Chapter 19



Paolo propelled Natalie toward the bedroom to the left of the sitting area. "Go. I'll be ready in ten minutes."


"Lucky you," she answered over her shoulder. She shuffled into the bedroom and dropped her purse on the bed. The wide bed and the fluffy pillows looked so inviting, but she knew if she sat down for five seconds it would be lights out. She sighed heavily and stumbled into the bathroom.


She turned the hot water in the shower to full-blast and dropped her clothes in a heap on the cool tile floor. She stepped in and let the water pound her tired muscles. This was the absolute worst day of her life.


Maybe if I stand here long enough the water will wash every thought from my mind.


She rested her forehead against the tile and closed her eyes.


**


Twelve minutes later, Paolo was showered and dressed. From the sitting area he could hear the shower running in Natalie's room. There was no rush really. Restaurants were open late and he didn't begrudge Natalie some time to unwind. It had been a stressful day for both of them. He opened his laptop and decided to check e-mail.


Twenty-five minutes later Natalie had yet to appear. No water was running and he didn't hear her moving around the bedroom. He stepped to the door and knocked lightly. There was no answer. "Natalie?" Still nothing. He went to the bathroom and pushed the door open. Steam rushed out at him.


"Not good," he mumbled and shook his head. Clad in only a pale blue bra and panty set, Natalie had her head down on the vanity and was sound asleep, her right hand clutching a comb. While her lingerie was less revealing than many swimsuits he'd seen, he was nevertheless assaulted by a wave of lust. No doubt about it, she was beautiful! His primal instinct urged him to scoop her up, throw her down on the nearest bed and devour her.


"Shit." He blew out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He approached and gently shook her shoulder. "Natalie."

Her head snapped up. "What? Where am . . . oh. Guess I dropped off for a minute. Sorry."

"It's okay. If you'd rather stay in, I can call room service."

"No, no. Five minutes. I promise I'll be ready."

"Take your time," Paolo said. Reluctantly, he removed his hand, but couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from all that smooth, tanned skin. Her chest rose, drawing his attention to her pert breasts. Suddenly, he wanted to rip off that little bit of satin and touch her.

Finally, he turned to leave before he said or did something impulsive. "I'll be out here when you're ready."

He returned to the sitting room and mentally cursed himself for not insisting on separate rooms. Having her this close was almost more temptation than a man could bear. On the other hand, she was a federal witness and his responsibility until they were back in the states. He sat down at the table and looked at his e-mail again. Nothing jumped out at him so he closed the laptop. As if on cue, his stomach rumbled. He'd had nothing to eat except a less-than-appetizing airline meal all day.

Food. That's what we need. Even as the thought formed, he wasn't sure that would cure all his hunger.

**
What just happened? Natalie wondered. The way Paolo had looked at her was both scary and thrilling at the same time. He kept staring at her, assessing her. She massaged her forehead as if to banish the disturbing thoughts. Gotta get a move on.

She hurried into the bedroom, pulled out a pair of black slacks and a purple top, threw them on, and ran the comb through her still wet hair.

**

Five minutes later, they were in the lobby. "The concierge recommended a place about a ten-minute walk from here. Are you up for that?"

"Sure. I feel like I could eat a horse right now," sighed Natalie.

Paolo chuckled. "I'm glad you're not one of those women who picks at a salad."

"Never. I love to eat."

"Then let's go."

The lobby doors whooshed open and they stepped into the warm Prague evening. The sidewalks were crowded with people looking for just the right café or bar in which to have a good time. Natalie was aware of Paolo's hand at the small of her back, guiding her along. She noticed several other women casting flirtatious looks at Paolo, but he ignored them. Before long, they turned down a side street and found the restaurant, Chez Franz.

It was a small, but lively family-run place and in a matter of minutes they were seated at a booth near the back. Paolo took the side facing the front door, as his FBI training dictated.

"You want to see them coming?" asked Natalie.

"Who?"

"You don't fool me. Any bad guys who might be following us."

Paolo gave a small smile. "Something like that." He leaned forward, elbows on the table. "Are you afraid?"

"Not at all. In fact, I feel very, what can I say, liberated after unloading on Jeff the jackass today." She frowned slightly. "But I don't want to talk about Jeff or think about Jeff or even hear his name. It's over."

