“No worries, Theo,” Helena said. “Frankly, I’m in the mood for a little fun, too. And there’s not much time left to make that happen.”
T
HE MOON HUNG LOW
in the sky; a big, round, yellow ball casting golden light on the water. After dropping off Sally at the Internet café, Trish had thought about calling Cassidy again, then remembered Angie and her family were celebrating Brent’s birthday tonight. Trish consoled herself with the fact that at least she’d managed to speak with her daughter for a few minutes earlier in the day.
When the shops had failed to hold her interest, she’d wandered the ship, ending up on the top deck at the very front. It was a beautiful clear night and Trish lifted her face to the sky, searching out the brightest star. Though she knew it was silly, she closed her eyes and made a wish.
“I’ve been looking for you.” A familiar voice sounded behind Trish.
Trish’s eyes popped open and she whirled around. “I thought you were with your sister.”
“She had plans,” Theo said in a lighthearted tone. “Where’s Sally?”
“At the Internet café,” Trish said with a rueful smile. “E-mailing Bruno.”
Theo moved to her side, standing so close she could feel the heat from his body. His eyes were dark, intense and very focused. “Those two really hit it off.”
“You have no idea,” Trish said with a heavy sigh. Though she was excited for Sally, the other woman’s happiness only underscored Trish’s loneliness.
Theo’s eyes looked almost black in the dim light. “Tell me.”
“When you spoke to Bruno, did he happen to mention that he’s planning to pick up Sally tomorrow?” Trish asked. “And not bring her back until the ship docks in Barcelona?”
“He did,” Theo said, his expression giving nothing away.
“Sally said the children were going to be spending a week with his sister.”
Theo nodded. “Anna and Isabella always stay with their Aunt Marianna for a week or two every summer.”
Some of the tension in Trish’s shoulders eased. While she still wasn’t sure Sally was making a good decision, she was relieved Bruno appeared to be a responsible parent.
“I always vowed I’d never have a man even meet Cassidy unless I was sure he was going to be part of my life,” Trish said.
Theo studied her for a long moment as if absorbing her words, then turned to the rail and stared out at the vast expanse of water.
“You look pretty tonight,” he said after a moment, glancing over at her.
Though Trish had specifically chosen to wear her favorite dress tonight, hoping he’d notice, she found herself put off balance by the unexpected compliment. “You’re looking pretty spiffy yourself.”
The second the words left her lips she wished she could pull them back. Dear God, what was wrong with her? She felt as awkward and tongue-tied as a fifteen-year-old on her first date. Not only was she talking goofydid anyone even use the word
spiffy
anymore?she was blushing like a shy virgin.
“Well, now that we’ve determined we both look spiffy…”
Trish turned just in time to see the dimple in his left cheek flash.
“If you don’t already have plans for tomorrow, there’s a small town in Tuscany I’d like to show you,” Theo said, his voice warm and smooth, like the finest chocolate. “I’m no expert but I’ve been there several times.”
“I’d love to spend the day with you,” Trish said. It didn’t matter where they wentafter all, she just needed access to Theobut she was curious. “What’s the name of this place?”
“Trying to decide if it’s worth your time?” Theo teased.
“That’s not it at all. I know we’ll have a good time together.”
Did she have to blurt it out like that?
“Thank you for the vote of confidence.” She could tell her words had pleased him. “Lucca is close to Florence. It’s”
“The birthplace of Puccini and probably best known for the earthen wall that surrounds it,” Trish said as if reciting from a guidebook. “People say that going to Lucca and not cycling around its tree-lined walls is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower.”
“I take it you’re familiar with the city,” Theo said.
“Actually I planned to go there a long time ago,” Trish said, keeping her tone light. “Did a lot of research on it, but never made it there.”
“I thought we’d rent some bikes. Take a ride on the wall. Interested?”
“Of course I’m interested.” Excitement filling her voice. “Sally and I were just going to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa but I’ve been there before.”
“Sounds like we have agreement,” he said.
Impulsively Trish stuck out her hand. “It’s a deal.”
Theo looked down at her hand but made no attempt to take it. When his eyes met hers once again, Trish knew she was in trouble.
“I’ve got a better idea how to seal this deal,” he said. Without further warning, he lowered his lips to hers.
T
HE KISS STARTED OUT
slowly as if they had all the time in the world. Theo’s mouth brushed softly over hers with a teasing gentleness that ignited an inferno in her belly.
Parting her lips, Trish touched her tongue to his bottom lip. As she’d hoped, he immediately deepened the kiss. Heart hammering, she raised her hands, curling her fingers into the fabric of his shirt as she leaned into the kiss, her tongue fencing with his. Her heart picked up speed and an ache of longing filled her body.
With Theo’s arms around her and his mouth covering hers, Trish reveled in the sensation of being completely surrounded by him. Her body tightened with a long forgotten tension, which became almost unbearable when his callused hands skimmed the sensitive skin of her back.
In a heartbeat, ache became want and everything faded except the need to feel more of him. Taste more of him. Touch more of him.
Her breath caught as his hand slid into her hair, sending hairpins flying to the deck floor and curls tumbling to her shoulders. A mixture of excitement and nervousness shivered through Trish as his fingers delved through the tangled mass at the nape of her neck and his thumbs grazed the soft skin beneath her jaw.
Time seemed suspended, and if he hadn’t been holding her, Trish was certain she would have fallen.
But Theo’s arms were strong and her burgeoning desire gave her courage. Trish dampened her lips with her tongue. “Kiss me again.”
