Educating Gina Read online

  She moved so that her breasts rubbed against his chest. “It is me who is encouraging you.”

  He laughed and moaned at the same time. “You’ve got me there.”

  What an incredibly naughty and wonderful feeling, lying here in bed without her clothes next to Michael. Of course she still had on her panties. She was not yet brave enough to remove them. Besides, she was embarrassingly wet between her thighs.

  She left one hand wedged beneath his belt and ran the other up his chest, liking the feel of his springy hair on her palm. His nipple puckered and she pinched it lightly. She loved it when he did that to her, and the way he shuddered assured her he liked it, too.

  Between them, he grew harder and her uncertainty made her so frustrated she wanted to scream. Haltingly she let her hand slide down his chest to his waist, then to his fly.

  He grabbed her wrist and stretched her arm up over her head, forcing her to lie back on the pillows. The sudden move startled her and she choked back a gasp. He smothered the sound by covering her mouth with his, and her heart raced with excitement.

  The kiss was not gentle but rough, and robbed her of breath. He did not release her wrist, which thrilled her even more. When his mouth moved down to her breast, she forgot how to breathe. His tongue swirled around her nipple, and then he nipped it with his teeth.

  She nearly cried out with pleasure, but pressed her lips together and closed her eyes while he lapped at the swollen bud.

  When he moved his mouth to her other breast, he released her wrist and used his fingers to soothe the first nipple.

  “Michael?”

  He suckled and licked and kissed. His chest rose and fell, heavy against her belly. If he heard, he didn’t answer.

  She wanted him to take off his pants. He would still have on his underwear, just like her. Maybe if she reached down and undid his belt. But he would stop her, she knew.

  “Michael?” She bucked when his hand slid to her belly. “Take off your pants.”

  His hand and mouth slowed.

  “Just your pants,” she added quickly.

  He would not say or do anything. And then he removed his mouth from her breast, which she regretted with all her heart. He kissed her briefly on the lips, and the hand he’d placed on her belly transferred to her breast and rested idly there.

  She nearly sighed with relief that he had not run away.

  “And then what?”

  She blinked at his question. “I do not understand.”

  “Why do you want me to take off my pants?”

  Heat filled her cheeks. Asking him to do something while they were kissing was different than having a conversation about it. “Because I…” She would stammer if she said anything more.

  Silence lengthened. She tried again. “Because I want to feel you against me.”

  He grabbed her wrist again, this time even more roughly, and pressed her palm against his fly. “Is this what’s got you curious?”

  Her pulse raced with excitement and fear. He sounded angry. But the feel of his hardness beneath her palm mesmerized her. She slid her fingers up, gauging the impossible length he had stretched. She knew from her friends how a man’s body responded, but she had never expected this. Reaching the tip, she cupped the roundness.

  He groaned and tightened his hold on her wrist. He muttered something she didn’t understand. “You can’t be this naive, Gina. No way.” He pushed her hand aside and rolled off the bed. “You’re asking too much from me.” His voice had risen, but he promptly lowered it. “You’d better think long and hard about what you’re doing.”

  “Michael, do not be angry. Please.”

  He picked his shirt up from the floor and jerked it on.

  “Dammit, I’m no saint, Gina. How long do you think I can keep this up?”

  She was not at all certain what he meant, so she said nothing. Maybe he thought she wanted him to go all the way. In truth, sometimes she did, but other times the idea frightened her.

  “I’m going to make sure your uncle is busy, and I’m getting out of here.”

  “Do not leave angry.”

  “I’m not angry. I’m frustrated. Get some sleep.” He stopped at the door to listen. Seconds later he opened it a crack. And then he left without even looking back.

  She lay still, heavy with sadness and confusion. She did not intend to upset Michael. If only she was more experienced. But fear of the nuns and her parents had held her back from experimenting with anything more than kissing. Everything seemed different with Michael. She felt comfortable and safe and desperate to do things she’d never dreamed of doing. Well, she may have dreamed it, but nothing ever happened.

