“Don’t tell my brother I said this,” Franco says under his breath, “but that damned cake is my favorite dessert of all time.”

  I raise my hand and call out, “Benito.” But I say it quietly just to tease Franco like I’m going to give his secret away.

  He grabs my hand by the wrist, and the moment changes, shifts from something playful to something very different. We swap a look that’s both heated and awkward, and he slides his fingers away from my skin. I immediately miss his strength and heat.

  Sassy reminds us the meal is on the house.

  Franco hands Sassy her tip in cash and thanks her for the meal. Then he stands and kisses her cheek.

  She fusses over me, and I realize she doesn’t yet know about what happened at the shop—or at least, she isn’t bringing it up.

  “Am I taking you home with me?” he murmurs, his lips quirked in a smile.

  I must be a little tipsy because I say exactly what’s on my mind. “Only if you promise I don’t have to sleep on the couch,” I say.

  I am momentarily horrified.

  I mean, the man’s opened his home to me, and I’ve just brazenly demanded what…that he sleep with me?

  Share his bed?

  Spoon me again until I feel his hard length against my bottom?

  I feel the flush light up my cheeks, but that’s nothing compared to how I feel when he leans down and whispers in my ear.

  “Babe, you’re not leaving my side tonight,” he says with a sly grin, and for a moment…I’m hopeful for more than a hug.

  11

  Franco

  We walk through the door of my place together like we’re coming home. The feeling is unusual—no, it’s more than that. It’s fucking weird.

  I’ve had plenty of women back to my place over the years, but never once has the person at my side felt like she belonged there. With me. I’m not sure whether to shake the feeling or embrace it.

  I don’t have to think long because as soon as we’re in the door, we stand side by side taking off our boots. Chloe kicks hers off first and then steps up to me. She’s looking me in the face, her sweet lower lip tucked between her teeth.

  “Franco, I…”

  I have no idea what she’s thinking, but she rises on her toes and places a featherlight kiss against my cheek. “Thank you,” she whispers, looping her arms around my neck. “For everything today.”

  I feel like she’s moving back, stepping away from me, but I don’t want to let her go. I circle my hands around her waist, and that seems to be the invitation she needs to stay right where she is. To come even closer, in fact. “You’re…welcome,” I manage as she flutters her eyelids shut and sways against me.

  I don’t know what else to say or how to navigate this. She’s going to crash at my place again tonight; I think it’s clear we both want that. But what is becoming even clearer is there’s more we want from each other than company. More than this chaste thank-you kiss on the cheek.

  Do we want more than that?

  I think so, at least, but I admit I’m not entirely sure. “Are you tipsy?” I ask delicately, not wanting to insult her, but also not wanting to let anything happen when she isn’t in a perfectly clear state of mind to make the decision.

  Her eyes open, and she releases her hold on my neck. “No,” she says.

  I hold her tight around the waist. “I’m going to kiss you.”

  She widens her eyes and licks her lips. Her breath comes in little puffs, nervous and excited. The same as mine. She nods and lifts her face to mine, bringing her nose as close to mine as she can on tiptoe.

  I brush my lips against hers, and her sweet, orange-scented breath fills my senses. But just a touch of those plush lips sends my cock into overdrive, and suddenly, my brain is no longer in control.

  There is no thinking my way through this. No rational thought that’s going to protect me from how complicated I know this is going to get.

  For now, though, it’s simple.

  I want her, and I want her bad.

  She tastes divine, and I open my mouth, exploring her depths with my tongue. She mewls against my lips, her hips pressing against my already stiff cock, and I know I’m fucked. Done for. This woman tastes like an angel and is hiding curves that I know were meant to be worshipped. I want to lay her out on my bed and taste every inch of her skin. I want to see her pussy, watch as I touch the trembling flesh. My body is in control now, and I’m just a helpless participant, following the demands of my desire for her.

