The Vendetta by Kecia Adams Page B

she lectured herself. Since when had seeing Nick Carnavale become essential to her? His kisses had inspired passion, yes, but heated lust was a far cry from emotional attachment. And she had more important things to worry about than her physical response to a mysterious billionaire art collector.
    Nick came around the corner, walking toward her in an easy, athletic stride.
    Her stomach did that now-familiar flip. God, she had to stop being so unreasonably happy to see this man. The irritating schoolgirl giddiness firmed her determination to find out more about him and to keep him at arm’s length.
    He seemed perfectly suited to the location among the splendor of Rome’s architecture, as if he were a Roman god. His features, carved and beautiful, gave nothing away. If she dared admit it to herself, she desired him more than she’d desired any other man.
    He stepped close and took her hands, his eyes clear and cool as the water that spilled from Triton’s fountain nearby. He leaned in to kiss her on both cheeks.
    “Where to?” she asked, breathless from his greeting. So much for arm’s length .
    “I have something to show you. We can walk there.”
    Nick turned toward the Via del Tritone. His hands slid into his coat pockets but he offered her an elbow. She curled her hand around his arm, enjoying his warmth and strength even through his overcoat.
    When they turned a sharp corner, he jumped back to avoid a passing motorcycle. She pressed close against his body, the side of her breast brushing his arm. He flicked her a glance, the intensity in his eyes hitting her low and hard. She licked her lips. Good, maybe he was just as attracted as she was.
    They followed a winding, cobblestone street then popped out onto a large piazza just as the sun peeked over the tall row of buildings.
    “There,” he said.
    She looked around in delight. “Trevi Fountain.”
    A sense of familiarity, of home, came over Lisa. She let go of Nick’s arm and walked down the amphitheater-style steps toward the colossal, stern-faced Neptune and his two writhing stone seahorses. The fountain basin, wide as the piazza but shallow, spilled forth in a never-ending cycle. She bent to put her hand in the cold water. This place had been a favorite of her mother’s. Elisabetta had spoken of it often over the years.
    She looked around. Trevi Fountain usually swarmed with tourists and guides, street vendors and pickpockets. But not this early in the morning. She and Nick had the place to themselves. Except for a few desultory pigeons that checked them out, then waddled away.
    Nick came down the steps to her. When he reached her, he held out a coin.
    “But I have already thrown my coin in.” She spread her hands wide, trying to cover her emotions. “And I am back in Rome to prove it.”
    He put the coin in her hand. “Throw another one, just for insurance.”
    Lisa pitched the coin over her shoulder in the best tourist fashion, and it landed with a plunk. She turned to him, smiling, and was slightly startled when he swept her up for a kiss. His kisses so far had been scorching, or teasing, but this one thrilled her with its tenderness. She wrapped her arms around him and hung on. She could have stood there all day kissing Nick in front of the rushing waters of Rome’s most romantic fountain, but eventually he lifted his head and stepped back.
    It was Lisa’s turn to shove her hands into her coat pockets. It was either that or grab him again. “What are we doing out here, Nick? Is this what you wanted me to see? Trevi?”
    The corner of his mouth lifted. “You seem a little disgruntled this morning, piccola. How did you sleep last night?”
    She frowned up at him, but couldn’t stop a smile from slipping out. “Disgruntled. That’s a new word for you, I’ll bet.”
    “Yes.” He grinned. “I looked it up. I was saving it just for you.”
    She let out a short, breezy laugh.
    He stepped closer and pushed a strand of her hair off her face. “Maybe