37. Chapter 37

37

I laria slid slowly toward the edge of the bed, being careful not to wake the hot Scottish hunk still sleeping next to her.

She glanced behind her and gave Soren an appreciative scan, noting his muscular arms, broad shoulders, and abs for days. The blanket had slipped down to his stomach, and she was disappointed that it hadn't slipped even further so she could once again admire the impressive package that hung between his legs.

But this was just as well, since getting another eyeful would only make her even more late.

A masculine hand circled her wrist. "I hope you're sneaking off to make me some coffee, love."

Ilaria turned around with a grin. "Dammit, you're such a light sleeper." She couldn't resist climbing back into bed and swinging a leg over him, straddling him. His morning wood poked up in front of her. "I'm meeting Noe and Emmy for a run. And I'm already late. And I'll be even more late if I don't stop staring at you." Her eyes were on his impressive length which was standing at attention.

"If you don't stop staring at my cock, you mean," Soren said dryly.

"That's part of you, isn't it?" she murmured. She licked her lips.

"If you don't want to be late, you shouldn't look at me like that."

Ilaria sighed. "Okay, fine." Then she scooted to the foot of the bed. Before she jumped onto the floor, she quickly leaned over, gave the broad tip of his penis a lick, and then jumped off.

Soren sat up and lunged for her, but she dodged his grasp with an evil laugh.

"Ilaria," he bellowed. "You better come finish what you started."

"I will," she replied as she yanked on her sports bra and leggings. "When I get back. I'm just keeping you warm."

"I'm not a crockpot, love," he growled. He fell back onto the pillow with a mournful sigh.

"I'll make it up to you," she promised. "I'll give your fifth limb extra attention later." She threw on a windbreaker and leaned over to give him a peck on the lips.

Soren's hand curled around her neck, holding her in place, as he gave her a searing kiss. He broke it off by giving her a gentle shove backward. "If I have to stay warm, then so do you."

Ilaria blinked at him, seriously debating on whether she had time for a quickie.

Soren read her mind. "Go," he pointed at the door. "I'm not interested in a two-minute quick fuck. With you, I only want to make love, and that requires time."

Her stomach did a funny twist. She gave him one last look then grabbed her keys and went out the front door.

***

"Sorry I'm late," Ilaria said breathlessly as she ran up to their meeting point at the Lakefront Trail.

Noe and Emmy looked at her with shit-eating grins on their faces.

"I, uh, overslept," Ilaria said lamely.

"Oh, is that a new euphemism for sex?" Noe grinned wickedly. "I'll have to remember that one."

Ilaria rolled her eyes as she stretched her calves. "Not a euphemism. I was tempted this morning, but I didn't."

Emmy raised her arms and bent sideways at the waist. "Aw, did you abstain because you didn't want to be late for us?"

"Damn, I wanted to hear some of the juicy details," Noe said as lifted his ankle to stretch his thigh.

"I'm not sharing a play-by-play, if that's what you mean," Ilaria said dryly. They started to jog down the trail.

Noe clucked his tongue, looking disappointed. "Dammit, I can't even live vicariously. At least give us some vague sentiments. Without specifics."

"It…" Ilaria didn't know how to describe what sex with Soren was like. Glorious. Epic. Earth-shattering. "...is too good for words."

"I knew it," Noe declared. "That man just oozes sexuality. Like he invented the act itself."

Ilaria couldn't disagree. Her thoughts drifted to their shower last night, and her pulse started to ramp.

"So this is just for fun, right?" Emmy asked, looking sideways at Ilaria. "When he goes back to Scotland, will you be alright?" Her eyes held a little worry.

Would she be alright? Ilaria felt the steady beat of her legs on the pavement, her arms pumping. She wished the future was as predictable as the next step on this pavement. She knew exactly how fast to run to keep her breathing even and her feet landing in the next spot.

"I think so," she said to her friends. "I hope so. It was always supposed to be temporary. We both acknowledged it at the time." Both her pace and breathing picked up. "I mean, things have been happening pretty fast, and it's been amazing, but I've been reminding myself that it's not a forever thing."

"Can we…slow down a bit?" Noe said, gasping for air. "You know that if you invite me to go for a run, I can really only do a light jog."

"Sorry," Ilaria chuckled as she slowed. Noe hated to work out, and convincing him to do something other than drink coffee or wine was usually like pulling teeth.

"Do we need to do these workouts more often?" Emmy suggested. "Less coffee and pastries, more exercise?"

"What is the point of living, then?" Noe wheezed. "Don't ask me to give up everything I love and only do what I hate. Doing these jogs with you guys is enough tortuous exercise for me."

"And then afterward, you can eat a massive pastry and still not gain an ounce," Emmy grumbled. "Meanwhile, every bite I take goes to my hips."

Ilaria smiled at Emmy's exaggeration. She thought Emmy had the most beautiful body: perfectly proportionate and curvy in all the right places. And she wasn't the only one who thought so, as she caught another runner glancing appreciatively at Emmy, nearly tripping over a rock in the process.

"Pshaw," Noe waved his hand dismissively. "You're hot and you know it. So, anyway, back to you and your sex god," Noe said to Ilaria. "You're sounding mighty sensible about the whole thing." His breathing was more even now that their pace was slow as a turtle's.

"I am, aren't I?" Ilaria patted herself on the back. "We're having fun while he's here, and when he leaves, we'll both move on with our normal lives."

"You won't miss him at all?" Emmy asked.

"I'm sure I will," she said. "I'll miss the sex, that's for sure. The man is…blessed. Let's put it that way."

