‘Where am I to sleep?’ Laurel asked.
‘There’s a guest bedroom across the hall.’ Cristiano pushed open the door opposite his own.
She turned to glance at him and that was her mistake. Her breath came out in a rush as heat flared between them. He put his hand on her wrist.
‘Don’t, Cristiano,’ she whispered.
‘Don’t what?’
‘Don’t touch me.’
‘Don’t tempt you?’ He stroked the silky skin of her inner wrist with his thumb. ‘Is that what you mean?’
Laurel remained frozen, her pulse hammering.
‘Why deny what is between us, bella?’
‘There’s nothing between us.’ She had to nearly gasp the words out.
‘Your body begs to differ.’ Cristiano could see the indecision in her fractured gaze…the desire as well as the doubt. ‘Stop worrying so much. What are you afraid of?’ he murmured, his lips very nearly brushing hers.
‘This…’ she whispered, and then Cristiano kissed her.