Free Ten Days in Tuscany by Annie Seaton Page B

Despite the way she was returning his kiss, Nic didn’t want to frighten her with the raging erection that was trying to burst the zipper of his jeans. He lifted his head as he stepped back but kept his hands on her smooth skin. Her T-shirt had lifted a little, and his fingers brushed the bare skin at her waist. Smooth and silky. So tempting to ask where the bedroom was and drag her there, but that was not why he was here.
    Not yet. That could come later… If that was what Gia wanted.
    Because hell, that would make the next ten days very pleasurable indeed.

Chapter Five
    Gia woke early the next morning and stretched. Her legs brushed against the smooth cotton sheets and she snuggled into the soft mattress, a smile tilting her lips. When she had brushed that light kiss across Nic’s lips, she’d had no idea of the passion that simmered below his casual exterior. He had kissed her senseless last night. He’d run his lips across her cheeks, down her neck, and touched on the sensitive spot he’d discovered behind her ear.
    “Can I come back tomorrow?” Nic had asked, in his husky, altogether-too-sexy voice. As if she would’ve said no. She’d nearly said, “you can stay until tomorrow,” but commonsense had prevailed. She’d only known him a few hours, and it was way too soon.
    When he had driven off down the dark road, she had regretted her decision. Being with him made her feel alive, and it wasn’t just that he’d admired her work. It had more to do with the way Nic made her feel, more than the promises he had made about helping her. He had seen the real Gia, and he respected her for the person she was .
    She had to think about his offer. Was it the solution to her problem? Could she really accept the faith he had in her work? But a show he’d loaned her the money for? She frowned. It was too much to organize, and she felt uncomfortable about Nic paying the costs. What if she didn’t sell anything? Maybe Papa would lend her the money, and Nic could help her organize it. The main problem with Papa refusing to fund her move to Florence was because he didn’t want her to leave the village. But maybe if she could convince him that this would set her studio up, here in Castellina, selling her paintings, and she might stay…
    But that isn’t what I want.
    There was no point asking Papa. Gabriel had a good business head on his shoulders. Maybe he would listen to her dilemma and give her some advice.
    She groaned and covered her face. Damn, she’d forgotten today was Saturday. She was expected for lunch in the village at noon. She hoped Nic would arrive early so she could explain she had to leave.

    Never one to waste time—or an emotion that was bubbling inside of her—Gia was hard at work when the sound of a car pulling up outside came in through the open window. It was a warm spring morning, and she’d flung open all of the windows to let the smells of the spring flowers drift through her workspace. The large lavender bush beneath the window filled the room with a heavenly scent, and the sweet smell of freshly cut hay wafted in on the soft breeze. She put her brush down and pushed her spectacles up on her nose as footsteps crunched on the stones of the narrow path outside her studio. Shyness gripped her, settling in her stomach like a little clutch of butterflies.
    Last night had been exciting, so out of character for her— she was usually reserved in dealing with new acquaintances. Feeling so comfortable with Nic had been new for her. But now in the light of day, nerves racked her, and the usual uncertainty that plagued her returned tenfold. Walking slowly to the door, she wiped her hands on her T-shirt then ran her hands through her wild curls, before pulling the door open.
    Nic stood there, his expression serious, and Gia’s stomach sank. She’d been right to feel uncertain. Second thoughts in the cold light of day . Why would anyone want to waste their vacation helping out a stranger? He’d changed