Private Tasting by Nina Jaynes Page B

Teasing mixed with the imperious arrogance of a man used to both commanding and having his orders obeyed. “ Cara . What did he tell you?”
    She said nothing.
    “Beth.”
    “He said I was a sexual coward,” she blurted the words and heard Lucio hiss. Spinning out of his embrace, she knelt beside him and put her hands on his hard chest. His muscles tensed under her touch, and the warmth of him seeped into her. “Because I—”
    Lucio placed his fingers on her lips.
    She closed her eyes, giving in to the sensation of his skin against hers.
    He traced the outline of her mouth, and blood rushed to the places he touched. Blood rushed to the places he didn’t touch. “You don’t have to explain, Beth.”
    She blinked and met his gaze.
    “He was an idiot, and I never understood why you dated him.”
    Because he was available . Because, in the right kind of light, he looked like you, and when I closed my eyes, I could pretend it was you between my legs, not him. “I’m not a coward,” she said, seduced by the way her lips moved against his finger. “I just didn’t have the right partner.” She didn’t have Lucio.
    Beth took a deep breath, met and maintained eye contact, and opened her mouth to ask him the question that had driven her to his door.
    Only, before she could say anything, he was moving with fluid grace to a standing position. “You will find him.” He smiled, genuine, and held out his hand. “I think you’ve had enough wine. Let me walk you home.”
    She saw the warning in his eyes. Mortified, she stumbled to a standing position. He’d known what she was going to ask.
    And he’d rejected her.
    ****
    Lucio stepped away from Beth’s front door, making sure he heard the lock catch before he allowed himself a breath. He pressed his forehead against the wood and tried to ease the ache in his cock. The goddamn twist in his insides. Madre di dios .
    He’d been waiting for her, dreaming and lusting for her since the moment he’d first seen her. And tonight, tonight , she decided to ask him to bed.
    And he’d done the impossible. He’d turned her down.
    Because she was drunk. Because she mourned that jackass. They could pass for brothers, he and Michael. In her inebriated state, had she reached for him so she could pretend he was Michael?
    The thought made his dick go limp.
    He pushed off and headed down the flagstone path and back to his villa.
    Maybe she’d been serious. He’d seen the look in her eyes. The same desire he felt for her had been reflected in her blue irises.
    What if—? He kicked at the pebbles on the road and set the stones skittering, their surface made silver by the moon. Beth. She wasn’t a drinker. He couldn’t be sure, and there was no way he’d ever do anything to hurt her. Lucio shoved his hands in his pockets and, shoulders hunched, his head full of too many thoughts, he headed home.
    ****
    The candlelight flickered, catching and reflecting the overhead chandeliers. Cold air from the vents made Beth’s skin goose-pimple. She shivered in the black silk dress, pretending she wanted to be here and tossing artificial smiles at the guests of the annual wine festival. God, she did not want to be here. Not when she hadn’t seen Lucio since that disastrous night.
    No texts, emails, phone calls. Part of it was his schedule. He was one of the organizers of the festival, and she knew the past few days had been insane. But the other part…the other part kept her awake and chewed at her stomach. He hadn’t called, not because he couldn’t find time, but because he didn’t want to talk to her. Maybe tonight was the best way to see him. In public. A crowd to watch them. To supervise and chaperone.
    She sighed and pivoted from her place by the curved staircase. The movement caused the soft fabric of her gown to brush against her bare legs. A week ago, she’d mapped out this night. Her grand plan to seduce Lucio would’ve been successful. Instead of rejecting her, he’d led her