Page 71 of Love Lessons
“Come on.” He chuckles. “You’re the only one on this terrace who’s thinkin’ so hard.”
“Am I?” I shoot back. “You think you’re so slick? I say you’re thinking too hard about my thinking too hard.”
“Touché,” he says. “What are you thinking about, anyway? Fashion? Or how many extra suitcases you’re gonna need to get all your loot home?”
You. I’m thinking about you.
“Look who’s judgy,” I complain. “You didn’t mind so much yesterday when I bought those see-through panties.”
“No, I didn’t mind,” he agrees in a low, hungry voice. “Filed that away in the spank bank. But still, I only left it on your hot body for about six seconds. It was blockin’ my view. So lingerie is pointless.”
“Ha. You say that as if I wear lingerie for you. But I don’t. I wear it forme.”
And now we’re bickering again. That’s probably why this fling will crumble to dust the minute we leave Italy.
“Huh. Funny how that lingerie that you wear foryoushowed up in Bruisers purple, though.”
“That was a coincidence,” I snap.
Liar. My inner voice snickers.
“You’re hot when you argue with me,” he says with a wicked grin. “It’s a seduction technique all on its own.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I turn my shoulders to get an even better look at him. “Now you’re just mocking me.”
I expect him to fire back. But he kisses me instead, right here on the world’s most romantic terrace. Firm, generous lips on mine. Purple twilight painting his face. I can’t resist leaning in, and the glass of wine is removed from my hand and set aside.
I barely notice. I’m too busy enjoying the moment. His kisses are magic. Two hands land on my rump and spin me around until I’m straddling him.
That only makes it easier to wrap my arms around his broad neck, and sink into his deep, drugging kisses. I lean in as he shamelessly parts my mouth with his tongue and tastes me.
Five nights of this have practically turned me into Ian’s puppet. He touches me, and I do whatever he wants. Here in the purple twilight, with his hands stroking my back, I can’t even remember what life was like before it had so many kisses in it.
I forget myself until Ian pulls back, breathless, some minutes later. “Damn, contessa.” He’s watching me with wonder in his eyes.
Slowly, I realize how hot and heavy we’ve become, right out here in the open. How shameless I am in his lap. That’s the effect he has on me. He turns me into a wild woman that I hardly recognize.
Face burning, I sit back, too. “Okay. Time out.” I pat my hair back into shape. It’s hopeless. Tendrils are escaping everywhere. “I’m sure this will go straight to your oversized ego. but I need a little space or I’m going to embarrass myself and everyone else by mauling you.”
“That’s one way to play it,” he says with a smirk, as his eyes move lazily over my body. “But I have a better idea.”
“What?”
But that’s all I manage to ask before Ian scoops me into his arms and stands.
“Ian!” I hiss. “Put me down.”
“Hush, honey. We’re going upstairs now.” He heads toward the double doors.
“What the… This is highly irregular.”
He laughs. “This isfun.”
I hold onto his neck as he strides purposefully through the kitchen and toward the carpeted staircase. “Did I say I wanted to go upstairs?”
“You said it with your eyes and your tongue.”
“My eyes lied,” I say grumpily. All our friends are probably snickering right now.
