Again, he nodded, although he felt impatient with all this talk and ridiculous negotiating, not to mention a little concerned about how he would deal with his mother.
And youll really move in here, with me?
As I saidwhatever you want.
Youre being most agreeable. I appreciate that.
I try to please.
Im sure you do. Im beginning to think I should have done something like this for myself a long time ago. I mean, most men are thinking about how a woman can please theminstead of the other way around.
Some painful emotion flickered in the depths of her dark eyes. She waited, as if she expected something more from him.
How much? she finally whispered.
He stared at her.
I really would think youd want to get that settled up front.
How much what? he asked, puzzled.
Dont get me wrong. You are so sweet, so understanding about how difficult this is for me. Andand I like that. I like it a lot that youre so discreet and polite and you arent pushy about the money. I mean, its really sweet of you, especially since Im a first-timer, and it makes me feel special or like were almost friends or this is a real date or something sort of normalinstead ofwhat it really is. I mean, this is just one more thing about you that makes me feel soso hot. In fact, Ive never felt She stopped herself. Im sorry. I talk too much sometimeswhen Im nervous.
Hed never been so drawn to a woman, either. Why else was he being so patient with this endless, ridiculous, unfathomable conversation?
His lips barely moved. Cant we talk later? If you feel hot and I feel hot, shouldnt we begin
No. I really do have to know what you charge.
Charge?
For a moment longer he remained baffled, completely so, and then before she said anything else, the true meaning of her words slammed into him.
His grip on her waist tightened. You think Im a gigolo, he said softly.
And, naturally, I want to know how much you charge for the sex? Her whisper was raw, her face purple before she lowered her eyes.
She bit her lip savagely. Do you charge by the hour? She was fiddling with the sash of her thick robe like someone who was afraid she was in some sort of trouble. Or do you charge for services? Do you take VISA or cash? I dont have all that much cash, so maybe we could go to an ATM later.
She was so embarrassed she couldnt meet his eyes, but when he couldnt think of any way to answer her, she continued fiddling with the sash. Im a lawyer, and I like to know what Im getting intoI mean, when it comes to business.
An ATM!
So the hell do I.
He let her go and then jerked away as if shed slapped him. He strode to the minibar where he opened a little bottle and poured himself a Scotch and water. Studying the golden liquor in the lambent light, he opened a second bottle and splashed more Scotch into his glass. He didnt bother with ice.
She was watching him, shaken, her dark eyes wide and frightened.
I didnt mean to insult you, she whispered. I thought youd want to talk about this.
How exactly did you figure outerwhat I do for a living?
By watching you with those two older women. The ones who dropped you off. The way they kissed you.
His mother? His grandmother? His glance flew to the painting his grandmother had done of him when hed been a child, visiting her for the first time. It was on the tip of his tongue to explain who the women actually were and who he was, when she went on.
The Ferrari. The Maserati. Really, they gave it away. Not to mention the blondes diamonds. I mean, her ring, it must be nine carats.
Ten. It had been in the family three hundred years.
He swirled the Scotch in his glass.
The way they kissed youlike they adored you.
Did she know nothing about the Italian maternal instinct? He had always been his mothers favorite. His older sister had been pretty sweet about accepting that, most of the time. After all, he was her favorite, too.
Your ragged clothes compared to hers.
He loved old, soft, worn clothes. They made him feel free, almost ordinary, not so burdened with who and what he was and all that was expected of him. Naturally, his mother wanted him in Armani.
I see, he said. The Scotch burned his throat and set his stomach on fire. And do you do this oftentravel alone and hire gigolos?
His gaze must have hardened, because she looked away. No. I told you. Never. Never before! And probably never again! Thats why I dont really know how to do this.
Have you slept with other men in Italy? Men you met in your hotel or at restaurants?
No! I told youyoure the first.
