Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Saverio stands in front of the fireplace, leaning on his cane. Posing there so deep in thought while staring at the flames, he looks both invincible and vulnerable, a life force to be reckoned with but with a secret soft side underneath. That secret side is one he shows to few people. I think only Rachele, Claire, Livy, and I have been privileged enough to see the softer part of him.
He looks over his shoulder when I enter. A smile warms his face. “I reckon we have a good hour before the others come back. Claire shouldn’t wake up before noon.”
“Yes?” I go over to him, swaying my hips. “How do you suggest we use that time?”
His gaze heats as he drags it over me. “I may have an idea.”
I stop in front of him, enjoying how small and delicate he makes me feel with his sheer size and strength. “Do you now?”
Wrapping a hand around my nape, he drags me closer for a tender, lingering kiss. At the touch of his mouth on mine, a spark ignites in my belly.
“Happy birthday, tesoro,” he whispers over my lips.
The words carry a hint of darkness that holds a promise of sinfulness. My body answers with flames erupting beneath my skin. There’s no mistaking his intention as he seems to devour me with his sight alone. I’m ready to drop my clothes right here in front of the fireplace. Making love with my husband in front of the fire sounds like a great idea, but before I can voice that, he takes my hand and leads me across the floor to the adjoining door on the other end of the room.
He’s right.
It’s better to do the responsible thing and use a room. After all, we’re not alone.
Only, when he opens the door and ushers me inside, my breath catches at the sight in front of me. We’re on a covered terrace with glass walls that give magnificent views of the mountains. On the middle of the wooden deck, steam rises from a Jacuzzi. A few deckchairs are scattered around, facing the vista.
I cover my mouth with a hand. “Oh my God. This is incredible.”
The corner of his mouth tips up. “I’m glad you like it.”
He pulls me behind him toward the Jacuzzi where a small table is set with juice and freshly cut fruit. Flowerpots with plants create a wall around the Jacuzzi, giving a measure of privacy.
He lets go of my hand and rests his cane against one of the deckchairs. I watch with fascination as he strips naked, baring his strong body and scars as well as his impressive hard-on.
“What are you doing?” I ask, glancing at the snowcapped landscape outside. “The guards are watching the house. What if someone sees you?”
He gets into the water with some difficulty. “They can’t see us behind these plants. Come on. Get in.” His smile is seductive. “The water is nice.”
He pushes a button. Immediately, bubbles erupt on the steamy surface of the water. Biting my thumb nail, I consider the invitation. Thanks to the central heating, the terrace is warm even as sparkly snow glistens coldly outside. It’s tempting, but I’m reluctant to take off my clothes here in the open.
“You won’t regret it,” he says with a wicked gleam in his eye.
I’ve never been inside a Jacuzzi. I can’t see the men from here, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their binoculars trained on the terrace. However, knowing Saverio as well as I do, he’ll never let anyone get a glimpse of my naked body. As he assured me so many times, any such man will end up dead.
Making up my mind, I duck behind the plants and peel out of my clothes before quickly climbing down the steps into the water.
Oh wow.
The warmth is soothing. I moan as I sink into the bubbles up to my shoulders, admitting with a sigh, “This is heaven.”
Saverio pats the seat next to him. “Come here.”
I go over and sit down. Jets of water hit my shoulders and my lower back, massaging my tense and tired muscles. I haven’t even realized how wound up I am until now. The war against Raphael is taking its toll on everyone.
Closing my eyes, I lean my head back on the side. “How come you’ve never made me get into a Jacuzzi before?”
He chuckles. “Are you enjoying it?”
I open my eyes and lift my head to look at him. “I’m more than enjoying it. I’m loving it.”
He brushes back his dark hair with his fingers. “In that case, I’ll get you one.”
The action bunches his biceps, drawing my gaze to his muscular arms. “A Jacuzzi? Really?”
His expression turns earnest. “Whatever you want. Say the word, and it’s yours.”
He’s serious. Saverio never says anything he doesn’t mean. The oath is generous as well as a little scary because he’ll just as easily kill someone for making me unhappy as he’ll buy me a yacht if that’s what I want. Yet it’s not the weight his words carry that gets to me. It’s having him next to me with not a shred of clothing while decadently gentle bubbles caress all the erogenous zones of our bodies.