For some reason I found the idea of modeling for Cole both stimulating and embarrassing. “You can draw me if you want to.”
He nodded, eyes hot. “I want to. I wonder how long I’ll last before I give in to temptation.”
I squirmed, my skin heating at the thought of all the ways I could tease Cole while he drew me. “I’m definitely modeling for you,” I murmured thickly.
Cole swelled against the apex of my thighs. Hmm, he really liked that idea.
He groaned and pulled my head toward him for a quick kiss. “Before I make love to you I want to give you your surprise.”
“Okay.”
“I know it’s your birthday tomorrow.”
Taken completely off guard, I jerked back. “How? I didn’t tell anyone.”
“I know.” He frowned. “And that’s really annoying, Shortcake. Luckily you work for me, so I have your birth date on file.”
“I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.” I shrugged, feeling an unpleasant ache in my chest ruin all my sexy, glowy feelings.
Cole sighed. “Because your family hasn’t contacted you?”
I lowered my gaze and nodded. “It’s my first birthday without Logan. Without any of them. It was the one day a year my parents actually acted like they gave a crap.”
He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes roiled with passion and tenderness. “They don’t get to take your birthday away from you. If they don’t want that piece of you, then I’ll have it. Gladly.”
“Cole . . . ,” I whispered, folding into him. Some of the ugliness in my chest started to dissipate.
He hugged me tight. “I know you’re trying to put together as many different pieces as you can for your portfolio, so I’m taking you somewhere where you can work on your art.”
I pulled back, my pulse picking up speed. “Where?”
“Joss and Braden own a private villa in Lake Como. They’re letting us stay there in two weeks for seven nights. I’ve already cleared the time off for us with Stu.”
Shocked, I stared at him openmouthed for a few seconds before I squeaked, “You’re taking me to Italy for my birthday?”
Cole gave me that boyish, cocky grin of his. “Yes.”
“You can’t do that.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “I think I can.”
“No.” I shook my head adamantly. “No one has ever taken me anywhere, let alone a man who’s only been dating me for two months.”
“Well, it’s happening.” He laughed.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I can’t let you take me to Italy, Cole,” I argued.
Impatience crackled in his gaze. “Why the fuck not?”
“Because . . . because . . .” I slumped on his lap. “I know I said I know my own worth now, but part of that was just bravado, okay? Don’t get me wrong. I’m trying to get there . . . but it’s been a while since anyone was good to me and I . . .” I gasped for breath, completely taken aback by how overwhelmed I was by his gift. “I don’t know if I can cope.”
Fierceness flashed in Cole’s gaze and I abruptly found myself in the air as he stood up. “You can cope. You’d better,” he declared, carrying me into my bedroom. “Because I don’t intend to stop anytime soon.”
“I know what will help,” I whispered frantically.
“What?”
“Sex. Sex will definitely calm me down.”
Cole grinned wickedly seconds before he threw me onto the bed. “Not the way I plan on doing it.”
CHAPTER 20
I t was surreal.
I’d never imagined I would ever be surrounded by so much beauty.
Yet there it was all around me.
The lake glistened under the unbending sun, finding pockets of shade only in the shadows cast by the surrounding mountains. Villas and hotels dotted the edges of the lake and mountainsides in bursts of white, yellows, rusts, and red in the tiles of the roofs. Cypress trees framed stunning, luxury homes on the lakeside, and the lush greens and simple, romantic Italian architecture created this Eden of peace and tranquility. Ferries crossed the lake, as did speedboats and Jet Skis in lazy leisure under the heat of the sun.
Sweat and suntan lotion shimmered on my skin, and I found a slight relief from the hot, late-July sun as a small breeze from the lake whispered over me.
The villa Joss and Braden owned on Lake Como was by the water in Menaggio. It was a four-bedroom villa with its own private pool. It wasn’t until we arrived at it that I fully grasped how loaded the Carmichaels were. And how differently the other half lived . . .
I smiled out at the water.
For a while I was getting a taste of it.
Water splashed and I looked to my left as Cole climbed out of the pool. It was an understatement to say I enjoyed the way droplets of water rolled down his rock-hard abs. We’d been here only two days and already Cole’s skin was turning a gorgeous golden brown. He smiled over at me as he dried himself off with a towel. “If you can tear yourself away from that painting, we could jump on a ferry. See the rest of the lake.”
I bit my lip, wanting to do nothing more, but I was anxious to get work done. “I only have a few days to put together a couple of pieces.”
“Why don’t you put together the bare bones and when we get home you can fill in the rest with that gorgeous imagination of yours?” He stopped where I’d set up my easel and stool. “It looks wonderful.”
“Thank you.” My eyes traveled up his stomach, taking their time until they reached his face. A small smug smile played on his lips. “Shut up.”
He laughed. “I didn’t say anything.”
“You know you’re good-looking and you’re using it to distract me.”
Cole scratched his brow, appearing to struggle not to laugh again. “All I did was ask you if you wanted to take a break.”
“And then you put those in my face.” I pointed the end of my paintbrush at his abs.
“Welcome to my world,” he said, his voice suddenly gruff. “That bikini . . .”