"We knew it," Noe declared. He put his fist out to Emmy, who bumped it with her own.

"But I think I have a different perspective now," Ilaria continued. "Dare I say, a little more mature? I'm not going to collapse when this thing ends."

"Well, that's a relief," Noe announced. "Then we won't have to act as your therapists and talk you off a ledge."

Emmy stifled a laugh. Ilaria's eyes narrowed, and she bumped Noe, who was chortling, in the shoulder and pushed him into oncoming runner traffic. He dodged people and righted himself back onto the path.

"Hey, no need to run me over for being honest," he exclaimed.

Ilaria rolled her eyes. "Have I told you guys how much I appreciate your listening to me going on and on about Soren two years ago? Even I got sick of hearing myself. But I guarantee it; this time, I know what's coming, so you guys won't have to bear the brunt of my whining."

Noe grinned and elbowed her lightly in the ribs. "But seriously, good on you for letting yourself have a little fun in the moment and not dwell on future consequences." He stopped and put his hands on his knees. "Okay, that's enough jogging. Can't do it anymore." They all slowed down to a walk.

"Speaking of whining," Emmy chimed in, "can I complain again about my boss's brother? I didn't think the situation could get any worse, but Luke's been having me stay late practically every night. And when I'm there, he wastes my time, insulting me, telling me I'm doing everything wrong."

"Hasn't this been going on for a while?" Ilaria asked. "Have you talked to your boss yet?"

"I…mentioned it to Bennett," Emmy hedged. "Not in so many words. I didn't want to sound like I was complaining. Bennett just brushed it under the rug, said it's temporary and asked if I could hold out a little longer." She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. "But I don't think I can. I really, really want to quit."

"Oh, sweetie, that sucks," Ilaria said sympathetically. She gave a quick silent thanks that she ran her own business and didn't have to contend with anyone forcing her to do something just for a measly paycheck. "Are you going to try to find another job first before quitting?"

"I'm this close to quitting tomorrow." Emmy held up her hand, thumb and forefinger squeezed together. "But yeah," she sighed. "The smart thing would be to have another job lined up."

"Or maybe you should take this as a sign that you should be pursuing interior design, like you've always wanted," Noe said pointedly.

"I don't feel ready," she hedged. "There's so much more to learn."

Ilaria and Noe looked at each other.

"You graduated with honors," Noe reminded her. "Your professors said your final design project was the best they'd seen in years."

"I know, I know," Emmy grumbled. "But then I look at Bennett's work, and Luke's work, and every senior designer on staff, and I just feel…"

"Like an imposter?" Noe supplied.

"Exactly."

"Babe, we all feel that way," Ilaria said gently. "But how will you ever get better if you're just managing calendars and finishing presentations for other designers? You learn by doing. By putting yourself out there. By taking risks."

Emmy grimaced. "Yeah, you're right. But I just need that one break."

A lightbulb went off. "You know what," Ilaria snapped her fingers. "One of my Italian restaurants is long overdue for a facelift. Dad and I had been talking about it for a year. I'm going to hire you. I want that restaurant to be back on top like before. And I know you're the designer to help me do that."

Sapori d'Italia was one of the Carosi's longest running restaurants, and one of their most successful. But restaurants needed reinventions every several years to prevent them from going stale, and she and her father had been ready to start the process before he died. But now she was ready to pick the project back up.

A loud gasp rose out of Emmy. "Oh my God. Are you serious?" She squeezed Ilaria's arm.

"Ow, yes, but only if you don't break my arm."

"Sorry," Emmy said hastily. "But yes! I would love to do that project. Thank you, thank you!" She grabbed Ilaria around the shoulders.

Ilaria hugged her back. She knew Emmy would do an amazing job and just needed a boost to get herself out there.

Emmy sighed as if a weight had lifted off her shoulders. "Then I guess I'll hang onto my job for now. I can grin and bear it for the time being as long as I know it won't be stuck there forever."

"And I'll help you with your website, business cards, and social media channels," Noe offered. "Because everyone will be calling you once they see your talent."

Emmy got in between them and put her arms around both of them. They all stopped in the middle of the trail, forcing everyone behind them to go around. "I don't know what to say," she sniffled.

"Say you'll kick ass," Ilaria declared.

"I'm gonna kick ass," Emmy declared loudly.

"Good," Ilaria said. "Because I expect a kickass makeover for that restaurant."

Noe glanced at Ilaria. "Sounds like things are moving along well for you, too," he observed.

"I do feel more ready," she admitted. "Despite what my asshole family members think. But I won't let them psyche me out."

"There's always going to be someone out there who will try to undermine our potential," Noe proclaimed. "But we're not going to let them, right, ladies?"

"Right!" Ilaria and Emmy both echoed.

"Now who's up for coffee and pastries?" Noe asked. "I earned it after that hard workout."

***

After stopping off at The Java Spot for their caffeine jolt, Ilaria slowly made her way up to her condo, reflecting on herself. She was fine, wasn't she, about Soren leaving eventually? Was she okay that this was the last of their carefree affair, and that she probably wouldn't ever see him again?

A tiny part of her acknowledged she had pumped up her confidence in front of her friends, maybe even to convince herself that she would be able to move on without sentimentality or soppy emotions. But it was, in fact, real confidence. For the most part, anyway. Sure, she'd be a little sad, and some part of her wondered if Soren had ruined sex with all other men for her. But she was older and wiser now, and she was no longer going to fall into the trap of wishing for something that would never happen.