Page 12 of London
“That’s a dangerous question. If I say she has to be beautiful, smart, a good cook, great in bed, etcetera, you’ll peg me as an uber-misogynist. If I say those things don’t really matter, you won’t believe me. Let’s just say I’m searching for a special woman willing to give me and our family her best, and I plan to do the same to prove I’m the man she deserves.”
He focused his gaze on her, noticing her smile had faded, her expression serious. Although he’d meant the discussion to be playful, the subject was obviously a difficult one for her. Fresh from a failed union, she was probably uncomfortable discussing marriage and children. Gerard cursed himself for his lack of diplomacy.
“Do you have family back in Italy?”
“I do.” She nodded, no doubt relieved he’d changed the subject. “My mother and brother will be coming for a visit in December. They also contribute financially to HOPE, as well as to two other clinics in Italy. My mother gets personally involved in her charities, but Giovanni—my brother—doesn’t have the time. He just signs the checks.”
Gerard arched his eyebrows. He hadn’t realized just how wealthy Linda’s family was—not that it mattered to him. His respect for her grew since he knew of people far richer who didn’t donate a cent of their fortune unless there was something in it for them. When asked why he never got involved in charity, a famous and extremely wealthy football player had commented that he wouldn’t have the money he had if he threw it away left and right. Gerard admired Linda and her family for not having that selfish mentality.
“That’s very generous of you all. Tell me about your commendable family of philanthropists.”
“When you put it that way… There isn’t much to tell. My mother lives in Rome with her new husband. At the moment she has a fulltime job spending her way through his considerable fortune, and not all through altruistic donations. Giovanni and I figure it will take her less than two years to clean out his bank account,” she added sarcastically. “Papais a painter and lives on Crete with Ariadne, his latest paramour, a creature with a model’s body and a pigeon’s brain. I believe she’s younger than me, so half my father’s age. I would say we’re a family of degenerates if it weren’t for my big brother.”
“Giovanni?”
“Yes. He’s the family’s pride and joy, the founder of a computer software company based in Florence. He’s two years older than I am. I know most brothers and sisters aren’t close, but Giovanni and I have the best relationship in the world. He’s what I miss most.” She sighed, then shook off the nostalgic mood. “Well, that’s the short version of the Coriola family saga. Are you bored out of your mind yet?”
“You’ve got to be kidding. Your family sounds interesting. I would enjoy meeting them, but I believe I’ve met the best.”
He took her hand in his, studying the ring he’d noticed earlier.
“I made that when I was eighteen. It was the first piece of jewelry I designed,” she explained, her voice low and uncertain.
“It’s exquisite. Beautiful, elegant, flawless… Just like you.”
“I’m not flawless,” she argued. “Far from it.”
“You are to me.”
He raised his head to look at her face. In the flickering light from the TV screen and the glow from a corner lamp, her eyes were intense indigo pools. The steady sparkle in them triggered fireworks inside his heart once more.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. His body vibrated with a primal, magnetic energy—the same kind that gave birth to sparks and put into motion the massive bodies of the universe.
Gerard leaned in until he felt her hot breath, then slowly captured her lips with his. Their mouths merged into the most seductive kiss he’d ever experienced as they explored and tasted each other. When his tongue slid into her mouth, desire flooded him, making him light-headed.
He drew her closer, tightening his hold on her waist. She melted into his arms and clutched handfuls of his shirt. He sensed she was experiencing the same powerful, intoxicating exhilaration he was, the euphoric drug flooding their minds and bodies.
In that instant, he knew he would risk anything, give up everything he had just to make her his. Hunger unlike anything he’d ever felt consumed him with the need to feel her naked body under his.
“Gerard… Don’t… Stop.”
Her desperate words came from far away, barely recognizable to his senses reduced to touch and feel. Breathing hard, he lifted his head, confused. Why did she want to stop when it felt so good, so right?
“What’s wrong?” he whispered.
Her eyes were as glazed with desire as his must be. She wanted him. He could feel it in her body’s response, so why was she asking him to stop?
“Nothing. It’s just… We barely know each other… I’m not the kind of woman who… I don’t do this… I’ve never done this… This…”
She was stuttering, but he understood and respected her for it. This was too soon. She didn’t know him. She needed time, and he would give it to her—even if it killed him.
Gerard lifted his head to look into her confused eyes, knowing they would haunt his dreams.
“I should go,” he said, his voice gruff.
She gazed at him, then lowered her eyes and nodded.
“You should. It’s late.”
