Sweet Christmas Kisses (115 page)

Oh dear, he was good all right. Better than good. “Hmm, yeah.”

“No moaning, or you’re going to send the wrong message to the patrons and waiters.” He chuckled. “Sorry, I have to interrupt momentarily. Our waiter is coming with the food and drinks.”

Julia lowered her legs. No need to scandalize the poor waiter.

The man set the plates in front of them and poured the wine. “
Gracias
,” she said and smiled. “
Gracias
,” she repeated. “That’s all I know in Spanish.”

“I’m not much better.” He tasted the wine and said, “
Gracias
,” to the waiter who left them.

“To your health and happiness,
Señora
.”

“Your happiness,
Señor
.”

They toasted, drank and ate. “These shrimps are heavenly. I can taste lemon and garlic. I’ll bet they’ll never tell me what’s the secret ingredient that gives the special taste.”

“Would you cook it if you knew?”

“Are you kidding? I’m not much of a cook.”

“But you’re a fabulous traveling companion.” His eyes glittered with appreciation.

Darn, if he kept looking at her with so much tenderness, she might soon fall into his arms, or worse, fall in love with him.

A little voice inside her whispered, “Why not?”

Watch out, Julia.

Breaking up with Clyde had caused a good deal of aggravation, but falling in love with Tony and leaving him would shatter her heart.

Nine o’clock in the morning already? Tony hadn’t heard from Julia and assumed she’d slept late, as he did today and they both did yesterday. In an hour, they should be meeting in the hotel lobby with their cruise coordinator and the group who’d arrived last night. To save time, he’d brought her coffee and croissants. Balancing the tray with one hand, he knocked on her door.

“Good morn...” He gulped the rest of the word and his jaw sagged. Not because she put a finger to her lips, ordering him to keep quiet, but because...

In a light blue silk and lace mini-gown and matching shorts, her hair cascading over her shoulders in absolute disarray, she was simply exquisite. He’d better not stay in her room another minute. He spun toward the door but she tugged at his sleeve until he glanced at her. Pure torture.

“Stay here,” she mouthed. Her finger beckoned and waved to one of the antique chairs next to the cherry wood desk.

“No—” Tony almost dropped the tray. Part of the coffee sloshed on the napkins.

She covered the cell phone she was holding. “Shh...” and pointed to the chair.

“Yes, Josh, your
lil’sis
had a fantastic two days in Barcelona. Very relaxing and easy.”

Damn it, big brother was checking on his
lil’sis.
Tony dabbed the tray to dry it and kept an eager ear on the half of the conversation he could hear.

“The first day, I took a guided tour of the city... Yes, a unique place... The church was gorgeous. Yesterday, I went shopping.” She laughed at something her brother said.

Church, shopping and a guided tour
. Smart girl, she skipped the suspicious parts of their days that would raise concerned questions by her nosy brother. Barefoot she meandered around the room and kept her conversation going. The silk of her night outfit clung to her breasts like a second skin.

Too warm in his long-sleeve shirt, Tony wiped his forehead and gulped some coffee to relieve the dryness of his throat. Could she please stay put in a chair or get dressed?

“You know me, Josh.” She chuckled. “I could spend endless hours shopping.”

In fact she’d done just that yesterday. Tony smiled as he remembered the three hours they’d spent choosing shoes, stilettos, booties, flip-flops. He was becoming an expert on women’s shoes. Strange enough, he’d never enjoyed his time so much with Julia trying one pair after another and parading her perfect long legs for approval.

“Yes, I bought several pairs and matching purses... I had to buy an extra suitcase, a small one. Today, we’re joining the ship.”

Tony gasped at her slip of the tongue. Josh must have caught the
we
.

“We, our group,” Julia immediately explained as she grimaced at her mistake. “The passengers who arrived last night and stayed at the same hotel. The coordinator told us to be on time at ten. Oh my God, I’m late. Have to get dressed right away. Bye Josh.”

She turned to Tony and huffed. “That was close.” She plopped onto the chair beside him. “I badly need a coffee.” He handed her a cup and suffered his purgatory on Earth as he watched her cross her legs. She drank her coffee and sighed, unaware that her shorts had hiked to the top of her thighs. “Exactly what I needed now. Thank you for thinking of me.”

