Page 14 of Chasing Caine
Mario rolled his eyes theatrically. “But I’m guessing you have a naked—or close to it—woman upstairs who should be your priority?”
Lightness surged through my chest and I let out a small laugh. “I can’t believe she’s here.”
“Go tell her that instead of me.”
Any concern over my visit with Carabiniere De Rosa faded as I climbed the stairs, replaced by the prospect of hours with Samantha. I knocked quietly when I arrived at my room and opened the door.
She was still in the bed, on her side. But under the sheets, facing away. And she didn’t move when I came in. No doubt sleep had overcome her. A nap was likely a good idea to ensure she was prepared for everything I had in store.
I stripped off my shirt and pants, sliding in next to her. Not stopping until my cock pressed against… against the shorts I’d given her.
“Bella,” I whispered in her ear, wrapping an arm around her waist, snaking my hand up to cup one breast. “I’m back.”
She didn’t move, other than the gentle rise and fall of her breathing.
“Samantha?” I said, a little louder.
Nothing.
I pushed up to look down on her face, at the dark circles under her eyes. She was so peaceful, so calm. So unlike the intense woman I knew.
If she’d been sleeping even half as poorly as I had since we broke up, she must have been exhausted, let alone from the cross-Atlantic flight. Much of my body told me to wake her and prove my love, but my brain knew better. Proving my love was letting her sleep. Wrapping my arms around her and just being next to her would have to be enough until she woke.
I lay my head on the pillow behind her and nestled close. I’d waited eleven years for this woman. I could wait a few hours more.
Chapter 7
Samantha
Isteppedtentativelyintothe kitchen on the main floor,Walk of Shamewritten all over me, despite not having actually taken that walk. I’d woken up with Antonio’s arm around me and snuck out of bed before he woke up in search of coffee. The T-shirt he gave me yesterday fell to my thighs and I’d had to tighten the drawstring of the lounge shorts within an inch of their life.
For how large the villa was, the kitchen was relatively simple. Terracotta floor tiles, an L-shaped wooden counter over white cupboards, open shelves with dishes above. The ancient black stove and marble sink contrasted with a stainless dishwasher and refrigerator. At the end of the counter, open doors led to a pergola-covered garden with a bistro table and metal chairs.
As if this weren’t awkward enough, Antonio’s cousin was at a rough-hewn dining table next to the garden doors, having breakfast. I made a quick turn before he saw me.
“Samantha! Come va, bellissima!” His voice was loud and full of joy. So much for going unnoticed. Did he know what happened the night before? When had Antonio come back from whatever he’d needed to take care of?
When I turned, Mario was right there, grabbing me by the shoulders and giving me two enthusiastic cheek kisses.
“Come! Sit! Would you like cappuccino?” He walked to the counter before I responded, shooting a wink over his shoulder. “I hear it’s your preference.” When he spoke English, his accent was far thicker than Antonio’s and his words were stilted.
I sank into a chair diagonal to Mario’s seat, glancing out at the table in the garden. “I speak Italian, if that’s easier for you.”
“No, no.” He waved the offer away. “I need to practice English for the tourists.” He sat, placing the cappuccino and a cornetto in front of me.
Two of my favorites. “How’d you know?”
He took a sip from his small espresso cup, leaning back in the chair. “My cousin tells me everything, so I know a lot about you. I pray, now that you’re here, he’ll speak of something else?” He gave an exaggerated eye roll.
I savored the cappuccino. With hints of chocolate and honey, it was easily the most delicious coffee I’d ever had. A breeze drifted in through the garden doors, and I inhaled the scent of the sea and the olive grove nearby, some sort of flowers mingling with it.
“You are quite pretty, you know, even in his clothes. He tells me you’re intelligent as well.”
“Um, thanks.” I turned around, hoping to see Antonio appear so he could rescue me from the awkwardness of the moment.
“You work for an insurance company, sì?” He bit into his pastry, still smiling. Maybe I was the only one feeling awkward.
I took a deep breath. If I was going to stay with them for a week and a half, I’d have to talk to his cousin eventually. This was probably a good time to try. “Yeah, that’s how we met. He repaired a painting for one of my clients.”