“Oh, please. As ifyouwere an expert at making things easy. Want me to list a few examples of how you’re basically the king of complicating everything?”
He laughed and leaned closer, his lips almost brushing my ear, sending an involuntary shiver through me.
“Oh, really? Then maybe you can teach me how to make things easier… right now,” he whispered, his tone suddenly deeper, unmistakably sensual.
My heart raced. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady and teasing despite how affected I was by his closeness.
“I don’t know, Enrico. I think you might need to do a little more to deserve that kind of ease.”
He lifted a hand and gently brushed my hair aside, his fingers sliding slowly along my neck in a deliberate, provocative caress.
“More?” he murmured, his mouth now far too close to my sensitive skin. “I think I’ve been pretty dedicated lately, Valentina…”
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. The books in our hands suddenly felt far too heavy.
My breathing quickened slightly, my body responding inevitably to the light, maddening touch of his fingers.
“Maybe ‘dedicated’ isn’t the right word…” I countered with effort, pretending control while my heart raced.
Enrico laughed softly and gently took the book from my hands, setting it aside along with his.
Without the books between us, his hands had more freedom, and soon I was fully surrendered to the slow, gentle caresses along my shoulders and arms.
“And whatwouldbe the right word, then?” he asked, kissing the sensitive spot behind my ear.
I closed my eyes, giving in to the delicious sensations his touch awakened.
“Convincing,” I murmured, turning to face him.
Enrico smiled, satisfied.
“Very well. Then allow me to be a little more convincing now,” he whispered before leaning in to kiss me—slowly, deliberately, full of promise.
His lips explored mine as his arms wrapped around me firmly, pulling me closer. Our breaths mingled, fast and eager.
When we pulled back slightly, we were both breathless, our eyes locked in silence, his gaze openly full of desire.
“How about that method of persuasion, love?”
“I think you need to try a little harder,” I whispered.
He smiled and pulled me back in, and the second kiss was even more intense than the first.
But just as our hands began to explore with more boldness, a light, insistent sound echoed at the bedroom door, ripping us abruptly from that warm, intoxicating bubble.
“Mommy? Daddy? Can I sleep with you tonight?”
Enrico’s eyes widened, and for a second we just stared at each other, stunned.
The carefully built mood vanished instantly.
“I guess our convincing moment will have to wait,” Enrico whispered with a resigned chuckle as I hurried to straighten my pajamas and fix my hair before opening the door.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart and the lingering heat in my body.
I glanced at Enrico, who was also quickly fixing his clothes, recovering from our interrupted moment.
Clara knocked again, a little more insistently now, her voice sleepy.