She didn’t need to ask twice. He took her mouth in a lengthy, thorough kiss that made her head spin. Desire, hot and insistent and for so long forgotten, rushed through her. His hands slipped down to the small of her back, pulling her closer still. She could feel the heat of his body, the strong thud of his heart…and the rock hardness of his erection pressed against her.
A purr of pleasure rumbled in her throat and she wiggled her hips against him, sending waves of desire through her. He was an irresistible temptation and his hardened body inspired sensual images of him…and her…together.
Theo must have been viewing the same images because need glinted dark in his eyes. He gazed at her for a long moment then took her hand. “Let’s go.”
He didn’t have to say where. Or why. The look in his eyes said it all. And it was just where her body wanted to go. But her head urged her to think before blindly following her desires. If they were alone, would she be able to resist the urge to strip off her clothes and make mad, passionate love to him?
Not a chance
.
Would she regret her impulsive actions?
Probably
.
She heaved a heavy sigh.
“Problem?” he asked.
“I don’t think that…” Trish paused, fighting the overpowering urge to throw caution to the wind and runnot walkto his penthouse. She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. “It’s not a good idea for us to be alone. We both know what will happen.”
Surprise blanketed Theo’s face. “Isn’t that what you want?”
Trish groaned. Why did he have to phrase it that way?
“It is, but it’s not.” She took a step back, putting needed distance between them. She knew she was acting and sounding like a flake, but his nearness made it difficult for her to think clearly. Perhaps she should just spit it out. “I think sleeping together is a bad idea.”
For a split second he looked shocked, and Trish wondered with sudden horror if she’d completely misconstrued his intentions. Until she remembered the hard length of him pressed against her belly. No, he’d had more in mind than shaking hands or a few kisses on the couch.
“Why?”
Trish wasn’t sure why the question caught her off guard. It was a completely logical response and that’s what she was striving forcalm, rational logic.
“I’m very attracted to you,” she said finally.
“And I’m attracted to you,” he said.
The confusion in his eyes told her she still hadn’t made herself clear. But that was no surprise considering the war going on inside her head. “I’m a businesswoman. A mother. I have responsibilities.” With each declaration Trish felt her resolve strengthen. “I don’t have the luxury of being impulsive and free-spirited anymore.”
No need to tell him she’d never really been that wayeven when she’d been younger.
Theo searched her face. “I don’t want you in my bed if you don’t want to be there, but I don’t understand how being a businesswoman and mother precludes you from enjoying a man’smycompany.”
But she wouldn’t be just
enjoying
his company she’d be
having sex
with him. When she’d told herself she was going to have fun on this cruise, she’d envisioned a few moonlight kisses, not serious skin-to-skin action.
If she made love, she wanted it to mean something. And unlike Sally, she wasn’t foolish enough to believe that she could have a serious relationship with someone who lived half-a-world away.
“I know it’s confusing.” Trish placed her hand on his arm, then immediately realized her mistake.
Testosterone rolled off him in waves. He smelled of soap and some indefinable, warm male scent that made something tighten low in her belly.
For a second, she was tempted to reconsider. After all, she’d resolved to have fun this trip. Maybe she
could
handle a sex-only relationship…
She was still wavering when Theo leaned forward, brushed a chaste kiss against her forehead and spun her toward the stairs.
“You’d better go,” he said. “Before I forget I’m supposed to be a gentleman and decide to do whatever is necessary to change your mind.”
“It really would have been a bad idea,” Trish repeated, wondering which one of them she was trying to convince. As she walked slowly down the stairs, she remembered the desire simmering in his gaze and an ache of longing for what might have been rose up inside her.
All the way to her room, she couldn’t help but wonder what tricks he’d had up his sleeve and how much resistance she’d have put up before she said yes.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
T
HERE WAS NO SOUND
coming from the cabin so Trish gently eased the door open, hoping Sally was asleep. She was still shaky over what had almost happened on deck and the last thing she wanted to do was talk about it with her friend.
When Trish stepped inside the room she realized her luck hadn’t changed. Sally’s half-packed suitcases lay open on the floor and every light in the room blazed.
So much for slipping into bed unnoticed
.
The sound of running water filtered through the closed bathroom door and Trish gave it two brisk raps as she walked by. “I’m back.”
When she’d been in Theo’s arms, she’d felt completely, utterly alive with enough stamina to go until dawn. But all that energy seemed to have deserted her and Trish plopped down on her bed, suddenly drained. She didn’t even lift her head when she heard the door to the bathroom open.
“I didn’t think you’d come home tonight,” Sally said.
“Where else would I be?” Certainly not with Theo, Trish thought with a pang of regret. No, she was much too sensible for that. Exhaling a heavy sigh, she glanced up at Sally.
She jerked upright. “Eek! What have you done with my friend, strange creature?”
Except for her eyes and mouth, Sally’s face was completely covered with thick green mud.
“Don’t make me laugh,” Sally said, her mouth barely moving. “This mask can’t be disturbed for at least ten more minutes.”
“If only Bruno was here,” Trish teased. Besides having a green face, her friend had pulled her hair to the top of her head in a scrunchie and blond tufts sprouted out in every direction. “Seeing you in Incredible Hulk mode might make him change his mind about spending time with you.”
“I told you not to make me laugh,” Sally said, trying not to giggle. “And he’s not going to see me like this because I’m leaving the mud behind for you.”
There was a finality in Sally’s tone that Trish picked up on immediately.