"I could ask the same of you."
"Perhaps we were just waiting on each other."
"Rodney..."
"Too soon?" He drove through the light.
"Yes."
He nodded.
"I'll try and take it slow," he promised. "We're here." He swept into the long winding parking lot that led to a cottage type structure on a slight incline.
"It's beautiful." She breathed. "Surrounded by all this dense foliage and overlooking the water. It's spectacular."
"Luke wanted something special and he nailed it." Unhooking his belt, he came around to open her door. As soon as she stepped out, he trapped her between the vehicle and his long, lean body.
"I need something."
Cupping the back of her neck, he drew her in.
"Just a taste." His lips found hers and settled in. With a ragged sigh, she closed her fingers around the edges of his jacket and yielded. His lips moved over hers slowly.
The breeze coming off the sea swirled around them, but they did not feel the cold air. Warmth enveloped them like cozy blankets. He took her deeper, not meaning to. His tongue entered her mouth and staggered him.
He felt the punch of desire clear to his toes. The groan was heartfelt. Sliding one hand to her waist, he brought her flush against him, letting her feel his rigid desire. It amazed him that he could feel so involved, so caught up.
The sound of laughter floating towards them had him easing away slightly. He was shaking, he realized in wonder.
"I want you." He whispered against her mouth. "More than I want to draw my next breath."
"Rodney." She swallowed the large lump in her throat and further words failed her. She felt like weeping.
"All right." He ran his hands up and down her arms as he did his best to control his monstrous desire. "All right. Let's go and feed you." Taking her hand, he led the way.
Luke himself greeted them at the door and wound his way upstairs to where the private room met the balcony.
"You wanted isolation my friend." He was a tall, tanned Italian with smooth olive skin and beautiful almond shaped dark brown eyes, which were now dancing merrily. "I can absolutely see why." Taking her hand, he bent over it and kissed it lavishly.
"I'm a fan." She tried not to look dazzled but could not help it. This was a man she had viewed countless times on her screen.
"And now, I'm one. Bella. Sei Bellissima. Come." Keeping her hand in his, he led them to a table covered with a white tablecloth and a vase of wild irises in the center. "We will start you off with our house wine." He kissed his fingers. "You'll approve my friend." He sent Rodney a devilish smile. "It's straight from your vineyard in Tuscany."
"Then it should be good." He came around to pull out her chair.
"You own a vineyard." Melanie was still trying to recover from the devastating kiss in the parking lot and the astounding restaurant and its owner.
"Yes." He swept his eyes over hers, lingering on her lips which were still slightly swollen from his ardor. Desire stirred inside him, like molten lava. "We should take a trip there sometime. But first I want to take you to Paris. Ever been?"
"Just..." She took a breath. "Once." This time, she could speak the truth. "On a school trip."
"I want to show you the city at night." He waited until their wine was brought to them before taking her hands in his. "I want to make love to you in the little alcove on the property where the grapes are dappled by the moon. I want to make love to you tonight." Letting go of her hand, he cupped the back of her neck. "I know this is too soon, but I want you..." His voice thickened. "Let me have you."
"I can't think."
"Then don't." His mouth swooped down to hers and she felt herself drowning. Her head drifted back as sensations hit her like a ton of bricks. She felt everything inside her softening, melting like wax.
The need to have her was so strong that he had to rein in the desire that was threatening to break free. He wanted to drag her clothes off and feast on her skin. He wanted to take and take until he was consumed by her.
