The Playboy of Rome

She tilted her chin and their gazes locked. All he could think about was pressing his mouth to hers. He desperately wanted to show her exactly how she made him feel.

He was in trouble—up to his neck in it. And as much as he savored having Lizzie this close and looking at him as if he was the only man in the world for her, his resolve was rapidly deteriorating. Was this what it was like to fall in love?

Not that he was going there. Was he?

He gazed deep into her eyes, and in that moment, he saw a flash of his future—a future with Lizzie. He wanted her to look at him with that heated desire for the rest of their lives. The revelation shook him, rattling his very foundation and jarring him back to reality.

He shackled his fingers around her wrists and pushed her away from him, hoping he’d be able to think more clearly.

“You’re really as good as your word, aren’t you?” There was a note of marvel in her voice.

“I’m trying. But if you keep this up, I’m going to lose the battle.”

“Maybe I want you to lose.”

What? His gaze studied her face. A smile tugged at her lips and delight danced in her eyes. He honestly didn’t know if this was another of her tests. Or was it an invitation. With a frustrated groan, he let go of her wrists and backed up until the stove pressed into his backside. He slouched against it. Defeat and frustration weighed heavy on his shoulders.

“Don’t look so miserable.” She stepped toward him.

When she went to touch him again, he said, “Don’t, Lizzie. You’ve had your fun but now let me be... Please go.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone. Maybe I want you to pull me into your arms and do those things you mentioned.”

His back straightened. “Is that an invitation?”

She nodded. “Dante, I want you just as much—”

That was all he needed to hear. In a heartbeat, he had her in his arms and his mouth claimed hers. She tasted of mint and chocolate like the after-dinner treats they handed out with the checks. He’d never taste another of those little chocolates without thinking of her.

And though the thought of letting her slip through his fingers was agonizing, he had to be absolutely sure that she wanted this, too. With every last bit of willpower, he moved his mouth from hers. “Are you sure about this? About us?”

Her big round eyes shimmered with desire. “Yes, I’m positive.”

In the next instant, he swung her up into his arms and carried her back down the hallway to his master bedroom—a room he’d never shared with another woman.

But Lizzie was different. Everything about her felt so right. It was as though he’d been waiting for her to step into his life. Things would never be the same.

But exactly where they went from here, he wasn’t quite certain.

He’d think about it later.

Much later.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

DROP BY DROP...

The icy walls around her heart had melted.

Lizzie felt exposed. Vulnerable. A position she’d promised herself she’d never put herself in again. She rushed downstairs to the restaurant. When she got there she couldn’t fathom how she’d found the willpower to leave Dante’s side—where she longed to be right now. But she couldn’t stay there. She couldn’t afford to get in even deeper.

Her time in Italy was limited. In just a few weeks, she’d be preparing to return to the States—back where her responsibiliti

es were awaiting her. And then what? She’d leave her heart in Italy. No, thank you. She had no intention of being some kind of martyr to love.

What she and Dante had was...was a one-night stand. This acknowledgment startled her. She’d never thought of herself as the type to have a fling. And now that the scratch had been itched, they’d be fine. They could go back to being coworkers.

With a fresh pot of coffee, she filled a mug and headed to the office. She had no idea how Dante could stand such a mess. It was the exact opposite of the immaculate study in his apartment, which probably explained why almost everything in here dated back years. And she couldn’t find any current invoices or orders. He probably did his work upstairs and left this place as a reminder of his grandfather. Dante must miss him terribly. Her heart went out to both of them.