Italian Kisses: A Billionaire Love Story by Lucy Lambert Read Free Book Online

move yanked at the lock of hair he held, and sharp pain exploded in my scalp. So sharp I thought he’d managed to rip the hair out. “Dr. Aretino!”
    When I looked down and saw that his hand wasn’t filled with my hair, that he hadn’t pulled any out, I felt relieved. Thank God for small favors, I suppose.
    “I promise you it will be worth it,” he said.
    I took an involuntary step back, realizing just how alone the two of us were in this big, empty lecture hall. Why couldn’t someone from the next class come in already?
    “I’m not that kind of person, professor,” I said, crossing my arms across my chest tightly. I tried telling myself it was a gesture of defiance, but I knew it was really because I needed some comforting, some security, from this. Maybe I’ll leave Rome after all .
    I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my integrity for better grades.
    “You will come around, Ragazza d’oro . You will.”
    The double doors at the top of the stairs burst open, letting in the flood of sound from the  crowded hallway on the other side.
    “Emma?”
    My breath caught. It couldn’t be! But it was. I spun around and saw Liam standing at the top of the stairs. He wore casual clothes, the collar of his grey button down undone as a way to deal with the Italian heat.
    I didn’t care why he was there, why he stood at the top of the stairs like some classical hero, a living representation of some beautiful marble statue. I only cared that he was there.
    “Liam!” I said, feeling Dr. Aretino’s eyes burning twin holes between my shoulder blades. I whirled back on the professor, whose eyes kept bouncing between Liam and me like a ball in a pinball machine. “I’m sorry, professor, but I really have to go.”
    “Emma, I really do not like this man. There is something about him. Something not honest,” Giuseppe said.
    Liam walked down the stairs, casually scanning the lecture hall, one hand shoved into the pocket of his khakis. “She’s right, though, we do have to go. We have that thing.”
    “Yes, that... thing,” I said.
    Liam came up to my side and draped his arm over my shoulders. Immediately, I felt more at ease in my own skin. Skin that currently luxuriated at his touch. I’ve got it bad , I thought. That really wasn’t a one night stand. Isabella was right.
    “You remember, that lunch date we set?” Liam said.
    “No, no. She is busy!” Dr. Aretino broke in, waving his hands at Liam like he’d wave at a fly buzzing around his spaghetti. “He is no good. Emma, don’t you see? He is no dancing instructor! He is a liar...”
    “I’m sorry, professor,” I said, that pool of acid in my stomach evaporating, making me feel light enough to lift up off the polished hardwood floor of the lecture hall, “But I did set that date. I know there’s a way for me to improve my grades. We’ll discuss it later.”
    Dr. Aretino’s already swarthy complexion darkened further. The broad expanse of his forehead kept crinkling and then pulling taut. Finally, he fixed a greasy smile to his face that never touched his eyes. “Of course. I understand.”
    “Nice to see you again, Dr. Aretino,” Liam said, his hand slipping from my shoulder. His fingertips brushed against the small of my back, making the skin there tighten. He took hold of my hand in his and started leading me back up the stairs and to freedom.

Chapter 4
    W e walked hand-in-hand down the broad hallway. It was a beautiful building, with marble floors and tall, arched windows that let in the light to play across the frescoes and decorations. But right then I only had eyes for Liam.
    Other people had eyes for him, too, I noted. I squeezed his hand tighter and pressed my side against his while we walked, basking in the jealous gazes I felt from the other female students we passed.
    Yes, he’s holding my hand. Yes, he’s as good a kisser as he looks. No, you can’t have him!
    I put my giddiness down to the adrenaline rush of nearly being groped by my