unhook a bra with two fingers, and yes, you did totally say that out loud.” He grinned.
My eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t mean my panties. I mean, that is to say, that—”
He leaned forward. “May I check?”
“At least you sound polite,” I grumbled. “And no.”
His eyes blazed a slow trail from my face all the way down to my thighs. He looked so sad I almost changed my mind. What was this addiction that was Drew Amhurst?
“Later, then.”
I gulped. “No sex.”
He crossed his arms. “Define sex.”
“Um…” I frowned. “…I’m confused. What do you mean?”
“Well, there are lots of things we can do that are sexual but not penetration, so does that mean I can lick your tight—”
I clapped a hand over his mouth as if someone might hear him when it was just us. I’d never felt older or more like a mom than at that moment.
His eyebrows shot up as I slowly pulled my hand away, my face on fire. I’d never had a guy do that. It wasn’t like my ex was generous, and I was too busy raising kids.
I felt the slow burn of embarrassing tears fill my eyes and slowly blinked them back. “No penetration.”
“Deal.”
“Really?” I expected him to fight me on it.
“But…” He drummed his fingertips along the table. “…I’m allowed to take you out on dates, wine you, dine you, touch you, tease you, lick you from head to toe on a Tuesday morning just because you look so damn delicious. But if you ask me to — know, I’m in.”
“I won’t ask you.” I hoped. Prayed.
He just smiled. “Yeah, we’ll see about that.” He moved my plate closer to me. “So, we’re clear — no strings attached, no falling in love, and I only get seven days.”
What? What was this falling-in-love business? He didn’t let me answer as he nudged my plate toward me. “Now, eat your breakfast and pack an overnight bag.”
“What?” I almost choked on my eggs.
“Operation Bronte Connors Gets her Groove Back starts now.”
“But… Amelia has a doctor’s appointment the day after tomorrow…”
“What time?”
“Eleven-thirty, but—”
“Plenty of time.” He winked. “Oh, and I’d hydrate. We don’t want you getting a stress headache.”
Stunned, I watched him get up and walk out the front door.
I scrambled to my feet and went to the window. He was pulling bags out of a brand-new white Audi A7 and then walking over to the guesthouse. It was locked and the key hidden on the patio, of course. Braden. Drew grabbed the key from its spot under the potted plant and let himself in along with his bags.
And I stood there and watched him, wondering what the hell I’d just agreed to.
Operation get my groove back?
Tempting.
I had just assumed that would be more of a solo trip to Italy.
Not a week-long adventure with one of the sexiest men alive who, for one reason or another, was willing to give me everything I’d never had — except love.
CHAPTER 5
Andrew
It wasn’t planned.
That was all I kept thinking when I had chatted with Braden last night and then showed up this morning at Bronte’s. It was not like I said to myself, Wow, you know what would be really great? To sex up my friend’s mom and show her how ridiculously beautiful and brave I think she is.
I originally had thought of sending her on some sort of girls’ trip.
And then I immediately got jealous thinking about all the dicks that would hit on her. Plus, have you seen that movie? No, just all the nos.
Plan B, the smarter, albeit safer plan, included a spa day.
But then I got jealous about some dick touching her naked body.
It was then that I realized that I wanted to be a part of this. That I wanted to be the man that held her hand just because he could. Kissed her like his life depended on it because maybe it did.
Braden said he’d rarely seen his mom smile when he was little, and that he’d never seen his mom and dad kiss in public.
That thought alone made me want to find the guy’s social security number, send it to my cousins in New York, and ask them to do me a favor.
I mean, if you can’t utilize your mafia connections, what’s the point, am I right?
I sighed and looked around, the guesthouse was at least twenty-two hundred square feet, with a master loft that was draped in black and whites with random pieces of greenery set on the dresser and nightstands.
It was beautiful.
Much like