Page 264 of Lorenzo

“They liked you.”

“Is attempted murder how Contis show affection?”

“Frequently,” he says, amused.

A light behind my eyelids makes me tighten them in defense. When I can stand it, I crack an eye open to see his phone screen.

“What are you doing?”

“Checking my schedule tomorrow.”

“Ugh.”

“I have meetings.”

“You should cancel them. All of them.”

“I suspect several people would object.”

“I wouldn’t. In fact, I would be very appreciative.”

“Mmm,” he rumbles. “Very tempting.”

I open my other eye to see better. He has his calendar open.

Rows of appointments fill the day beneath tomorrow’s date, little blocks of time stacked one after another in a way that makes me tired just looking at them.

“Oh God, that's your schedule tomorrow?” I ask, appalled.

“Unfortunately.”

“Cancel them.”

“All of them?”

“Yes.”

I tilt my head up to look at him. “Stay home with me tomorrow,” I whisper. “I'll make it worth your while.”

“You are a very bad influence on me.” His breath brushes my lips.

“I think you could use a bad influence.”

His lips meet mine in a kiss that practically melts my brain. I am still trying to recover when he pulls back.

“I'll think about it,” he whispers.

I sag against him.

“You’ll think about it? That's all I get? The woman you love?” I murmur, pressing my cheek to his shoulder again. "Now I'm exhausted and rejected."

That makes him laugh. He kisses my temple.

“Let me finish. I will think about it as I rearrange my schedule so I can leave the office early," he says. "Then, I can spend the entire afternoon and evening with you."

I consider for a moment.

“You drive a hard bargain, Conti,” I say. “But I accept.”