
Tonight.
God, yes. He grabbed a quick shower then took out his phone and called her. “Hey.”
“Hey you.” Her voice was soft. “Are you back?”
“I am. Where are you?”
“Dealing with a Reckless meltdown. Nothing serious, thankfully. Did you and Nicco have a great time?”
Cosimo grinned. “Darling, why are we talking on the phone when we could be talking in person? Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, I have a suggestion. Date night. Let’s have dinner, watch a movie. A proper date. If you’re anything like me, you’re nervous as hell.”
Biba gave a relieved laugh. “Word, dude.” She hesitated. “Shall I come to your suite?”
“I could come get you.”
She laughed. “I think I know the way. When…?”
“I don’t see any reason to postpone any longer, do you?” His voice was gruff with emotion, and he heard her intake of breath.
“No. No, I don’t. I’ll see you in a minute.”
“I can’t wait.”
Luckily, he thought, housekeeping had been there, there were fresh sheets on the bed, and the room was tidy. He lit some of the scented candles in the room and dimmed the lights. He felt like a teenager on prom night.
At her knock, he opened the door and smiled at her. Biba was wearing a midnight blue smock dress which clung to her curves but was comfortable enough to lounge around in. “You’re beautiful,” he said and drew her into the room. He could feel her trembling as he slid his arms around her waist.
