She plucked him from his sadness, spurring a flicker of hope. Simone Redding was a firecracker who was taunting him for the fun of it. Would this game of cat and mouse never end?
For the first time in a long time, he hoped not.
When they’d finished dinner, Simone helped clean up. “Thank you for having me. Elsa, you’re an amazing cook whoshouldwrite a cookbook. I’m sure Luciano could help you get it published. The Santini name alone would make it a bestseller.”
Elsa clasped her hand and patted it. “Thank you. It was lovely meeting you, Simone. I love meeting Amanda May’s friends. Please come back.”
“I’ll book us some time at Tucker’s,” Slash said, “and I’ll text you the date.”
“Sound great,” Simone said. “Carrera, thanks for talking shop.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Luciano offered.
He took her computer bag from her, slung it over his shoulder. Together, they walked toward the foyer. Their evening wasn’t over. She just didn’t know it yet.
“Plans tonight?” He opened the front door.
“No. You?” As she walked past him, her baseline scent caught his attention and he breathed her in.
They walked down the driveway toward her car, parked curbside. “I have a meeting tonight, around eleven.”
“Well, no worries that I’ll be following you.” She opened the back door of her vehicle and he stashed her satchel on the floor behind her seat.
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“Gig’s over.” She turned to face him. “Of all the people I’ve been tasked with tailing these past two years, you were the highlight.”
He appreciated her honesty. “I’m going to miss you skulking around, but I like you better without the binos.” He stepped close, but he stopped short of kissing her.
“When do you ask for permission?” she whispered.
“I loved our sparring in there,” he murmured.
“Schezan?” Her lips curved. “I almost fell for it.”
“Almost?” he whispered before his lips brushed against hers.
Her whimper urged him on. He pulled her flush against him while she sunk her fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck. The pressure of her mouth on his was a direct hit to his cock, now firming in his pants. Though he wanted to deepen their embrace, he ended it. His goal? Leave her frustrated and eager for more.
“Drive safely, Simone.”
Without a word, she got behind the wheel of her SUV, started the vehicle. She didn’t unroll the window, didn’t say another word, but she didn’t have to. He could feel her energy pouring into him. She put the car in gear, seared him with a sultry gaze, before driving into the night.
Back inside, he found Elsa in her family room chair, busy with her crossword puzzle. Carrera and Slash were finishing up in the kitchen while the Keurig churned out a coffee.
“I’m having a cup,” Slash said. “Coffee for you, Luciano?”
He slid onto a barstool at the island. “Sí.”
She set the mug of freshly brewed java in front of him, then got busy making another. “What do you want to know about her?”
Luciano chuckled. “Who?”
Carrera pulled up a chair beside him. “Schezan?” He barked out a laugh. “What the hell was that?”
Slash laughed. “I can’t believe she mentioned Z.”
“Tell me about her.” Luciano sipped the hot drink, appreciating the robust taste. Carrera and Slash exchanged glances.
