Page 523 of One More Kiss

Ugh, the audacity of this man to think that I’d want to have another date with him. Not that what we had could even be construed as one. He was crazy, and his connection with my father didn’t add up.

I took the bouquet along with the card and headed toward the trash. Before I reached it, Paolo snatched the card from my hand and read it.

“Fucking asshole,” he said.

I threw the bouquet into the trash and took the card from his hand. “It’s never going to happen. He’s creepy as hell. And he knows my father, so none of this makes sense. What did my father say when you told him?”

Paolo’s jaw ticked. “Don’t worry about it. I’m handling it my way, but I should make a few calls.”

When he reached for his phone on the table, I pressed my hand to his, stopping him.

“I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring,” I said. “We’re both probably kidding ourselves that we could find a way for this to work. Please just give me twenty-four hours. Let me escape this prison of a life for a little while.”

My words didn’t seem to appease him. He glared at the front door.

“Or just a few hours,” I said, “and then you can go back to this life, but let me experience life with you even if it’s for a day.”

He sighed. “One day, but I don’t think I can walk away.”

I felt the same way, but my life was already planned out. I didn’t want to think about what was required of me.

I grinned. “Well, you heard my father. You’re in charge of my safety. We have the entire day to spend together, not to mention tonight.”

His eyes darkened with lust. “What’s first on the agenda for today?”

“We have to go shopping,” I said as I reached for the list on the counter that I’d spent the majority of the morning writing. “Dad’s birthday is in a few weeks and I need to get him a present, as well as get a dress for my father’s annual birthday party.”

The lust in his eyes faded and he sighed heavily. “It’s going to be a long day. I’m down for everything as long as I get to watch you try on dress.”

I smiled at him as I ran my fingers along the collar of his tee.

“I’m sure I’ll need help zipping up my dress,” I whispered in his ear.

“I have no doubt, babe.”

I grinned at him. “Are you ready?”

He nodded. “Let’s get the present, princess, then we can get onto the good stuff.”

My toes curled at the heated look that he gave me.

Tonight was going to be a good one.

* * *

Paolo’s tongueswept into my mouth, and I clung to him as he stole my breath away. There was no going back after tonight. I wanted him, more than anything in the world.

Shopping with him had been amazing. We’d spent the entire day together, laughing and joking, getting to know one another on a deeper level. We’d talked about his job, and he’d said it got harder with each case.

I’d never been on a date before. The one with Joe didn’t count, but today, with Paolo, it was like one long date that lasted all day. I knew deep within my soul that nothing would ever top this. I just couldn’t figure out a way to make it last.

I moaned against his lips as he pulled away. I was so intoxicated by him that I could barely think. “Please, Paolo?”

He smiled at me and pushed me toward the bed. When he brushed his fingers against my nightie, it slid down my body until it fell at my feet in a heap.

“Beautiful,” he said as he laid me on the bed, my naked body on display.

I moaned as he sunk a finger into my pussy.