I shake my head as I tuck into my salad. Although we had a large lunch on the boat, it was hours ago, and I’m ravenous now.
“Massi loves an opportunity to tell this story.” Cat grabs her wineglass, fighting a smile.
“Cat propositioned me in an airport lounge, and we fucked in the disabled bathroom while the man she told me was her husband kept guard outside.”
“Get out!” My admiration for Cat has only gone up.
Fiero is wolfing down his crab cakes like he’s competing for theGuinness Book of World Records, listening avidly.
“You propositionedme!” Her tone is laced with indignation.
Massimo boops her on the nose. “I think your memory is a little rusty.”
“You’re insane. You spent an hour eating me with your eyes, and I might have moved things along but only because my flight had just been called.”
“Tomayto, tomahto.” Massimo shrugs, grinning at his wife.
Cat rolls her eyes before a calculating, mischievous look washes over her face. She leans toward Fiero. “Did Massi ever tell you about the dream I had about Vikings?”
“Shut your mouth, woman.” Massimo’s hand slides instantly across his wife’s mouth.
“You been keeping secrets from me, brother?” Fiero asks, finishing his appetizer and dabbing the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
“You really want to go there?”
Fiero pulls me in close to his side, wrapping his strong arms around me. “Nah, we’re good.”
“Thought as much.”
The rest of dinner passes uneventfully, and all too soon it’s time to leave. I’ve really enjoyed tonight, and I really like Fiero’s best friends.
Cat envelops me in a warm hug as we stand on the curb by our cars. “Let’s do lunch when everything settles down. In the meantime, call me anytime if you need anything.”
“I’d like that, and I will.”
We switch phones and add our numbers.
“If you’re bored this week at the house, watchThe Last Kingdom.” A dreamy expression materializes on her face. “You can thank me later.”
27
FIERO
I’m late waking the next morning, which is unusual because I’m an early riser. The bed is cold beside me, and when I emerge in the kitchen a few minutes later, I find out why. “What’s all this?” I gesture toward the multitude of baked goods resting on plates, mesh trays, and cake stands along my counter.
“I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for me, so I’ve made you breakfast and baked a bunch of stuff. Hope you have a sweet tooth.”
“I do.” I wrap my arms around her, dipping down to lick a blob of white icing off her cheek. “You didn’t need to do this, but thanks.”
“Go sit and I’ll bring it out.”
I hug her closer. “I didn’t like waking up without you by my side, but seeing you wearing my shirt at my stove, making use of my kitchen, makes me happier than you know.”
“I don’t want to step on Ana’s toes, but I’d really like to cook dinner for us at night. I’ve got nothing else to do while you’re working and busy with the other stuff.”
“I’ll talk to Ana. She’ll be fine. I’m sure she’d enjoy the extra time to relax.” I kiss her lips. “I’ve got a few things to do after breakfast, but we’re going out this afternoon.”
“We are?” Her face glows, and I’m addicted to how she looks right now. Her hair in a messy bun on top of her head. Streaks of flour smeared across her brow and more icing sprinkles dotted around her face. My black shirt swamps her, but she looks ridiculously sexy. She has tons of clothes now, but she chose to wear my shirt from last night, and it does funny things to my insides. The apron tied to her front is spattered with the remnants of all the things she was baking. Her long legs are bare, encased in a pair of simple white flip-flops, and I just want to eat her all up.
