Five Dates with the Billionaire - Alyssa J. Montgomery Page 0,34

these conversations up, it was going to be a hell of a long four days. And a guy could only be expected to take so much temptation…

Chapter Eleven

Tension simmered between Connor and Mia as they toured the Doge’s Palace.

Damn Connor and the mixed messages he kept sending her.

He’d been the one to suggest—more than once—that this trip could’ve been more interesting. He’d been the one to kiss her. Then he’d done some spectacular backpedalling when she’d thrown caution to the wind and let him know she’d be open to a short-term affair.

Men!

If he didn’t want an affair, why did he keep looking at her when everyone else was marvelling at the murals on the palace ceiling?

Why had he kissed her more than once?

She suspected Connor was more tempted than he was letting on and by the time they reached Caffè Florian, she decided to test his limits. After enjoying a delicious Insalata Florian, which was so much more exquisite than any other shrimp salad she’d ever had, she decided to order the triple chocolate crispy mousse. Making a great show of spooning the creamy dessert into her mouth and lingering over each mouthful, she made appreciative noises from the back of her throat.

There was suspicion in his expression and he shifted in his chair. ‘You’re being deliberately provocative.’

After swallowing another mouthful very slowly and letting her tongue dart out to lick her upper lip, she raised her eyebrows. ‘Maybe.’

‘Tease.’

‘I’m a tease? You’re the one who kissed me. Thoroughly. I was minding my own business, enjoying the gondola ride and you crossed the line.’

‘Which I’ve already apologised for.’

‘You don’t get to play with me like that then not expect to get payback, Connor.’ She dropped her spoon and it clattered on the table top. ‘If I’m a tease, what does that make you?’

‘Frustrated.’

The admission rocked her against the back of her chair and she stared at him. ‘Then you don’t have to be Einstein to figure out a solution.’

‘This isn’t a matter of what I want I take, Mia.’ She was pleased to hear he grated the words out. He sounded as frustrated as she felt. ‘Even if you think you’re okay with the thought of us having sex, I’m not sure you know what you want. Earlier you said you were confused. Only a few days ago you proclaimed you didn’t want to go on one date with me, let alone five.’

‘And you were telling me you had absolutely no interest in me and never would have!’ she huffed.

He looked disgruntled and she was satisfied she’d scored a win with her comeback.

‘Gran has a lot to answer for.’

‘So do you,’ she insisted. ‘Correct me if I’m wrong, but I get the impression that when you’re out and about and you see a woman you’re attracted to it’s very much a matter of what you want you take.’

‘Only if it’s mutual.’

‘Trust me, it’s mutual.’

He shook his head. ‘It’s not the same. You’re a virgin.’

‘And, if we have sex together, I won’t be.’

‘Shit, Mia. I—’

‘We still have the best part of four days together. In my books, that counts as a short-term fling.’ The women at the table closest to them had stopped their conversation and were now looking over at them with interest. Great. Mia leaned forward and lowered her voice. ‘Why is my lack of experience such a turn off? I’d never been kissed before and you seemed to enjoy our kisses enough for repeat performances.’

He groaned. ‘You have no idea what you’re getting into. A lot of women can’t separate the physical from the emotional. Those I take to bed can.’ He looked like he gritted his teeth together for a moment before he continued. ‘They’ve had plenty of practice and I know they’ll accept the end of the affair without getting clingy.’

‘You’re saying I need practice at walking away from an affair? How many lovers do I need to have had? One, two…?’

‘For God’s sake, Mia. Why are you suddenly in such a rush to have sex?’

‘Because—as you pointed out—I’m twenty-six. I have enjoyed your company and your kisses. I know your behaviour in my office was out of character, and I’ve let it go. I truly admire you as a man. But the icing on the cake is knowing you have absolutely no interest in forming any type of attachment to me.’ She dug her nails into her palms as she steeled herself to continue. ‘No messy end to the affair. No regrets. And last, but definitely