Page 13 of London
Disappointment stabbed him, but he got to his feet and headed to the door. Linda followed him and reached beyond him to open it.
The night air was heavy, filled with the various fragrances of flowers and blooming trees. A cricket sang in the distance. Was he perhaps serenading his lover?
Gerard turned to Linda and took her hand in his.
“When will I see you again?”
She moved her shoulders in a vague gesture. “Um, I’ll stop by the clinic one of these days. I’m just not sure when.”
He gazed at her for a moment, then drew her into his arms, kissing her until they were both breathless once more. He released her and stepped back, disappearing into the night without another word.
Chapter Four
Linda didn’t want to wake up, preferring to continue the dream of lying in Gerard’s arms. As soon as she stirred, Pirata jumped up onto the bed and pounced on her, meowing. This was his morning routine, and while she loved it, just this once she wished he would leave her alone.
“Why can’t you just go out and chase a mouse or something?” she muttered, burying her face in her pillow. “You loved them before I spoiled you with high-class cat food.”
Pirata mewed again, his paw tapping her face, insisting she attend to him. She opened one eye, staring at the cat. He stared back unblinking, his attitude speaking volumes—he wanted food, and he wanted it now.
Groaning, Linda flipped onto her back and rubbed a hand over her face, erasing the last vestiges of her dream lover—the perfect man, chased away by sunlight and loud caterwauling.
Dio mio!It had seemed so real. She shivered, recalling the feel of his strong arms holding her, his hot mouth on hers, tender and yet demanding. She licked her lips slowly, then froze.
She could still taste him. His distinct flavor lingered on her lips. Stunned, she sat up, the veil of sleep clearing from her brain. It had been real. Gerard… the kiss… everything had been real.
“Oh, my God!”
Suddenly, every line of their conversation, every gesture, every touch came back to her. What must he think of her, of the way she’d responded to his kiss like a sex-starved divorcée—which she was.
Thank God she’d had the sense to stop things before they’d gone any farther, although if he’d insisted—even a little—she would have given in. Hell, if he’d kept kissing her, she would’ve begged him to make love to her, and then where would she be?
Mortified, blood rushed to her cheeks. She couldn’t see him again, couldn’t return to HOPE. She’d made a colossal fool of herself. Why she might even have to move to another country.
The phone rang startling her out of her silly thoughts. Annoyed, realizing this intrusion could interrupt his breakfast, Pirata jumped onto the nightstand and scratched at the screen, tapping it furiously with his claws. Laughing at his antics, Linda grabbed the phone, delighted to see it was Giovanni.
“Ciao, mi amato fratello!” she said, grabbing her robe and rushing downstairs before Pirata started gnawing at her foot. “How are you?”
“Fine,” Giovanni answered, speaking Italian. “Just checking on my baby sister. I haven’t heard from you in days. What have you been up to?”
“Nothing special. I love this house more every day. I’m happy here, and so is Pirata.”
“The place seems great from the pictures you sent. I’m looking forward to seeing it for myself.”
“It really is, and super quiet, the ideal place for a creative person like me.” Cradling the phone between her shoulder and ear, Linda opened the fridge, took out the can of cat food, and filled Pirata’s bowl. “The gallery opening for my art exhibit is next week.”
“Congratulations,bambina!” he said. “I really wish I could be there, but I have a pile of projects with tight deadlines.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll send pictures. Other than work, what have you been up to?” she asked, watching Pirata eating as if he hadn’t been fed in weeks. “Gone out with anyone lately?”
Her brother’s reputation as a ladies’ man was well earned. He was movie-star handsome, charming, and incredibly smart. At times, it was a chore to keep the more determined women away.
Giovanni chuckled. “Nope. Too busy. You know me, business before pleasure. What about you? Have you met anyone interesting?”
Taken aback by the unexpected question, Linda groped for an answer.
Giovanni whistled. “Uh-oh. Guilty silence. Come on, give it up. Who is he? What’s his name?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she argued, grinning sheepishly. Sometimes it was annoying that Giovanni knew her so well.
