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With a husky laugh, she rotated her hips in a slow circle. “Grazie.”
His body throbbed. The groan broke free. “God, woman, what are you doing?”
“Exploring my power.” Her throaty whisper gave the statement twice the punch.
He found himself pulled forward for another mind-numbing kiss that ended way too fast. A ragged breath did nothing to bank the fire burning him from the inside out. Staring into her darkened eyes, he admitted, “I’m completely at your mercy.”
“A fact you must not forget.” She braced her hands on his shoulders and pushed off the chair. While he scrambled to form a coherent thought, she smoothed the snug hem of her shirt over the curve her hips. “Now that we have that settled, I will do what I can to satisfy your hunger.”
Was she serious? He waited in breathless anticipation for her next move.
She spun on her heel and exited the room. Somewhere in the distance a church bell rang the noon hour. Ben gave a self-mocking laugh that ended in a low, agonized growl.
She was referring to hunger of the non-carnal variety.
****
Evalina’s knees wobbled the moment she closed the door, but thankfully, the wall offered necessary support. Sweet mother of God. What had come over her in there? Anyone could’ve walked in. Nino. Zucchi. Alrigo.
She shuddered at the last possibility. His eyes made her skin crawl. They’d undressed her too many times since hooking up with Nino here at the villa. With God’s help, this would be over soon.
They needed that video. It was imperative it didn’t fall into the wrong hands. Ensuring their remaining bargaining chip did not escape was also crucial. No matter the cost. Or so she tried to tell herself. Against her better judgment, she liked the American more with each visit to his room. Sure, he was brash, and cocky, but when his sister had been here, she’d caught a glimpse of a pure heart. He’d protected her more than once, and at great risk to his own life. In her line of work, men like that were rare.
It did not help that he could make her insides quiver with a single look. And that kiss. Would she have had the same out of control reaction to him in a different setting? Or was it just the unusual circumstances they were trapped in?
The lip-lock had started as a necessary move to get him restrained again, but…what came after. On the chair. She got warm all over again just thinking about her rash behavior. Not to mention, his scalding response and the feel of his hard body beneath hers.
She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes.
“Where the hell have you been?”
Nino’s annoyed question jerked her head up. Erotic thoughts fled, leaving a flush of heat on her cheeks. Aw, hell, when had she become such an amateur?
She straightened and hurried away from the door, self-consciously smoothing her messed hair. Nino’s gaze narrowed as it swept over the length of her body.
“What’s going on?” Nino asked.
She took a deep breath and fisted her hands on her hips. “You tell me. What the hell were you thinking suggesting a ransom? Are you deliberately trying to screw this up?”
“Easy money,” Nino stated. “A sure bet Alrigo would go for.”
“Well, I don’t like it.”
“The ransom was to buy us some time. We aren’t ready and you know it.”
Evalina stalked forward until she was right in his face. “And what if Tomlin can’t come up with the money? What if he changes his mind?”
She stopped herself from asking a third question, but it didn’t matter. The emotion that seeped into her voice allowed Nino to read between the lines with ease. What if Alrigo killed Ben?
Nino grasped her shoulders and pushed her against the wall. “That man in there is a means to an end, nothing more.”
“He didn’t do anything to anyone.”
A door further down the hall opened, and Eva saw Tony step out. She’d heard about the espresso Trent Tomlin had tossed in his face at the cafe and the guy’s face still showed the effects of the scalding liquid. Knowing he was in league with Alrigo, she couldn’t find it in her to care about his pain.
He paused when he saw the two of them. Nino leaned in close to Evalina, threading his fingers into her hair while his thumbs rested along her jaw. His lean, muscled body unnecessarily held her in place. She knew she had to keep up appearances, though the longer they were here, the harder it became to endure his touch.
Nino’s lips brushed hers, and then skimmed across her cheek to rest against her ear. She closed her eyes against the sight of Tony watching.
