Capri Nights by Cara Marsi Read Free Book Online Page B

looked up at him. “Thank you for the perfume. I love it and I love that you wanted to give it to me.”
    He took her hand and pulled her to the side, away from the crush of the crowd. “I will never forget you, Cat.” Ignoring the twinge in his chest at the thought of her leaving, he bent and kissed her lightly on the lips.

CHAPTER NINE

    Sipping from small glasses of Limóncello, Cat and Alex sat on the balcony at one of Capri’s best restaurants. They’d spent the day talking, laughing, sightseeing, people watching. The golden glow of the setting sun on the bay and over Vesuvius in the distance couldn’t outshine the glow inside Cat.
    “I’m so glad you called me, Alex. This has been a great day.”
    “Every day is great when I can see your beautiful face.”
    Despite his serious words, the glint in his eyes and his teasing tone made her laugh. She leaned closer. “One thing I like about you is that for a smokin’ hot guy you don’t take yourself seriously.”
    He threw back his head and laughed. “I love your American honesty.” Settling back in his chair, he asked, “What else do you like about me?”
    “Now you’re fishing for compliments.” She tapped her chin with her finger. “Let’s see. I like how your English is perfect, especially since I don’t speak Italian. I like that you make me feel good. I like that you’re fun to be around. Is that enough?”
    He frowned. “That’s all?”
    “That’s all you’re getting for now, mister.”
    Chuckling, he sipped his drink.
    Cat checked the time on her phone and grimaced. “Damn. I need to get back. Nolan and Dad are having a party for their San Francisco friends who arrived today.”
    “Do you have to go to the party?”
    She chewed her lip. “Not really. I doubt they’ll miss me.”
    “Then stay with me. I’ll make dinner for you. I want to hold onto you a little longer.”
    “You’ve made me an offer I can’t refuse.”
    Thirty minutes later, they approached his villa. Cat’s heart pounded when the white structure with the blue tiled roof that glistened with small white lights set around it came into view. A fairy-tale castle for a princess. Cat felt like Cinderella tonight, a casually dressed Cinderella. Was Alex her prince? A thoroughly modern prince, he hadn’t returned her glass slipper but her phone. If this was her own private fairy tale, she’d enjoy it while she could.
    Alex drove down a long driveway bordered by flowering shrubs and pulled up to the circular drive in front of the house. A bubbling fountain with a statue of Neptune surrounded by fish spewing water adorned the circle. Marble steps led to a large wooden front door painted red. A stone wall curved along the top floor of the house, and Cat guessed it offered a view of the bay.
    Alex cut the engine, exited the car, and walked around to her side to open her door. Taking her hand, he helped her alight.
    With his hand on the small of her back, he led her up the steps.
    “Wow,” she said when they entered the mosaic-floored entryway lit by large floor lamps set around the perimeter. In shades of deep blue and green, the floor mimicked the sea outside. Here and there, colorful fish seemed to swim between the undulating waves. “I feel like I’m floating in the ocean. It’s beautiful.”
    “I’m glad you like it.” He drew her close and kissed her, gently at first. His lips firmed over hers, hot and demanding. After several passion-filled minutes, he pulled away, his breathing ragged.
    “First, we have dinner,” he said softly.
    “And after that?”
    “Dessert.”
    “What’s for dessert?”
    “Whatever you want.”
    At the smoldering intensity of his eyes, a slow, simmering ache began to build in her. Cat pressed a palm to her stomach. Alex for dessert? She could handle that. “I’ll help you with the meal.”
    Alex’s large, open kitchen with its white cabinets, white tiled floor and dark blue granite countertops continued the feeling of floating in