Then, he lays a kiss on me that may as well burn the entire place down.
It’s searing and all-consuming.
And entirely too short.
When he unfortunately breaks for air, he presses his forehead to mine and pants. “This… right here… was worth every second of sitting center seat in economy.”
“You… You… sat center seat in economy?” I repeat, processing his words. Holy shit, it’s at least a twelve-hour flight, and with his broad shoulders and long legs, that must’ve been miserable.
“Only for the last leg. That’s what I get for booking a last-minute ticket. For the record, my favorite seat is in the cockpit, but beggars can’t be choosers. I’m here and regret nothing.”
When a door opens down the hall, Mark clears his throat and gives me one of his panty-melting smiles. “Mind if I join you for breakfast?”
“Only you would think to come all this way for breakfast,” I tease, stepping back into the room.
Instantly, his eyes heat, and warmth courses through me. “Oh, trust me, Faye. I’m here for a whole lot more than that… But first…” He turns to grab the cart behind him. “Let’s start with food. I’m starving.”
Within minutes, we’ve got our plates set out in front of us at the conference table in my room. I’d booked a business suite out of necessity, knowing I’d be putting in long hours and needed a workspace conducive to getting this client on board. But now that I have company, I’m happy to have the additional space.
As we eat, he asks, “You still planning on touring Tuscany today?”
“I was… but I could be persuaded to do something else,” I offer, glancing at the bedroom behind him.
Looking from the bedroom to me, he smirks mischievously. “Oh, sweetheart, there will be plenty of time for both. Trust me. But in all seriousness,” he clears his throat, “mind if I join you in sightseeing? I know you need a break from this room and, more than anything, a break from your project. You’ve been working around the clock and deserve a few days off.”
He quirks a brow, as if he’s waiting for me to protest.
When I don’t say anything, he adds, “I only have one request…”
“What’s that?”
“That we start with a shower. I’ve been traveling for over a day, and I want to freshen up before I get you dirty.”
The heat in Faye’s eyes has me hoping she’ll join me in the shower.
As much as I’d love that shower to start now, I see she’s barely touched her food, and I have plans for us today. Picking up a piece of my own bacon, I point to her plate. “Eat, sweetheart. We’ve got the whole day ahead of us.”
“Hmmm… The whole day…” she draws out, picking up a piece of bacon for herself and pointing it in my direction. “Just how long are you stayin’, Lancaster?”
“Depends…” I muse, mimicking her quizzical expression.
“On?” she probes adorably.
Plastering a stoic expression, I fight like hell to keep from cracking as I state, “On when you can get this client up and running.”
“Mark…” she gasps, disbelief written all over her face. “I-I have no idea how much longer this will take. It could be another couple of weeks.”
Shrugging, I take a bite of my bacon and chew. “It’s a good thing I’m due for a vacation, then. Apparently…” I feel my face finally break, and I’m certain a smug grin forms when I add, “That’s what one does when they retire.”
“But what about your kids? Are you sure you want to be away from them that long?”
The fact that they’re included in her list of worries proves she gets me.
A low laugh escapes as I admit, “They’re the ones who gave me the much-needed kick in the pants to get my ass here in the first place. Besides, it’s only a few weeks. They’ll survive without me.”
“Are you sure?”
“As long as I’m back for the festival, I’m good. Apparently, there are these tin cans that fly in the sky called planes. Who knew?”