  Her hair is fisted between my fingers and her tits are crushed against my chest. “You want this?” I pant. “It’s not too late to say no, and I’ll take a cold shower and sleep on the—”

  I can’t even get the offer out before she’s rasping, “I want this. I want you. If you want me, then God, Franco…please…”

  While it’s nowhere near as picture-perfect as it is in the movies, we kiss and grope and strip out of our clothes the entire stumbling walk up the stairs to my bedroom.

  By the time we make it to the bed, Chloe’s sweater is gone, and she’s fumbling with the button on her cargo pants. I stop her with a hand.

  “That’s my job,” I growl, looking pointedly at her body. “I’m going to take such good care of you.”

  I can see her entire body tremble under my gaze. Her nipples are so hard I can see the thick peaks just begging to be nibbled through the cups of her bra. She stands with her hands at her sides, looking like she has absolutely no idea what to do.

  I shuck off my jeans and socks but leave on my boxer briefs. If I expose my cock just yet, that’ll be it. Once my skin touches hers, there’ll be no going back. And I want to take my time with this.

  She stands there wide-eyed, her lips parted, those erect buds practically shredding through her bra. I close the space between us and lift her chin so our eyes meet, and I just look at her.

  “You’re beautiful, Chloe,” I say, picking up a lock of her hair between two fingers. “And I want to see every inch of you.”

  She shivers, harder this time, but her eyes never leave mine. “You’re unbelievable,” she whispers. “Not like I don’t believe you. I mean like, you’re so gorgeous.”

  “Thank you, baby.” I’m glad she likes what she sees, but right now, all I care about is how hungry I am for her.

  I start with the button on her pants, unfastening it easily. Then I work the zipper down and urge the waistband away from her hips.

  Chloe’s got some curves to her, and I got just a taste of her last night when my dick cuddled up her to ass like it was magnetically attracted.

  She’s wearing boy short-type underwear today, and I shove those down, exposing her trimmed mound. She gasps, a thrilling sound that’s heavy with wanting. She clutches my bare shoulders as she steps out of the panties. I toss them aside and look at her. Her hair spills over her shoulders as her cheeks flush. I’m so goddamn hard, I want to get myself off fast so I can savor the experience and get hard again.

  But no. I’m not going to blow in ten seconds like a kid. I’m going to take my sweet time, no matter how my dick protests.

  She shivers and crosses her arms lightly over her chest.

  I shove aside the blankets, and she dives into my bed headfirst, making me laugh. “There’s so much more to you than meets the eye,” I tell her. “You’re serious and quiet, but you’re not. You’re funny and snarky and playful.”

  “I’m also really, really turned on,” she adds.

  I laugh again and climb in bed beside her. I tug the covers over her legs to warm her feet and lie on my side next to her. My raging hard-on knocks into the outside of her thigh as I tuck in closer. “Lie still.”

  She nods and lies on her back. Waiting. I haven’t removed her bra yet, but I really want to take my time getting there.

  I support my weight on one arm, so my other hand is free to stroke her collarbone and neck. I kiss her throat and her sternum, warming her body with my breath and heat until she squirms under my touch, and I know she’s wanting more.

  I trail my fingertips along the top of her bra cup, pressing lightly over the tip of her nipple that’s desperately trying to break its way through the fabric to get to me. I pinch her softly, watching for her body’s pleasure tell. She gasps and her legs quiver at the gentle pressure, so I try again, harder this time.

  “Oh God,” she pants.

  Fuck. I haven’t even touched her yet, and she’s crying out to heaven? Chloe is going to be more fun than I’ve had in a long time.

  I ease the cup away from one of her breasts, pushing the fabric down so her nipple peeks out. The rosy tip is dark, hard, and thick, and just seeing it makes me want to bite down and suck deep, but I start slow, licking and flicking the tender skin with the tip of my tongue. She weaves her fingers through my hair and presses my head closer, but I want to take my time. Watch her passion ratchet up until she’s explosive.

