Nicolo tried his hardest not to think about it. He only looked away for a second, thinking they would not get too far if they moved because of the crowd. Knowing he needed to focus on the reason he was there did not stop him from wandering through the room looking for the familiar glance of doe brown eyes. The thought she was alone with Angelo meant she was physically safe, but his cousin was a snake. Angelo was popular with women, and the smile she gave him earlier could be an invitation.

“He’s none the wiser, and that maid is only that. Using her to distract him was something I did not expect, but beneficial.” Angelo’s voice came from somewhere nearby, and Nicolo turned to find him standing with another woman. “The Accardi is just a myth that Piero is threatening to scare…”

“Angelo, I mentioned Lili was in danger, but thought she was with you.” Nicolo interrupted while looking around for her. “It is my responsibility to see to her safety since it is my fault she is in this position.”

“Oh, she went to the restroom earlier, but I couldn’t find her again after.” Came Angelo’s response, and he wrapped his arm around the woman next to him. “This is…”

Without another glance, Nicolo walked away, intent on insuring Lili’s safety. An accident with her could stain his family’s good name, so he had to make sure she was okay. That and the thought of something happening to her made him feel sick to his stomach. His eyes passed over the crowd. Where was she? He wondered with narrowed eyes, taking a few steps towards the restroom.

Then he saw her, and it was like seeing her again for the first time. She moved out to the balcony, the noon sun casting her in a glow. He could not help but stare in awe of her, his footsteps taking him in her direction as if on autopilot. Lili took his breath away and left him yearning for more. It was more than lust, almost as though he were drawn to her sheer will and confidence.

“You found me.” She mumbled with a glance over her shoulder, before she looked at the crowd beneath them. “You always find me at the worst possible time.”

“I do not know what that means, but you look okay.” Nicolo countered, taking a step forward. “You should not wander off on your own in a place like this. Of all people, you should know the dangers…”

~~~~~

I did what I came to do and intended to disappear into the crowd and leave for the Accardi House, yet here I was. I saw him looking around the ground floor and knew I could not leave him like that. It would not be fair to him. So, I waited for him to find me. And in that very moment, I realized just how out of control the situation was.

I wanted him, yet did not like the lack of control I had over myself when he was near. I wanted to breathe him in, letting loose all the passion I had, yet when their eyes met, I felt that fear of the unknown hit. No man ever made me feel like this. There was no way my family would succeed if I were to marry a man like him. He stepped closer and the scent of his aftershave reached my nose.

“I thought you were in trouble. Angelo hadn’t seen you in a while…” He seemed to hesitate before a hand grabbed my wrist, pulling her closer. “I hadn’t seen you in a while. I was worried, Lili.”

Just being wrapped in his arms made me want to give away the truth, to tell him who I was, but I could not. I would go back into hiding soon, as the Donna of the Accardi. Even Nicolo lived closer to the light than I did, but I could keep him safe from afar. Before he could say anything else, the click of heels drew my attention, so I pulled out of his arms and backed away.

Just as a woman appeared, I stepped into a side hallway leading towards the exit. I had a few things to do back at the Romano Villa, but I needed to fade from memory soon. A conversation came from my left, making me pause to listen. One voice I recognized, the other I did not. I leaned against the wall and listened closer when Angelo appeared from behind the door with someone. Ducking, I hid behind the tablecloth of a local table, attention on my target.

“Did you see the way he looked at her?” The unfamiliar, feminine voice stated with an annoyed huff. “He puts that maid above anyone.”

“I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he does her.” Piero appeared, startling the other two. “And she’s just as into him. You should have seen the way she responded to his kiss on the way here. Witnessing a love like that is something one would see once in their lifetime.”

Love. Despite every cell in my brain recognizing the emotion, I refused to admit it. It was lust. Love was for civilians, for all the Nicolos out there, and real princesses. My grandfather would marry me off to the highest power to increase our family’s control if I did not become the Donna soon. Even when I married, my title would remain secret to everyone except my husband. But I knew I would never marry him. Not Nicolo.

My heart sank a little at this before I disappeared through the door. The night air felt refreshing against my heated flesh. Of course, I knew how others would see that, yet under the feel of his lips, I forgot we were not alone. My lips parted as I exhaled, trying to push that memory off my skin. There was a danger there, one I once heard called a ‘suspension bridge’ effect, and I was sure that played into my ‘feelings’ over Nicolo.

“Tell the Don my mission is complete. I will return home tomorrow.” I whispered as I looked into the night sky.

“He is intent on it being her.” Piero’s voice echoed nearby, and I listened in. “I tell him to go for it because the Accardi are mysterious. Lili could disappear and he would never find her. So, he needs to go for it so he doesn’t have regrets.”

Regretting things was not my style, but I nodded along in understanding. When I went home, that passion would fade, as would the desire. Did I really want to forget it ever happened? Though I knew I was looking for any excuse I could find. Would letting go of control for one day be such a bad thing? I could disappear if things got too out of hand, right?

