“It still would have been worth it, honey,” he said, lovingly adjusting my hair over my shoulder so he could look at my breasts again. I was relieved when he kissed my nipples one by one, and added, “But I like the idea of a sunset dinner somewhere special and, who knows? Maybe there will be more.”
“I want more, Marco.”
“Don’t I scare you? You should be scared, you know?”
Not being able to be with him was the scary part. Maybe I did like to live dangerously because if I ever had to get over him, I knew I never could.
“I want the way I feel when I’m with you. I want the man I think I’m beginning to know. That man, who’s gentle, who protects and keeps me safe. I’ll do battle with anyone because my biggest fear is losing this.”
That got him chuckling. “I’m supposed to be thinking about a big meeting I have in D.C, on Tuesday and a trip I have to take halfway around the world. Also, a job I will probably have to oversee in Africa. I also have to look for a new CFO. And I have to deal with a loan called against my assets and show up in court to produce documents.”
His hand fished down under the covers until he touched my wet, throbbing sex. Then, as he delicately fingered my opening and pressed a thumb into my clit, he spoke very seriously, directly to my face.
“But, all I can think about is a weather girl in Tampa, with the softest skin and the sweetest kisses. I can’t stop fucking her in my dreams, in my bed, in your bed. Anywhere. I can’t stop, Shannon. I don’t want to lose this either.”
My tears flowed. I just couldn’t help them. Part of it was relief, but part of it was knowing that the other secret I’d been holding onto might be the end of us. I knew my life would be a lot easier, but duller if I’d never gone to Boston, met him and fell in love that first time.
There was that word I couldn’t speak of.
But it was too late for that. I was in deep. And there was a world war ahead for me to win first.
Chapter 13
Marco
It was hard to let her go. We nearly didn’t make it out of the shower. I quickly dressed and she dropped me off at the Oceanis, which was on her way to the radio station.
“Come check out the room I’ve got, Shannon,” I begged, knowing it would do no good.
“No, Marco,” she said, shedding my hand as I tried to pull her inside the lobby.
I grabbed my leather bag, gave her one more kiss, and waved as she drove away.
“Checking in, sir?” the bellman asked.
I was directed to the front desk.
After signing the registration card, I was handed a small sheaf of papers, messages from the office in D.C., the old office in Manhattan, and from the Towers in Boston. I knew of the three, the one from the Towers would be the most innocuous, so dialed them on my way to the elevator.
Jerrold Hoffstedler from the accounting office sounded like he was still in high school, complete with the croak in his voice that made me think it had just changed. His nasal tone was a little off-putting. Perhaps he had a sinus infection.
“We’re having trouble processing the balance of your lease deposit, Mr. Gambini. It seems the bank says you’re overdrawn.”
“That can’t be. I have millions. Used to have billions. I’ve not been overdrawn for nearly twenty years.”
“I know it’s probably some glitch in your accounting system. You were approved without any problem, which means they checked your assets. These things happen all the time when we have guests relocating from other metropolitan areas. I once had a Saudi prince who bounced a three hundred-thousand-dollar check to us. He was quite embarrassed.”
“I should hope so.”
“I’m sure it’s a condition of moving and something just didn’t get flagged properly. If you could call us back tomorrow or Tuesday, there won’t be any further action needing to be taken.”
I was hoping that my CFO wasn’t giving me a good-bye headache. He left because he was scared he’d not have a job if he didn’t. But I doubted he’d do anything vindictive. In fact, I was sure of it.
But Rebecca, on the other hand, was another story entirely.
The suite I’d hired was spectacular. The views spanned nearly fifty miles of white sand beach coastline. I felt like the King of Atlantis, above the gulf, even above the gulls and pelicans flying through the blue sky containing billowy clouds the largest I’d ever seen. It would be a spectacular sunset. I threw my leather bag on the bed and began to plan out what I was going to order for dinner.
The concierge helped me coordinate the delicacies I was seeking. She reminded me that there were monogrammed towels, robes and blankets in the bedroom closet and let me know if I needed any more, she’d send them right up. I felt confident handing over all those details, including the most fragrant long-stemmed red roses she could find.
“Is this a marriage proposal, Mr. Gambini?”
“No. Just someone very special. And if tonight goes well, then anything is possible.”
“Oh, I’m so excited to help you with this. Clients like you are why I have this job. I’ll put on my thinking cap and call you back with some ideas after I’ve made some calls. You shouldn’t worry about a thing.”
I laughed. If only.
It was out of the question I would call the East Coast Bank & Trust, in either Manhattan or Boston, but I had to get the loan covered or this alligator would have a bunch of babies. And then I’d be asking for a job at the front desk or selling Bentleys.
And that