As if he had been able to think of anyone—or anything —else since the moment he’d met her. He raked a hand through his hair and snorted inwardly. Unfortunately, since that day he’d been in a continuous inner struggle with his feelings and his senses.

And now, the sight of the unmade bed, the aroma of coffee and buttery croissants, and the faint exotic smell lingering around her mingled to unnerve him. He felt like a lion watching a beautiful antelope he was dying to taste, yet he had to act like a docile housecat and hide his attraction. The lion in him growled his irritation. The cat, or rather the psychiatrist, reasoned Julia needed time to recover from her latest trauma. He could read her well, and had to help her, give her space to tackle her emotions. Meanwhile he’d better cope with his frustration silently.

“Here’s a croissant.” He followed the nervous kick of her leg. “Relax.”

“Delicious.” She savored her croissant and clucked her tongue. “You’re not eating yours?”

“I’m not hungry,” he said as her leg continued to bob toward him.

“In that case, I’ll have it.” She bent toward the tray.

When the strap of her nightshirt slipped along her arm revealing more creamy flesh to torment him, he groaned. “Please hurry up or we’ll miss the bus.”

“What’s the matter with you? We have plenty of time and I won’t take more than twenty minutes to get ready.” She swallowed a big piece and finished her coffee. “Here, I’m done.”

He stood to leave and she followed suit.

“Thanks for the breakfast and for your patience while I was shopping yesterday.” She stood on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Welcome.” He stiffened and dashed to the door. “I’ll be in the lobby.”

She’d formed the habit of thanking him with a kiss on the cheek. At the beginning, he’d enjoyed the sweet gesture. Now, it added to his frustration. Frankly, he’d rather be doing the kissing, his way, on the mouth, slowly and thoroughly.

Damn, he needed a cold shower. Instead, he washed his face with cold water, grabbed his luggage and left it with the concierge while he went for a brisk walk.

The two days spent in Barcelona had gone by too fast with Julia at his side. Visiting churches, strolling in the Gothic Quarters, shopping and sharing lunch and dinner with her in the vibrant cafés of
Las Ramblas
had been so enjoyable, actually pure heaven. But the nights were hell, too quiet, too lonely, too chaste for his taste.

You’re nothing but a traveling companion, a platonic one
.
Get it in your thick head
.

His head accepted the reasonable situation. Other parts of his body revolted.

Things should improve during the cruise, with so many people around them and organized activities to distract him from his attractive companion. On that positive note, he returned to the hotel.

The passengers in their group had started to gather around the cruise coordinator. Tony checked his watch. Ten sharp. He surveyed the lobby. Here she was, as adorable as ever, in her long boots and a red and white printed dress—a short one as usual, exposing her delectable thighs to his hungry eyes and attracting too many male gazes. He fisted his hands not daring to scowl at the offenders.

She came straight to him. “No need to check your watch. I’m right on time,” she said with a chuckle. “Oh Tony, I can’t wait to be on the cruise.” So far she hadn’t seemed to miss her ex-fiancé.

You’ve done a great job of helping her, Dr. Lorenzo
, his professional conscience whispered. Big deal, he had trapped himself between his self-imposed duty to protect her from another disappointment and his desire to show her a taste of real passion.

Two hours later they checked in at the cruise registration desk and boarded the luxurious ship. At the bottom of the gangplank, a photographer stopped them. “Sir, Madame, I’m sure you would like a beautiful picture to remind you of your cruise.”

“Yes,” Julia blurted before he could decline.

The photographer waved them closer. “Maybe your arm around the lady, sir.”

What the heck, why not? Tony wrapped his arm around her shoulders and brought her closer to him. “Say cheese,” the photographer suggested. They both smiled for the camera.

“I hope your brothers never see this picture or they’ll make mincemeat of me and have me for breakfast.” He’d keep it in his desk at the Crisis Center.

She burst out laughing and grabbed his hand. “I’ll defend you, my chivalrous knight. Don’t forget I’m a black belt.” They entered the ship, their fingers entwined. “Oh my God, look at this atrium, all in glass and golden fixtures, and the Christmas tree is three stories high.”