  I lift my head away from her breast and she whimpers in displeasure, but she’s quickly changing her tune as I lock my mouth on to that rosy bud and suck it deep into my mouth.

  Her hips jerk and her hands are back in my hair as I work my tongue in leisurely circles around the dark areola, stopping only to nip the erect tip between my teeth and suck it long and hard into my mouth.

  Her legs are quivering by the time I get to the other breast. I climb over her body, but instead of coming to rest on her other side, I anchor my weight above her as I straddle her hips. I grind lightly against her, and she rolls her eyes back in her head and slams her lids shut.

  Her breasts are full, and I cup one in my hand, feeding her nipple into my mouth. I suck this side harder, leaving a wet mark and a faint pink color when I lift my mouth to check on her.

  “This good?” I ask.

  She slams her eyes open and grips the blankets between tight fingers. “Don’t you dare freaking stop.”

  I laugh and leave her perfect nipples pointing at the ceiling, her bra cups shoved down near the band, as I move to the foot of the bed. I kneel beside her and run my fingers up and down her thighs, kneading the muscles until her mouth falls open and little purrs of pleasure escape from between her lips.

  I gently open her legs. “I want to look at you,” I say, warning her. I spread her knees wide and settle between her legs. I can see the tiny hairs on her thighs are pebbled and her fingers are still clenched tight, but she looks blissed out. With her nipples exposed and erect, I could sink myself deep and blow my wad in seconds, but I’m not sure I’m even going to fuck her. I’m having way too much fun exploring.

  I palm both of her thighs on my way higher, then I scoot closer between her legs so I can see her pussy. With one hand, I smooth the trimmed hair, getting her used to my touch. She sighs until I take two fingers and stroke her drenched seam. She bucks against the mattress lightly, but I use my other hand on her belly to still her.

  When I brush the right spot, she jerks and releases a moan that sends a bolt of electricity to my cock. I’m dripping at the tip now, my cock so fucking hard it’s difficult to get comfortable on my belly, but I’m too focused on discovering all her buttons to stop. Her legs open even wider, and I encourage her.

  “That’s it,” I say, the scent of her arousal making my mouth water.

  I work my thumb in gentle circles, watching how she writhes beneath me, her thighs tense, her breathing ragged, and I work my fingers inside little by little. She’s grinding her hips so hard, trying to draw me deeper inside, that she’s practically slamming her body down on my fingers. But I want to be the one to bring her pleasure. I want to control when she comes, how hard, how long, so I can watch her fall apart and come back together.

  “Open your legs wider,” I tell her.

  I don’t move my hand from her pussy, but I use the other hand to lift the knee closest to me a little higher. She follows my lead, bending her knees so her feet are on the mattress and then letting her legs fall open.

  I lower my face to her inner thigh and lick and kiss her while I stroke her clit with increasingly firm pressure. My fingers are soaked but nowhere near fully inside her yet, and she’s jerking her hips rhythmically like she’s chasing her own private high.

  When I know she’s close to spilling over the edge, I slide my fingers deep inside her and piston my arm so I can move in and out without ever fully taking my fingers from her body. My fingers are all the way inside, while my thumb works her clit, and together, my hand cups her sex and strokes and fucks her. I take my time, the only rush the one I’ll get when I finally make her scream.

  “Oh fuck, Franco.”

  She’s off then, riding the wave, lost to the pleasure my fingers and mouth brought her. I can feel every spasm of her climax against my fingers and in my hair because she’s grabbed my head with both hands as she thrashes beneath me.

  She slows quietly and comes to a panting rest just as I gently pull my fingers from her pussy. She struggles to open her eyes, but she does, and I stare at her as I slide one finger and then the other into my mouth.

  “I want to taste you,” she says, quiet determination in her voice.

  “I’m all yours. Do with me as you please.”

  I hold her in my arms for what seems like a second before she’s up on her knees. She unclasps her bra and tosses it aside. My boxer briefs are off and chasing her bra into a corner of my room while she leans back on her heels.

