Educating Gina (14 page)

Shit. Mike was losing it. He’d had most of the morning to get caught up on some work, and all he could do was think about Gina. As if he hadn’t spent five hours in his own bed, trying to sleep but worrying, instead, about what the hell he was going to do with her.

If Antonio came in and kicked his ass all the way to the Washington Bridge, Mike would deserve every bit of it. He had no damn common sense when it came to her. Zero. Nada. She’d told him to get in bed and he’d hopped in without a second thought. She’d wanted him to take off his shirt. Sure, no problem.

What the hell was he thinking? That was the thing—he hadn’t thought. If he had thought at all, it was with the wrong head. He had a good mind to go out and get laid tonight. Find some willing partner in a bar somewhere. Not his style, generally, but these were desperate times. Gina was about to drive him over the edge. If her uncle didn’t kill him first.

He heard Antonio’s gruff voice greeting the secretaries and looked up in time to see him plod down the hall to his office. That he didn’t storm into Mike’s with a gun was a good sign.

After giving Antonio a couple of minutes to set down his briefcase and light a cigar, Mike headed into the bullring. Waiting was making a nervous wreck out of him.

Antonio’s door was open, so Mike poked his head in. “Good morning.”

The older man looked up with puffy eyes. “What’s so good about it?”

Mike cleared his throat, not sure how to respond.

“I didn’t mean to bite your head off.” Antonio waved him inside. “Don’t mind me. I have a headache.”

With the amount of booze he’d drunk, no kidding. “You want aspirin?”

“I already took some. Gina insisted I take two tablets with orange juice.” His mouth curved with gruff affection. “She is just like her mother. Always fussing.”

“I haven’t called her yet. I think she wants to go to the library today, so as soon as I—”

“Never mind.” Antonio waved him off. “You take the whole day off. I will spend the day with Gina.”

Mike’s heart sank. Antonio had to suspect something. “Why?”

Antonio narrowed his eyes. “Do I need a reason to spend time with my own niece?”

Mike put his hands up in mock surrender. “Just asking. I thought maybe… Never mind.”

Antonio gave an apologetic shrug and then pointed to his temple. “It’s the head. It’s killing me.”

“Then maybe you should wait and spend tomorrow with her.” He hoped he didn’t sound desperate, but it never occurred to him he wouldn’t see her today. The way he left last night haunted him. He needed to see her.

Antonio shook his head. “I already told her I’d take her to lunch. I have shamefully neglected her since she’s been here.” He paused and eyed Mike. “And you…I have taken you away from your work…your social life.”

Mike laughed. “What social life?”

Antonio gave him a funny look. “You know, your private life.” He stood abruptly. “I don’t wanna know about it. It’s your business.” He came around the desk. “Now, I’m going to get some coffee, make a few phone calls, and then I’ll be gone for the rest of the day.”

“What about tonight?” Mike walked him down the hall. “Shall I pick Gina up and take her somewhere?”

“You take the whole day off. Go be with your—” he waved a hand through the air, his gaze darting away as if he was uncomfortable “—friends. Gina will keep herself busy on my computer tonight.”

“Did she say that?”

Antonio frowned. “Say what?”

“That she’d rather stay home and use the computer.”

Antonio barked out a laugh. “That girl would go out every minute of the day if she could.” He pointed to his chest. “
I
say she can stay home tonight.”

“Are you going to be there with her?” Mike asked casually.

“Don’t worry. She’ll be fine.” They got to the kitchen and Antonio picked up the coffeepot. “You want some?”

“No, thanks.” Mike rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, okay…”

Augie came out of his office across the hall with a stack of folders. “You got a minute?” he asked the boss.

“Come.” Antonio poured his coffee and then motioned for Augie to follow him back to his office. He glanced at Mike. “You, go have fun with your friends.”

Augie coughed, and the two men exchanged amused glances.

Mike watched them amble down the hall and couldn’t shake the feeling he was missing something.

Sighing, he threw down his pen. The day had dragged by, even though he had so much work to catch up on it made his head spin. Or at least it would if he thought about it. Instead of thinking about Gina all day.