  Feeling slightly chilled, she crawled out of bed and got her nightgown from the closet. Her breasts were still damp from Michael’s mouth. She slid the white cotton nightie over her head and then crawled back into bed and stared at the shadows on the ceiling.

  There was only one thing she could do. Venture out alone and get some experience.

  WHEN ANTONIO HADN’T arrived at work by ten-forty the next morning, Mike got nervous. The man always showed up by ten no matter how late he’d been out the night before.

  He’d been fast asleep with his head down on his desk when Mike had snuck out of the apartment last night, and snoring so loudly that Mike was certain he’d escaped unseen. He hoped it was just a hangover keeping Antonio away and not some discovery he’d made about Mike and Gina.

  Shit. Mike was losing it. He’d had most of the morning to get caught up on some work, and all he could do was think about Gina. As if he hadn’t spent five hours in his own bed, trying to sleep but worrying, instead, about what the hell he was going to do with her.

  If Antonio came in and kicked his ass all the way to the Washington Bridge, Mike would deserve every bit of it. He had no damn common sense when it came to her. Zero. Nada. She’d told him to get in bed and he’d hopped in without a second thought. She’d wanted him to take off his shirt. Sure, no problem.

  What the hell was he thinking? That was the thing—he hadn’t thought. If he had thought at all, it was with the wrong head. He had a good mind to go out and get laid tonight. Find some willing partner in a bar somewhere. Not his style, generally, but these were desperate times. Gina was about to drive him over the edge. If her uncle didn’t kill him first.

  He heard Antonio’s gruff voice greeting the secretaries and looked up in time to see him plod down the hall to his office. That he didn’t storm into Mike’s with a gun was a good sign.

  After giving Antonio a couple of minutes to set down his briefcase and light a cigar, Mike headed into the bullring. Waiting was making a nervous wreck out of him.

  Antonio’s door was open, so Mike poked his head in. “Good morning.”

  The older man looked up with puffy eyes. “What’s so good about it?”

  Mike cleared his throat, not sure how to respond.

  “I didn’t mean to bite your head off.” Antonio waved him inside. “Don’t mind me. I have a headache.”

  With the amount of booze he’d drunk, no kidding. “You want aspirin?”

  “I already took some. Gina insisted I take two tablets with orange juice.” His mouth curved with gruff affection. “She is just like her mother. Always fussing.”

  “I haven’t called her yet. I think she wants to go to the library today, so as soon as I—”

  “Never mind.” Antonio waved him off. “You take the whole day off. I will spend the day with Gina.”

  Mike’s heart sank. Antonio had to suspect something. “Why?”

  Antonio narrowed his eyes. “Do I need a reason to spend time with my own niece?”

  Mike put his hands up in mock surrender. “Just asking. I thought maybe… Never mind.”

  Antonio gave an apologetic shrug and then pointed to his temple. “It’s the head. It’s killing me.”

  “Then maybe you should wait and spend tomorrow with her.” He hoped he didn’t sound desperate, but it never occurred to him he
wouldn’t see her today. The way he left last night haunted him. He needed to see her.

  Antonio shook his head. “I already told her I’d take her to lunch. I have shamefully neglected her since she’s been here.” He paused and eyed Mike. “And you…I have taken you away from your work…your social life.”

  Mike laughed. “What social life?”

  Antonio gave him a funny look. “You know, your private life.” He stood abruptly. “I don’t wanna know about it. It’s your business.” He came around the desk. “Now, I’m going to get some coffee, make a few phone calls, and then I’ll be gone for the rest of the day.”

  “What about tonight?” Mike walked him down the hall. “Shall I pick Gina up and take her somewhere?”

  “You take the whole day off. Go be with your—” he waved a hand through the air, his gaze darting away as if he was uncomfortable “—friends. Gina will keep herself busy on my computer tonight.”

