He moved to ease from the bed, but his legs rubbed against hers in the process. It was like a torch lighting dry kindling; immediately he felt a tightening low in his gut and every nerve in his body convulsed in sexual need.

  Their gazes locked and held for the longest time. Then they began leaning toward each other, and within seconds were in each other’s arms. The moment his tongue entered her mouth and she intercepted it, began feasting on it greedily, sexual excitement curled in his stomach. And he knew before he left her bed she would be rocking his world yet again.

  Just like he intended to rock hers.

  Chapter 19

  Celine slowly opened her eyes and squinted against the bright sun shining through the windows. She shifted in bed to lie on her back and gaze up at the ceiling, but not before noticing the time was close to noon. It was hard to believe she’d slept this late, but then, maybe not.

  Evidently intent on not breaking another rule, Zion had left her bed around three this morning, leaving her with a toe-curling kiss after hours of nonstop lovemaking. Lovemaking that had been so remarkable, her body was still tingling in aftershocks.

  She closed her eyes, reclaiming last night’s memories, recalling the moments after their lovemaking when she’d settled in his arms with her cheek pressed against his chest, listening to his heartbeat while her body hummed in absolute pleasure.

  Even after Zion’s spiel about the risk of a pregnancy because he hadn’t worn a condom, he’d made love to her again—twice—without one. Then he’d left her bed. She’d known the exact moment he’d left, not to return. She would have felt a total sense of loss if he hadn’t left her so totally and completely satisfied. The nights spent in his arms had been so fulfilling, so invigorating and exhilarating. She’d made love to Jerome just a few times, and she’d thought nothing could surpass that. She’d been wrong. Zion was in a class all by himself. And the words he’d spoken to her about Second Chances had been uplifting. They had bolstered her confidence and her belief that she was doing the right thing. That her company was impacting lives in a positive way.

  Sitting up in bed, she lifted her arms over her head to stretch her body, feeling wonderful. Today she intended to push her father and Nikon from her mind, any thoughts of what the two of them were mixed up in, and how she was unwittingly involved. They had no idea where she was and she intended to keep it that way. If her father called she would continue to assure him she was safe, and for now that was enough. She agreed to stay out of it and let York Ellis find out the truth.

  Deciding it was time to start her day, she slid from the bed to go shower and dress. There was no doubt it would be lonely, with Zion hiding out yet again in his workplace. At least yesterday she’d had that report to keep her busy; today she really had nothing to do.

  Glancing out the window, she was again taken by the beauty of the land on which Zion’s country home sat. That was when she made up her mind to go outside and enjoy it. She might walk to the lake. Being an only child, she was used to entertaining herself, and today would be no different.

  * * *

  Zion shut down his equipment, leaned back on his workbench and sighed deeply as he glanced over at the clock. It was a couple of hours past noon. Somehow he’d finished the jewelry pieces he’d been commissioned to make for Celine. He hoped when she saw them on her birthday she would be pleased.

  He smiled, thinking how for the past five years she had successfully run a huge charitable organization right under the media’s nose without anyone finding out. Good for her. People running the newspapers, television and tabloids thought they knew all about every celebrity’s business, and Celine had successfully proved them wrong.

  He stood and walked over to the window as he thought again about last night, convinced the taste of her was still in his mouth. He no longer wondered why Celine had such an effect on him, just accepted that she did. But at least he knew he had an effect on her, as well. Together they were an explosion just waiting to happen—and it happened each and every time their bodies joined.

  Zion was about to turn from the window when movement below caught his attention. It was Celine, wearing a pair of jeans and a pullover sweater. She was walking toward the lake with a blanket tucked under her arm. It was a beautiful day outside and he couldn’t blame her for wanting to enjoy it.

  An idea suddenly popped into his head. He tried forcing it away, but couldn’t. Moving from the window, he quickly went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator to grab the sandwiches he’d made earlier for lunch, but hadn’t taken the time to eat. He also grabbed bags of chips out of his snack tray and a bottle of wine and two glasses. Placing all of them in the wicker basket he kept in one of the cabinets, he headed for the door.

  * * *

  “I hope I can join you.”

  Celine lifted her head off the blanket and looked at Zion. Pulling herself up in a sitting position, she drew in a deep breath. “I thought you’d be busy all day,” she said, recalling what he’d told her last night.

  “I have to eat sometime, and I have enough to share,” he replied, producing a picnic basket from behind his back.

  She smiled. “I appreciate your generosity.”

  “I made turkey sandwiches this morning before leaving the house,” he said, kneeling and placing the basket in front of her.

  “And you have my favorite chips,” she said, looking into the basket and pulling out a bag of barbecue-flavored ones.

  He reached for the wineglasses, then proceeded to uncork the bottle and pour wine into them. “This comes from one of Italy’s finest vineyards.”

  “I can’t wait to taste it. You thought of everything,” she said.

  “I tried to.”

