“Areyou sure you want me to leave Gus?” I ask under my breath as my mom walks me to her door. “I can take him home tonight.”
Mom waves her hand in dismissal of my offer. “It’s fine, you and I both know the devil cat will be happier with Charlie.”
I giggle quietly. Mom has experienced the wrath of Gus more than once, hence his nickname from my otherwise peaceful, animal-loving mother.
“Okay. Thanks.” I lean in and hug her tightly, then call out to my son. “Hey kid, I’m leaving, can I get a hug?”
A minute later, he comes out from the kitchen, chewing on another one of Nana’s gingerbread cookies.
“Promise me you’ll eat a vegetable with your cookie?” I ask with an exasperated tone. My smile softens the request, and sure enough, Charlie just gives me wide grin, a couple of crumbs falling from his mouth. “Gross, kid.”
“Bye Mom, love you.” He throws his arms around me, one hand splaying on my back and the end of his other squeezing as tightly as he can.
“Love you, too. Be good, have fun tomorrow, and I’ll see you both for dinner.”
I kiss the top of his head, give my mother another hug as well, then head out to my car.
We came down to Dogwood Cove to spend Christmas with my mom, and the past couple of days have been lovely. On Christmas Eve, we got sandwiches at Camille’s, then went to a Christmas tree farm and cuddled some baby animals, and we all ate far too many cookies. Christmas Day was lazy, as we opened gifts, ate even more cookies, then had a delicious dinner together.
And later that night, when Mom and Charlie were in bed, I video called Luca and opened the small box he snuck into my bag. The selection of gourmet teas and stunning porcelain cup was a beautiful present, and I felt guilty for not getting him anything in return. Until I thought of a perfect gift I could give him.
Which is why on Boxing Day, I told Mom a little white lie about wanting to go back a day early to have a little time for myself. She didn’t question me and asked Charlie if he wanted to go to the movies with her and then spend one more night with her.
I wait until I’m safely on the highway headed toward Cedar Creek before I call Luca.
“Hey, wonder woman, how’s your visit going?” His warm voice slides over me, making me shiver in the best possible type of anticipation.
“It was great, but I’m on my way back to Cedar Creek now.”
“Oh?” There’s no mistaking the pique of interest in his tone. “Is Charlie in the car with you?”
“Nope. He stayed behind with my mom.”
There’s a second of silence before Luca speaks again, his voice even lower. “Are you saying you’re going home alone?”
“Yes.”
“And are you wanting to stay alone?”
“Definitely not.”
Luca groans. “Thank God. I’ll be there soon, baby. Drive safely.”
The rest of my drive goes by quickly, thank God. And as soon as I’m home, I spring into action. A quick tidy up around the house, and a shower to tidy up myself, is all I have time for. I’ve just shrugged on the one lingerie set I have, a barely-there satin and lace teddy with a matching satin robe that I tie around my waist, when there’s a knock on the front door.
My heart thuds in my chest as I make my way there and undo the lock. I open it slowly and am greeted by Luca’s warm gaze sweeping up and down my body before zeroing in on my face, his eyes hooded with lust.
“Christ, woman. Do you always answer your door looking like every man’s wet dream?”
I step back to let him in before the cold air outside can turn my nipples any harder. “Nope. Just when I know it’s the only man whose wet dream I want to be.” I sashay ahead of him, putting an extra sway to my hips.When I hear his muffled groan as his bag hits the floor, I smile like the cat that got the cream.
Seconds later, arms encircle my waist and he tucks his head into the crook of my neck, his lips finding my skin and pressing kisses everywhere he can. His hands start to roam up and down my body, and I arch back into his chest.
“Merry Christmas, Luca,” I murmur, then gasp when he covers my breasts, his fingers and thumbs coming to pinch my already hard nipples. I reach behind me, grasping him behind his neck, twisting my head so I can find his lips and kiss him deeply. I’m greedy for his touch, his kiss, everything he’ll give me. We haven’t had sex since the conference weekend, and while fooling around in the office has a forbidden appeal, neither one of us has felt comfortable letting it go too far. All of that means I’m desperate for him.
So desperate that I can’t wait any longer. Dropping my hands from where I was holding onto his hair, I drag him forward a few steps to my couch before turning in his arms and pressing myself against him. “I need you. Now. Please.”
Luca presses a bruising kiss to my lips before slipping his hand under my robe. Finding me bare and wet, he groans, dropping his head to my shoulder. “Fucking hell, Isla. I need you, too. Four weeks is way too goddamn long to not have you.”
