Heaven help him, but she was beautiful, her face delicately flushed with the ripeness of passion, her mouth moist and swollen from his kisses, her eyes heavy-lidded and slumberous. In that moment, his world rested within the warmth of her grasp. How had she come to mean so much to him in so short atime?
“I can’t walk away from you, Francesca.” Pure steel swept through the words. “And I won’t.”
She closed her eyes with a groan. “I shouldn’t have agreed to have lunch with you. Ishould have known we’d end up like this again.”
He caught the hint of regret and deliberately kissed it away, plying her with soft caresses and long, slow strokes until she trembled in hisarms. “Something tells me we’ll always end up like this.”
Her eyes flew open, the sultry darkness lit with a want so deep and strong, she couldn’t disguise it as anything else. “We can’t. We can’t do this again,” she whispered through lips still red and swollen from his kisses. The scent of their passion enclosed them, belying her statement and he could feel the tension within her battling against the soft, hungry give of herbody.
Sev wanted her again. Again and again and again. For the moment, he’d allow her to escape. But only for the moment. He eased himself up and off her. Holding out his hand, he assisted her from the couch and helped return a semblance of order to her clothing.
“I didn’t give you a choice about lunch,” he informed her. “And just so you know, Idon’t plan to give you a choice in the future, either.”
She eyed him in open alarm, but didn’t ask the question he suspected hovered on the tip of her tongue. Instead, she murmured, “Where’s the bathroom?”
He directed her, then excused himself long enough to freshen up, as well. He returned to find her fully tucked and buttoned and preparing to leave. “There’s something I want to ask you,” he told her. “Actually, it’s the reason I invited you to lunch.”
A smile flirted with her mouth, agenuine one that filled him with fierce pleasure. “You mean, you didn’t invite me so we could indulge in a wrestling match on your couch?”
He regarded her with a hint of laughter. “As delightful as that was, no.” He crossed to her side. Unable to resist, he slipped a hand into her hair. Cupping the back of her head, he took her mouth in a swift, hungry kiss, akiss she returned without hesitation. “Come work for me,” he offered when they broke apart.
Her eyes were alight with a slumberous passion and he suspected she didn’t assimilate his offer immediately. He saw the instant words connected with comprehension. The passion eked away, replaced by astonishment. “Work for you?” she repeated.
“I can offer you a far better salary than you receive at Timeless, excellent benefits, your own studio. You’ll have the Dante name behind your designs.” He pressed, determined she see how much more he could do for her than the Fontaines. “I can assist you become one of the most sought-after designers in the world. Best of all, we won’t have to sneak around hiding our relationship from your employers.”
She took a hasty step away from him, pulling free of his hold, if not the connection burning between them. It refused to release either one of them. “Let me get this straight.You’re offering me a job so we can continue our affair?”
“Of course not.” Honesty compelled him to admit, “Okay, fine. In part. But mostly because you’re a damn good designer. Dantes would be lucky to have you.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And what happens when we’re no longer Infernoed?”
The word provoked a swift smile. “Infernoed?”
“Right now, the hot, southern climes of your anatomy are doing your thinking. Once that brilliant mind of yours kicks in, you’ll regret any decisions you make while in the throes of this thing. And I’ll have thrown away a job I love for a position at Dantes as the ex-mistress of the owner. How long do you think that’ll work?”
He struggled not to take offense. Until two nights ago his southern climes had never before overruled the cooler, dispassionate northern half of his body. Yet, he suspected Francesca assumed it happened on a regular basis. It was part of the price he paid for having a Latin name. Emotion over intellect. Total nonsense, of course.
“I won’t compromise the family business for anyone or anything,” he stated. “My offer is genuine, Inferno or no Inferno. When our affair ends, you’ll still have your job, and it’ll be a hellof a lot more secure than your future at Timeless.”
He could tell she didn’t believe him. “Thank you, but I’m happy with the Fontaines.”
“Would you at least allow me to make an official offer?”
She dismissed the idea with a swift shake of her head. “I have my reasons for staying at Timeless Heirlooms, and money isn’t really one of them. I’m up for a permanent position there. In fact, Iwould have it already if I hadn’t ruined my reputation by spending the night with you. The only saving grace is they don’t know it’s you.”
He thought fast. “We can be discreet. They don’t have to know.”
She cut him off with a swift shake of her head. “Forget it. Iwon’t make that sort of foolish mistake again or do anything to jeopardize my standing with the Fontaines. And just so we’re clear? Being with you could get me fired and my job’s more important than anything else.” She spared a swift glance toward the couch where the cushions still showed the imprint of their entwined bodies. Still held the heat of their passion. “Even that.”
“Francesca—”
She waved him silent. “Forget it, Sev. Iagreed to meet with you this one last time.Ithink you’ll agree it was a lovely way to conclude our affair. And that’s all this is. Abrief affair, now concluded. Now, Ireally need to go.” She picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder. “If I don’t come back from lunch in a reasonable length of time, they’ll start asking questions I can’t answer.”
It would be pointless to argue, he could tell. Better to find out what Nicolò and Lazz had dug up regarding the gorgeous Ms. Sommers. That way he’d be in a stronger position to formulate a new plan, one with a better chance of success. And it had to be quick, before his North surrendered to his South.
“I’ll arrange for a cab,” he limited himself to saying. “And I’ll give you a call later this week.”
She gave him a remote smile. “There’s no need... on either count.”