  “Hmm, maybe I should warn you that I missed breakfast. It was noon before I woke up today and I’m sort of hungry.”

  “Then eat up.”

  They ate for a while in silence. But that didn’t stop her from appreciating his presence, inhaling his scent, getting flooded with full sexual awareness of him.

  “You still haven’t heard from your father?” he asked, taking a sip of his wine.

  “No. If you need me to leave, I can check into a hotel.”

  A frustrated expression appeared on his face. “Any reason we’re back to that again?”

  She didn’t say anything for a minute, then stated, “Bettina has been blowing up your phone today.”

  “Where’s the phone now?”

  Celine leaned over, pulled it out of her jeans pocket and handed it to him. Was he going to return Bettina’s call? Right now, while Celine was sitting there? She watched him and saw what he did before handing the phone back to her. “You blocked her.”

  “Yes, I blocked any further calls from her. I told her from the beginning I don’t do long-term relationships. I guess she’s determined to make a liar out of me.”

  Celine figured it had nothing to do with making a liar out of him. It was about tempting him enough to break his rules. Celine had done so and wondered why this Bettina couldn’t.

  As if Zion had read her thoughts, he said, “She doesn’t get to me the way you do, Celine.”

  The intensity of his gaze focused on her stirred her insides. “How do I get to you, Zion?”

  “I think you know, since I’ve broken a few rules for you.”

  Yes, he had done that. “Your broken rules might be reason alone for me to leave,” she said, finishing off her sandwich and taking another drink of her wine.

  “I want you to stay.”

  She studied his features and felt a tingling in her stomach as she watched him bite into his sandwich and slowly chew. Why was the movement of his mouth a total turn-on? “Why do you want me to stay?”

  He didn’t answer right away, just finished his sandwich, followed by a sip of wine. “I like having you around.”

  And she liked being around him.

  They finished their lunch and wine. He surprised her by stretching out on the blanket and then pulling her down with him. “Have you ever been made love to under the beauty of the sky, Celine?”

  “No.”

  “Then share the experience with me.” He lowered his mouth to hers and she knew exactly how their picnic would end.

  Chapter 20

  Around three in the morning Zion woke to the ringing of his phone. After making love to Celine on the blanket by the lake for the majority of the afternoon, he had come back here to work at the cottage instead of going to the main house. He knew he would be tempted to make love to her even more. And because of that he’d stayed in the bedroom at the cottage.

  Recognizing the ringtone, he said, “This had better be good, Y.”

  “It’s about Levy Michaels.”

  Zion pulled himself up in bed. “What about him?”

  “It seems Michaels planned his daughter’s kidnapping as part of a publicity stunt orchestrated by Anastas, which is why he hadn’t gone to the FBI.”

  “What!”

  “You heard me. The reason for her kidnapping had nothing to do with Nikon Anastas owing anyone money. He never owed anyone anything. The plan fell through when Ms. Michaels got away. Those men were to hold her for a week, and they would get paid a huge sum of money for their troubles. News of her kidnapping would have made national headlines, with Michaels being portrayed as the concerned and upset father and then Nikon as the hero when he showed up in Italy to rescue Ms. Michaels.”

  Zion couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of.”

  “Yeah, but those Hollywood types will do anything to get their name in the spotlight. Unfortunately, a monkey wrench was thrown into the plans. Once those men grabbed Ms. Michaels they got greedy and decided they would make more money with a real kidnapping. They called Anastas and Michaels and told them of their change in plans. A faked kidnapping had turned into the real thing and a ransom was demanded. That’s why Michaels told his daughter to go into hiding—because he knew those men were looking for her. He and Anastas tried to talk some sense into the men, and when that failed, they had no choice but to finally go to the FBI today and admit what they’d done.”

  Zion got out of bed, livid. “That was a crazy publicity stunt, which could have gotten Celine hurt.”

  “I think her dad realizes that now. I understand the FBI is working with Rome officials to find those men. I would help them out, since I’ve kept a tail on them since day one, but if I do, the authorities will wonder about my involvement, and I intend to keep you from being connected to all this BS.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “I figured you would. More than likely Michaels will be calling his daughter to explain everything. Hopefully, he’ll tell her the truth this time. I understand he wants her back home and has no idea where she is. He’s not even sure if she’s still in Rome. A part of me suspects he’s really worried about her now, since he hasn’t talked to her.”

  “He could have. She’s been using my burner phone.”

  “Evidently he was worried about the calls being traced by those guys,” York explained.

  Zion slid into his jeans and walked over to the window. He could see the guest bedroom where Celine was staying from where he stood. Suddenly the lights in the bedroom came on. She still had his burner phone, so he wondered if she’d just gotten a call from her father.

  “Z? You still there?”

  “Yes, I’m still here. I need to go to Celine. I’ll talk to you—”

  “Go to her? Where is she?”

  “Staying at the main house.”

  “Oh. And where are you staying?”