Maybe he should call her. That wouldn’t seem out of line. They had to make plans for tomorrow, didn’t they? He picked up the phone, punched in the first three numbers and then hung up again. He’d call later, after Antonio left for the evening, assuming he would.

Mike leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. How could he possibly miss her this much? One day without seeing her and he couldn’t keep his mind on work. It had to be because of last night. Unfinished business always bothered him.

His stomach growled and it occurred to him he hadn’t eaten lunch. He opened his middle drawer and rooted around for a snack. All he found was the half package of stale cheese crackers.

In a little less than two weeks his life had gone to hell. His days used to run like clockwork. In the office by seven, his second cup of coffee by seven-twenty, lunch at twelve-thirty, maybe one tops, outta here by six-thirty or seven most evenings, depending on when the last shipment of wine arrived from Italy. The only deviation from routine was the occasional beer at Angelo’s with Robert and some of the guys from the office.

He stared at the stack of invoices he should have had handled two hours ago. Shit. This was not good. He couldn’t concentrate. Not on work. He could only think about Gina. It wasn’t as if he was worried about her. She was with Antonio.

What would happen in two more weeks when she returned to Italy? The thought sliced through him like a knife. Panic painfully clutched his gut. He wouldn’t see her anymore. If she didn’t become involved in the business, he’d probably never see her again.

Dammit. He already knew that. So why did the idea hurt so much
now?

His gaze went to the phone. He should just call and get it over with. Let her know he wasn’t angry. Make sure she was okay. Just a quick call.

He glanced at the clock again. Maybe it would be better to call when she was alone and free to talk without being overheard. A phone conversation suddenly seemed so impersonal.

Then again, he could call now and make arrangements to go over after her uncle left the apartment. What would Antonio think if he knew? Would he get suspicious? Not that he had to know.

Hell. Mike picked up the receiver and punched in the phone number. He wasn’t going to get any work done until he heard her voice. Hopefully she’d answer.

On the third ring she picked up.

“Gina?”

“Michael.” Her soft sigh warmed him. “I am glad it is you.”

“Yeah, it’s me.” He grabbed a rubber band and twisted it around his fingers. “How are you?”

“Bored.”

He laughed. “Didn’t you have lunch with your uncle?”

“
Si,
and then we went to Bloomingdale’s. Shopping is not the same without you.”

The way her voice lowered to a sexy purr made his heart zoom. “Where’s your uncle now?”

“Taking a nap. His head has hurt all day.”

“So then you two are probably staying home tonight.”

“I am making dinner now, but he has plans to meet a friend at eight.”

Mike glanced at the clock yet again. “What are you going to do?”

“I have a list of things to look up on his computer.”

“Will it take long?”

She hesitated. Maybe she didn’t want to see him. Maybe she was still upset about last night. Not that he wanted to discuss it over the phone.

After too long a silence, he said, “Gina?”

“I hear my uncle. He is awake.”

“You’d better go, then.”

“Si.”
She hesitated again. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

His heart sank. “Sure.”

“Maybe we can go to your office?”

“We’ll see. I’ll call you.”

She didn’t ask when, or if he would call later tonight. She just said, “
Si.
I have to go.”

After he hung up, Mike leaned back in his chair and gazed out his window at the cloudy sky. The call should have satisfied him, not made him uneasy. But there was something in her voice that left him feeling unsettled.

Probably his ego rearing its ugly head. He thought she’d jump at the chance to see him. He rubbed his tired eyes. Just as well. He was in dire need of sleep. Maybe if he hauled some work home with him and then took a quick nap, he’d be more productive later this evening.

He stared out the window another few minutes and finally gathered folders and ledgers he’d need and stuffed them into his briefcase. A little after five wasn’t the best time to try to get a cab home, but it wasn’t as if he was accomplishing anything by hanging around.

Both secretaries had already left and he suspected Augie and Lorenzo were at the bar downstairs. He locked up the office and headed home, trying like hell not to think about Gina.

