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She rolled her eyes. “I’ve not been forbidden to walk in the huge flower gardenbehindthe pool-house, have I? What could go wrong?”
“Every bad decision in the history of bad decisions starts with the phrase, ‘what could go wrong’.”
“Well, I’ve never made a bad decision in my life.”
Silence, and then he snickered. “What about the escalator?”
“I don’t consider that a stupid moment at all.”
“Bubble wrap around the head?”
Vivi folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. “Are you going to use all my stories against me?”
“Never,” he said, smiling. “And I’d be happy to share some of my embarrassing stories, so you can tease me right back.”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I accept. And I promise I won’t do anything that involves being shot by the Godfather of Chicago.”
He leaned over and cupped her chin as he looked deeply into her eyes. “He’d probably get one of his minions to do it.”
“Are you worried about me?” she asked, biting her bottom lip.
“I don’t know how you did it, but I think about you all the time,” he admitted. His thumb eased her lip from between her teeth before he leaned over and kissed her. Passion flared, and the kiss lingered as long as possible before it broke. Lincoln took a deep breath and placed his forehead against hers. “I probably shouldn’t have brought you into a lion’s den.”
“Where you go, I go.”
“Just don’t get yourself killed.”
“Right back at you.”
He straightened and gave her a nod. “All right. Let’s get this over with.”
He got out of the truck and walked around to her as she also stepped out of the cab. He took her hand and led her up the stairs to the front door. A guard stood there watching intently as they entered. The butler waited for them.
“This way, Mr. Rollison,” he said.
They followed and were escorted to a very large office. Pietro Romanelli sat behind an ornate desk that was purple. A deep amethyst gleaming in the light. Vivi let out a little squeal.
“That is the most beautiful desk I’ve ever seen,” she gushed. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Violets are my favorite flower.”
“It’s called purpleheart wood,” Pietro Romanelli answered, smiling proudly. “Maybe a little ostentatious, but my late wife adored purpleheart wood and she had this commissioned for me.”
“It’s gorgeous, Mr. Romanelli. Your wife had excellent taste.”
Pietro beamed. “Reynolds, please escort Ms. Wence to the pool-house, and make sure whatever she needs is provided.”
The butler, Reynolds, nodded and held out his hand for Vivi to follow him.
“Have a great day,” she said to Lincoln and stood on her tiptoes to stretch her neck up and kiss his lips. She smiled once more at Pietro and left them.
“She’s a delight,” Pietro Romanelli said, staring after her.
“Yes. There’s no guile with her. What you see and hear is what you get.”
“A rare woman indeed. Come. Let’s get started.
****
The day was uneventful. Vivi enjoyed the pool-house and walking through the garden. She soaked up the sun, dozed a couple of times, and started reading one of the romance books she’d bought at Walmart.