  He was about to tell York that he asked too many questions. Instead he answered, “At the cottage.”

  “Any reason the two of you aren’t under the same roof?”

  “No reason that’s any of your business. Bye, Y. I’ll call you back later.”

  Zion clicked off the phone, slipped on his shoes and headed for the door.

  * * *

  “What are you saying, Dad?” Celine asked, easing out of bed after turning on the lamp. She could hardly believe what her father had just told her.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. When Nikon came up with the idea it sounded like a good plan, to put our names out there for that project we’ll be working on together the beginning of next year.”

  “So this was all a publicity stunt?” She could feel anger tightening her throat.

  “But things didn’t go the way we’d planned,” her father said. “Those men were supposed to hold you for a few days and then let you go. Nikon and I would then announce to the authorities that you’d been kidnapped, and that we’d paid your ransom. It would have been a great news story about how Nikon and I saved the day and got you back home safely. The PR would have been unbelievably great. Only thing, those men got greedy and tried making the kidnapping the real thing. I am so glad you got away from them.”

  Celine didn’t want to think what might have happened if she hadn’t. “I can’t believe you would do something like that. Put my life in danger.”

  “Like I told you, I honestly didn’t think you’d be in danger. Nikon assured me you wouldn’t be.”

  “And when I called and told you what happened, why didn’t you contact the FBI like you claimed you’d done?” She detected her father’s annoyance. He detested being questioned about anything. He’d told her what he’d wanted her to know and that should have been final. But not this time. Now she needed to know the truth.

  “Because I thought Nikon and I could handle it, that we could talk some sense into those men to back off, but we couldn’t. They were intent on getting more money out of us. They threatened to tear up Rome looking for you and when they found you there would be hell to pay. That’s when I knew that I had to let the FBI know what was going on. Especially when I had no idea where you were. I still don’t.”

  And she still had no intention of telling him. The story would break and the names of everyone involved would be publicized. It wouldn’t be the story her father had wanted out there, but that was too bad.

  That wasn’t what she wanted for Zion. He didn’t deserve an invasion of his privacy just for trying to protect her.

  “When can I return to the States?” She didn’t ask when she could return to the Michaels estate. More than ever she was determined to move out into her own place.

  “You’re free to return now. I’ve been notified that the Italian police have apprehended those men and they’ve been arrested. The FBI has agreed not to make a statement about anything, since you got away and no harm came to you.”

  “So in other words, no one will know what you and Nikon planned to do.”

  Her father hesitated for a moment, then said, “For now. There’s a possibility those men who were arrested will talk, but we’ll deal with that when and if it happens.”

  Celine could only shake her head. Did he think being kidnapped for even a short while hadn’t been traumatic for her?

  “By the way, your phone should be working again. And I plan to be with Ulysses when he flies in to get you.”

  “Don’t bother, Dad. I’ll get back to the States on my own.”

  “Celine, I will be coming to get you.”

  “No, Dad, you won’t. I will call you when I get to the States.”

  “Celine, I know you’re upset about all this, but I’ll make it up to you. How does an unlimited shopping experience in the Canary Islands sound to you?”

  He actually thought that her emotions could be bought! Rage roiled inside her. But then, hadn’t his attempts to soothe her in the past been basically the same—throwing money at her? Instead of going shopping, she’d invested the money into Second Chances. But not this time. “I don’t want to go shopping, Dad.”

  “Of course you do. By the way, the Roman authorities want to talk to you. They can’t hold those men until you officially file charges against them, and that needs to be done within seventy-two hours.”

  “I’m not ready to talk to anyone yet. When I am, I will. Goodbye, Dad.”

  As soon as she clicked off the phone, she heard the light knock on the door and knew who it was. Slipping on her robe, she said, “Come in.”

  A shirtless Zion walked in. “Are you okay, Celine?”

  The intensity of her attraction to him still mystified her. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?” She didn’t mean to sound flippant, but she couldn’t help it. After making love to her all afternoon by the lake, he had walked her back here, and instead of staying, he had escaped to the cottage. He’d even had the audacity to text her to say he would spend the night there. Why did he keep making love to her and then rejecting her?

  “I got a call from York and he told me what he’d found out.”

  “And I just got a call from my father. He told me everything. He also said the Roman officials picked up the men and I need to go to the authorities and press charges within seventy-two hours.”

  Zion nodded. “No problem. I will take you wherever you need to go tomorrow.”

  She shook her head. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

  He frowned. “Why?”

  “Because no one knows where I’ve been for the past few days and I’d prefer to keep you out of it. I know how you feel about being in the spotlight and wouldn’t want your name connected to mine. Somehow Dad got the FBI to agree to keep the incident out of the papers in the States, but if those kidnappers decide to talk it won’t make Dad or Nikon look good.”

  “When and if the truth gets out, people are going to wonder where you were hiding,” Zion said.

  “Let them. I’ll refuse to tell them. Like I said, I don’t want you involved.”