“Sorry, we were interrupted just as you were about to come,” Steve whispered in her ear
Natalie blushed. “You’ll make it up to me later,” Natalie said peeking at the outside of the one-story light-yellow stone and wood villa with a terracotta roof.
“I forgot to tell you, since I’ll be working so much, I hired a live-in local tour guide who has his own room on the side of the villa. He comes highly recommended and will take you to see or do anything you want around Italy.”
“Sounds good. Thank you.”
Steve grabbed the suitcases and before they reached the double wooden front doors, the side door opened. Out stepped a 6’3” hunk of a man with thick wavy black hair styled with hair gel, short in the back and a little longer in the front. A few strands fell onto his forehead above his deep green almond-shaped eyes, Roman nose, pillowy lips, and neatly trimmed beard covering a perfectly chiseled jawline.
“Oh my,” Natalie gasped loud enough for Steve to hear as she scanned the stranger’s broad shoulders and narrow waist wondering what he looked like underneath the clothes.
“Relax tiger. You’re all mine, only mine,” Steve reminded her sternly.
“I know, husband.” She turned briefly glancing at Steve.
Natalie examined the ruggedly handsome stranger from head to toe in faded blue jeans and a tight, white t-shirt. The perfect specimen winked at Natalie and smiled baring perfect white teeth against his olive skin. He turned his head to Steve but kept his eyes fixed on Natalie.
“Buongiorno, I am Maximus. You can call me Max. Welcome,” he said with a thick Italian accent. He regarded Natalie steadily with his green eyes and she found she couldn’t look away.
Max put out his hand and Steve shook it. “Hi Max, I’m Steve and this is my wife, Natalie.”
Max kissed Natalie’s hand and lingered there while keeping his eyes locked on hers. She pulled her hand away anxiously. “Hi Maximus,” she said her voice shaking as she felt her cheeks grow warm.
“You can call me Max,” he said carefully scanning her face.
Steve cleared his throat to get the handsome guide’s attention. “Max, as I explained to the agency, I will be working six days a week so you will be showing my wife around. Take her anywhere she wants to go, spare no expense. I want her to be happy while I’m busy working.”
Max didn’t stop staring at Natalie. “Wherever you want to go, you let me know. If you need ideas, I can help. Is this your first time in Italy?”
“We were here for our honeymoon about two years ago but only for a few days and we saw the Vatican, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum, and the Pantheon.”
“Okay, good to know. I will plan other sites to see.”
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” he smiled at Natalie. “What is your cat’s name?” he asked pointing at the carrier in Natalie’s hand.
“This is Peanut,” she said holding up the carrier to eye level.
Max finally glanced over at Steve. “Do you want some time to settle in and then we can go over some of the itineraries I have, and we can customize them?”
“That would be great. You can do that with Natalie. My associate will be arriving soon.”
Natalie turned to Steve with surprise. “Oh, they are coming already? I thought we would have a little time, at least today before you dove into work.”
“Sorry, baby. I need to learn things before I can just dive into the project.”
“I get it,” she said, trying to hide her disappointment.
“Signora, I can meet you on the back patio, and we can make our plans for the next few days and weeks. How does that sound? Maybe we can do some quick sightseeing today if you’re up to it.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Max,” she said inadvertently batting her eyelashes.
Steve and Natalie entered the villa. There was no foyer, the front door opened directly into the cozy living room with a beige sectional couch, stone walls, and a brick fireplace. Paintings of landscapes hung along the walls. The living room opened into the farmhouse-style kitchen with a back wall with sliding glass doors leading to a garden patio with an in-ground pool.
“Steve, this is lovely.”
“I’m glad you like it. I hope you understand that I need to start work so soon. I’m sorry.”
“I do understand. This is our new life for a while. You can finish what you started in the taxi later tonight before bed.”
“Mmmm, deal, baby.” He kissed her and quickly squeezed her ass.
Weaving
irresistible tales of love, lust, life’s unpredictable twists—and the
occasional mind-bending psychological turn—Nicole DiCicco crafts stories where
complex hearts meet sizzling passion.
Nicole’s
books span the worlds of romance, romantic suspense, and psychological dramas,
with settings as captivating as her characters. Whether it’s New York City's
vibrant streets or Italy's enchanting landscapes, her stories transport readers
to places where love, secrets, and drama unfold in unforgettable ways.
Known for her
quirky blend of heartfelt dialogue, emotional depth, and gripping twists,
Nicole dives deep into the tangled web of human relationships—whether it’s
love, desire, or the secrets we hide even from ourselves.
Her
characters? Complex. Her scenes? Spicy. Her style? Boldly unpredictable! From
sizzling erotic moments to the exploration of love's more delicate nuances,
Nicole isn’t afraid to mix it all up, making her a true standout in romance.
Hailing from
Brooklyn, Nicole is a die-hard Mets fan (yes, her cat Shea is named after the
stadium). When she’s not spinning tales of love and suspense or watching
General Hospital (since she’s five), you’ll find her chasing the next great
plot twist—or the nearest slice of pizza.
Want to keep
up with Nicole's latest? Head over to her website for updates on new books,
behind-the-scenes peeks, and maybe even some spoilers (you’ve been warned)!
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