“I always wished for brothers and sisters,” she admitted wistfully.
It’s just not possible, my love, her mother had said until Mira quit asking.
Rocco was looking at her again, seeming more than interested. His unwavering attention practically demanded she continue speaking.
“I played with a little girl one summer. My mother’s neighbor in Praiano, actually.” She was delighted to recall that detail. “There were six children in their family. I was so envious. They squabbled constantly, which was overwhelming for an only child to be around, but her eldest sister fixed my hair. Her brother stopped me from running onto the road. I felt so protected when I was with them. I wanted to be enfolded into all of that.” She wove her fingers together, grinning at her younger self. At how idyllic she thought a big family must be.
Rocco didn’t smile. His cheek ticked.
“Oh, gawd,” she realized with horror. “I sound like I’m looking for a man to marry me and give me six babies, don’t I?” She straightened in her lounger, mortified. “This is why I never talk to people. The most ridiculous things come out of my mouth.”
“I don’t think it’s ridiculous.” His tone turned light. “I’m usually a few dates in before having this conversation, but I like a woman who is clear about her expectations.” He hid his laughter behind the rim of his glass.
She didn’t mind. She was in on the joke and chuckled at herself, then asked, “Isthis a date? Because, as you can tell, I don’t waste my time with men who want to stop at five.Cowards.”
She was proud of herself for trying to flirt and glanced to find him watching her with a strange expression. Amusement lingered around his eyes, but there was something grave there, too.
“That was a joke,” she said quickly.
“I know.”
The shape of his mouth was mesmerizing. His lips were full but not wide. The peaks in his upper lip were set closely, seeming ready for a kiss. His five-o’clock shadow was coming in, accentuating the shape of his jaw, and his dark eyebrows were straight, serious lines above his watchful eyes.
“I’m many things, but not a coward. Let’s make this a real date.” He drained his wine and stood, holding out a hand. “Have dinner with me.”
“Now?” She had brought a pair of wide-legged trousers with a cute halter top and jacket to the hotel with her, thinking to treat herself to dinner. Still, she hesitated out of shyness. Out of incredulity that he was attracted to her.
“I missed lunch. I’m starving,” he added.
She was befuddled as she swung her feet off the lounger, looking for the sandals she’d left beside it. She kicked into them and accepted the hand he continued to hold out to her, feeling way too close to him as she stood. She reached down to pick up her robe.
He took it and held it behind her, so she was inside his extended arms, gaze confronted with his naked chest as she threaded her arms into the sleeves.
She blushed and blindly searched for the belt while he dropped his hands to his sides.
When she looked up at him, she found him studying her. Staring at her mouth hard enough to make her lips sting.
I don’t know how to do this, she wanted to confess, but her gaze snagged on the shape of his mouth.
“I’m dying to kiss you.” His gaze slowly came back to hers. “Will you let me?”
Her heart was thudding so hard, she barely heard him. Her response had to be dredged from the very depths of her suffocating chest. Warmth was blossoming in her, though, filling her with curiosity and longing.
“Yes.”
His hand arrived at the side of her neck. His head dipped and his lips brushed hers. It was a barely there contact that sent a zing through her whole body, like a static shock. It left a tickling sensation she would have licked away, but his lips came back, settling more firmly against hers. Angling. Seeking and sealing into a hot, hungry ravishing.
Her heart swerved in her chest and her hand found his bare waist, trying to steady herself, but the satin skin against her palm only made her feel dizzier.
She had always felt awkward in a long kiss. As though she stood outside herself. It had always felt like something happeningtoher, but this was different. As they aligned their bodies, she felt like a puzzle piece clicking into its mate. Nothing existed beyond the swirls of heat pouring through her—the heat of him penetrating the robe, the awareness of stubble where his chin scraped hers and the strength in his hands as he pulled her closer.
She forgot where they were or how little she knew about him. He wasn’t a stranger. How could he be when this felt so natural, like drinking water to slake a thirst? She lifted onto tiptoes and leaned in, arms reaching behind his neck for balance to press herself closer.
Nothing like this had ever happened to her, but she flowed toward him, pulled by a force that was like a tide or a sweeping river. It was a magnetic polarity that dragged her to into her perfect opposite. Compelling and unbreakable. Easing the charge of emptiness.
With a small growling noise, he brushed the robe open and slid his arm around her waist beneath it. Her nearly naked body came up against his cool, damp skin and lightning shot through her. She stiffened at the jolt, releasing a small sob of pleasure-pain.
He started to lift his head. She made another noise of protest and pressed the back of his wet hair, chasing his kiss. He angled to plunder deeper, drowning her in sensations until she was drenched in arousal.
