Читать книгу What Love Tastes Like - Zuri Day - Страница 18

Nick’s brow furrowed as he disconnected the call to Italy and placed his iPhone on the table. He’d fully expected Tiffany to still be at the hotel, and he wasn’t ready to admit how uncomfortable it made him that she’d rebuffed his generous suite offer and moved on. But given the quickness with which he’d had to leave the hotel in order to catch the first flight out, he’d figured offering her the use of his personal suite was the least he could do. Fortunately for him, the fire at Le Sol had been contained before it could spread to the restaurant, spa, gift shop, lounge areas, or any of the upper floors. The lobby would have to be gutted and redone, but things could have been much worse. Thanks to an all-inclusive insurance policy, the damage would be loss of time more than anything else. And most important, the worker who’d threatened to sue because of the gas leak that started the fire in the first place, had agreed to settle the matter out of court. All of this business had been handled the first day of Nick’s arrival back in Los Angeles. He’d gone home, showered, and slept. His first thought after waking was of Tiffany, his first action to contact her. But to no avail; management informed him that Tiffany had checked out of the hotel the night before.

Nick walked into his kitchen and put on water for tea, still thinking of Tiffany. He’d been upset when she’d abruptly ended their lovemaking, leaving him hard and frustrated. But in the hours that followed, the frustration had turned into a fantastical, determined desire to finish what they’d started, to run his hands over the entire length of her smooth, supple body, to massage her heavy breasts and once again worship at her feminine shrine. He continued to tell himself that now was not the time for another serious relationship. He hadn’t yet forgotten the hurt that Angelica had caused, and he knew the current hotel project would take his entire focus. Still, he couldn’t get Tiffany out of his mind, the chivalrous streak of protectiveness once again blossoming where she was concerned. Where was she staying in Rome? Who was helping her navigate that sometimes unpredictable city? Then, remembering that Tiffany was there to work with his friend Emilio, it occurred to Nick how he’d reestablish connection with the woman who’d stirred his heart as well as his penis. He walked purposely to the living room and picked up his phone. The first call was to the AnticaPesa restaurant, the second, to his secretary.

“Christina, I need something done right away,” he said as a greeting when his assistant answered the phone.

Even though it was Saturday, her off-day, Christina knew better than to point this out or act in any way other than ready to do her boss’s bidding. “Yes, Nick?”

“I need a large bouquet of flowers sent to AnticaPesa as soon as possible. Address them to Tiffany Matthews. Include this note…”