He was successful for half the way home, but only because the cab he took had two brushes with a city bus and a stop sign. That kind of got his mind off Gina for a few minutes.

Once he got to his apartment, he was so wired no way would he be able to take a nap. Instead, he changed into jeans and opened the briefcase. His stomach rumbled, but he knew better than to bother checking the fridge. He called his favorite Chinese place around the corner for a delivery and then went to work.

Trying to concentrate was impossible. For every fifteen minutes of work he completed, he stared out the window for ten. His food arrived and he wolfed down most of it. That made him a little sleepy, but when he tried to lie down, his mind raced.

This was totally nuts. Not even in high school had he had this kind of obsession with a woman. But Gina was his boss’s niece and Mike didn’t want to screw up his career.

Shit, that had nothing to do with his preoccupation and he knew it. He had to make amends for last night. He had to see her in person.

Eight-forty. Antonio should have left already.

Mike stuffed his wallet in his back pocket, grabbed his keys and headed out. His apartment was only fifteen blocks from Antonio’s and normally he would walk, but anxious to get there, he hailed a cab. Five minutes later they pulled up at the curb opposite the apartment building.

He paid the driver and got out, but before he closed the door he saw her. Gina.

Wearing the slinky red dress with the spiky black heels she’d worn her first night in New York, she was about to get in a cab while the doorman held open the car door for her.

Stunned, Mike missed his opportunity to call out, and her cab pulled away from the curb and sped off.

He muttered a curse and hopped back into his taxi. The driver twisted around and looked at him as if he was crazy. Mike pointed. “Follow that cab.”

Oddly the thought did not upset her much. While lying in the safety of her bed, it had been far easier to decide to get more experience to help make her more desirable to Michael. Although she had nothing extreme in mind, mostly flirting and a little kissing, the idea of being with a stranger made her shudder.

The club was only half-full, and a blond waitress with big hair arrived to take her order right away. While Gina waited for her chardonnay, she watched the band tune their instruments. It was so early they had not started to play yet. She wished they would hurry. Sitting alone would be easier while listening to music or watching others dance.

A couple of men walked by with mugs of beer in their hands and smiled at her. They were both well dressed, neatly groomed and had nice faces. She gave them a small smile back.

“Here you go, honey.” The waitress set her wine on the table. “That’ll be six bucks.”

Gina gave her a ten-dollar bill and told her to keep the change. The money exchange rate still confused her. All she wanted was a big sip of her wine.

The waitress grinned and thanked her. She stared to walk away, but then turned around and leaned on Gina’s table. “You’re not from the city, are you?”

Gina shook her head. “No. Italy.”

The older woman eyed her dress, though not unkindly. “You here all by your lonesome?”

Gina frowned. The woman had a strange American accent. Nothing like Gina had heard before, and she was unsure what was being asked.

“My name is Penny,” the woman said, laughing. “Don’t mind me. I’m from Texas. I’m not being nosy, just friendly.” Her expression grew serious as she straightened. “Well, you be careful, you hear? There are a lot of big bad wolves out there.”

Gina sipped her wine and watched Penny go to the next table. The waitress’s warning had caused a flutter in Gina’s tummy. She had thought a public place was perfect to practice her flirting, but maybe this was not a good idea.

“Hi.”

At the sound of the deep male voice, she gave a start. She set down her wine before she spilled it and looked up at the tall, muscular man who had approached.

“Are you alone?” He had a nice smile.

She nodded, wishing she wasn’t by herself, wishing Michael was here beside her.

“My name is Tony.”

“I am Gina.” She extended her hand.

He looked surprised. “Nice to meet you,” he said, and shook her hand. “You have an accent. Where are you from?”

She subtly pulled her hand back when he had kept it too long. “Italy.”

“Are you visiting, or do you live here now?”

“I am in New York for only one month.”

“Ah, too bad. May I?” He gestured to the chair opposite her.

She hesitated. He seemed very nice. His long blond hair was kept in a neat ponytail.

“Tell you what,” he said, holding out his hand. “Let’s dance this first song and then you can decide if you want me to sit with you.”

