The Italian's Bedroom Deal Page 0,36

just under the ornate balcony that wafted through the open doors. Her last thought before she closed her eyes that night was how exciting it was to have permission to try and seduce Max.

Chapter 10

Clarissa was enchanted with the small village where Max lived. Wherever they went, they were greeted by people who wanted to have a word with Max but Clarissa didn’t mind the interruption. She liked sitting and watching the men laugh or the children play in the playground. His conversations gave her a chance to smell the flowers and explore the small shops, picking out small gifts for her friends and father.

There was a small church where Max introduced her to the priest who was delighted to meet her and even offered to share his lunch with them. Max declined, explaining that he was showing Clarissa around the village. With a wave and a smile, they were off to the ocean where they swam in the warm water, then slept on the beach next to each other on a large beach towel. After their nap, they explored the rocky areas, climbing high onto the cliffs and looking out to sea, watching the sun set over the horizon.

The evening was just as nice as the previous one but Clarissa had to admit a bit of surprise when Sophia and Maria were already sitting in the salon when they arrived back at Max’s villa. They again stayed for dinner and Clarissa, exhausted after a full day of sightseeing, fell asleep in the middle of the conversation. She woke to feel Max’s strong arms carrying her up to her bedroom. She leaned her head on his strong shoulder, barely able to open her eyes as she said sleepily, “When was I going to be able to seduce you?” she asked groggily, snuggling her nose into the side of his neck and inhaling deeply.

Max chuckled and opened the door to her bedroom. Setting her down on the bed, he leaned down and kissed her gently. “Perhaps tomorrow will have better opportunities,” he suggested.

Clarissa was fine with that idea, especially since she had trouble maintaining an upright position right now. “Good. I’ll hold you to that promise.”

“Do you need help changing?” he asked.

“Yes!” she said, her eyes suddenly lighting up and all traces of fatigue leaving her body. “Yes, I really do!”

Max laughed softly and kissed her shoulder, bare where the pretty, flowered sundress stopped. “Okay, I’ll send my mother up to help you.”

Clarissa grimaced. “I’d rather you help me,” she said and stood up, walking over to stand next to him. He had one hand on the door knob but his other came up to touch her cheek.

He picked up her hand and kissed her fingertips, his eyes never leaving her face. “I don’t think tonight is the right time,” he suggested.

Clarissa licked her lips and shook her head, denying his statement. “I think it would be perfect,” she countered. “Why don’t you just help me get out of this dress,” she suggested, her face turning red at such a blatant invitation. She wished she could just pull off her dress and entice him but she wasn’t that confident.

“Not yet,” he repeated but he pulled her against him, his hands on her back holding her so he could easily kiss her lips. He kissed her until she was breathless and her hands had crept up to his shoulders. But as soon as her fingers touched his hair, he pulled back.

Clarissa wasn’t fooled. She’d felt his body’s reaction and was thrilled that she could have such an immediate impact on him. She was glad she wasn’t the only one that was feeling this way.

She could tell that he was trying to control the same desire she was feeling and it frustrated her. “Why do you pull away like that?” She saw the desire in his eyes but at her question, his gaze shuttered and she couldn’t see any emotion any longer. It was as if he were trying to control anything she made him feel.

He brushed his finger against her cheek and smiled gently. “You’re tired. We’ll talk in the morning.” He slipped out of the room quietly, winking at her before closing the door.

Clarissa sighed and leaned against the closed door, wishing she could figure him out. She let him go because she could see the strain on his face, if not the desire any longer, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t frustrated about the situation. And she didn’t understand why