Page 113 of Power
Simone’s cheeks warmed, her pulse quickened. She flicked her attention toward the hallway, eager to see him again.
The front door opened, then shut.
Relax. He’s just a guy.
Anticipation sent a tremble skirting through her.
No, he’s not just a guy. He’s a powerful, charming, and completely charismatic man.
When Luciano strode into the room, the air became electric, the swirling energy halting her breath. He skimmed the group. When he homed in on her, a shadow darkened his eyes. The desire to go to him, pull him close, and kiss him breathless had her leaning against the counter to stop herself.
In his hand, he held four large black shopping bags, the word SANTINI emblazoned in gold across each one.
Then, he flashed the group a movie-star smile and held up the bags. His family clamored around him, but she stayed cemented behind the large island, watching the scene unfold.
“Elsa, for you.” He handed his grandmother a bag. With a childlike smile, she retreated to her lounge chair in the family room and peered inside.
“Lulu,” she exclaimed as she extracted a garment, then another, and finally a third.
He’d gifted her a pastel pink blousy shirt, a pair of black cashmere gloves, and a matching cashmere scarf.
Next, he handed Slash a bag. She extracted a black halter shirt, black jeans, and a black cashmere scarf like the one he’d given his grandmother. Slash grinned. “I love you, Lulu. These rock.” She wrapped the scarf around her neck.
Then, he pulled out three identical black cashmere sweaters for Carrera, Gabriel, and Teddy.
Carrera pulled his on over his T-shirt. “Nice.”
As everyone was admiring their gifts, he turned his full attention on her. One step at a time, he stalked over to her and offered her the final bag. “Simone.”
She could feel the pull, the invisible tug to touch him, to hold him close and run her fingers through his luscious hair or caress his chiseled face.
“Thank you.” She lifted out an espresso-colored cashmere scarf. “It’s beautiful.”
He gently draped the plush garment around her neck. “It’s perfect on you.”
She started to set down the bag, when he said, “There’s more.”
To her surprise, a silky black garment lay neatly folded at the bottom of the bag. She lifted out a beautiful silk negligée. Though she could have been embarrassed by the intimate apparel, she was not.
Then, he reached inside the bag, pulled out a matching silk robe. “For the next time,” he murmured. “When youdon’thave to leave.”
She stared at him for the longest time, unsure she’d even heard him correctly.
“Yowza,” Teddy blurted, his boisterous voice snapping her out of her Luciano trance. “That’s some sexy-sexy.”
“It’s very zhuzhy,” she said to Luciano. “Thank you.”
He kissed her cheek. “I can’t wait to see you in them.” After kissing her other cheek, he whispered, “And out of them.”
Her insides quivered while her heart galloped in her chest. He was slaying her with his words. The air crackled with fiery energy, but the room had grown eerily silent. All eyes on them. Breaking away, she tucked the items back in the bag and returned to reality.
Salad making.
Teddy held up a beer and a bottle of wine. “Who wants what?”
“Nothing for me.” Luciano pulled a bottle of sparkling water from the refrigerator. “Any takers?”
As he twisted the lid, Simone said, “Water for me.”
