Tuscan Heat Read online

  He smiled politely. “Why would you think something like that?”

  She looked at her watch, then lifted her eyes back to his. “I guess I am a little early,” she said with a soft giggle.

  Donovan nodded. “Thirty minutes early, to be exact.” He gestured for her to take a seat at the table, pulling out a chair for her. “So, what can I help you with, Ms. Donati?”

  Alessandra fumbled her books and bags as she twisted in her seat to face him. “I just wanted to take an opportunity to personally welcome you to our university. Everyone is so excited to have you here.”

  He nodded, his eyebrows raised. “I appreciate that,” he said slowly. “Is that it?”

  She gave him a sly smile and curled her bottom lip as she bit down against the soft flesh. “I also wanted to volunteer to help you get settled in. I imagine being in a new country can be intimidating, especially when you don’t know anyone. I want you to know that I’m at your disposal, day...or night,” she said with emphasis. To further punctuate her meaning, she winked at him.

  Donovan sat back in his seat, staring at her. He took a deep breath before he spoke. “That’s very kind of you, Ms. Donati...”

  “Please, Alessandra. Ms. Donati is so formal.”

  “Which is why I won’t call you by your given name. There is nothing casual about our relationship. I’m your instructor and you are my student, and I have no intentions of crossing that line. Neither should you.”

  “But, Donovan...”

  “Dr. Boudreaux. Please.”

  She bristled, twisting her mouth as annoyance flashed across her face. “Most men would welcome my attention,” she snapped, her eyes narrowing into thin slits.

  Donovan smiled. “Ms. Donati, I’m not like most men!”

  * * *

  Donovan watched as Alessandra stormed out of the common room, pausing once at the door to give him one last dirty look. As she made her exit, he missed her encounter in the hallway, the young woman almost slamming into Professor Mugabe. Nor was he privy to the subsequent conversation between the two. A conversation that had the two women whispering frantically until taking their discussion behind the closed doors of Professor Mugabe’s office.

  Before he could reflect on what had happened, another student waved for his attention, the young man in need of actual assistance with his math work. Two hours later he was wishing he could be done for the day, anxious to get back to Maremma, and Gianna. But there was still a mountain of paperwork that he needed to get through.

  “Dr. Boudreaux?”

  Donovan lifted his eyes from the stack of test papers he’d been grading. A young woman with doe-like eyes and a mousy pixie cut stood staring. She clutched a stack of books in her arms, the tomes almost as big as she was.

  “Yes?” He eyed her curiously.

  “You have a visitor in the front office. They asked me to come tell you.”

  “Grazie mille,” he said, expressing his gratitude.

  As she turned on high heels and headed toward a table of friends watching them curiously, he began to pack his papers into his leather attaché case. Minutes later he took his exit, heading in the direction of the university’s reception area.

  Gianna was standing in the office, her hands clasped together in front of her. Her eyes were darting back and forth as she took in the comings and goings of the students. She wore a blue skirt that was gathered on both sides and a blue-printed bandeau top that was tied into a bow between her breasts. Low cut, brown leather boots covered her feet, complementing her casual country look. She’d straightened her hair, the luscious strands falling well past her shoulders. He could feel a wide grin pull across his face at the sight of her spying into the glass-enclosed room.

  As he moved in Gianna’s direction, he was surprised when Sophie entered the office ahead of him and greeted her, the two women seeming to know one another. Neither seemed pleased to see the other, and he sensed their meeting was chilly at best. There was a brief exchange of words before Sophie did an about-face, slamming the door harshly as she made an exit. Moving in the opposite direction, she didn’t see him, and for that he was grateful. He made a mental note to ask Gianna about their connection once they were alone.

  She greeted him with a hug and a damp kiss to his cheek. “Donovan, ciao!”

  “Ciao, Gianna! What brings you here?” he asked as he hugged her back.

  “I came to steal you away. You don’t have any classes this afternoon, right?”

