“How did you get into my apartment, Benedetto?” She pushed, her voice shaking.
His smile was lopsided. “I told you it would not pose any difficulty.”
“You broke in?” She demanded huskily. “To make some kind of point?”
“No.”
Her eyes drifted beyond him suspiciously, to the pans that were on the small electric stove.
“I don’t understand …”
“No.” He walked across the small apartment to the windows. She stayed where she was, planted to the small bit of floor just beside the kitchen bench, but she watched him.
He nodded towards the windows and she noticed that shining brass knobs hadbeen added. “What is that?”
“Security.” He flattened the note of disapproval from his voice. She should have seen to this months ago.
“Security?” She repeated, dumbfounded. “I don’t understand.”
“Your apartment was not safe.”
“So you … made it safe?” A frown furrowed her brow. “I don’t get it. Why?”
He ignored the question. “You also have an alarm system. There is a switch on one side of the bed. If you press it twice, it will alert a private security company. They will send a guard to check on your safety.”
“Benedetto,” she shook her head. “This is too much. I’m only renting here. I don’t know how long I’ll stay. And you’ve gone to all this trouble and expense. It’s … completely unnecessary.”
“Are you moving somewhere?” He asked, stalking back across the room to stand at her side.
“No,” she shook her head, then shrugged. “Not that I know of. But, I mean … you’re missing the point.”
“What is the point?” He was close now and her equilibrium was boxing itself in.
Her frown deepened. “You had no right.”
“You do not think so?” He lifted a hand and brushed a clump of her silvery blonde hair from her cheek. “You do not think it is important to me to know that you are safe?”
“No.” Her cheeks flushed pink.
“Then you’re wrong.” He brushed her cheek then lifted her wine and placed it into her hand. “Dinner is almost ready. Sit with me while it finishes cooking.”
“You made dinner?” She murmured in disbelief.
“Si.” That smile of his once more sent her heart lurching painfully. “This surprises you.”
“Si,” she repeated, sipping her wine. It was delicious. Buttery and floral, and crisply chilled.
He lifted his own wine and put an arm around her shoulders so that he could guide her to the armchair. He sat down first and then tapped his lap. At her look ofhesitation, he reached a hand up and pulled her down. She didn’t resist. After all, her whole body was craving the closeness he offered.
He pressed his lips into her neck and then lifted his face to hers. “I don’t want you to get hurt,cara.”
She had another sip of her wine and then forced herself to meet his eyes. “I don’t think you know what you want,” she said thoughtfully.
“Oh?” His hand was rubbing the sensitive flesh of her upper thigh rhythmically and she felt a growing sense of confusion.
“On Friday night, you were so … adamant that this was just about sex. And even yesterday, you told me you wanted to see me again, but only if I understood that you’d never care for me other than … physically. And yet, here you are, some billionaire burglar in my apartment, fixing locks and making meals. I don’t get it.”
He couldn’t help the twisting smile at her words. “Perhaps I feel responsible for your safety,” he suggested in a throaty murmur. “You are, after all, a guest in my city.”