  “Did she say that?”

  Antonio frowned. “Say what?”

  “That she’d rather stay home and use the computer.”

  Antonio barked out a laugh. “That girl would go out every minute of the day if she could.” He pointed to his chest. “I say she can stay home tonight.”

  “Are you going to be there with her?” Mike asked casually.

  “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.” They got to the kitchen and Antonio picked up the coffeepot. “You want some?”

  “No, thanks.” Mike rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, okay…”

  Augie came out of his office across the hall with a stack of folders. “You got a minute?” he asked the boss.

  “Come.” Antonio poured his coffee and then motioned for Augie to follow him back to his office. He glanced at Mike. “You, go have fun with your friends.”

  Augie coughed, and the two men exchanged amused glances.

  Mike watched them amble down the hall and couldn’t shake the feeling he was missing something.

  FOUR-THIRTY.

  Mike checked his wristwatch to make sure his desk clock wasn’t slow. Yep, it was only four-thirty. Twenty minutes later than the last time he’d looked.

  Sighing, he threw down his pen. The day had dragged by, even though he had so much work to catch up on it made his head spin. Or at least it would if he thought about it. Instead of thinking about Gina all day.

  Maybe he should call her. That wouldn’t seem out of line. They had to make plans for tomorrow, didn’t they? He picked up the phone, punched in the first three numbers and then hung up again. He’d call later, after Antonio left for the evening, assuming he would.

  Mike leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. How could he possibly miss her this much? One day without seeing her and he couldn’t keep his mind on work. It had to be because of last night. Unfinished business always bothered him.

  His stomach growled and it occurred to him he hadn’t eaten lunch. He opened his middle drawer and rooted around for a snack. All he found was the half package of stale cheese crackers.

  In a little less than two weeks his life had gone to hell. His days used to run like clockwork. In the office by seven, his second cup of coffee by seven-twenty, lunch at twelve-thirty, maybe one tops, outta here by six-thirty or seven most evenings, depending on when the last shipment of wine arrived from Italy. The only deviation from routine was the occasional beer at Angelo’s with Robert and some of the guys from the office.

  He stared at the stack of invoices he should have had handled two hours ago. Shit. This was not good. He couldn’t concentrate. Not on work. He could only think about Gina. It wasn’t as if he was worried about her. She was with Antonio.

  What would happen in two more weeks when she returned to Italy? The thought sliced through him like a knife. Panic painfully clutched his gut. He wouldn’t see her anymore. If she didn’t become involved in the business, he’d probably never see her again.

  Dammit. He already knew that. So why did the idea hurt so much now?

  His gaze went to the phone. He should just call and get it over with. Let her know he wasn’t angry. Make sure she was okay. Just a quick call.

  He glanced at the clock again. Maybe it would be better to call when she was alone and free to talk without being overheard. A phone conversation suddenly seemed so impersonal.

  Then again, he could call now and make arrangements to go over after her uncle left the apartment. What would Antonio think if he knew? Would he get suspicious? Not that he had to know.

  Hell. Mike picked up the receiver and punched in the phone number. He wasn’t going to get any work done until he heard her voice. Hopefully she’d answer.

  On the third ring she picked up.

  “Gina?”

  “Michael.” Her soft sigh warmed him. “I am glad it is you.”

  “Yeah, it’s me.” He grabbed a rubber band and twisted it around his fingers. “How are you?”

  “Bored.”

  He laughed. “Didn’t you have lunch with your uncle?”

  “Si, and then we went to Bloomingdale’s. Shopping is not the same without you.”

  The way her voice lowered to a sexy purr made his heart zoom. “Where’s your uncle now?”

  “Taking a nap. His head has hurt all day.”

  “So then you two are probably staying home tonight.”

  “I am making dinner now, but he has plans to meet a friend at eight.”

  Mike glanced at the clock yet again. “What are you going to do?”

  “I have a list of things to look up on his computer.”