  Donovan nodded and smiled. “No, I don’t. In fact, you caught me just in time. I was just about to head back to Maremma.”

  She grinned. “Then I’m glad I caught you.”

  Minutes later the couple was driving in a Mini Cooper convertible with the top down.

  “Cute car,” Donovan said as he threw an arm over the back of her seat. “Is this yours?”

  “It’s Carina and Graham’s,” she said. “I borrowed it so we could enjoy the sunshine.” She tossed him a look and giggled. “There are some cars that large black men should never be seen in.” She laughed.

  Donovan laughed with her. “I assume a Mini Cooper is one of them?”

  “That and a Volkswagen Beetle. The original ones!” She nodded as she took a narrow curb without slowing her speed. Donovan grabbed the dashboard to steady himself. His stomach jumped slightly.

  “Hey, can you slow down?” he said, his voice raised.

  Gianna laughed. “You’re in safe hands, Donovan!” she said. “Very safe hands.”

  “I’m not so sure about that,” he said as she took another curve without hitting brakes. He shook his head and laughed with her. “So where are we going?”

  She gave him another look out of the corner of her eye. “The hot water springs!”

  Chapter 10

  The environment was relaxing and harmonious. Steam wafted off the surface of the thermal waters, the sulfurous spring nicely heated. The thermal waterfalls of Gorello were renowned for their therapeutic properties, immersion seeming to give healing and relaxation.

  Donovan sat waist-deep in the open pools, his bare back against a rock formation, bathing in absolute tranquillity. Gianna sat beside him, her legs extended as she poked one foot and then another up above the warm waters. His hand rested against her upper thigh, gently kneading the soft skin, while hers caressed his forearm, a slow up and down stroke as her fingertips teased his flesh. Their gentle caresses were light and easy. The sensual exchange had them both heated, desire billowing in gusts as thick as the steam.

  Donovan had read everything about the Tuscan region and he knew the science behind the geothermal activity underneath its surface, but to see it and experience the luxury was something else altogether. “This is wonderful,” he murmured, his eyes closed as the waters flowed like a whirlpool around him. “This place has to be heaven-sent!”

  Gianna nodded, leaning her head against his shoulders. “The old people will tell you that the springs were formed by lightning bolts thrown by the mythological deity Jupiter. During a violent quarrel with Saturn, the violent bolts thrown missed, causing the formations.” She sat forward, turning to stare at him. “So the gods might have had something to do with it!”

  Donovan chuckled. Opening his eyes, he met her stare. “Thank you,” he said softly.

  “For what?” she asked curiously.

  “For this,” he said as he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers.

  Kissing Gianna had become his absolute favorite thing to do. The woman always tasted of peaches and honeysuckle, like the sweet Moscato blend that had become one of his favorite wines to indulge in. Her mouth was soft, a gentle cushion against his own, and at the first touch every nerve ending in his body fired with joy.

  When he pulled away, breaking the connection, he was dazzled by the light that shimmered
in her eyes and across her face. In that moment, everything was right in his small world. A tear suddenly misted at the edges of her eyes. His own widened, concern wafting across his face. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just happy,” she answered as she kissed him again. She moved onto her feet and held out her hand.

  “So, where are we going now?” he asked as Gianna pulled him along behind her.

  She threw him a quick look over her shoulder, the expression across her face saying everything Donovan needed to know.

  * * *

  As they pulled her car into the driveway, Signora Rossi stood in conversation with Signor D’Ascenzi and his wife, Pia. The three seniors were animated, laughing heartily. Their conversation came to a halt as they watched the couple exit the vehicle and move toward the door. Donovan and Gianna both waved heartily.

  The two women cut their eyes at each other, all-knowing smirks across their faces. The two called Gianna’s name, their tones sounding like admonishments, and the exchange between the three was quick and tense. But it was the hand gestures that gave away the tone of the conversation, a few overt and blatant.

