I collected our overnight bag from the bike and carried it into the small room.
It was like being in a log cabin: wooden walls, wooden floors, wooden furniture. But Sebastian was right: the bed was huge. I tested it out gingerly. Nope, no creaking springs to distract us tonight.
While I was waiting for him, I checked up on my emails. I was surprised to see that there was one from Nicole.
To: Lee Venzi
From: Nicole Olsen
Re: WTF
Venzi! WTF are you doing in Italy? How come I had to hear about it secondhand from Jenna? Don’t you think it’s time you had mindless sex with an Italian stallion? Call me for tips. Have fun. Nx
That was so like Nicole. If only she knew. I decided I’d send her a photo of Sebastian to cheer up her gray, New York morning.
I picked the one of him sitting back on the beach towel, his beautiful face and divine chest in full view. I wasn’t going to send her the one where his board shorts showed the ammo he was packing: Nicole would probably implode.
To: Nicole Olsen
From: Lee Venzi
Re: Re: WTF
Am thinking about your advice ;) Traveling through Italy with an old friend. Thought you’d like this eye candy to brighten your day. Lx
I was still smiling about Nicole’s message and my reply, when Sebastian strolled in.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, I just had an email from my friend Nicole in NYC: she wants me to have mindless sex with an Italian stallion.”
Sebastian didn’t look amused. “Why is she saying stuff like that to you?”
“Oh, don’t be such a prude, Sebastian! It’s just a joke. She’s always nagging me to find a man.”
“What about me?” he said, sounding ridiculously hurt.
I rolled my eyes. “I haven’t told anyone about you. I like having you to myself. But I will, if you want me to.”
“I want to know your friends, Caro. Although I’ll fucking tell ‘Nicole’ that she can keep her comments about ‘Italian stallions’ to herself.”
Uh-oh, the Chief was riled.
Now that was going to be an interesting meeting: Sebastian and Nicole were both pretty fiery. I wasn’t going to place bets on who’d win that encounter.
Suddenly my phone rang. I stared at it in amazement, as if it had suddenly grown wings. Why on earth was Nicole calling me?
“Nicole, hi! Wow, it’s great to hear from you. How are you?
“Don’t give me that, Venzi. Where did you get that smokin’ hot picture? Have you turned into one of those women who ogles younger men?”
“Like you, you mean?”
Nicole snorted. “Exactly! Since when did you start taking photos of hot guys? And who’s this ‘old friend’ that you’re suddenly traveling around Italy with?”
“Nicole, I sent you a picture of him. His name is Sebastian.”
Sebastian glanced over at me, a smile on his face.
“Come on, Lee. Why won’t you tell me who you’re traveling around with?”
“No, seriously, Nicole. That’s a photo of my friend.”
“The Stud Muffin is your ‘old friend’?” she yelled down the phone. “You’re bullshitting me, Lee!”
I laughed. “I promise you, Nicole.”
“Have you been holding out on me? Where did you meet him?”
Her words poured out in a torrent.
“I’ll tell you some other time,” I said, shaking my head, as Sebastian gazed at me quizzically.
“No! Tell me now!” she shrieked.
“I can’t. Later.”
“Why not now?”
“Because he’s standing right here, Nicole.”
Sebastian raised his eyebrows.
“Bullshit! I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true.”
“Put him on the phone then.”
“What?”
“I think you’ve been without sex too long, Venzi. You’re hallucinating.”
I handed the phone to Sebastian. “She wants to talk to you.”
He took the phone, looking amused. “Hi, Nicole. This is Sebastian.”