Despite everything, Flora smiled because he really could look very endearing. ‘You never have to do that for yourself, I suppose?’
‘Should I be repentant?’
‘I’m not the voice of your conscience,’ she answered crisply. ‘And it’s probably quicker if I do it myself.’
Grabbing cutlery and napkins, she ladled the soup into two bowls and put everything on the table, sliding into the seat opposite and preparing herself for some disparaging remarks about her very basic cooking. But to her surprise, Vito appeared to enjoy the rustic soup she’d prepared. He even accepted a second bowl to accompany the cheese and crackers she’d found—and there was no doubt that the warm food helped her relax a little.
But only a little.
She was still dangerously aware of his presence, wishing her nipples would stop tightening whenever he so much as looked at her. Wishing the molten ache so distractingly low in her belly would justgo away.
She resisted the urge to look at her watch.
How the hell was she going to make it through until morning?
CHAPTER FIVE
‘SO NOW WHAT?’
Vito’s cool question sliced through the air, shattering Flora’s tranquil mood. She had been basking in a surprising contentment which had somehow crept up on her, defying her gloomy expectations. Despite being marooned in the snow with her grouchy boss, the evening had progressed more satisfactorily than she would have imagined.
Vito had suggested opening one of the bottles of red wine reposing in the hamper and she had agreed. Halfway through her first glass she had told him truthfully it was the best wine she’d ever drunk, and he had smiled in a way which made her wonder if he thought her naive. Probably. Because she was, wasn’t she? Certainly compared to a sophisticated man of the world like him. And now they were sitting on the floor in front of the blazing fire with the gorgeous dark green tree glowing in the corner, while snow continued to fall outside the mullioned windows. It looked—and felt—perfect, but one look at his hard and shadowed features told her that Vito Monticello wasn’t sharing the vibe. He was clearly restless, and it was a long time until bedtime.
She shifted her bottom on the rug.
Hours, in fact.
‘There’s not a lot on offer.’ Shaking off her lethargy and morphing into her usual practical self, she shot a glance towards the window. ‘We can’t go outside—obviously. There’s no telly or radio, and we can’t even watch a film on our phones because there’s no signal.’
‘I never watch films on my phone,’ he informed her repressively.
‘Well, that’s one thing you won’t miss, then, isn’t it?’ she remarked cheerfully. ‘I had a good look around while you were asleep and the good news is that I discovered two brand new toothbrushes and some strawberry toothpaste.’
‘Strawberry toothpaste?’ he demanded, with a shudder of distaste.
‘It’s obviously been bought for the children, but it’s better than nothing.’ She brushed a fleck of dust from her skirt. ‘But unfortunately, I couldn’t find any board games.’
‘I’d rather not get any more bored than I already am,’ he growled.
‘I meant B-O-A-R-D, not B-O-R-E-D,’ she spelt out laboriously, until she realised from the faint glint in his eyes that his English was easily as good as hers and he was teasing her. And she wanted to tell him not to do that. Not to do anything else which was going to make this spuriously intimate scene any more appealing than it already was. Because how long was it since she’d been in a one-to-one situation with a man like this? Too long. And never with a man likethis. The firelight playing on his aristocratic features and handmade suit seemed completely incompatible with the rustic setting—reminding her that neither of them had a change of clothes. Not even a pair of pants, she thought worriedly. Flora swallowed. No wonder she was feeling out of her depth.
‘That’s hilarious, Vito. Maybe you should try a career in comedy,’ she said flippantly before shrugging her shoulders. ‘Well, what do you suggest we do instead?’
No other woman in this situation would have asked such a guileless question, Vito thought impatiently. Not unless they were hoping to escalate the sexual tension which was already sizzing between them. Was she? He leaned back against the armchair to study her, wondering if she had any idea of her current allure. He thought not. She might have totally transformed her appearance but there remained a peculiarlymodestair about her, and since modesty was another quality he was unfamiliar with, it inevitably intrigued him. Just like he was intrigued by her particular blend of diffidence and boldness, meaning he was never sure which side of her would emerge. Even when she was being appropriately subservient, there was often a trace of defiance on her lips which left him feeling there was more to Flora Greening than met the eye.
His gaze swept over her and some of his habitual cynicism leeched away. She had removed her boots so he could see the outline of her slender feet and as she wriggled her toes, he wondered how on earth she could make a pair of thick black tights seem so erotic. Or was it just the powerful rush of his long-neglected hormones—reminding him of the sweet torment of desire and the way she’d responded to him when she’d bumped into him upstairs.
Did she still want him to kiss her? he wondered achingly, remembering the darkened look of appeal in her extraordinary eyes, before pushing the thought firmly from his mind. She was a complication he didn’t need. A temptation which was strictly out of bounds. So why not endure some more tedious small talk until he could reasonably send her upstairs, while he tossed and turned on the sofa and prayed that morning would come quickly. ‘Where were you supposed to be tonight?’ he said.
‘At home.’
‘Partying?’
‘Gosh, no.’ She gave a self-conscious laugh. ‘Doing last-minute prep for Christmas with my sister and her fiancé.’
She looked at him from between narrowed eyes, as if gauging the suitability of continuing and since he was—literally—a captive audience, he gave her a brief nod of encouragement.
‘She’s getting married in the New Year. To a doctor, actually, and then they’re…they’re going off to live in Australia.’
