The words were spoken in a silky caress. It intimated familiarity, and the eager and seductive smile that accompanied the nurse’s greeting set Abby’s teeth on edge.
“Good afternoon, Lauren. I’m on my way to the cardio unit. My wife’s grandmother has been admitted.”
Abby didn’t miss the use of the nurse’s first name. She took in the voluptuous woman who was still makingcome to bedeyes at her husband. The uniform was too tight and far tooshort. Dante looked at their entwined hands. Perhaps she should loosen her grip. His knowing smile raised her body’s anger meter another notch.
“Excuse us, Lauren, but we’re in a hurry.” Dante maneuvered her around the sexy nurse.
“Lauren seems to know you rather well.” Abby had bitten her lip for all of a few seconds before letting her jealousy spill over. “Come here often, do you?”
“I’m the hospital’s largest contributor. I’m well known here.”
“I’m sure you are. Lauren doesn’t look the contributor type.”
There was a trace of laughter in his voice. “I’m a man, Abby, not a saint. You’ve been gone a long time.”
The mention of their separation saddened her. It was three years she’d never get back. Three years of experiences she would never share with him. “Now that I’m back, there is no need to flirt.”
“Nagging is one thing I have not missed while you were gone.”
“Nag, I don’t… Missed? You missed me?”
Dante smoothed her hair as they rode the elevator. His face was unreadable and she inwardly cursed that she’d allowed one word to give her so much hope.
“I’m getting into character for your grandmother.”
“I don’t nag.”
Dante pulled her out of the elevator. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a very sensual kiss on her palm, his eyes never leaving hers. “My wife is too beautiful to nag,” he murmured, that throbbing purr of seduction in his voice humming along every nerve in Abby’s body. “Relax, Abby. We are both supposed to have realized we’ve made a terrible mistake and we can’t live without each other.”
He was standing so close, face-to-face.Her breath was trapped in her lungs. She couldn’t keep her hands off him, and they slid around his neck as she pushed closer. His hands moved around her waist, his mouth a full, lush promise of sinful pleasure, lowered to hers. She forgot where they were, forgot everything but wanting a taste of him. She wasn’t disappointed. His mouth claimed hers in a possessive kiss.
His hands gathered her closer, bringing her into full body contact with him, gliding over her curves as though reveling in their soft femininity. The kiss deepened, going well beyond a public declaration of togetherness. His touch made her feel sexy, aware that she was at least desirable to him. She felt his response. He’d never be able to meet her grandmother in this state.
As if sensing he’d gone too far, Dante broke the kiss and backed away. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Now you look like a woman in, if not love, at least lust.”
“And what do you look like?” She indicated his groin.
“A man who has lived without sex for far too long. You’d better walk in front of me until I get myself under control.”
She went, although how her quivering legs carried her, she didn’t know. He’d always had this effect on her. One look—one touch—had her body screaming “take me.” She glanced over her shoulder and almost laughed at the pained look of concentration on Dante’s face. It would seem she had a similar effect on her husband. Maybe this marriage could work.
Her grandmother must have read the hope in her expression when she entered the hospital room. Nana broke into a huge smile and clapped her hands together, her relief evident.
“Forgive me,” Nana said.
Abby moved across the room to hug her grandmother and kiss her cheek.
“There is nothing to forgive.”
“I thought he’d hurt you more if I let him convince you to return. You needed some time to grow.”
She brushed the hair off her grandmother’s forehead. “Shush. You were probably right. I needed a bit more maturity to understand the kind of life I could have with Dante. We will hear no more about it. You concentrate on getting well.”
That was true. She’d never have been able to handle this business arrangement while nineteen and besotted.
Nana wiped a tear from her eye. “Look at me. I’m a mess. Getting old is no fun. I must look a hundred.”
“Nonsense. You look young enough to be Abby’s mother, Mrs. Taylor.”
