Free Italian Stallions by Karin Tabke, Jami Alden

I might take your chef home with me tonight.”
    Gianna laughed and leaned into his hand. “I don’t think Dante will like that.”
    He moved closer and traced her lips with the shrimp. She opened her mouth, and he placed it on her tongue. When he didn’t pull his finger away, she closed her lips around his finger and softly sucked it before moving back. Gabe’s eyes darkened, and she heard a small intake of breath. Slowly Gianna chewed. After she swallowed, she licked her lips. Gabe moved in close to her. He smiled and lowered his head, and licked at the corner of her mouth.
    “You missed a spot.”
    The contact sent her senses reeling and her world tilted. Quick intense jolts of desire pricked her senses. Gianna looked over her shoulder to see if anyone witnessed his touch. She closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. Most everyone was busy shutting down for the night.
    Gabe speared another shrimp and plopped it into his mouth. He chewed with gusto. Mesmerized, Gianna watched the full curve of his lips move in sync with the strong line of his jaw. His eyes locked with hers.
    “Gianna?” Tressie called as she made her way to the back of the dining room. Gianna tore her eyes away from Gabe’s mouth and turned to see her cousin saunter their way. A smirk hovered on her lips. Gianna flushed and smirked back. “I’m heading out for the night. Everything is cleaned and locked up except your plates.”
    Gabe stood and extended his hand to Tressie. When she gave him her hand, instead of shaking it, he brought it to his lips and kissed it. “Theresa, grazi , for everything.”
    Tressie grinned and withdrew her hand, looking down at Gianna. Her smirk turned into a knowing secret smile. “Anytime. Ciao !” She said over her shoulder as she strode from the room. Before Tressie exited the room, Dino’s “That’s Amore” piped softly through the sound system.
    “You’re fired,” Gianna called to her retreating cousin. An answering laugh was followed by the slam of the front door, then the lock turning.
    “I like your cousin,” Gabe said, scooting closer to Gianna.
    She scooted away. “I used to like her.”
    “Why are you afraid of me?”
    “I’m not afraid of you!”
    “What happened to the firebrand who jumped me last night?”
    Gianna frowned. “She got a grip.”
    Gabe plucked another shrimp from the plate and wagged it in front of her mouth. Gianna reached up and tried to take it from his hand, but he shook his head. “Open.”
    She kept her lips shut. He slid the shrimp along the crease of her lips. “C’mon, Gianna, you know you want it.”
    “No—” He plopped the shrimp in. She pulled away from his fingers. He grabbed a tender piece of lamb and took a bite of it right off the bone. He chewed slowly. “Mmm, that is delicious.”
    “That’s my recipe.”
    He took another bite and slowly chewed, savoring the taste. “Perfectly grilled. It’s so pink and juicy. Like you.”
    He took another rib and held it for her to bite into. Gianna snatched the bone from his hand and sunk her teeth into the rare meat. She twisted her head and ripped it off the bone. As she chewed and swallowed, Gabe grabbed another rib and wagged it under her nose. “C’mon, Gia,” he softly said, “take another bite.”
    When she moved forward and opened her mouth, Gabe’s lips swooped down on hers. He set the rib aside and plundered her mouth. His body swelled when he felt Gianna’s breasts press against his chest in response. Slowly he tasted her, his lips nibbling her tongue, and he tasted the lamb and the essence of Gianna.
    He moved back and, only a few inches from her face, brought the rib bone up to her lips. She took a bite. He took one as well. They both chewed, their eyes watching, their nostrils flaring, each very aware of the other. Gabe swallowed and grabbed his glass of wine. He pressed it to Gianna’s lips. She took a sip; Gabe took a sip. Her lips glistened a deep burgundy color. Gabe kissed her