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‘How about,’ he said, still playing fast and loose with her hand, ‘instead of going back to Genoa to work your two not-menial jobs—you stay here as my guest for the next two weeks and work on your portfolio?’
‘You’re not... You’re not serious? Why would you do that? You hardly know me.’
Roman grinned at the flicker of astonishment in Milly’s eyes—and the glitter of hope.
‘I know enough...’ he said, stroking his thumb across the pulse point battering her wrist. ‘And I like having you here.’
Awareness darkened her eyes, and the spark of attraction fired the air, but then she tugged her hand out of his grasp.
‘I can’t accept,’ she said, although he could see the bone-deep disappointment.
‘Why not?’ he asked, genuinely stumped by her refusal.
This solution was perfect. She needed someone who would give her time away from working menial jobs so she could dedicate herself to the work she clearly loved. And he wanted company for the next two weeks, so he could get the downtime his doctor had ordered without dying of boredom. He wasn’t an art expert, and he had no idea if she was any good, but he’d seen the passion in her face, heard the purpose in her voice when she’d described the work she wanted to create. He knew what it was like to have a vision. So why shouldn’t he help her facilitate this one?
‘You know why,’ she said, her gaze locking on his, the embarrassed flush making her cheeks glow.
‘Actually, no, I don’t. You just said you want to sketch me, and...’ He cleared his throat, a bit uncomfortable at the thought of having anyone paint him. ‘Although I’m not one hundred per cent on board with that, because I’m not great at sitting still for long periods of time, I’m up for it. If that’s what you need.’
She sent him a level look. ‘Yes, but that’s not all you’re up for, is it?’ she said as her gaze flicked to his crotch, to emphasise her point.
‘True.’ He laughed. ‘Are you saying you’re not up for that too, then?’ he countered.
The flush on her cheeks heated, but the awareness flared.
Gotcha.
‘Well, no,’ she stuttered, comprehensively hoist by her own petard.
He lifted his palms off the table, in a gesture of surrender—even though it was anything but.
‘Hey, there’s no need to get your panties in a wad, Milly,’ he added, tickled by the combination of heat and indignation in her expression. ‘My offer comes with no strings attached. I can ask Giuliana to source you all the art supplies you need from Naples. As my guest you can stay in any room you want and paint for two weeks straight without even having to talk to me. If you don’t wish to work on your booty-call portfolio too—even though it has been sadly neglected up to now,’ he added, attempting an expression of regret. Not easy when the thought of inducting Milly into the Booty Call Hall of Fame was making the adrenaline rush sink into his shorts. ‘With a guy who knows how to make you beg and is more than willing to dedicate himself to your “sex education”,’ he teased, doing finger quotes. ‘But if the answer is no, just say so. No pressure, whatsoever.’
Her eyebrows rose towards her hairline, but she couldn’t keep a straight face. ‘My sex education...?’ Her husky chuckle was a delightful mix of disbelief and desire. ‘That’s very altruistic of you, to offer to be my teacher in all things bootylicious.’
‘I thought so,’ he said magnanimously. Making her laugh more.
Standing, he grasped her wrist and tugged her out of her chair until he had her back in his arms. He leaned against the railing, banding his arms around her waist. Funny that she felt so right standing with him in the sunlight. The warmth in her golden eyes wrapped around his chest, another new experience for him. Sex—or the promise of sex—had never made him feel this good before. But he decided not to question it as he cradled her cheek and absorbed the rush of anticipation. ‘What do you say? Wanna stay here and paint, while also getting a diploma from a master sexologist in Mind-Blowing Orgasms for Beginners?’
She grinned. ‘Your ego is actually out of control right now, you do know that?’
‘And your point would be...?’ he teased.
His ego had always been robust, and he’d never been ashamed of that, but the vivid approval in her eyes had brought some of the fizzing excitement back he’d always taken for granted...
The next two weeks held so many more possibilities now... He could beat this burn-out, get his mojo back and figure out where he wanted to take his business next, while she took a shot at her dreams.
And he actually couldn’t wait to take his own sweet time exploring their chemistry.
‘Yes or no, Milly, it’s a simple question,’ he said, then dragged her flush against him, so she could feel how much he wanted her. And he could kiss the pulse point in her neck, which he knew would drive her wild.
She huffed out a laugh, then plunged her fingers into his hair, to draw his head up.
‘No fair kissing me while I’m trying to decide,’ she said, but he could see the acceptance in her eyes already. And the fizz of excitement went nuts.
It was actually an effort not to push, not to press, to keep his cool when he murmured, ‘Well, then, hurry up. Because if I get any more invested and the answer’s no I’m looking at another two-mile swim to the cove to cool off again.’
It was precisely the right thing to say, he realised, when her expression became joyful and her breathing became a little ragged.