  Gianna tossed up her own hands as she laughed. “Mamma mia,” she muttered beneath her breath. She turned toward Donovan. “I’ll wait for you inside,” she whispered.

  “Arrivederci!” she said as she gave them all a wave, professing that she had work she needed to finish.

  The old man grinned, and Donovan felt himself blush ever so slightly as he and Gianna traded a look.

  “It is good to see you again,” Signor D’Ascenzi said.

  Donovan shook his outstretched hand. “And you, too, sir!”

  “My wife wanted to stop by and bring you some of her cookies,” he said. “Signora Rossi put them on your counter.”

  “Grazie! I appreciate that.”

  The man gestured toward his wife. “Well, it’s getting late and these two have been cackling like hens for over an hour now. My head needs a rest so I’m going home to put my feet up.”

  The two men shook hands one last time. “Grazie, Signora D’Ascenzi!” Donovan said as he leaned down to kiss first one cheek and then the other.

  She said something in response and Signora Rossi laughed, the two women resuming their conversation. Donovan looked toward the other man for translation. Signor D’Ascenzi shook his head. “Those two say la signorina Martelli has kissed many frogs before finding herself a prince.”

  Donovan laughed as the man gestured for him to walk with him toward his truck. As they moved out of earshot, he gave Donovan a tap on the back and pointed toward the door Gianna had disappeared behind.

  “She is a lot of woman, that one,” he said approvingly, his voice a loud whisper. “And she doesn’t look anything like a cow! So don’t pay those two any mind. That one is a keeper!”

  * * *

  Donovan stood with Signora Rossi, the two watching as her guests disappeared down the road. He was suddenly conscious of the look the older woman was giving him, and then out of the blue she tapped him on his backside. His eyes widened in surprise.

  “Non tenere una signora in attesa,” she said as she pointed toward his front door before turning to her own unit and disappearing inside.

  With a low chuckle, Donovan did what he was told and headed into his own space. The home was quiet save for the soft music that echoed out of the back bedroom. And dark, the only hint of light coming from the rear. A wave of nervous excitement suddenly flooded his spirit, moving him to shake in his shoes.

  Gianna was sitting in the only chair in the room, a plush recliner newly upholstered in a soft brown fabric. She was barefoot, her shoes kicked off in the doorway and her legs pulled up beneath her buttocks. She sat with a yellow-lined notepad and an ink pen in her lap. As he entered, she looked up from the notes she was writing, meeting his dark gaze.

  Donovan grinned, twisting his hands together anxiously.

  “Finally got enough of their teasing?” Gianna asked.

  He laughed. “They’re definitely having fun at our expense. Signora Rossi just told me not to keep my lady waiting, then she goosed my left cheek and tapped my bottom.”

  Gianna laughed. “She’s always been a little wild! After my mother died, she was a real help to my father. We fuss with each other, but I really do adore her.”

  “I get the impression she’s fond of you, too.”

  The young woman gave him a slight shrug. The two exchanged glances, eyeing each other intently.

  Donovan took a deep inhale of air, blowing it out slowly. “Would you like a glass of wine?” he asked, lifting the blanket of silence that had dropped between them.

  She shook her head no as she let the notepad and pen slide to the floor. She moved onto her feet, saying nothing as she headed in the direction of his bathroom. With each step, she was coming out of her clothes, kicking off her skirt first and then pulling her top up and over her head.

  In the doorway she turned, standing in nothing but a black lace G-string, the look in her eyes making her the perfect temptress. Her breasts were pert, standing at full attention. Her stomach was washboard flat, and there was just enough curve to her hips to give him pause. She slowly drew her hands through her hair, pulling the thick strands into a high topknot.

  Stunned, Donovan felt his knees lock, his feet like lead weights against the hardwood floors. She looked delicious, and he found himself salivating with want. Every muscle in his body had hardened, each sinewy fiber like a rubber band pulled taut and ready to pop. With her boundaries and coyness nonexistent, he could do nothing but marvel at her boldness.