Around them, couples and families laughed and talked. Someone began singing "Happy Birthday" at a table on the other side of the restaurant. But in their secluded booth, Paolo felt like he and Natalie were the only ones present. "Fair enough. You've been through a hell of a lot. Why don't we concentrate on this menu instead?"

"Great idea. How about some wine?" asked Natalie.

Paolo summoned the waiter and gave their orders. In a moment, he returned with a bottle of red wine and filled their glasses. Natalie took a huge swallow, then another. Paolo touched her hand. "Pace yourself. The food's not even here yet."

Natalie smirked. "I'm fine. Just thirsty." She set the glass down. "Since you know all about me and my troubles, let's talk about you for a change. Back in high school, everyone said your family was in the Mafia."

"Everyone? Is that what you thought?"

"I'm the one asking the questions now," scolded Natalie.

Paolo feigned surrender. "As you wish. No, my family was not involved with the Mafia. But that was a constant threat to our businesses. I was a wild kid, always in trouble. Oh, my brothers weren't angels either, but they didn't seem to get caught as much. That's why my father decided to send me abroad for a while. After I settled down and applied myself, the family came over for an extended visit. They liked it here and saw there were opportunities for growth so they packed up and moved. We haven't looked back."

"And the FBI?"

"They approached me and it sounded better than being holed up in some law office."

"No regrets?"

"None professionally."

The waiter arrived with their food and Natalie's questioning ceased for a time. They focused on the excellent food in front of them. But then Natalie piped up again. "Any personal regrets?"

Paolo studied the wine in his glass, then he met her eyes. "Yes. And that's all I'm going to say about that."

Natalie touched her glass to his. "Touché." After an awkward silence, the talk turned to other subjects. Eventually, they realized they were the last patrons in the restaurant. "We should go back," said Paolo. He called the waiter and settled the bill.

The crowds in the street had thinned and the air was cooler. When they reached the hotel, Natalie was giggling about something and twisted her ankle as they walked toward the elevator. Paolo caught her before she fell. "Are you okay?"

"I'm wonderful," she announced.

"You're drunk."

"So what? I feel better than I've felt in a long time."

Paolo bundled her into the elevator and pressed the button for their floor. "At least you're not a mean drunk."

"Mean? No, I'm very nice," she giggled.

Paolo swiped the key card and opened the door. One of Natalie's heels snapped, throwing her off balance and straight into Paolo's arms. "Eeoww!"

"Did you have to wear these shoes? The heel is as high as the Eiffel Tower."

"They're cute and sexy," protested Natalie. She looped her arms around Paolo's neck.

He backed her against the door and stared down at her. "That's not the only thing that's cute and sexy," he said in a low voice.

"Shut up and kiss me!"

Paolo didn't wait for a second invitation. He leaned down and covered her mouth with his own. Natalie moaned and pressed her body closer.

After what seemed like an eternity, Paolo broke the kiss. "We shouldn't do this."

"Why not?" asked Natalie. "You don't want me?"

"Oh, I want you, all right. But I'm responsible for you until we get home."

Natalie clutched the lapels of his jacket and pouted. "I don't want you to be responstible for me. I want you to make love to me!"

Paolo closed his eyes. Common sense versus lust. The age-old battle. Why did the right thing have to be so different from what he really wanted? He should simply march her into her room, lock the door, and then take a cold shower. But he knew that would never happen. He opened his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Are you sure? Because if we do this, there's no going back. You're mine. I won't share you with another man, even if he is your husband."

Even in her state of inebriation, Natalie recognized that Paolo was giving her an out. He was being a gentleman. It seemed like a quaint, old-fashioned term and one she would never have applied to the man standing in front of her. But somehow it made her want him that much more.

She began pushing his jacket off his shoulders. "I'm positive. Now are we going to stand around all night?"

Before things got too out of control, Paolo reached behind Natalie to lock the door. His jacket fell to the floor. He grabbed the hem of Natalie's top and whisked it over her head. Shoes and belts landed on the floor as they stumbled and kissed their way toward Paolo's room. He shed his shoulder rig on the couch before sweeping Natalie up and carrying her to his bed.

They fell down together. Natalie fumbled with his shirt buttons while he released the front clasp of her bra. Her breasts tumbled out. "Ah, cara. You are beautiful."

In seconds, the rest of their clothes were stripped away and they were naked in each other's arms. Everything beyond that room - every lie, every disappointment, every betrayal - was forgotten.