The Italian's Bedroom Deal Read Online Free PDF Page B

feel both terrified as well as excited at the prospect. Today, she would make her first proposition. And to a man who excited her as no other had ever done.
     
    She smiled when she recalled the kiss a week ago. That one kiss had only reaffirmed her desire to have Max initiate her into this wonderful, scary world of lovemaking. It proved he was a master at the art and she definitely wanted to experience her first time with the best. It might have been nothing to him but it had been wonderful and exhilarating to her and she was determined to make him her first lover. Either that, or she’d die of embarrassment, she thought grimly.
     
    When he entered the restaurant, Clarissa’s heart stopped in her chest, only to resume back again at triple speed. He was so handsome, she thought, becoming jealous of the other women who were also watching as he made his way across the room. Thankfully, his eyes were on her and her alone and his look made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world. How could he do that so effortlessly, she wondered?
     
    Bending down, he kissed her hand gently on the fingers before taking his seat across from her. “You look lovely, Clarissa.”
     
    “Thank you,” she said, feeling very sophisticated in her new suit with the lace camisole underneath. “I appreciate you accepting my request for a meeting.”
     
    “So formal,” he purred with his lilting Italian accent. “How have you been lately?” he asked.
     
    They spoke of trivialities for several minutes and Clarissa was grateful for the time so she could get her body back under control. She hadn’t figured out how to work around to the proposition although she’d spent the last three days trying to come up with a good way to broach the subject.
     
    The waiter arrived and Clarissa studied the menu, deciding on a salad, knowing that her stomach couldn’t handle anything heavy when she was about to propose something so outlandish.
     
    Again, Max soothed the way, talking about different events, asking her about her day, questioning her on small details and generally making her feel as if she were exclusively his. She liked that idea and was especially thrilled when she asked him about his week and he told her those details as well. It was as if he were sharing things about his day that he’d never shared with anyone else, but of course, that wasn’t the reality. Regardless, she pretended that was the way it was, at least for the remainder of their lunch together.
     
    They laughed about a show that had just passed through town, neither one of them liking the opera overly much. Clarissa mentioned the latest book that had come on the market by her favorite author and, after her description, he said he’d have to get it and read it himself.
     
    When the desert plates were carried away, Max leaned back in his chair and watched her. “How about if we get to the point of your request for lunch? I have to admit that I’m curious. It isn’t every day I get invited to lunch by a beautiful woman.”
     
    Clarissa blushed and lowered her eyes to her plate. “I’m sure it happens often enough that it isn’t a surprise, Max.” She hated that idea of any other woman being in his life, but knew she needed to play this lightly. She didn’t want him to think she could become territorial, although that was definitely the case with him. Since she had no right, she took a deep breath and looked up at him with a smile.
     
    His eyes were regarding her with curiosity. “Why would you say that?”
     
    She laughed nervously. “Are you saying this has never happened?”
     
    He shook his head. “I’m not saying I’ve never been invited to lunch before. But never by someone like you.”
     
    She grimaced. “I’m not sure what you mean by ‘someone like me’ and I’m not sure I want to know either. That only reaffirms my mission though.”
     
    Clarissa fiddled with the stem of her water glass, unable to hold his gaze any longer. She’d