Free The Playboy's Fugitive Bride by Ana E Ross

sentence.  “ Andiamo a letto, poi .  Let’s go to bed,” he translated for her benefit.
    The trepidation in her eyes told Massimo that this was the moment Nia had been dreading since he told her they would be sharing a bed—sex or no sex.  She’d been gulping down the eighty-thousand-dollar bottle of Romanee Conti all night in an effort to self-intoxicate and deter his advances.
    He was never one to miss an opportunity where a slightly drunk but experienced woman was concerned, but he would never seduce an innocent inebriated girl—no matter how alluring she was.  He could have told Nia that her drinking binge was unnecessary, but he’d gotten great pleasure from watching her simmer in her own sauce.  He saw no harm in having a little fun with her before his impending nuptials next week.  It might be the last time in three years he would have fun with a woman.
    He rose and walked around the table to stand behind her chair.  When his fingers brushed against the warm silkiness of her arm, she shuddered and gazed up at him.  Her eyes were bewitching as they glimmered in the light from the fireplace and the wrought iron chandelier above the table.  They haunted him.  Where had he seen them?
    “Vieni, cara ,” he said, helping her to her feet.  He would worry about her eyes tomorrow.
    She wobbled a little as she stood up and Massimo immediately circled her waist to lend her support.  Once she was steady, he followed her out into the corridor, staying close should she stumble, but far enough to admire the gentle curves of her hips and buttocks moving beneath her black knee-length dress.
    He was now the proud owner of two gorgeous cats, he thought as he watched the glossy mane of straight black hair bounce against her back as she walked.  Just as Jabari possessed the grace and charm of ultimate feline beauty, Nia displayed all the charisma of the quintessential female.
    As he imagined Nia purring in pleasure beneath him, Massimo thought of calling Dafne again, this time to tell her that their arrangement was off.  Ever since he met Nia, he’d been having trouble making a decision and sticking to it.
    He would possess her.  He would possess her not .
    He’d never been this indecisive about anything in his entire life.  He was known for making articulate and prudent decisions then following through until they passed or failed muster just like his ancestors before him.  It was the stick-to-itiveness upon which Andretti Industries prospered.  Nia Sylk was slowly stripping him of that power.
    “Massimo?”  Nia turned and gazed up at him.
    “Yes, pussycat?”  His heart pounded against his chest when she licked her lips with her little pink tongue.
    She stood on her tiptoes and draped her arms around his neck.  “Would... would it be... wrong if I...  I asked you to...  to kiss me?”
    “No, pussycat.  It wouldn’t be wrong at all.”  He tucked strands of hair behind her ears.
    She was so damned desirable .
    He was so damned hard .
    “I...  I know I... asked you to wait... before we...  you know—”
    “ Piccola, mia .” Massimo growled as his arms circled her.  He’d promised to break his promise, only if she asked.  Was she asking?
    He should be flogged for the lewd images flowing through his head.  The fact that she was drunk didn’t seem like much of a deterrent now against such pungent temptation.  He was going to hell.  God help him, he was already there.  He eased her onto the elevator and drew her close, pressing her sweet, soft body into his.  She felt absolutely divine, and smelled just as...  
    He bent his head and covered her tender waiting mouth with his, kissing her deeply and rapaciously.  When they stepped off the elevator, Massimo led Nia down the hall toward his bedroom like a butcher leading an unsuspecting lamb to the slaughter.
     
     

 

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    The kiss was deep.  Deep and thrilling.  His hot tongue wrapped around hers, probing, thrusting,