‘Faye, wait.’
She spins on the spot, struggling to pull her own towel around her with all the other items in her grasp.
‘Let’s save it for tomorrow, hey?’ she blurts. ‘When we can be introduced properly...in clothes?’ She waves a hand between us, her eyes lingering slightly too long on my torso and her cheeks flushing more deeply when she realises it. ‘Goodnight, Rafael.’
And then she’s gone, and instead of cursing, instead of being relieved or feeling guilty, I have the most idiotic smile. I know it’s idiotic as I don’t recognise the feel of it. Much like the churning underway in my gut and the intense, unsated desire.
Is this what the next seven days have in store then? My testing family and a constant tease at every turn?
And, now that I’ve seen what’s underneath the clothes, now that I’ve witnessed her in full-on seductress mode, how do I rewind?
Cold showers. Cold showers at every opportunity, if that’s what it takes to keep this week focused on Faye... Dani, maledizione! Dani and Tyler!
No one else. Because, for once in my life, I won’t be the cold, heartless bastard my family think I am. I’ll be the proud and doting big brother.
You can still be that and have a bit of discreet fun on the side...
The smile makes a comeback.
CHAPTER THREE
‘HAVE YOU SEEN my mother, Faye?’
Dani comes racing into the breakfast room, straight for me, and I do a double-take. It’s only seven in the morning and I’d expected to be alone this early. Alone to get over my burning humiliation of last night and to bolster my confidence before the inevitable introduction to a certain god-like Italian.
Of all the people to choose to let loose with, it had to be the elusive brother. The elusive, seriously sexy, older brother.
The one who’s string of conquests Dani has often bemoaned to me. And last night it was my lips he’d been exercising that well-practised skill over... A sigh works its way up my throat, my head leaning off to the side as my lips softly curl.
‘Faye!’
Oh, God.
‘Sorry.’ I straighten sharply, blinking away the image of him naked, and clear my throat. ‘Your mother?’
I frown as I take in the sight of Dani up close. She’s frazzled. Her glossy black hair is tied back but sticking out at all angles and her face is devoid of make-up—very un-Dani. ‘What’s wrong?’
She shakes her head and scans the deserted room. There’s only one discreet staff member on hand at the breakfast bar; the room is ours.
‘I had a ranting text message from her, something about her bedroom being too tucked away, and then some comment about the size of her bed and having no man to fill it.’
She steals my coffee cup and takes a big gulp. ‘Sorry, babe, hope you don’t mind. I need the caffeine, or a mimosa might be more apt. I mean, this is my wedding week, right? I can drink this early if I want to!’
It all comes out in a frantic rush and I stand, taking the cup from her and placing it on the table, before holding her arms and forcing her to face me. ‘Breathe, honey. I will sort you out a mimosa.’
She gives me a weak smile. ‘You will?’
‘Yes. And I’ll go and find out what’s troubling your mother. You need to go back the way you came and cosy up with that gorgeous hubby-to-be. Leave the niggly things to me.’
‘Niggly? She’s more a giant pain in the—’
‘Dani.’
She gives me a cute little pout. ‘You sure?’
‘It’s what I’m here for. Now, go. I’ll see you get some drinks sent up to your room, pastries and all.’
Her eyes widen. ‘No, no pastries, not until after the wedding day; there isn’t a millimetre to spare in that dress.’