  She crooked her finger and gestured. “Come wash my back,” she said and then she turned, disappearing into the room.

  Racing behind her, Donovan’s own confidence never faltered as he dropped his pants, stepping out of them in the doorway. He pulled at his T-shirt, ripping the cotton fabric as she turned on the shower, pausing as the water warmed. The air around them had changed. The room was charged with excitement and a sensuality neither had experienced before. He moved swiftly to Gianna’s side, brushing his finger across her bottom lip before capturing her mouth with his own, his hands sweeping in broad passes across her body.

  Donovan kissed her lips, and then her neck, and the feel of his tongue on her skin made her breathing hitch, air catching deep in her chest. He gladly followed as she pulled him into the shower, dousing them both under the misted spray.

  * * *

  Gianna found herself wanting Donovan more than she had ever wanted anything or anyone before, and she suddenly questioned if she’d ever be able to tame the uncontrollable urges he’d suddenly stirred within her. She couldn’t stop her heart from racing, the pounding beat thunderous as he began to kiss her breasts, suckling her nipples. He nibbled and teased the chocolate protrusions, making her moan as he licked around each hardened nub in turn, intensifying the wetness between her thighs.

  The sweet spot between Gianna’s legs throbbed, and the moist feeling exposed the yearnings and anticipation that suddenly consumed her. She was starved for Donovan’s touch, and the craving was so intense she suddenly feared never coming back from the ecstasy she’d fallen into. Her desperation for more had suddenly become unbearable.

  So lost in the warmth of each other, neither knew when or how they’d made it from the shower to Donovan’s bed, the bedspread snatched away and strewn to the floor, the sheets damp from the moisture of their skin. They danced in perfect sync across the bed top, moving from corner to corner as they explored each other’s bodies, gentle caresses followed by soft kisses. Both licked and nipped and teased and taunted the other until they were both breathing heavily, gasps and moans resounding through the room.

  Gianna clasped the back of his head as his tongue explored her mouth, grazing the line of teeth as he pl
ayfully dueled with her tongue. His mouth trailed damp kisses up and down the length of her body, and then he paused, blowing warm breath against her inner thighs. His fingers teased the line of her intimate folds, her feminine moisture coating the tips. Her hips lifted off the bed, her body moving of its own volition as she pressed herself into his palm.

  And then he tossed her a sexy smirk just before pressing his face between her legs, the intimate kiss causing her to cry out with pleasure. She clutched his ears as he reached for heaven with each decadent lick. It was more than she could bear as her body convulsed with pleasure, wave after wave of hedonistic delight exploding through every vein.

  As she rode each swell, her emotions surging with a vengeance, Donovan quickly sheathed himself with a condom and entered her swiftly. He clutched her hair, his fingers tangled in the thick curls as he plunged his body into hers over and over again. His pace was rapid, each thrust of his hips harder and harder until she shouted his name over and over again into his chest.

  Gianna screamed and Donovan screamed with her, muffling their cries as he pressed his mouth to hers. They orgasmed together, over and over again, lost in the wealth of emotion that had taken hold of them and refused to let go. Minutes later they were snuggled tightly together, their breaths syncing on each inhale and exhale, settling into each other’s heartbeats until sleep sent them both to their dreams.

  * * *

  It was almost noon when Donovan woke from a deep slumber. He and Gianna had spent most of the night wide-awake, making love again and again. Their loving had been sweet and gentle, then Gianna had taken their intimate connection south, her ministrations dirty and hard. He’d lost count of the number of times she’d brought him to orgasm, each one like an out-of-body experience. The last time had been back in the shower just before they’d passed out in his bed, the morning sun beginning to peek through the window.

  He stretched his body lengthwise and yawned as he rolled against the mattress. Reaching for Gianna, he found the bed empty. He jumped, startled to find her gone. The barest hint of disappointment billowed through his spirit. Rising, he moved into the bathroom. When his face was washed and his teeth polished to a bright white shine, he headed for his kitchen.