He followed her gaze to the natural pine tree decorated with gold and silver balls, and illuminated with thousands of tiny multicolored bulbs. In every corner, Christmas decorations added to the festive atmosphere. “Fantastic.” In awe, Julia halted and brought her hand to her chest.

Tony nodded. It was even more fantastic to be with Julia and share her excitement.

An officer looked at her room card and directed her to the fourteenth deck. “Your suitcases will be brought to you shortly, madam.”

The suite with balcony was a dream-come-true dwelling for a honeymoon. Julia dropped her handbag on the bed. “There’s plenty of room. Tony, you can use the sofa-bed in the living room.”

Definitely not sweetheart
. “I have my own cabin booked on the eighth deck.”

“What? That far away? Why?”

Not far enough to resist temptation. “Because it was much cheaper. It’s an inner room without a window.”

“I’m so sorry, Tony. I thought you were staying in my suite, that’s why I didn’t offer to pay for your cabin. You can be sure I will.”

“No way. Forget it, Julia.”

“But it’s way too expensive for you and it’s not fair you incur all these expenses just to be my traveling companion and help me.”

Exasperation tweezed his insides. “Trust me I can afford it. And I hope by now, you consider me more than just a traveling companion.” His jaws tightened and he added through gritted teeth, “How about a friend?”

“A very dear friend, Tony. No one has ever been so nice and so patient with me. I don’t know how to thank you.” Before he could step back, she placed a chaste kiss on his cheek.

“No,” he groaned.

“Sorry, you don’t like my kisses.” Her lips curved down in a disappointed pout. “So Clyde was right.” She walked to the balcony.

Tony followed her. He held her shoulders and spun her toward him. Dejection stretched her mouth into a thin line and her joy at being on a cruise had evaporated.

“Right about what? What did Clyde tell you?”

She shrugged. “That I was a cold fish. That’s why he cheated on me.”

“The bastard.” Tony brought her hard against his chest and caressed her hair. “No Julia, no. Believe me, you are far from cold.” He brushed his lips over her closed eyelids. “You wanted me for a traveling companion. It’s getting very hard to play the part.”

She tried to pull away. “You don’t have to pretend you want to be with me.”

“I do want to be with you, Julia.” His arms encircled her waist. “But...” He swiped a strand of hair from her forehead. Where was his psychology training when he needed it the most? “I mean I came on this trip to help you. Honestly, I was planning to be a good friend, a platonic one.”

Her head jerked back. “And now?”

“Now it’s becoming so hard.” He heaved a deep breath and pressed his cheek against her temple. “Very hard to resist.” He feathered little kisses over her face. “You’re so darn attractive, and sweet, and vulnerable.” His lips skated along her jaw and the corner of her mouth.

She sighed and cupped his cheek. “Tony, why are you trying so hard to resist?”

His uneasiness grew as he debated his options. “Conflict of interest, because...” he automatically said. Damn it, because a psychiatrist should not get involved with the person he’s treating, even if she wasn’t officially his patient.

“Is that all?” Her radiant smile clenched his stomach into knots. “I don’t see any conflict, except in your mind. You’ve done so much for me. Maybe I can make you forget your special conflict.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head and touched her lips to his mouth.

He forgot his conflict, his profession and the whole wide world. His mouth slanted over hers, taking control of their kiss, deepening it and enhancing it. His tongue darted inside, tasting, playing and dancing with her tongue.

She pulled away to breathe. “Feeling better?”

“Much better, sweetheart.”

“Tony, promise me you won’t let stupid misunderstandings like that spoil our special friendship. We want to have a wonderful time on this cruise.”

“I promise.” He loved the way she defined their relationship.

The loud speaker reminded them that the passengers drill would be taking place in twenty minutes. They had to bring along their lifejackets and meet in the lounge on the seventh deck for security instructions.

“Julia, I have to drop my luggage in my cabin. I’ll join you in the lounge.”

On his way down to his cabin he remembered his promise not to let misunderstandings affect their friendship.

A twinge of guilt stabbed his heart. He hadn’t told her yet about his real profession.

Still dazed, Julia stared in the direction of the security officer demonstrating how to wear the lifejacket. At the end of the drill session, she realized she’d be hard put to repeat a single word of the safety instructions when her brain had been replaying every second of Tony’s kiss—a real bone-melting kiss.