An Invitation to Sin(49)

There was something oddly vulnerable about her panic and, because he understood it, he took pity on her. ‘There’s no need to run. I’m not about to declare undying love and try and put a gold band on your finger. You’re probably safer with me than any other man alive.’

‘This isn’t about you.’ She bent down to retrieve her shoes, the movement so fluid and graceful he immediately wanted to haul her back to bed.

‘So why are you running?’

She came upright and scooped her hair away from her face, her eyes fierce. ‘Because I don’t do this. I—I just can’t.’

‘Do what? Stay and eat breakfast? Because that’s all that’s on offer.’

‘I don’t eat breakfast.’ Her foot shot out and she kicked at the pile of clothes they’d torn off each other the night before, searching for something. ‘And I can’t do this whole morning-after touchy-feely crap. It’s not me. Damn—have you seen my watch? I was wearing it last night.’

‘It lacerated my back at one stage so now it’s by the bed. And I don’t do touchy-feely either.’ His words didn’t appear to penetrate because she glared at him as she strode across the room and snatched up her watch.

‘Do you know how many years I’ve stopped myself doing this?’

‘Quite a few if your wild response last night was anything to go by. Next time you might want to shorten your periods of abstinence. Your she-wolf act could kill a regular guy. I think I have teeth marks in my shoulder.’

The look she shot him speared right through him. ‘So I suppose now you think you’re a sex god.’

Luca discovered he was enjoying himself. ‘You moaned, dolcezza. Despite everything you said, you definitely moaned.’

‘So? It’s a long time since I had sex.’ Head down, she jammed her feet into her shoes. ‘Don’t read anything into it.’

‘So you’re saying any man would have made you moan?’

If looks could have killed he would have been a rotting corpse. ‘I thought you didn’t enjoy morning-after conversations.’

‘Funnily enough I’m enjoying this one.’ It was the first time a woman had been more scared than him. ‘Admit it—last night was the hottest sex you’ve ever had.’

‘God, why do guys need so much praise? Just shut up and let me dress in peace. I have to go.’

Luca smiled. ‘All of this excess energy is wasted because you’re running from a man who isn’t chasing you, tesoro.’

‘Don’t call me that.’ She spoke between her teeth. ‘When we’re on our own, there is no need to pretend we’re anything other than—’

‘Two people who share explosive chemistry in bed?’

‘Not that either.’

‘I fully understand your aversion to relationships. I’m having more trouble understanding your panic about a night of incredible sex. Is this because you lost control?’

‘I did not lose control.’

‘I enjoyed the opera by the way. I had no idea the whole experience could be so…passionate. I love to hear you moaning, but silent sex was surprisingly erotic.’

Her look was fierce. ‘You took advantage.’

‘I didn’t hear you complaining either then or last night. You definitely moaned. And you dug your fingers in my back.’

‘Are you finished?’

‘For now. But only because we need to eat before we expend more energy.’

‘We won’t be expending more energy. This was a one-time thing. We’re going to forget this happened.’

He should have been relieved to hear that from a woman. The fact that he wasn’t surprised him. ‘Fine by me. But any time you want me to make you moan again, just tap me on the shoulder. My skills are at your disposal.’ He saw her eyes flash.

‘I can live perfectly well without your skills.’

‘Are you sure? Because it seemed to me that you were pretty desperate there for a while.’

‘I was not desperate.’ Without looking at him she slung her bag over her shoulder and made for the door. ‘I’ll call a taxi.’

Realising that she was serious, Luca sighed and sprang from the bed. ‘And spend tomorrow reading that we had our first row? You need to calm down and breathe. Give me five minutes in the shower and I’ll drop you on my way to work as usual.’