“You are so dumb,” I whispered to myself—and headed out to the patio.
Carlo's head immediately lifted and turned to me.A big, handsome grin crossed his face.“You came,” he said, his eyes looking me up and down.His head nodded to the chair beside him.“Sit.”And then he poured an inch or so of dark amber liquid into the two glasses.
Knowing full well I should—not—be sitting down with Carlo—I did it, anyway.Something inside wouldn't allow me to just ignore this hulking lumberjack.
“Thanks,” I said and sat.I pushed the glass he'd given me over to him.“Not a big fan.But you go ahead.”
Carlo looked at the glass—then at me.His eyes glided over nearly every inch of me before he said, “I'll be right back.Don't move.”He shoved his chair back and walked into the house.It was twilight outside, the time of day when the sky couldn't make up its mind.The air was still warm as I looked out onto the rows and rows of vines surrounding us.
I heard footsteps behind me, and then Carlo's voice saying, “Here, you'll love this.I promise.”Carlo handed me a glass of pretty pink wine.Our fingers touched during the exchange—and that same zing happened.
“It's so—pink,” I said and picked it up.I was about to take a sip when Carlo stopped me.“Sniff it first, Francesca.Give it a moment to penetrate your senses.”
Okay, yes.
My lady parts might have started aching when Carlo said the word “penetrate.”But of course, I ignored that.
And sniffed the wine as Carlo instructed.
“Mm, strawberry?”I asked, bringing it back to my nose for another quick sniff.“And some kind of citrus?”
Carlo seemed pleased with my assessment.“Very good.Now you may take a sip.A small sip.”Carlo was bossy.
And unfortunately—I liked that.Even more than the wine.
“It's lovely, Carlo.Is it yours?”I asked, already knowing the answer.We were on his freaking vineyard after all.
“Yes.”He set the bottle down beside him.It was then that I noticed a small plate of grapes and cheese on the table.I reached for it, but Carlo pulled it away.I frowned at him.“You don't share?”I asked in a snarky voice.
It didn't seem to bother him, though.
Nope.
Carlo laughed and picked up a grape between his fingers.“Oh, Francesca.”His dancing eyes held mine as he brought the grape to my lips.“Don't worry.I share.”
My poor, poor, poor lady parts.And my poor, poor, poor panties.
“Open for me, Francesca.”Carlo's words made me shiver.His fingertips brushed my lips as I—opened—for him.
Yeah.
I was definitely going to need a new pair of panties.
Carlo's face changed the instant I allowed him to slide the grape in between my lips.He looked just like Stefan did when he fed me.
Next, he grabbed a small piece of cheese off the plate and held it up to my lips.Like a stupid idiot—I opened for him again.
Carlo sighed, and his shoulders visibly relaxed.“You have no idea how much I need to do this, Francesca.No.Idea.”
Yep.
These panties were trash.
“Drink.”He looked down at my glass, giving me permission to take a sip.So, I did—with his eyes taking in every movement.Every swallow.
“I'll take you on a tour of the grounds tomorrow,” he said, jerking his head out at his land.“If your husband lets you out of his sight, that is.”Carlo grinned at me and lifted his glass.Now it was my turn to watch him drink.It was fascinating, I had to admit.My eyes took in Carlo's strong neck as he swallowed.
A large part of me understood now why Eve jumped this man any time she could.
