Page 211 of Valentino

In slow motion his eyes drop down my half-dressed body and then back up to my face. “I’m here for a wedding.”

“Oh.” I nod, completely overwhelmed by my physical reaction to him. “That would explain it.”

“Explain what?” he replies.

I gesture to his clothes with my hands. “The suit.”

A trace of a smile crosses his face before he tucks it away. “What are you doing here?”

“Working.” I clutch the strap over my shoulder with white-knuckle force.

He smells so good.

“In a bikini?” His eyebrow rises.

“Ah….” I glance down at myself. “I was typing at the pool, but my computer went flat. I was just going to….” I cut my rambling off.

Just. Shut. Up.

His eyes hold mine. “It’s good to see you.”

I nod; all comprehension has left the building.

The doors open and snap me back to reality. “This is my floor.”

His gaze stays fixed on me and as if it holds a superpower it almost roots me to the spot.

“Um.” I shake my head as I try to regain my composure. “It was good to see you.”

“Likewise.”

His voice is deep and velvety, and it does something to my brain chemistry.

I stumble out and march forward, but I only make six steps before I hear the doors close and I turn back to stare at them. I’m completely rattled and I glance around to see if the world is still spinning.

The corridor is silent and still, normal. As if an event of seismic proportions hasn’t just happened.

Thump,

Thump,

Thump…my heart somersaults in my chest.

Ding.

The elevator doors open and Valentino is standing there and by the look in his eyes I can tell it’s not by accident.

Without a word, he steps out toward me.

Oh my God….

I turn and march down the hall toward my room, and I can hear him coming after me. I pick up the pace, and so does he.

His steps echo behind like a sonic boom.

I fumble with the key as I scramble to open my room door, his hands slide around my waist and jerk me back against his body.

“Open the fucking door,” he whispers into my ear.