The Italian's Bedroom Deal by Elizabeth Lennox Page B

compassion.
     
    As Max ducked into the back of his waiting limousine, he thought about someone else being privileged to the same offer Clarissa had given him. Sure, she could probably find someone who would be willing to initiate her into the sexual world. If he hadn’t arrived in Rome at just the right moment, she might have even offered that slimy Romeo the option. And Max was sure that the guy wouldn’t have a qualm about taking her up on the offer.
     

Chapter 7
     
    Max went back to his office, trying to lose himself in work. It had always been more than enough in the past but tonight, as he sifted through the latest information on an upcoming merger, he just couldn’t concentrate. He read the same paragraph four times without absorbing any of the information. Finally, he tossed the document down to his desk in disgust and shoved out of the chair to stare into the black night. The lights of the city were far below him and he could see the river and the boats coasting back and forth carrying tourists and dinner guests.
     
    He contemplated the night and all that he’d learned during the day. James would never win father of the year but he now understood that he cared in some sort of odd, warped way for Clarissa. James genuinely wanted what was best for his daughter and would go to great lengths to make her happy, even if he had no understanding of what that could be.
     
    Max wondered if he would be able to stand by and watch while James put one man after another in front of Clarissa in the hopes that she might find him attractive and husband material. Max guessed that he’d probably be invited to the wedding when it happened. That thought infuriated him and he was stunned. Taking a mental step back, he contemplated everything he’d been experiencing for the past several weeks. He wanted Clarissa sexually, that was a given. He liked and respected her and instinctively knew that she would be a wonderful mother. So what was holding him back from marrying her himself? Why did he have to wait a couple more years before he married? Obviously there were no financial issues since the latest magazine poll put him in the top ten wealthiest men in Europe. Since they had miscalculated his net worth by several decimal points, he might even be at the top.
     
    There was the time issue. He liked working and enjoyed the cut throat world of business. But would that ever stop? Would he be satisfied to settle down without the intellectual stimulation in a couple years? Probably not. Business was instinctive in him and he craved the excitement of the next business deal like some people breathed.
     
    Despite that need, he could do more of his work at home so he could be with his wife, more specifically, Clarissa. There were resources at his fingertips that he could implement that allowed him to work from any place in the world. And he definitely wouldn’t mind delegating some of his responsibilities now, rather than later. That would free up some of his time and would allow him to spend more time on his family, something his mother had been begging him to do for years.
     
    Besides, he was starting to understand that Clarissa was becoming just as strong of a need as the next business negotiation. Her smiles and soft, fluttery touches were almost constantly on his mind. As was her perfect figure. A figure he wanted to caress with more than a fluttery need, he thought grimly. His body was already reacting to the idea of touching her soft, full curves and pulling her against him….He had to stop thinking along those lines. He was going to drive himself crazy.
     
    So what was holding him back?
     
    Max couldn’t come up with a single answer.
     
    The realization struck him like a punch in his stomach. When it occurred to him, he instantly felt a huge sense of relief. All the anger that had been building up inside of him since James’ party dissipated and he contemplated how much his idea made sense. Which meant he could pursue the