I glanced down at the white bikini I was wearing. It was a hot bikini. I’d spent the last two weeks shopping for clothes for this holiday and that included a couple of skimpy bikinis. I knew Cole would look good in Saran Wrap, so I was determined to feel sexy at his side.
I felt sexy in this bikini.
It was my turn to smile smugly.
Chuckling, Cole slid his hand across the back of my bare neck and gently squeezed. My hair was piled haphazardly on top of my head. Its length and thickness were a bit of a bother in warm weather. “Come exploring with me?” he said, pressing a sweet kiss to my mouth.
There really was no way to say no to that.
* * *
“Okay, we’re doing this every day,” I said, closing my eyes beneath my sunglasses against the breeze that blew over us. The ferry slowly made its way across the lake. The relief the lake breeze brought from the heat was beyond delightful.
“And you wanted to stay at the villa and paint,” Cole teased.
I opened my eyes to look at his smiling, handsome face. I imagined his green eyes were laughing at me underneath his Ray-Ban shades. “I still can’t believe you brought me to Italy for my birthday.” I gestured across the water. “We can see the Alps.”
“And?”
I shrugged, looking away, pretending to peruse the massive villa near the town of Bellagio, which was our destination. “Nothing . . . I just . . . It’s a big deal for a couple who have only been dating a few months and yet . . .” I trailed off on another shrug.
“And yet?” Cole prompted.
I glanced back at him, my heart quickening. “It feels like some kind of dream and yet at the same time . . .” The blood beneath my cheeks grew hot despite the breeze. “I don’t remember anything ever feeling more real.”
Cole was quiet, which only made my heart elevate from a quickening pace to pounding.
“Jesus, Shannon,” he finally said, his voice thi
ck, “I wish you would say these things in private.”
Hurt and confused, I looked out at the water.
“In private.” He grabbed my hand and pulled my body toward his as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, “I can show my appreciation the way I really want to.”
Reassured, I sagged into him. “You can always give me a taste of that appreciation. I doubt the Italians will be shocked by a little PDA.”
Cole accepted that invitation . . . for the rest of the day. While we walked up the steep, cobbled steps and lanes in Bellagio, while we sauntered along the lakeside in the gardens of the Villa Melzi, and even when I spent most of my time balking at the prices of designer clothes and handbags, Cole showed me his appreciation. Holding me, kissing me, cuddling me—the guy was feeling mighty tactile. I didn’t mind a bit.
“You should have bought that dress if you liked it,” Cole said, swinging my hand playfully as we walked across the street toward the ferry dock. It was nearing the end of the afternoon and we were all Bellagio-ed out for the day.
“It cost half my monthly wage.” I shook my head. “I’d have to be head over heels in love with a dress before I’d spend that kind of money. Even then . . .”
“You don’t need it anyway,” he assured me, his eyes running the length of me. “What you’re wearing is working just fine.”
I had on a white cotton sundress over my white bikini.
He let go of my hand to brush his fingers over my shoulder. “You got a lot of color today. We better put after-sun on you when we get back.”
Always taking care of me.
I beamed at him and he blinked in surprise.
“What? What did I do?”
I shook my head, my smile turning secretive. Cole shook his head too, amused by my girlishness.
“Looks like the ferry is going to be another five or so minutes,” he said as he stopped at the end of a long line of people who were waiting on the dock. He looked over his shoulder and grinned like a little boy. “There’s an ice cream parlor.”
“Then let’s get ice cream.”
He tugged on my hand and we hurried across the street before two guys on mopeds hit us. Inside the heavenly air-conditioned ice cream parlor, I studied Cole in growing delight as he bit down on his thumb and stared at all the ice cream flavors with this studious pinch between his eyebrows.
I struggled not to laugh at his adorableness. “Having trouble choosing?”
Expression still serious, he nodded, eyes not leaving the ice cream for one second. “Do you know what you want?”
You, you, you!
I choked back the desire to yell that and throw my arms around him. “I’m thinking chocolate and caramel.”
“Hmm . . . why don’t we get a three-scoop cone?”
My lips twitched. “Okay. What would you like?” My eyes rose to the older woman behind the counter, who was smiling at Cole like she found him just as charming as I did. The endearing guy who was excited about eating ice cream on a hot day was so at odds with his looks. He was wearing a white T-shirt that showed off his muscular, tattooed arms and neck, and a pair of long shorts with flip-flops. For once he was clean-shaven, but his hair was as messy as ever. He looked less bad boy than he normally did, but still . . .
“I’m thinking lemon and lime, watermelon, and strawberry.”
“You keep your fruits.” I nudged him with my hip. “I’ll have the chocolate and caramel, the mint chocolate chip, and the double chocolate chip.”
Once we had our cones we dug into them right away, moaning at the creamy flavors that cooled us down temporarily.
“Here.” Cole tipped his cone down to me. “Try the strawberry.”
I took a lick and instantly wished I’d chosen it. “Gorgeous.” I held my cone up to him and he bent down to take a lick and ended up getting chocolate all over his nose. I giggled and gestured with my free hand for him to bend his head. As soon as he did I licked his nose, laughing while he tried to take another taste of my cone and got more around his lips rather than in his mouth.
