“I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.” I shrugged, feeling an unpleasant ache in my chest ruin all my sexy, glowy feelings.

Cole sighed. “Because your family hasn’t contacted you?”

I lowered my gaze and nodded. “It’s my first birthday without Logan. Without any of them. It was the one day a year my parents actually acted like they gave a crap.”

He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes roiled with passion and tenderness. “They don’t get to take your birthday away from you. If they don’t want that piece of you, then I’ll have it. Gladly.”

“Cole . . . ,” I whispered, folding into him. Some of the ugliness in my chest started to dissipate.

He hugged me tight. “I know you’re trying to put together as many different pieces as you can for your portfolio, so I’m taking you somewhere where you can work on your art.”

I pulled back, my pulse picking up speed. “Where?”

“Joss and Braden own a private villa in Lake Como. They’re letting us stay there in two weeks for seven nights. I’ve already cleared the time off for us with Stu.”

Shocked, I stared at him openmouthed for a few seconds before I squeaked, “You’re taking me to Italy for my birthday?”

Cole gave me that boyish, cocky grin of his. “Yes.”

“You can’t do that.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “I think I can.”

“No.” I shook my head adamantly. “No one has ever taken me anywhere, let alone a man who’s only been dating me for two months.”

“Well, it’s happening.” He laughed.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“I can’t let you take me to Italy, Cole,” I argued.

Impatience crackled in his gaze. “Why the fuck not?”

“Because . . . because . . .” I slumped on his lap. “I know I said I know my own worth now, but part of that was just bravado, okay? Don’t get me wrong. I’m trying to get there . . . but it’s been a while since anyone was good to me and I . . .” I gasped for breath, completely taken aback by how overwhelmed I was by his gift. “I don’t know if I can cope.”

Fierceness flashed in Cole’s gaze and I abruptly found myself in the air as he stood up. “You can cope. You’d better,” he declared, carrying me into my bedroom. “Because I don’t intend to stop anytime soon.”

“I know what will help,” I whispered frantically.

“What?”

“Sex. Sex will definitely calm me down.”

Cole grinned wickedly seconds before he threw me onto the bed. “Not the way I plan on doing it.”

CHAPTER 20

I t was surreal.

I’d never imagined I would ever be surrounded by so much beauty.

Yet there it was all around me.

The lake glistened under the unbending sun, finding pockets of shade only in the shadows cast by the surrounding mountains. Villas and hotels dotted the edges of the lake and mountainsides in bursts of white, yellows, rusts, and red in the tiles of the roofs. Cypress trees framed stunning, luxury homes on the lakeside, and the lush greens and simple, romantic Italian architecture created this Eden of peace and tranquility. Ferries crossed the lake, as did speedboats and Jet Skis in lazy leisure under the heat of the sun.

Sweat and suntan lotion shimmered on my skin, and I found a slight relief from the hot, late-July sun as a small breeze from the lake whispered over me.

The villa Joss and Braden owned on Lake Como was by the water in Menaggio. It was a four-bedroom villa with its own private pool. It wasn’t until we arrived at it that I fully grasped how loaded the Carmichaels were. And how differently the other half lived . . .

I smiled out at the water.

For a while I was getting a taste of it.

Water splashed and I looked to my left as Cole climbed out of the pool. It was an understatement to say I enjoyed the way droplets of water rolled down his rock-hard abs. We’d been here only two days and already Cole’s skin was turning a gorgeous golden brown. He smiled over at me as he dried himself off with a towel. “If you can tear yourself away from that painting, we could jump on a ferry. See the rest of the lake.”

I bit my lip, wanting to do nothing more, but I was anxious to get work done. “I only have a few days to put together a couple of pieces.”

“Why don’t you put together the bare bones and when we get home you can fill in the rest with that gorgeous imagination of yours?” He stopped where I’d set up my easel and stool. “It looks wonderful.”

“Thank you.” My eyes traveled up his stomach, taking their time until they reached his face. A small smug smile played on his lips. “Shut up.”

He laughed. “I didn’t say anything.”

“You know you’re good-looking and you’re using it to distract me.”

Cole scratched his brow, appearing to struggle not to laugh again. “All I did was ask you if you wanted to take a break.”

“And then you put those in my face.” I pointed the end of my paintbrush at his abs.

“Welcome to my world,” he said, his voice suddenly gruff. “That bikini . . .”

I glanced down at the white bikini I was wearing. It was a hot bikini. I’d spent the last two weeks shopping for clothes for this holiday and that included a couple of skimpy bikinis. I knew Cole would look good in Saran Wrap, so I was determined to feel sexy at his side.

I felt sexy in this bikini.

It was my turn to smile smugly.

Chuckling, Cole slid his hand across the back of my bare neck and gently squeezed. My hair was piled haphazardly on top of my head. Its length and thickness were a bit of a bother in warm weather. “Come exploring with me?” he said, pressing a sweet kiss to my mouth.

There really was no way to say no to that.

*   *   *

“Okay, we’re doing this every day,” I said, closing my eyes beneath my sunglasses against the breeze that blew over us. The ferry slowly made its way across the lake. The relief the lake breeze brought from the heat was beyond delightful.

“And you wanted to stay at the villa and paint,” Cole teased.

I opened my eyes to look at his smiling, handsome face. I imagined his green eyes were laughing at me underneath his Ray-Ban shades. “I still can’t believe you brought me to Italy for my birthday.” I gestured across the water. “We can see the Alps.”

“And?”

I shrugged, looking away, pretending to peruse the massive villa near the town of Bellagio, which was our destination. “Nothing . . . I just . . . It’s a big deal for a couple who have only been dating a few months and yet . . .” I trailed off on another shrug.

“And yet?” Cole prompted.

I glanced back at him, my heart quickening. “It feels like some kind of dream and yet at the same time . . .” The blood beneath my cheeks grew hot despite the breeze. “I don’t remember anything ever feeling more real.”

Cole was quiet, which only made my heart elevate from a quickening pace to pounding.

“Jesus, Shannon,” he finally said, his voice thick, “I wish you would say these things in private.”

Hurt and confused, I looked out at the water.

“In private.” He grabbed my hand and pulled my body toward his as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, “I can show my appreciation the way I really want to.”

Reassured, I sagged into him. “You can always give me a taste of that appreciation. I doubt the Italians will be shocked by a little PDA.”

Cole accepted that invitation . . . for the rest of the day. While we walked up the steep, cobbled steps and lanes in Bellagio, while we sauntered along the lakeside in the gardens of the Villa Melzi, and even when I spent most of my time balking at the prices of designer clothes and handbags, Cole showed me his appreciation. Holding me, kissing me, cuddling me—the guy was feeling mighty tactile. I didn’t mind a bit.