  “Franco,” she says quietly, her voice fragile.

  “Yeah?”

  She swallows hard. “I mean… Everything I want to do with you… It’s overwhelming. I want to ride you. I want to suck you. You’re so freaking beautiful and sexy, and we hardly even know each other. Is this stupid fast? Or just like two people scratching an itch?”

  I shrug one shoulder.

  The words die in my throat as I feel her lips close over my shaft. And I’m suddenly not soft anymore.

  12

  Chloe

  Two Weeks Later

  * * *

  Franco is snoring lightly behind me. His body is entangled with mine. One arm is thrown over my naked torso, and our calves and thighs are knitted together in a leg-lock.

  This feels so normal. So right.

  Being with him like this is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. He feels like my person now. This feels like falling in love.

  Every morning, I wake up convinced that last night was the last night. But mornings keep turning into nights, day after day, and here I am. Still sleeping in his bed. Still naked. And yet still feeling the pressure of time passing.

  My tummy flips over, knowing it’s time for this fairy tale to come to an end. I have to return to my apartment, pay my rent, and go back to my own life.

  I slide out from underneath him, carefully moving his limbs off me so I don’t wake him. I need coffee. I need to spend some time thinking about the future. For us. For me. For the bookstore…for everything.

  I sigh deeply as I’m making us coffee.

  “What’s wrong?” he asks, walking into the kitchen as he scratches at his chest.

  “Nothing.”

  He raises an eyebrow as his eyes rake over me. “Nothing?” he repeats, sliding an arm around my middle to pull me into a hug. “That sigh means something.”

  I shrug a shoulder, not wanting to talk about the mix of emotions I’m feeling. I’ve already overstayed my welcome. One night turned into two, which then turned into a week, and here we are—two weeks later.

  “Dinner at my parents’ tomorrow?” he asks. The question is casual, but his voice is not.

  My heart catches in my chest, and I measure the grounds carefully because there is a slight shake in my hand. “I’d love to go,” I say. “But that would be the fourth weekend in a row. The first time your parents invited me and then the last two you brought me with you. Don’t you think your family might start to get ideas about…”

  I trail off because there is no us. I mean, of course there isn’t. But now could be the right time to ask.

  “What do you think?” I click on the coffee to brew and join him at the table.

  “I think my ma is onto us. She suspects at least.” He rubs his forehead just as there’s a knock at the door. A loud one. “Fuck,” he mutters.

  I’m dressed in one of Franco’s tank tops, no bra, and wearing just my underwear on bottom. He’s shirtless and in his pajama pants.

  “There’s only one person who pops by at this hour. You think my ma’s going to believe we just had a sleepover?”

  I frantically look toward the door. If he didn’t seem so unnerved by this, I wouldn’t be either. But he’s giving off very strong vibes.

  He’s most definitely not ready for there to be an “us.”

  I leap up and reassure him. “I’ll go get dressed.”

  Before he says anything, I bound upstairs. I hear the door unlock, and Lucia’s voice carries through the house.

  “Ma, I already told you. I’m renting. I don’t even know if the landlord would allow it.”

  I quickly make Franco’s bed and scan the bedroom for any signs of sex. A wave of deep sadness fills my chest as I realize what I’m up here doing. I’m hiding.

  I gather all my things from the bathroom and pack up my bags. I fold the extra blankets and pillows and stack everything.

  Then, I wait.

  Lucia has to know I’m here.

  My car is parked in Franco’s driveway.

  Damn.

  I’m all packed up and sitting on the edge of Franco’s bed when he plods upstairs. He notices me just sitting there and cocks his chin.

  “What’s going on?” he asks, looking around the room, until his eyes land on my bags.

  I give him a stiff smile. “I need to get back to my aunt’s. The rent is due today. I’ve spent plenty of time squatting at your place. It’s time we get back to normal.”

  The fairy tale has gone on far too long. Longer than I should’ve allowed it, because now, I’m afraid my heart can’t handle life without him in it.