A Weekend of Misbehaving - Carmen Falcone Page 0,13
hovering over the polished dark wood railing. Lorenzo followed suit, though because of his long legs, every two or three steps of hers he could match with a single one. She was sure he was behind her just out of chivalry. Wait, chivalry?
She looked over her shoulder and found his eyes skimming over her behind. A hot cup of espresso spilled into her blood, adrenaline flowing through her veins. Unless she had something stuck on her ass, or he was a fashion expert studying her dark denim, Lorenzo found her larger-than-a-Victoria-Secrets-model butt appealing. Why else would he stare at her behind? A slow smile formed on his lips, and she sucked in her breath. Without waiting for his eyes to meet hers, she turned to face the door Rogerio led them to.
With a knowing smile, the graceful man sauntered into the suite and explained a few things to Lorenzo. Alice reached into her jeans for money, but before she could find anything, remembered this wasn’t a hotel, although it certainly could pass for one. She walked through the living area, gazing at the French doors leading to the bedroom. Excited, she pulled the white doors open, and a universe of pale pink and purple greeted her.
An old-fashioned white armoire and heavy dresser completed the feminine atmosphere. Silver lamps, small and tall, gave soothing light. And a four-poster, king-size bed covered with a flowery bedspread was elevated in the center of the room.
A clear vase with fresh flowers adorned each nightstand. The room was so delicate, she almost reached to remove her shoes to walk on the soft carpet. Looking ahead, there were rays of sunshine skipping through the doors leading outside. She strolled to the small but cozy balcony. Tones of deep blue blended in the sea, and to her right she saw many gorgeous villas piling up on a hill.
“Like the view?” Lorenzo asked, his voice deep behind her.
“This”—she pointed at the ocean—“could be one of those pictures hanging on the doctor’s office wall. All I need is an overused motivational quote.”
He smiled, more to himself than to her. Her cheeks warmed as her body reacted to his nearness. Crap. She’d worked for him for a year and had done a hell of a job hiding this silly crush from him. Granted, they barely spoke more than necessary. Still.
“They just brought the suitcases.”
“Suitcases,” she repeated in a low voice and followed him inside. “Why did they bring yours to my room?”
He pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow. She threw back her shoulders and crossed her arms. Did their rooms connect? Was that why he acted like she should know the answer to her question? She glanced around the room and strolled, touching the walls to find a door leading to another room. Besides a door that led to a bathroom as big as her bedroom in Austin, nada.
“Save it. We’re sharing a room.”
She swallowed hard and jerked back like he had thrown a bucket of frozen water on her. “Come again? This place has a gazillion rooms.”
With a sigh, he removed his jacket and opened the armoire. “Yes, but if we’re supposed to be a couple who can’t keep their hands off each other, why would we need two rooms?” He slid his jacket on a hanger and closed the armoire.
“Maybe you snore at night. Maybe we’re modern, and we like to have our own space.”
“You were naked in my pool. That shot down any personal-space theory.” He stretched his back and cracked his knuckles. “And for the record, I don’t snore.”
“That’s a relief,” she said, hands perched on her waist, and she drummed her fingers on the denim. Relief my ass. “But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Mr.—Lorenzo. I work for you. We’re already crossing the line in so many ways just by spending more time with each other. I’d like to have some serenity at the end of the day, or after a shower, instead of worrying about, er, sleeping next to a man I barely know.”
A man whose sterile relationship with her would resume as soon as they returned to Texas. It had to, didn’t it? She needed that job, now more than ever, to pay for her sister’s treatment. Most of all, she needed the money to pay Buck. Besides, if she unleashed her desire for him, there’d be a hell of an aftermath for her to deal with. Worse, he could just let her go. Fire her. And she’d be jobless