Read The Vendetta for Free Online

invitation?” He continued to place small kisses on her face. “I have a view of Rome from my terrace.”
    She shook her head, but a small smile slipped out. He kissed her chin and her temple. Then he slowly brushed his mouth down the side of her face and nipped lightly at the skin below her ear. Heat pooled in her abdomen, and she squeezed her legs together.
    “No? Well, then, I have a chef. She’s very good.”
    Her eyes opened wide at that one, but she shook her head again.
    He placed a kiss just under her jaw. Her fingers dug into his shoulders.
    “OK, here’s my last offer.” He straightened a bit, and his lips hovered a breath away from hers. She looked up into his dark gaze.
    “I have a Picasso in my bedroom,” he said.
    She laughed and rolled her eyes. Was he serious? She tried for sarcasm. “That’s it? That’s your enticement? Everyone has a Picasso, Nick.”
    “Hmm…you’re right. How about the Titian, then? It’s hanging in my bathroom.”
    She smacked him on the arm. “It is not.”
    He smiled. “It is. About three steps from my Jacuzzi. Come to Rome and see.”
    Her lips curved in a wicked smile.
    The spark in his eyes flared to acetylene flame. “Gotcha,” he whispered. Then his mouth descended, and she forgot how to breathe.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Nick settled into the kiss. Dio, she was lush. Beautiful. Delicious. Lisa’s lips and tongue were sweet and soft, and he couldn’t get enough of their shy response. The vanilla scent of candles in the room played a counter note to the delicate perfume of Lisa herself. The combination set him off balance, and that astonished him. He fought back a twinge of regret that their encounter could not be just an uncomplicated exploration of chemistry and mutual attraction.
    No, this had to be for the painting. For his revenge.
    He pulled back to catch a glimpse of Lisa’s eyes, wide and dark with arousal and maybe the tiniest hint of apprehension. He sank back onto the cushions of the sectional and pulled her down on top of him with the intention of letting her set the pace. But when his knee nudged her legs, her soft moan made his pulse pound. He swept a hand down her arm and then up again to mold the back of her head, to angle it as he swept in to plunder her mouth.
    Her hair was silky and fine, her mouth hot and soft. Her hand gripped his shoulder and then slid up into his hair. The feel of her holding him sent a rush of blood to his rapidly building erection. He pressed back into the cushions to regain some control, but the sight of her flushed face and ripe mouth made him squeeze his eyes shut. He reached blindly for another taste.
    The kiss deepened and picked up speed, and despite his best efforts, he lost himself in it. He swept one hand down to grip her thigh where it rode his hips. Her fingers dug into the muscles of his shoulders. He bent his head to access her tender throat, groaning when she shifted and pressed her hips against his. His vision darkened, and he struggled to reel in his reaction, to resist the urge to pounce.
    “Lisa,” he whispered. “ Sei dolcissima. Bella . God, you’re sweet. But we have to…” He took a deep breath and rained small kisses on her face and lips. “Lisa.”
    “Hmm?” She opened her eyes and blinked slowly. As he watched, realization flooded the leaf green depths and brought even more color to her face. Amazed, he lifted one finger to touch the heated curve of her cheek. He smiled.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. She pushed away from him and sat up.
    He sat up too and faced her. “Why are you sorry?” he asked, surprised.
    “Well, not sorry. I just…” She thrust a hand through her hair. “I make it a rule not to jump on men I’ve known for less than twenty-four hours.”
    He glanced at his watch. “Even if they’re willing to be jumped on after less than twelve hours?”
    Her eyes lit with amusement. “Yes, even then. Especially then.”
    “Are there exceptions to this rule?” He captured her