Page 43 of Cocky Brutal Sinner

“You just saw me.”

“That didn’t count. I couldn’t kiss you like I wanted with all our friends and my mom around. I missed this Brinley.” I squeeze her hips. “The one that’s my girlfriend.”

“I’m always your girlfriend, just in case any stunning Italian women need to be reminded.”

“I told you. She’s not my type. I like my girls short, curvy, and mean. Just like you.”

She rolls her eyes, but I can see from the way her smile deepens that it’s what she needed to hear.

“What time is your flight leaving tomorrow?” Brinley asks.

“Noon. I’ll land pretty late, so I might crash at the airport hotel instead of driving to the villa. And I already picked out the rental car I’m going to pick you up in.”

“Beau, you know I don’t care what kind of car you pick me up in”

“I know.” I sigh. “It’s the only thing about you that isn’t perfect. No appreciation for a good sportscar. And your flight should land at nine, right?”

She nods. “Planning this trip never gets any easier, does it?”

“It’s worth it, though.” Brinley and I have spent months on the logistics, planting cover stories, booking separate flights to Italy and staggered departures on the way back. Everyone knows about my annual trip, but coming up with a cover for Brinley is always a little harder. This year, we went with something close to the truth. Brinley has been obsessed with finding the perfect coffee for the Copper Cup, and she’s come up with an elaborate fake coffee tour through Europe.

Brinley is always the one who gets paranoid that we’ll get caught, making me reassure her that we’ve done this three times already. It might not be easy, but it will work out. I can see that worry curling in her eyes even now, so I kiss her again to make her forget. Her body goes pliant against mine, her soft breasts pressing against my chest. My cock twitches pathetically in my gym shorts and I groan.

“Why can’t we be in Italy right now?”

“Because we haven’t developed the ability to teleport yet,” Brinley says.

“Are you sure you can’t get away for a few more days?” I sound pathetic, like a kid begging for a toy.

Brinley shakes her head sadly. “I can’t. It would be too suspicious. The Copper Cup is doing well, but we’re not rolling in dough. If I closed Friday and Saturday, those are our biggest foot traffic days. It would raise eyebrows.”

“Couldn’t Trevor handle it without you?”

“Trevor can barely manage the shop when I’m there, let alone by himself. We’ll have to make do with three days. Try not to be too disappointed.” She kisses the tip of my nose lightly. “Now go shower. You smell like a gym sock.”

“You love it.”

She wrinkles her nose adorably and brushes her lips against mine one more time. “I’ll see you in a few days.”

I watch the sway of her hips as she walks away, already wishing she didn’t have to go. That I didn’t have to fly alone or find a way to waste two days in the villa while I wait for her to come. I could spend it swimming, cooking, or just enjoying the solitude. Instead, I know I’ll just be counting the hours until she lands.

14

BRINLEY

The Tuscan sun shines brightly through the airport windows, bathing the waiting travelers in golden light. They’re more stylish here in their linen clothes and bright prints. I inhale a long breath, taking in the scent of expensive perfumes mixed with citrus and soap. The airports even smell better in Italy.

Or maybe I’m just excited that I’m finally here, after all the weeks of planning and months of anticipation.

My whole body feels lighter as I stroll to the arrivals gate with my rolling suitcase. I’ve got three beautiful days to look forward to, full of food, swimming, and long mornings spent lounging in bed with my boyfriend.

The doors open, and I spot Beau immediately, leaning against his rented Maserati convertible. He’s wearing dark sunglasses and a white linen shirt, rolled up to show off his broad forearms, one scarred from an old food-truck burn. He’s already tan from two days in the Italian sun, looking like something out of the romance novels I sell for a living.

I can’t see his eyes through the sunglasses, but I know the second he sees me because he smiles. The smile that shows all his teeth and makes him look like a cheeky little boy again. The real smile, the one that nobody gets but me.

Something in my chest unlocks.

I practically skip over to the car and throw my arms around him. It’s second nature for him to lift me and spin me around once my arms are around his neck.