Suddenly he wanted her to come with him more than ever. It would be a slice out of time for them both. Granted, he’d have some business meetings and dinners to attend, but he could complete the social side of his business with Blair on his arm. A warm glow started in the pit of his belly as he started to look forward to doing just that. It would be good to get her away from Carson’s. She worked as if one possessed her, and he wanted a chance to again see the woman who’d so enticed him while she was at Palazzo Sandrelli.
He studied her face, expecting to see it light up with excitement. Instead a frown pulled her eyebrows together.
“Draco, I’d love to, but I can’t. I have a business to run, and tonight—well, tonight is probably going to be the most important night of all.”
“Why tonight?” He asked, clamping down on the frustration at having his newly formed plans summarily discarded.
“It sounds as if Bill Alberts—you know, from Fine Dining?—will be coming tonight. It’s my chance to lift our rating in the magazine. To be the best!”
She glowed with an inner light as she spoke, but for the life of him he couldn’t understand why that meant she couldn’t come with him. Surely she trusted her kitchen and waitstaff to provide the same level of service they’d give, whether she was there or not.
“So this Bill Alberts, has he made a booking?”
“Not exactly, but one of his associates has made a booking for six guests tonight. It’s the way he operates. I just know tonight is going to be the night. I have to be here. It’s important to me.”
While Blair was no further away from him physically than before, he could sense she’d emotionally widened the distance between them.
She pushed her chair back a little, letting it bump against the desk, and stood up. “When do you expect to be back?”
“I’ll be gone for five nights.” He stepped closer, cupping his hands on her hips and pulling her into him. “Will you miss me?”
He felt the fine tremor run through her before she answered.
“You know I will. But it’s okay.” She laughed, the sound almost artificial. “It’s not as if we have a permanent arrangement together or anything. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a big night to prepare for.”
She went to pull free from his hands, but rather than let her go he tightened his grip, cradling her between his hips. He ran his hands up the long muscles of her back until their bodies were aligned. Her breasts pressed against his chest, full, firm. Different, yet the same. A different bra, perhaps? He couldn’t wait to see it, to peel it off her. But in the meantime, he’d have to settle for a kiss that could last him the five nights he’d be away.
He took her lips hungrily, determined to imprint himself indelibly on her both physically and mentally. It bothered him more than he cared to admit that she was prepared to put her work before him, but he reminded himself, it was her intensity, her focus and her drive that he’d found so compelling. The first time he’d seen her, in the kitchens of the commercial arm of the palazzo that catered to groups on culinary tours, she’d stood out from the rest. A humming, vibrant energy amongst a collection of people who only played at being artists in the kitchen.
Blood pooled in his groin and he ground his hips against her, letting his tongue slide into her mouth in a pale imitation of what he wanted to do with her body. She melted against him, her body no longer stiff and reluctant in his arms, but pliant and willing.
The sound of a throat clearing dragged his attention back to where they were.
“You guys want to get a room or something?” Gustav asked from behind him.
“We were just saying arrivederci.”
Draco reluctantly let Blair from his arms. The instant feeling of emptiness came as a surprise, but then again, they’d been all but making love here in this tiny cluttered room. It was no wonder that he physically missed her already.
“Gustav, you’re here early,” Blair said, a warm blush rising up her neck and invading her cheeks.
“Didn’t want to miss the show,” her headwaiter replied. “The one tonight, I mean—Bill Alberts.”
“You people have no proof this man is even coming tonight. Why are you all so…so?” Words failed Draco and he gestured widely with his hands.
Blair caught his hands in hers. “Because this is everything we have worked for for months. If he doesn’t show, we’ll have had a great trial run.”
“But isn’t every night a trial run?”
“Of course. But this one could be it. It’s as close as we’ve gotten. Now, I’m sure you have things to do before you leave tonight, and I know I have a lot to see to.”