And then as the kiss became more urgent he began to move, slowly at first then rhythmically, and as she met each thrust he began to stroke faster, gliding in and out of her core until the heat began to build then burgeon then bloom until it burst into a brilliant blaze that had them clinging to each other, gasping for air.
As Arie trembled beneath him Rome felt his body shudder in the throes of release, a sweet agony that made him groan and drop his face into the pillows.
It was several seconds before he stopped panting then rolled off the softness of the precious pillow beneath him, his dearest Arie. As he lay on his back catching his breath he reached out and gathered her to him.
“That was…awesome,” she whispered and reached up to touch the tip of his nose with her finger. “And I mean that in the literal sense of the word.”
The laughter rumbled in Rome’s chest. “So I’m in Michelangelo class, am I?”
“No doubt,” she said as she traced her finger along his bottom lip. “And do you know what that means?”
“What?”
“I want more of the same. I can’t get enough of you.”
That made Rome chuckle. “Now hold on, missy. I may be in the company of maestros but even Michelangelo had to take a break.”
“All right, old man,” she said, teasing him. “I’ll let you sleep, but make sure you have lots of energy in the morning.”
“Mmm,” he murmured, stroking her shoulder. “There’s nothing quite like making love at sunrise, is there?” Strangely, he didn’t even hear her reply as his body slowly spiraled from its high and he sank beneath the shadowy sheet of slumber, falling into a deep and dreamless sleep.
Rome jerked awake, the marimba beat of his iPhone hauling him back to consciousness. He grabbed for the device and swiped it before it woke his slumbering companion.
“Yes, who is it?” Still half asleep, Rome’s voice was husky as he half-spoke, half-whispered into the phone.
“Rome, it’s Iyana. Can you speak?”
“What…what time is it?” He blinked, trying to clear his vision as he peered at the time on the cable box across the room.
“It’s just after four o’clock. Oops, that means it’s after eleven in Italy. Sorry.” Then, as if it didn’t matter, she barreled on. “We have a problem, Rome. I need you back in office tomorrow.”
That made him frown. It sounded serious. “What’s going on over there?”
“Nothing like this has ever happened before,” she said, her voice tight. “Major problems with the union. If you don’t resolve this we could have a strike on our hands. Now tell me you’ll be on the plane first thing in the morning.”
Typical Iyana, she wasn’t asking. And, as usual, she had her finger on his pulse. There was no way he would stay in Italy with a crisis like that unfolding.
“First thing in the morning,” he said and then he glanced at Arie who still slept, oblivious to what was going on. He wasn’t looking forward to breaking this news to her when she woke up.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Rome hated these wranglings with the union but a man had to do what a man had to do especially when that man happened to be CEO.
He glanced at the clock. Eleven fifty-six. Time to head down to the conference room for his meeting with the big guns.
He’d gotten up from around his desk and was heading for the door when it opened and Iyana peeped in.
“Time for you to get going,” she said. “Got everything you need?”
“Outside of a bulletproof vest, yes.” As he walked toward her she stepped aside and let him pass.
“Sure you’re good after yesterday’s flight?” she asked as he walked by. Then she threw a parting shot at his back. “Want me to come be your bodyguard?”
“I’ll give you a shout if things get too rough,” he shot back then shook his head as he heard her laughter echoing down the hallway.
Even though Iyana was laughing he hadn’t been joking when he made that comment about her. She was bossy but she was also super-protective and when it came to defending her boss she went all out. He was sure she would find all kinds of excuses to pop in and out of the meeting just to check how things were going. If things looked bad she would not hesitate to break up the meeting and send the union leaders packing. Yes, she was a bossy one and Rome had had a hard time taking her down a notch, reminding her that he was the boss, training her not to be so overbearing. He was still working on that.
It was four exhausting hours before an agreement was reached and Rome was finally able to wrap up the meeting. “I trust that the terms are satisfactory,” he said as he stared at the three men and two women sitting around the conference table. “The increase in overtime pay is far more generous than what prevails in the marketplace and there’s no other firm I know in the State of Louisiana offering up to six months paid leave for illness or to facilitate caring for a family member.”
“I believe we can work with this, Mr. Milano.” Linda French, the union leader, gave him a satisfied smile. “We’ll take this back to the workers. I believe they will go with your proposals.”
“Thank you,” he replied and before he could say another word Iyana appeared in the doorway, face grim, ready to escort the visitors out. They looked surprised at her quickness to dismiss them but that did not deter her. She stood at the door, waiting for them to stuff their papers in their cases and follow her to the door.
By the time she'd bid them farewell Rome was back in his office. “You must be glad that’s over,” she said. “Next time you decide to run off to Italy on vacation make sure you don’t have any disgruntled employees waiting in the wings, ready to stir up trouble.”
“I didn’t go on vacation,” he said, loosening his tie and walking over to flop down in his chair. “I had to take care of some important business.”
Iyana frowned. “Business? But you didn’t check in with the Europe office. I thought you went to see your family.”
“I did. I had to go over to introduce my fiancée.”
Iyana’s head jerked back and her brows rose in surprise. “Your fiancée? What fiancée?” Then she caught herself, shaking her head then biting down on her lower lip, probably realizing how presumptuous that had sounded. “I’m sorry but…you’re engaged?”
“Yes, for a couple of months now. We’re getting married in the spring.”