~~~~~

After the party, they returned home with a wall of ice between them. Angelo was complaining about how the party was a failure. Lili opted to drive with his cousin as her passenger, and Piero was lying against the other seats with his eyes closed in a drunken stupor. She was a maid, and her duties were to insure they all got back to the Villa safely. Yet he could almost feel her body in his hands again.

When they arrived there, he asked her to bring coffee to his office. If Nicolo could convince her to be his woman, he could find out what she was doing there and take her in his arms. He was fairly certain her name and position were a disguise, yet he could not find out more about her. Nicolo made sure she agreed before making his way upstairs to the hallway leading to his office. Her voice drifted to him from the hall, so he invited her in.

“Close the door.” He ordered, watching as her brown eyes narrowed, but she nodded, closing the door behind her. “I hope you made enough for yourself. We need to talk.”

“Don, I told you. This would not look good…”

When she stepped closer, her slight frame with her back straight, eyes firm, he shivered. He wanted to find out who she was, what she was doing here, and why, but her brown eyes only seemed to project innocence. The occasional glimpses of the woman she was had him begging for more, though. There was something to her, something hidden beneath those quiet chocolate-colored eyes that made him want to see her face twist in pleasure.

“To be honest, I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. I want to explore what this is between us.” He mumbled, watching as her eyes narrowed, a wicked gleam filling her gaze. “I want to see you contort in ecstasy.”

He wanted to explore every single centimeter of that tattoo on her neck and find out where it led. And if the way Lili looked at him was a sign, she wanted to do the same. She took a single step forward, making him swallow. Breathe. He reminded himself to breathe as her perfumed scent reached his nose; the effect was dizzying.

Nicolo was no fool. He knew she differed from the moment he set eyes on her. Her full pink lips drew ever closer, until he could feel her breath ghost across his mouth, setting his nerves alight. Just who was she that could make him like this?

“As much as I would love to give into that, Signore Romano, you and I both know that is more dangerous to a maid than lying low.” Her head tilted as she spoke, and the maturity in her eyes had him swallowing thickly. “And I would LOVE to find out if you could handle someone like me, but…” she continued, her hand reaching up to stroke along his cheekbone. “I will leave soon.”

“Give me until then. Until you leave…” Nicolo knew it was impossible, but he still wanted to try. “Diventano tutti a appasionato!”

Her eyes took on a hazy quality as she stared into his eyes, her tongue peeking out to moisten her lips. He zeroed in on that, his eyes following the wet pink muscle run along sensitive skin. No. That was the answer he expected. But he had to try. Nicolo wanted a chance to convince the enigma, Lili, to his bed.

And when she gazed at him like so, he could not help but burn with desire. Even the skin her fingers stroked came alive from a single touch. He was so close to her now; he could see her pulse jumping quickly beneath her skin. Lili’s hand dropped from his cheek, finding purchase on his shoulder, and he watched as her eyes slid closed.

Taking a chance, he leaned closer, letting his lips brush hers. And then he lost himself. She was delicious, like a heady wine he could drown in, and her heavenly scent and soft skin brushed against all of his senses. The touch of her body against his fingertips as his hand ventured under her shirt made him groan as he lifted her with his free hand. Sofa, or table. He landed their bodies flat on the sofa; her straddling him. Her pace. Nicolo wanted to let go and enjoy the ride, yet he wanted to take control.

“MmmMph!” she cried out as her body sank onto his, and he grabbed her thighs, his senses in overload. “Keep… up… Nicolo.”

“You too, Lili.” He groaned, grabbing her lower thigh, near her knee.

It was mind-blowing, and so delicious it made his spine tingle. Her slow pace, the rise and fall of her body on his, and every sexy moan parting her lips had him wanting more and wanting to freeze time. His hand slid up her tanned waist to her nape, pulling her down for another kiss. Ecstasy. Bliss. Nothing could describe it. But he wanted more. Needed more.

Nicolo watched hazily as her tanned skin dripped with sweat, his eyes roving over her form. He flipped their bodies, landing her on her back, and groaned at the desire burning hot in her brown eyes. Nicolo leaned closer, pulling her lower lip into his mouth to nibble on it. She was hot, tight, and her expressions glorious. Push and pull. He wanted more, felt starved for her.

Lili was a drug. A dangerous drug. Her chocolate brown eyes, dark brown hair, and beautiful slim body. She was soft, yet strong, beautiful, yet dangerous. A rose with thorns like daggers. But this was one regret he would never have. He ravished her, drinking in every second of this moment with her. Beautiful. Ethereal. There was no better way to describe her. Nicolo trailed love bites and kisses down her neck, watching as her back pulled tight like a bow.