“Sure, okay.” I leave the room and return to my bedroom, removing my wet shirt and wiping the sticky layer clinging to my chest. I’m lost in thought as I fix myself up. One good thing about moping all week is I’ve decided the best strategy with Cristian is to just be myself. Well, as much of myself as I can risk being. I know he’s attracted to me, and I pray he’ll cave at some point. He said we could be friends, so I’ll be his best friend and let things develop more naturally. I don’t know if I can make him fall for me in a month, but deliberately trying to seduce him won’t work, so this is all I’ve got.
I hope it’s enough.
After changing, I return to the living room.
“I got you a fresh wineglass,” he says, pointing to it on the table as I walk toward him. “I also paused the movie, so you didn’t miss anything.”
“We can go back to the start if you want,” I suggest, eyeing the glass of wine with apprehension. I should probably take it easy. I’ve already had a large glass, and I’m afraid my tongue will loosen and I’ll say something I shouldn’t if I drink much more.
“Nah. I’m good. I watched this movie a lot with the twins when we were kids.”
I settle back into my corner, and Cristian hands me a different blanket. “The other one is a bit wet.”
“Sorry.” Accepting the blanket, I unfold it over my legs.
“What for? I’m the one who startled you and caused you to spill your wine. It’s no biggie. Mrs. Peake will send it out to the dry cleaners.”
“She’s a really sweet lady,” I say, taking a small sip of my wine. “She’s been very kind to me.”
“She used to work for my parents, but she came to work for me when I bought this place ten years ago. In a lot of ways, she’s been like a second mother to me.”
“She speaks very highly of you. It’s obvious she loves you like a son.”
“The feeling is mutual. As much as I don’t want to be without her, I’ve been encouraging her to retire for a couple years now,” he admits, lifting the wineglass to his lips.
I watch his throat bob as he swallows, and there is something so incredibly sexy about it. The layer of stubble on his chin and cheeks is a little thicker than usual, and it really suits him. Visions of running my fingers through the soft bristles dance through my mind, and lust stirs deep in my belly. It’s been a long time since I’ve been turned on by a man, and it’s good to know I haven’t been completely ruined by recent experiences.
A longing for Cristian to hold me coasts over me. His arms offer security, warmth, and strength, and I pine for it. I’ve been extra vulnerable since Sunday, and I wish I could crawl into his lap and let him comfort me.
“I can’t imagine that went down well.” I run the tip of my finger over the rim of my glass. “I get the feeling she loves looking after you and Elio. She told me her husband died years ago, and she didn’t have a family of her own. I imagine her identity is fully tied up with her work here.”
“You’re not wrong, which is why I haven’t pushed it. But I worry about her health. She has worked hard her entire life, and she should be enjoying herself now.”
“She enjoys taking care of you. That’s all she needs,” I say, because it’s blatantly obvious. As is the way Cristian cares for her. She told me he bought her a bungalow with a massive garden a few years ago, and he pays for a car and driver to take her anywhere she needs to go. “Will she be coming to the new house?”
He nods. “I’m building her a self-contained apartment within the house, too, but I haven’t given up hope she might use the opportunity to retire or at least cut back to one day a week.” He swirls wine in his glass. “Ultimately, it will be her choice.” He shrugs before taking another mouthful of wine.
“I thought you were staying out late tonight.” I pull my knees into my chest.
“I changed my mind.” He scrubs a hand along his chin as his gorgeous green eyes stab into mine.
Electricity charges the air, and he can’t not feel it. The chemistry is potent between us. There’s an intensity to it I’ve never experienced before. His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat when he finally tears his gaze from mine. “What made you choose this movie?” he asks, focusing on the paused image on the screen.
“I’m not sure. I wanted something with action or suspense, and this caught my eye.” It’s not exactly a lie, but it’s not the full truth either. I hope my choice of movie hasn’t triggered any suspicion in his mind. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t a smart decision.
“You don’t like romantic movies?” He moves a little closer.
“I do, but I have to be in the right mood.”
His lips kick up at the corners. “And tonight, you’re in more of a murderous mood?” he teases.
“Something like that.” I take a gulp of wine, hoping he drops the subject. Thankfully, he does.
“Let’s get to it then.” He presses the play button, ending our conversation.
Gradually, we move closer and closer until we’re sitting side by side. “Damn, that’s vicious,” I say at a particularly gruesome part.
“Does it disturb you?” His inquiring gaze flicks to mine.
