Italian Escape with the CEO

‘Chocolate?’ The word was flat.

‘Yup. Doesn’t chocolate make you happy?’

‘Not really. I mean, I like the occasional chocolate orange, but I wouldn’t say that would make me smile.’

‘OK. What do you do to relax?’

‘The gym. Or I may work out in the ring, or do some sort of obstacle marathon.’ He sighed. ‘I’m guessing that’s not what you’re after.’

‘No. I was thinking more about bubble baths or watching a film on a rainy day or lying on a beach.’ Now she sighed. ‘Let me guess. You’re more a shower sort of person.’

‘Afraid so. I don’t think I’ve had a bubble bath since I was a kid.’

‘Then we’ll have to try another method. There was a time on a shoot when I couldn’t get the smile right. It was one of my last assignments.’ Her dad had just got out of hospital after his first heart attack, her world had been turned upside down and she’d been angry, sad and scared. ‘There was a coach who helped me.’ She gestured. ‘Stand up and smile.’

He did as she asked and she stood and moved closer to him, told herself this was necessary. Any minute now she was sure her brain would find the off switch and in the meantime she’d focus on keeping her breathing even.

‘Hold still. It’s all about your mouth and facial muscles and knowing which ones to relax. You’re too tense. Try to relax.’ Telling herself this was purely professional, utterly clinical, she reached up and touched his jaw. ‘Clench and relax your jaw a couple of times.’ The feel of bristle under her fingertips, the sheer strength and determination of him made her clasp her lip between her teeth. No way would she actually moan.

She dropped her hands to his shoulders, both left and right. ‘Drop your shoulders.’ Now their bodies were scant inches apart and she tried to breathe normally. Knew this was playing with fire.

She could hear how breathless her voice was and when she met his gaze she saw a spark ignite there, his cobalt eyes darkened and she knew he was as affected as her.

‘Anything else?’ he asked, his voice more croak than depth.

‘You need to engage the muscles round your eyes. Try crinkling them slightly.’

‘Ava.’ The smile, real or fake, had dropped and there was a seriousness to his expression that made her breath catch. Her brain ordered her

to move backward but somewhere down the line the command got confused and instead she stepped forward.

‘Another tip is to massage your forehead and cheeks and...’ She was now so close she could smell the bergamot of his soap, could see the slightest dent in the sweep of his nose, the hint of a seldom seen dimple, and her voice ran dry, shuddered to a stop as she took the final step forward.

Then she wasn’t sure who kissed who, but his lips were on hers and it felt as if her body were melting, fusing with his as she pressed against him, wrapped her arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss. It was as though she’d been waiting for this ever since that first kiss, the feeling of rightness inexplicable.

Her senses competed and then soared into sensory overload, the experience blew her mind, as she tasted the hint of wine, of chocolate, of almond, felt her tummy clench in the need for more. More of this exquisite, gorgeous torture. Torture because she could hear the voice of common sense clamouring, knew that the need for more was doomed to failure, knew that what she had to do now was pull away.

As she suited action to word they stood, her breath coming in ragged gasps, and she could see the rise and fall of his powerful chest as they stared at each other and Ava knew no amount of poise could rescue her now. Mortification suddenly roiled through her. That had been a disaster, a complete loss of the composure she was famed for. Hadn’t she been the one to advocate acceptance and control? But perhaps, just perhaps, she could rescue the situation, use every iota of her acting skills. Somehow she forced herself to raise her head and meet his gaze.

‘Sorry about that.’ She searched her bank of smiles and came up with rueful, embarrassed, but hopefully with at least a semblance of sophisticate. ‘That is obviously not the “look” we are going for. Bit too full on. I was hoping we could practise the sort of kiss that looks good for the cameras. I didn’t expect us to get so...carried away. It’s a while since I’ve been in a relationship so it was obviously some sort of strange reaction to that.’

There was a moment’s silence and she thought he’d challenge her assertion, force an admission that she’d kissed him because she couldn’t help herself. Then, perhaps realising there would be nothing to gain, he nodded and his body relaxed. ‘Well, it certainly brought a smile to my face.’

Recognising his attempt to relax the atmosphere, she smiled, this one of relief. ‘On that note, I think we should call it a day now and regroup in the morning.’

‘Agreed. I’ll see you then.’ Hard to say who ran for the door faster.

CHAPTER SEVEN

LIAM OPENED HIS eyes and as always went from sleep to awake in an instant, his brain scanned the surroundings for danger and landmarks—a trait honed in his army days, part training and part defence against AJ and his bully-boy cronies.

Today though a different type of danger pervaded the air, in the shape of a beautiful woman who had aroused a storm of passion in him. Perhaps Ava had it right—the kiss had been a simple scientific release of pent-up need; neither of them had kissed anyone else for a long time. Perhaps if he kept telling himself that he’d believe it.

A quick shower and he headed to the kitchen, where breakfast was laid out and the scent of coffee permeated the air. Ava turned and smiled. ‘Elena left us all this. It looks amazing.’ She waved him to a seat. ‘Sit. I’ll bring the coffee over. I thought you could tell me a bit more about Rourke Securities over breakfast.’

‘Sure. What do you want to know?’

‘How did you start?’