Page 62 of Dangerous Kiss
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Four months later…
Stella touched Franco’s face. “Thornton, after everything we’ve been through—the horror, the torment—surely now you know that I have loved you from the very beginning.”
“Thornton” nodded. “My darling Lucy…I just wish it hadn’t taken your death to convince me…I wish I could have saved you, my love, my precious love.”
“We will be together soon, my darling…I am waiting for you…I am waiting…”
“Andcut! That’s a wrap, folks! Congrats and thank you all.” Cosimo led the applause as the cast and crew finally relaxed. They had been back on set for a month finishing up the movie, and everyone had returned, all determined to finish what they started. The film would be dedicated to Rich Furlough—to Cosimo that was a no-brainer, but he also wanted to honor Biba, too. It had been Stella’s idea to start up a foundation to provide opportunities within the movie industry for young people.The Biba May Foundation for the Arts, Stella had declared, as they had sat in Biba’s hospital room, talking and recovering from the terrible events of the past few months.
Biba had objected at the name. “I really don’t think it should be named after me. Who am I?”
Cosimo had opened his mouth, but Stella had beaten him to it. “You’re the heroine who saved me. You put yourself in danger multiple times to save my life—and yes, Cos and ’Frido had a huge part to play, too, but Beebs, do you know the inspiration you are to young women everywhere?”
“I agree.TheBiba May Foundation for the Arts, and that’s final. And I’ll personally put ten million in to start.” Cosimo nodded, pleased.
“I’ll match it.”
Biba had watched as Cosimo and Stella had gotten more and more excited over their plans and wondered about how her life had turned out. Her boss was now her best friend, and her employer was her lover. And she loved these two people more than anyone.
She had spent months recovering from her physical wounds—to her relief, her kidney hadn’t been badly damaged by Reggie’s knife, but the psychological horror of Reggie’s betrayal, of his years of lies and manipulation, had left her depressed and at times, inconsolable.
With the exception of Cosimo and Stella, Biba had lost the person she trusted most, and even though she was glad he was gone, she missed having that comfort. She hated feeling like that and had slumped into a depression that even Cosimo had trouble rousing her from.
Now, though, she was making it out onto the other side. Watching her lover finally finish the film they had all come to Lakewood to make, seeing the relief on his handsome face was exhilarating. Cosimo came over to her and took her in his arms.
“We did it, Snooks.” His eyes were shining, and Biba smiled.
“We did. Congratulations, baby.”
Cosimo pressed his lips against hers. “I love you, Miss May.”
Biba wrapped her arms around his neck, not caring about the others who were chuckling and watching. “I love you too, Mr. DeLuca.”
They kissed passionately until the others started to catcall them, making them laugh. Stella came up to them. “Listen you two, we’re having a wrap party this evening, and we have a little surprise waiting for you.”
Cosimo grinned, and Biba’s eyebrows shot up. “You do?”
Stella hugged her. “A good surprise, I promise. Until then…there’s a suite up there that needs to be used.”
“Pimp.”
“You know it.” Stella grinned at them both then went back to talking to Franco, Sifrido, and the crew. The change in her attitude since the abduction was still astonishing to everyone. Stella was laid back, inclusive, friendly, and warm.
“The weird thing was,” Biba said now as she and Cosimo made their way back to the manor, “is that I believe that wasalwaysthe real Stella, anyway. That the diva thing was a way of protecting herself.”
“I think you may be right,” Cosimo said and grinned down at her. “But then you always saw the best in everyone.”
Biba’s smile faded a little, and Cosimo stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Biba, he fooled us all. Reggie Quinn had all the appearance of goodness. Don’t blame yourself for him.”
In their suite, they undressed each other slowly, kissing every piece of exposed skin until they were both shivering with desire.
“The bed,” Cosimo said with a grin, and Biba, laughing, wiggled her eyebrows.
“On the floor, baby.” She shrieked with laughter as Cosimo wrestled her playfully to the floor and covered her body with his. Cosimo himself had seemed more fun-loving since the horror of her injuries had faded, eager to enjoy every moment of their time together. In a couple of days, they would be flying to Italy to visit his hometown of Venice and plan their wedding. Biba couldn’t wait to go, to get away from the States for a few weeks.
Stella had insisted Biba take a few months off.