The Scotch worked swiftly. He felt the beginnings of a much needed buzz. So, you havent read about me? You dont know who I
She studied him, her pretty face charmingly quizzical. Maybe you do look a little familiar. Maybe I did see one of your ads or something, but magazines and papers are full of ads. I just look at the pictures in Italian magazines. Are you a really famous gigolo or something?
He nearly choked on his Scotch. You might be surprised at just how famous. He couldnt resist teasing her. A gigolo to the stars.
God help him for what he was about to do, but he couldnt help himself.
Then we definitely stay in my hotel.
I could wear a disguise. Im quite good at them, you know.
Im sure you have to bein your line of work. She laughed nervously.
He smiled. He didnt want to play games, but this was obviously her fantasy and he wanted her more than ever. Maybe it was the Scotch, but her fantasy was beginning to turn him on, too. A gigolo? A professional who indulged a womans secret desires?
How much? she said.
His lips tightened. Sober, he wouldnt have been able to endure this money talk or the fact that she thought he was a gigolo. But the liquor had mellowed him. Not to mention, he was hotter for her than ever.
How much?
You are nothing if not persistent.
Im a lawyer.
He had a law degree and a business degree. I know a thing or two about lawyers. They were pushy and bossy, traits he had not desired in his womenuntil her.
Since its so important to you, you decide, he said.
I keep forgetting. Youre the professional.
Right. He eyed another little Scotch bottle and considered a third shot.
Since you have all the experience, how could I possibly know what youre worth?
For you, he began, his voice deliberately husky as he stared into her eyes, Ill make a special, one-time deal. Just for you. Pay whatever you feel like. The amount doesnt matter.
Now? Or later?
Later. How will you know what Im worth before youve sampled the merchandise?
You really are the sweetest gigolo ever.
We are trained to please.
You went to gigolo school?
Stop! He really did have to have another drink to continue this idiotic conversation.
This time he threw ice cubes into his glass. Then he opened a third little bottle, poured the shot and downed it in a single gulp.
One more thing
Hell. What now?
Im sort of a health nut
You want me to use a condom? No problem.
NoIdont know how to say this.
Im sure youll figure it out.
II was wondering about Italys health guidelines. I mean, for gigolos.
Oh, God.
Afraid hed give himself away, he glanced out the window. You may be assurederthat I am extremely discerning about my womenerI mean, my clients. Extremely discerning. I always use a condom. The very best grade, naturally. Then I go to the doctor every sixty days for a thorough examination. Blood tests. The works. I would go more often, if I thought it was necessary. My client list is extremely exclusive.
He set his glass down, determined to end this ridiculous conversation. Do you need documents, or are you satisfied?
Not quite yet. She lowered her lashes and tried not to look at the bed. But Im sure I will be soon, now that we have all these obnoxious little business details out of the way.
Ive never had a complaint, he murmured drily.
Finally. He set down his glass and pulled her into his arms again.
She closed her eyes.
Finally.
Four
Nico liked the way a faint tremor passed through Reginas body when his arm circled her shoulders and he cradled her close. He liked the way her pulse began to beat madly when he slipped his hand beneath her hair and pressed his mouth to her throat.
I could still say no, pay you and call this crazy thing off, she whispered.
But you dont want to do that, do you?
Not at all.
He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them one by one as hed done at the bar. As he gently sucked their tips, she shuddered.
He slid a fingertip inside her robe and very slowly pushed it aside a fraction of an inch. What do you want? he murmured against her earlobe.
His hand coaxed the thick terry off her shoulder, and she gasped.
You mean, I get to tell you what I want?
You hired me, remember. That was our agreement. I meanerbargain. Do you like it straightor kinky?
Kinky? IIIm not sure I know or want to know what you mean by that.
He laughed. So what do you want?
II want you to undress me and then give me a massage and then maybe make love to me very, very slowly.
I cant wait, he whispered.
He heard her breath catch even before his hand found the terry-cloth tie at her waist and he unthreaded it all the way. He slid the robe off her shoulders, and it tumbled in a heap to the tile floor.