The band had just started playing an old Beatles song. Only two other couples had approached the dance floor. She wished it was more crowded.

She slid off the tall stool and took his hand. She had come here to flirt, to gain more experience. She would learn nothing sitting here like a scared little rabbit.

Tony guided her to a spot close to the stage and said something to one of the band members. The drummer lifted his chin in greeting, and Gina felt some relief that they knew Tony.

Although he gave her no reason to worry. He did not touch her inappropriately or look at her in a bad way. Halfway through the dance she decided it would be all right if he sat at her table for a while.

The song ended and she wished he would ask her to dance again, but he led her back to the table and called to the waitress. Without asking permission, he took the opposite chair. Gina was not sure she liked that he had not waited for her to make the offer, but he gave her a nice smile and she decided it was all right.

Penny arrived to take his order. She did not seem to know him and she was not as friendly as she had been earlier to Gina. He asked for a shot of tequila and a beer, and another glass of wine for Gina, which she declined.

“So, how much longer are you here for?” he asked, his elbows on the table as he leaned toward her.

“Two weeks.”

“Where are you staying?”

“With my uncle.”

Tony smiled. “Ah, too bad.”

“Why?”

He narrowed his gaze and stared at her for a moment, as if he did not understand, and then he laughed. “What have you been doing?”

“I have been to Central Park, Coney Island, Bloomingdale’s, three museums and the— What?” A self-conscious flutter in her stomach made her want to squirm.

“Nothing.” He looked as if he wanted to laugh again.

“Here you go.” Penny set a glass of beer and the tequila in front of him.

He gave her a bill and then downed the shot before she finished making change.

“You might as well bring me another one,” he said, giving Penny back some of the money she had given him.

“Sure thing.” She smiled and then slid Gina a private look. “Honey, now you remember what I said.”

“What was that about?” Tony frowned at Penny’s back as she headed for the bar.

Gina shrugged and gave him an innocent look before turning her attention toward the band. She did not like that he drank so much so fast. Maybe it was not a good idea that he sat with her.

“Come on. Let’s dance again.” He slid off the stool without waiting for her response, as if he expected her to obey.

Annoyed, she thought about refusing, especially since the song was slow, but then she decided it would be easier to ask him to find another table once they left the dance floor.

When he slid both his muscular arms around her, she automatically moved back and tried to take one of his hands in a more traditional position.

“Come on, baby, put your arms around my neck,” he whispered, and nuzzled the skin under her ear.

It did not feel at all the same as when Michael did those things, and panic made her stomach clench. “You are too close.” She tried to step back, but he held her so tightly her breasts crushed against him.

“Mmm…you feel good.” He slid his hands down to her bottom, cupping his palms so intimately it made her sick.

“Stop.”

He laughed and dragged his tongue behind her ear.

She shuddered with disgust. “Let me go.”

“Right.” His fingers dug into her. “You don’t wear a dress like this and not want a little action.”

“If you do not let me go—”

He tried to kiss her and she bit his lip.

His startled jerk allowed her to break free and hurry off the dance floor. He called her name, but she would not look back. She fled past her table with her half-empty glass of wine and headed straight out the door.

She felt for the strap of the tiny purse she always wore slung across her body. A cab had just pulled to the curb. She wanted to look back to see if Tony had followed, but she did not dare slow down. She waved to the cab and rushed to get it.

“Michael!”

He stepped out of the car, and the relief on his face when he saw her made her want to cry. “Gina.”

“Take me home, Michael. Please.”

He held the cab door open and glanced past her. “Come on, get in.”

She quickly did as he asked and clutched his hand when he slid in beside her.

He tilted her chin up. “Are you okay?”

Concern darkened his beautiful green eyes. She swallowed and nodded.

“Where to now, buddy?” the cabdriver asked.

Michael gave him an address that was not Zio Antonio’s apartment and then asked, “What happened? Why were you out alone?”

She hugged herself and turned away. He would think she was foolish.

“Gina?” He guided her chin back to face him. “Hey, I missed you today.”

She bit her lip and hoped tears would not come. “Me, too.”