  “Will it take long?”

  She hesitated. Maybe she didn’t want to see him. Maybe she was still upset about last night. Not that he wanted to discuss it over the phone.

  After too long a silence, he said, “Gina?”

  “I hear my uncle. He is awake.”

  “You’d better go, then.”

  “Si.” She hesitated again. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  His heart sank. “Sure.”

  “Maybe we can go to your office?”

  “We’ll see. I’ll call you.”

  She didn’t ask when, or if he would call later tonight. She just said, “Si. I have to go.”

  After he hung up, Mike leaned back in his chair and gazed out his window at the cloudy sky. The call should have satisfied him, not made him uneasy. But there was something in her voice that left him feeling unsettled.

  Probably his ego rearing its ugly head. He thought she’d jump at the chance to see him. He rubbed his tired eyes. Just as well. He was in dire need of sleep. Maybe if he hauled some work home with him and then took a quick nap, he’d be more productive later this evening.

  He stared out the window another few minutes and finally gathered folders and ledgers he’d need and stuffed them into his briefcase. A little after five wasn’t the best time to try to get a cab home, but it wasn’t as if he was accomplishing anything by hanging around.

  Both secretaries had already left and he suspected Augie and Lorenzo were at the bar downstairs. He locked up the office and headed home, trying like hell not to think about Gina.

  He was successful for half the way home, but only because the cab he took had two brushes with a city bus and a stop sign. That kind of got his mind off Gina for a few minutes.

  Once he got to his apartment, he was so wired no way would he be able to take a nap. Instead, he changed into jeans and opened the briefcase. His stomach rumbled, but he knew better than to bother checking the fridge. He called his favorite Chinese place around the corner for a delivery and then went to work.

  Trying to concentrate was impossible. For every fifteen minutes of work he completed, he stared out the window for ten. His food arrived and he wolfed down most of it. That made him a little sleepy, but when he tried to lie down, his mind raced.

  This was totally nuts. Not even in high school had he had this kind of obsession with a woman. But Gina was his boss’s niece and Mike didn’t want to screw up his career.


  Shit, that had nothing to do with his preoccupation and he knew it. He had to make amends for last night. He had to see her in person.

  Eight-forty. Antonio should have left already.

  Mike stuffed his wallet in his back pocket, grabbed his keys and headed out. His apartment was only fifteen blocks from Antonio’s and normally he would walk, but anxious to get there, he hailed a cab. Five minutes later they pulled up at the curb opposite the apartment building.

  He paid the driver and got out, but before he closed the door he saw her. Gina.

  Wearing the slinky red dress with the spiky black heels she’d worn her first night in New York, she was about to get in a cab while the doorman held open the car door for her.

  Stunned, Mike missed his opportunity to call out, and her cab pulled away from the curb and sped off.

  He muttered a curse and hopped back into his taxi. The driver twisted around and looked at him as if he was crazy. Mike pointed. “Follow that cab.”

  13

  GINA SHOWED her ID at the door, suddenly nervous about actually being alone. But for what she wanted to do tonight, she could not have Michael with her.

  She skipped the bar and walked directly to an empty table. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed several men staring, but she kept her gaze straight ahead. Unlike last night, there were more couples than singles. What if no one spoke to her? Or asked her to dance?

  Oddly the thought did not upset her much. While lying in the safety of her bed, it had been far easier to decide to get more experience to help make her more desirable to Michael. Although she had nothing extreme in mind, mostly flirting and a little kissing, the idea of being with a stranger made her shudder.

  The club was only half-full, and a blond waitress with big hair arrived to take her order right away. While Gina waited for her chardonnay, she watched the band tune their instruments. It was so early they had not started to play yet. She wished they would hurry. Sitting alone would be easier while listening to music or watching others dance.

  A couple of men walked by with mugs of beer in their hands and smiled at her. They were both well dressed, neatly groomed and had nice faces. She gave them a small smile back.