strangely gentle, feather soft. “I was merely wondering if you had any plans for the day.”
A flashback of my bathroom rehearsals appeared before my eyes, and I expelled a deep slow breath to calm myself. “No.” I gulped and tried to sound relaxed. “No plans. I’m not going anywhere.”
“That’s excellent news because I’m taking you out to lunch,” he informed, and snatched another piece of his muffin.
“L-Lunch?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
Alessandro grinned and shook his head. “Yes, tesoro, lunch…you know, the second meal of the day…happens sometime between breakfast and dinner.”
I exhaled and paled even further. I could examine his behavior all I wanted, but I didn’t have the slightest idea about his intentions. The only certainty was he’d somehow end up hurting me. Breathe... If things went according to our plan, he wouldn’t be here by that time. He wouldn’t be able to cause me pain. But what if he knew something and this was a test? I had no idea how to react and I was drowning in tension.
Suddenly, every last trace of amusement faded from Alessandro’s expression and he turned serious. “Olivia?”
“Sure,” I agreed, fidgeting in my seat, unable to hide my nervousness. “No problem.”
Alessandro wiped his mouth and exhaled. “Olivia, let’s not pretend. I’m well aware of the problem. I know why you’re so stressed and guarded.”
Black spots appeared before my eyes. I visibly shuddered and choked out his name, “Alessandro, please…”
“Tesoro, relax,” he murmured, taking hold of my hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong. There isn’t any kind of punishment waiting around the corner. I just want us to spend some time together, that’s all. I know this feels strange, but just bear with me for a while longer and I’ll explain everything, okay?”
I smiled sourly. I didn’t believe a single word he said. I wasn’t stupid. He reached out to caress my cheek and I shrank back from him.
“Porca miseria!” Alessandro raised his voice just above a whisper. “Piccola, do you truly fear me this much?”
“I…I don’t know what to say.”
He sighed. “You don’t have to say anything…just please try to calm down. Nothing bad is going to happen.”
I nodded in haste, my mind racing with possible scenarios he might have prepared for me. He smirked and laid his napkin back onto the desk. At that very moment his eyes narrowed on the yellow envelope. He stared at it for a few seconds, his eyes frowning into a curious expression. My heart hammered so loudly in my chest, I was certain he could hear it. Quickly! I had to do something to divert his attention from that damn card. Without granting myself an opportunity to think, I leaned closer and grabbed his tie, pulling at it so he would turn his gaze away from the envelope. Our eyes clashed together and I took advantage of his immediate surprise and jumped on his lap. Ignoring every single warning sign, I wrapped my arms around his neck and planted awkward kisses down his face.
In the first few instants, Alessandro seemed confused, but then slowly responded. He breathed hot Italian words of praise against my skin, his hands tugging me closer and closer to the hard muscled wall of his chest. I almost relaxed in his embrace, but then Alessandro’s arousal probed through the fabric of his pants and I let out a small cry of anguish at the thought of what I’d have to do to distract him. As soon as I released the sound, Alessandro sobered up and gently pushed me away, so I’d have to meet his dark, scrutinizing gaze.
“Tesoro...what is going on?” he demanded in a hot whisper.
“Nothing…I just…want you.” Employing every single trick at my disposal, I brought my lips to his, but once again he shoved me away.
He appeared astounded as he held me immobilized. “Olivia…” he breathed with slight warning. “You don’t really want this.”
I expelled a breath and saw that envelope from the corner of my eye. “I do,” I said with absolute conviction and reached for his tie yet again. “Alessandro, I really, really do.”
“Olivia…” he murmured, but I placed my index finger on his lips.
“Shh,” I whispered, praying for strength and confidence. “Don’t speak. Just give me what I need.”
“Madre di Dio…so it’s true what they say about pregnant women,” he said in a barely audible voice that rang with astonishment.
I paused in shock and blinked. “What…what did you say?”
He remained serious for a few moments, then shook his head and smiled. “Nothing of great importance,