“You went back to that club from last night, didn’t you.”

She sighed. “How did you know where to find me?”

“I had just gotten to Antonio’s apartment when I saw you get in a cab. We tried to follow, but we lost you a few blocks from here.” He put an arm around her shoulders and she sagged against him. “I finally figured out that you might be going back to the club, since you wouldn’t know anything else around here.”

He felt warm and solid and safe, and she wanted him to promise he would never leave her side. Impossible, she knew, but she clung to the dream and closed her eyes as he rubbed the side of her arm.

“What I don’t know,” he continued, “is what you were doing there.”

She cringed. She hated lying to Michael but… “I wanted to dance but Zio Antonio told me not to bother you.”

“Uh-huh.”

At his strange tone, she looked up.

The corners of his mouth lifted in a crooked smile.

She tried to look offended. “You do not believe me?”

He gave her a long, measuring look that made heat sting her cheeks.

“You want me to wait again?” The driver pulled the cab to the curb in front of a two-story brownstone Gina did not recognize.

“No, this is good.” Michael paid the man and got out.

Gina slid out behind him, and then followed him to the front door of the brownstone. “Where are we going?”

“To my place.”

Her startled gaze ran up the ivy-covered brick. “You live here?”

“Yep.” He unlocked the door. “It’s not the Ritz, but I like it.”

“What is the Ritz?”

He chuckled. “It’s just an expression. After you.”

She stepped over the threshold, pleased he had invited her to his home. There was a door on the left and a stairway straight ahead.

“My apartment is the one at the top of the stairs.”

She climbed up ahead of him, amazed at how different it felt to be with Michael. She had no apprehension, not an ounce of fear being alone with him. The thought of Tony’s wandering hands made her palms clammy.

Michael unlocked the polished oak door and then stepped aside for her to go ahead of him.

The apartment was small and neat and without much furniture. A brown leather couch showing wear on only one side was pushed up against the wall. A small television sat on a table with a big-leafed plant facing the couch. In the corner was a desk and chair.

The room was very practical and functional, much like Michael. But it made her a little sad that he did not have small touches that made a home unique. Maybe this was a typical bachelor’s apartment.

A pair of pictures on the wall did stir her interest. One was a portrait of a woman, probably his mother. The other she could not see well enough. She turned to find him watching her.

She gave him a tiny smile, feeling oddly self-conscious. It was what Tony had said about her dress that made her uncomfortable. It had been her favorite, and now she hated it. After today she would never wear the red dress again.

He threw his keys on the table. “Have a seat. I’ll get us something to drink. Any preference?”

“Chardonnay. Lots of it.”

His speculative frown had her wishing she had not revealed how upset she was. She turned to gaze out the window, hoping he would not ask her any more questions.

The kitchen was small, long and narrow, right off the living room. She wandered closer for a better look. He had the refrigerator door open, but there was barely anything inside. A carton of orange juice, two bottles of wine and what looked like some moldy cheese.

Mike turned around and saw her staring. “I don’t eat here much.” He grinned and handed her a glass of wine. “But you’ve already figured that out, huh?”

“You have no fruits and vegetables?” He had awful eating habits. She had only seen him eat hot dogs and pizza and pasta with too much butter. “You need a wife to take care of you.”

He looked startled. “Yeah, well, no one’s volunteered.” He closed the refrigerator door and took his wine into the living room.

Gina’s stomach fluttered. If she was his wife, she would take very good care of him. She would cook him meals and encourage him to exercise with her. They would kiss a lot, and she would never have to ask. They would make love every day, too. Maybe twice a day.

She swallowed hard. The thought of being Michael’s wife sent panic and excitement right down to her toes. Only a week ago the idea of marriage disgusted her. But if Michael asked her tonight, she would say yes.

Not that she expected him to do any such thing, but the idea was so appealing it scared her. What had happened? Why was she willing to offer a part of herself she could never get back? A part she had not been willing to give any other man? She knew she loved Michael. Not only did he excite her in ways the nuns had warned against, but also he thought she was smart and capable, and she knew he respected her.