She fluttered the fingers on both hands in a give-it-to-me gesture. “Don’t deny yourself the joy of telling me exactly what you like about me.”
A pleasant warmth pooled through him. A sensation he was beginning to associate with her. “Will you give yourself the joy of complimenting me too?”
She cupped her angular chin with her palms and studied him. Her gaze moved over his brows and his nose, landed and skidded away from his mouth. It felt so much like a physical caress that his stomach tightened. “When I find something to like about you, sure.”
He threw his head back and laughed, feverish pleasure running through his veins. “Bene.I find you…far too interesting.” If she wanted more from him, she’d have to ask for it.
She wiped her mouth with a napkin, neatly arranged everything together on the tray before she said, “So why did you bring me to your room?”
“You sound like you doubt my intentions, Ms. Fischer.”
“We’re back to that, then?” she said. She took a sip of water, her gaze never leaving his. “Did you bring me to your room to rattle Matteo again? Is that wise when you implied earlier that he’s a loose cannon right now?”
“Is there reason for him to be rattled that you are in my bedroom?”
Was he asking her outright if she was into him? Was he hitting on her, or testing her?
It had to be the latter. Men like him didn’t hit on women like her. And yet…those gray eyes held hers in a dare. The taut vein at his temple said it was no game.
What would he do if she admitted that she was attracted to him, and it was unlike anything she’d ever experienced? If she admitted that with Matteo, it had been safe and fun, whereas with Alessandro…it was a tsunami of sensations.
There was a new stringent awareness of her own body—the pulse at her neck, a tight thrum under her skin, a heaviness in her breasts that had made her cup them in the shower and an aching twinge between her legs that she couldn’t get rid of no matter what she tried.
What would he do if she asked him how it felt to be so tuned in to another’s breath and body, to be so unbalanced? How did one make sensible decisions in the face of this…overwhelming curiosity to explore what lay beneath?
All she’d wanted was a summer of friendly fun with Matteo. To get away from her parents, to prove to herself that she existed outside of the box she’d lived in all her life. Now she wondered if she could have this man for a summer fling and survive. Dear God, was she actually considering this?
“It’s the friction in your relationship that rattles Matteo. Not anything I might or might not do.”
Pushing to his feet, he gripped the nape of his neck and moved it this way and that. Had he hoped for a different answer?
He walked around, away from the window with views of the lake. Everything in the bedroom matched him, minimalistic furniture without anything softening it at all. All navies and grays, without a hint of color or warmth. The only personal touch was the grand piano taking pride of place, looking out into the lake, and the shelves and shelves of books.
“Matteo and Angelina have activities planned around the lake to celebrate their engagement. They’ll be here for a few days.”
Walking around, he opened the bedside drawer and pulled out his charger. It was such a mundane thing, and yet it instantly drew her attention to the large king-size bed with navy blue sheets.
She was going to sleep in his bed, surrounded by the scent of him. Lay her head where he did every night. She’d already touched his things in the bathroom, realizing far too late that it was his. That the whole thing didn’t freak her out as much as it should have.
“There’s no doubt that Matteo will look for you as soon as Angelina’s asleep. My bedroom is the last place he will look. Also, I’m the only one who has a key to it.”
“He and I will talk at some point, you know.”
Leaning one shoulder against the door, he considered her. “Of course you will. But only after the guests have left. Especially Angelina and her cousins.”
“Where will you sleep?”
A wicked smile curved his lips. “It’s sweet of you to worry over my comfort.”
Sam rolled her eyes. “I’m worried you’ll jet-set off to some exotic destination leaving me locked up here.”
“I won’t go anywhere until I know Matteo is not bringing Vittorio’s wrath down on us.”
“You’ll be working at the villa for the next couple of days?”
His gaze searched her face. “What do you need?”
“Can you please arrange a car for me so that I can visit one of the art museums? That way, I’m out of here from sunup till evening. Obviously, I can’t explore the beautiful grounds here without you playing my devoted keeper.”
