Page 94 of Chasing Caine
“Thank me later.” I winked, which prompted a small laugh.
“Seriously. Despite—or maybe in part because of—all the chaos, this has been the best vacation of my life.” Her lips sought mine, slow, passionate, loving. She sighed in the kiss, one hand cupping my cheek. No nervous fingers, no hesitation, no complaints about public displays of affection.
When we parted, my smile was again genuine, despite the gnawing deep inside me. “Mine, as well.”
It was Monday evening. She was leaving early Wednesday. We didn’t know where Umberto was, so I had no concern she’d try to find him. But keeping her away from the gallery after our chat with Océane? I could take her back to the villa and beg her not to leave the bedroom until I was satisfied. She would laugh, tease, and hopefully, she would stay.
I could send Chiara or Mario to buy the colorful abstract painting for me later. And I never had to see that place again.
Chapter 31
Antonio
Iclosedthehotelsuite door, breakfast delivery bag in-hand. Detoured to the bathroom to grab a plush white bathrobe to match the one I wore and proceeded to the bedroom. In the enormous bed with its dark wood four-poster frame, rumpled sheets pooled all around Samantha. She lay on her stomach near the middle of the mattress, glorious hair spread out across the pillows, the lean muscles of her back and arms on full display above the low-slung blanket.
We had, indeed, had mind-blowing sex after the restaurant. She fell into a deep slumber while mine was fractured. Horrible dreams, unable to forget the man who sat next to me. I’d stared at the clock all night until it was morning. At least I’d held her in my arms as I fretted.
Did they know where we were staying? Know where I lived? He’d known where I would be for dinner and that was a last-minute plan. And who was he? One of Cristian’s men? Was Fiori with his giant yacht and staff involved? Or did Umberto simply have muscle I wouldn’t have expected him to employ?
I dropped the bag next to the coffeemaker on a chest of drawers, then settled on the edge of the bed.
She groaned, but didn’t move.
“Wake up, bella. Breakfast is here.”
“Still stuffed from dinner,” she murmured. “Come cuddle with me.”
“We have to check out eventually.” I ran a light touch along her arm before leaning in to kiss it.
“Book another night. This bed is divine.”
“What?” I added sarcasm to my voice, thick enough her half-asleep ears would hear it. “You want me to spendmoremoney on you?”
She yawned, shoulders shaking with quiet laughter. “You suck, Ferraro.”
“If you’re lucky.”
One eye cracked open. “Walked into that one, didn’t I?”
“You did. Now get up and go shower.”
Her eye closed again. “You said breakfast was here.”
“No food until you’re clean.” I smacked her ass lightly, which was greeted with more quiet laughter. The temptation to bite it was strong, but that would lead somewhere other than her going for a shower.
She rolled onto her side, pulling the sheet up to cover her chest. “Coffee first.”
“Your breath stinks.”
“Jerk.” She covered her mouth with the sheet. “You joining me?”
“I’ve already showered.”
“And you didn’t get me up?” Her eyes widened, then narrowed to playful slits. “That shower’s too big for one person.”
“The shampoo smells like rosemary and mint. It will help you wake up.” I stood when she grabbed for me. As much as I wanted to climb into the shower with her, I had other priorities.
She flopped onto her back, arms flying wide. “I’m not normally a snoozing kinda gal. You’re a bad influence on me.”