We stood on the pavement, laughing and kissing ice cream off each other, uncaring we were acting like teenagers in public. We had such a carry-on with those cones we almost missed the ferry.
Running down the gangway, we caught up with the rest of the tourists and residents who were shuffling across the iron plank to get onto the ferry.
“I wish we could stay here forever,” I said, filled with longing.
Cole squeezed my hand in answer and I realized as I looked up at him standing next to me that I’d never been so happy in my whole entire life.
Somehow I managed to swallow the sound of my indrawn breath at that startling revelation. Dazed, I absentmindedly held out my ticket to a guy dressed in a crisp white ferry uniform.
“Inglese, yes?” he suddenly said.
I blinked up at him, distantly taking in his handsome dark looks. “Scottish.”
“Scozzese.” He grinned, his dark eyes glittering appreciatively. “All such beautiful women, yes?”
Cole’s hand tightened on mine and I was tugged none too gently into his side. The ferry worker gave Cole a taunting smile and waved us onto the ferry. I could feel the Italian’s eyes burning into my back while the hand Cole was gripping was almost numb from his fierce hold.
“You can ease up there,” I said as we took our seat in the back of the ferry. Unfortunately all the seats outside were taken, so we were trapped inside. It was like an oven.
“Fucking Italians,” Cole muttered under his breath.
“Tony’s Italian,” I reminded him. “He’s always coming on to me.”
The muscle in his jaw ticked. “Yeah, with no intention of ever trying to fuck you. If that prick could have fucked you with his eyes, he would have.”
“It’s not a big deal.” I frowned, surprised by how pissed off he was.
At my placating tone, Cole shoved his sunglasses up onto his head and glowered at me. “It’s always a big deal when a man comes on to a woman in front of the man she’s clearly with. It’s like asking for a fist in his face.”
“Which we all know you could land quite easily.” I brushed my fingers over the fist he’d made subconsciously. “But there wouldn’t be any point since a million men could come on to me and I’d still only want you.” I rubbed his hand soothingly. “It’s not like you to take these things to heart.”
It was Cole’s turn to frown as he realized the truth in my words. It wasn’t like him to get worked up over something that was really trivial at the end of the day. He looked away from me, but not before I saw the muscle in his jaw flex.
The ferry had begun moving away from the dock when Cole said so softly I almost didn’t hear him, “It’s because it was you.” He turned to meet my gaze, his heated. “What are you doing to me, Shannon?”
My breath caught.
Finally I whispered, “Exactly what you’re doing to me.”
* * *
That evening we returned to the villa to shower and dress for the evening. Joss and Braden had recommended a restaurant up in the hills of the neighboring town of Tremezzo. They knew the owners and had booked a table for us in advance. They’d also left us with the number of a taxi driver since they were few and far between in the area.
Dressed in a cool, flowing turquoise blue maxi dress that contrasted nicely against my hair, I felt that feeling of utter contentment come over me as I clasped Cole’s hand and let him lead me up the stone slab steps to the restaurant. He was dressed in a white dress shirt and black trousers—effortlessly stylish. He also smelled amazing. The restaurant was beautiful, built in the style of a Swiss chalet, and as the friendly owner led us out into the garden to a table that had the most breathtaking view of the lake, I almost felt like crying.
This place, with this man at my side, was all too good to be true.
In the romantic setting, as I watched the sun slowly lower behind the mountains, my skin prickled—and not with growing chill. The air around
Cole and me was electric, and I knew he was feeling all that I’d been feeling today. Despite the headiness between us, we managed to have a fun—and thick with innuendos—conversation while we indulged in the most astounding food I’d ever eaten. Everything just tasted so much more delicious here than it did back home. The vegetables, the fruit . . . all of it was bursting with flavor.
Allowing our food to settle, we sipped at our wine and looked out over the lake.
“Thank you for bringing me here. It’s beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before.”
Cole reached for my hand. “Thank you for coming with me.”
Our eyes met and the electricity that had been sparking between us all night crackled.
“Let’s go back to the villa,” I said, the words coming out thick.
On the return trip I forced myself to try to find my equilibrium. I was likely to explode into a million different pieces if I didn’t try to control what I was feeling for Cole.
As soon as we walked into the villa, my gaze locked on the pool glittering in the moonlight outside the sitting room. “Let’s go for a swim,” I suggested, thinking it might cool me down. I half suspected it was the heat that was making me feel so discombobulated.
“A swim?” Cole sounded confused, but I was already heading into the bedroom to grab a bikini. Cole had disappeared while I changed and I was out in the pool by the time he appeared in his swim shorts, carrying two cold beers.
I smiled at him as he lowered himself into the pool. “Good thinking,” I said, taking the proffered beer.
We sipped in silence for a while, gazing up at the starry sky.
“Why are we in the pool?” Cole asked, amusement in his voice.
I swallowed hard, unable to look at him. “Because I needed to cool down before I injured either you or myself tackling you to the ground.”
“Huh. A relaxing dip in the pool or tackled by a gorgeous redhead.” He slanted me a mock-confused look. “Are you sure you understand men?”
I laughed and nudged him with my elbow.