Noted.
“I have other persuasion tools.”
“Such as?”
I lowered my gaze to her mouth, keeping it there until she darted out the tip of her tongue, wetting her lips.
She flexed her back and wobbled backward a little. I brought a hand to her arm to stabilize her, afraid she’d land in the fountain otherwise. She looked up at me from under those long lashes, and I didn’t even register moving my hand from her arm to cup her face, resting my thumb just under her mouth. She parted her lips, releasing a shaky exhale, and I couldn’t stay away anymore. I closed the distance between us and spoke against her lips.
“I’m going to kiss you, Valentina.”
When she gave me a low moan as an answer, I crushed my mouth to hers. I slid my hand to the back of her head. When I sucked a little on her tongue, she groaned right into my mouth.
With my free hand, I drew her closer. I needed more than her lips. I wanted the warmth of her body, to feel her sweet curves. No, that was a mistake... because now that she was pressed against me, I became greedier still, wanting to feel her skin. I lost all sense of space and time, right until I realized she was whispering my name. Then I pulled her in my lap, moving my hands up her legs.
Her skin broke out in goose bumps. When I moved past her knees, her hips slid forward an inch. When I cupped her ass, my fingers didn’t encounter fabric, and for a split second, I thought she wasn’t wearing panties. At the thought of her bare, I nearly lost my mind.
I instantly turned rock-hard, and Val felt it because I’d pressed her into me. My hand moved from bare skin onto lace as I ran my finger over the scrap of fabric between her ass cheeks. I wanted a taste of her. I wanted to drop to my knees, remove those tiny panties, spread her wide, and work her with my mouth until she exploded.
I moved my lips down to her jaw, to her earlobe.
“I can’t stop kissing you,” I confessed. “Or touching you.”
“Carter,” she whispered, sounding as if she wanted to be kissed again but unsure if it was a good idea.
I held her close to me, resting my nose in the crook of her neck, right up until a loud gong rang from the villa.
“Oh, they’re calling us back already.” Val sounded as dejected as I felt. I didn’t care about the gala, or the prizes. I just wanted more time with her. Something had shifted between us during this hour we’d spent here, and I wanted to solidify that before the night was over.
I took her hand, helping her stand up from the edge of the fountain.
“Always so gallant.”
“Never forget my manners.”
On the way to the villa, we ran into one of the organizers.
“Val, I’m so sorry I haven’t had time to greet you. And you are Ethan, I presume?” she asked.
I clenched my jaw, stretching my hand forward. “Carter Sloane. Pleased to meet you.”
“Oh!”
She looked between Val and me, confused.
“Could we quickly go over the prizes you donated before we move inside?” she asked Val.
“Sure.”
“I’ll be in the villa,” I said. Val nodded, not quite meeting my eye.
My gut clenched as I headed inside. I’d forgotten that she was supposed to be here with another man. Did she still have feelings for him? Was she looking for a rebound? I didn’t know what this was between us or what it could become, but I sure as hell didn’t want to be Valentina’s rebound.
I went to return the empty bottle and glasses to the bar, keeping an eye on the entrance. When Val came in, I fell into step with her as everyone headed to the main hall.
She gave me a small smile but still didn’t meet my eyes.
I swallowed, trying to gauge what was going through her mind. She was going to announce the winners along with one of the presenters, so I didn’t have much time left with her.