Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 386(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
His wicked expression left no doubt what he wanted from me.
Never going to happen.
“Nathan,” he snapped when he noticed his bodyguard lingering nearby, and followed it with a demand in Italian.
Nathan’s face went blank. “He’s asked me to escort you both to your room.”
I almost giggled with disbelief at how presumptuous his statement was, but I was smart enough to refrain.
Nathan looked pissed that his plan of me drugging Gio’s drink had been thwarted. Or maybe it was our boss’s hand on me that angered him? Because, yeah, that pissed me off too.
We stepped out into the cool night air, and I gently urged his hand away. “Tell him I don’t want my flight crew to see.”
We’d barely made it down the path when Gio turned, snaked his arm around my back, and yanked me close so he could slam his lips against mine. His mouth and slimy tongue tasted like vodka. I had no warning, and when the abrupt, unwanted kiss was over, his gaze swung to Nathan to deliver a shit-eating grin.
Like he was rubbing it in his bodyguard’s face.
Then his focus returned to me, and the Italian that came from him was delivered with a lewd expression.
“Any chance that was him saying good night?”
Since his back was turned, Nathan let his dark gaze fill with disgust. If looks could kill, Giovanni Abramo would most certainly be dead. “He wants to sleep with you.”
“I know you’re giving me the PG-13 version, but you don’t need to do that.”
“I’m not doing it for you,” he snapped. “I don’t want you thinking his words are mine just because they come from my mouth. I’d like to sleep with you, too, but I sure as shit wouldn’t say it like that.”
His admission made my heart fall out of rhythm. This strong, handsome, and intense man desired me. But if he wanted to sleep with me . . . why hadn’t he? Especially when I’d shamelessly thrown myself at him.
Suddenly, he couldn’t care less about admitting it. Hands on his hips and a scowl on his face, he glared down at his oblivious employer, who went on the move again. Every step that brought us closer to my cabin brought my heart closer to beating out of my chest.
I had a plan. Not much of one, but at least it didn’t involve drugging or potentially killing my employer. When we reached my cabin, Gio handed off the bottle of vodka to Nathan. It was done so he could push me against the door and attempt to kiss me again. But I set a hand on his jaw and eased him back.
“No, signore. This is where our evening has to end.” I waited as Nathan delivered my words in Italian, doing my best to appear disappointed with the situation. “I’m sorry, but you’re my employer, and it’d be unprofessional.”
He said something, pushed my hand away, and leaned in as Nathan translated. “He said he doesn’t care about that.”
“Being a female pilot is tough enough. I don’t need to add a reputation of sleeping with clients to that.” My insides clenched as I geared up to deliver the lie. “Even if I want to.”
“What?” Nathan looked horrified.
“Tell him,” I commanded.
He didn’t want to, but the Italian words tumbled out, and Gio’s face widened into a huge grin.
“He said if that’s the issue stopping you, he’ll solve it. He’ll fire you right now and rehire you in the morning.”
Nice try. “No. Tell him I want this to happen, but we’ll have to wait until we’re back in Rome and my contract is up.”
Something that looked suspiciously like relief flashed in Nathan’s eyes as he translated. I could read his lies, and he seemed to be able to read mine. Surely, he understood my plan was to delay until I was out from under the Abramos, and then I’d bolt.
But I’d need to be convincing.
To hammer the point home, I leaned in, brushed my lips lightly over Gio’s, and fought the urge to gag. My brief kiss didn’t work because his hands closed on my waist and he demanded more. His tongue was invasive and probing, and his hand slid down so he could grip my ass and squeeze.
“Wait, wait . . .” I tried to break free.
Angry words burst from Nathan, but the only word I understood was ‘Vitale.’ His thick arms were crossed over his chest, and I got the impression he’d done it to stop himself from reaching out. Then came English for me. “Use what I gave you. Slow him down.”
It was hard to focus beyond the evil man in my face, whose eyes were full of carnal desire, but there came a thud and rustling, followed by a distinct click. Then a wall of hard muscle flattened Gio against me.
Nathan had just taken off the safety on his gun, and his large back was a shield.