Chapter 12

I was barely aware of the sounds and movements around me; the light bustle and chatter of people, the sound of engines petering off, or of high heeled legs stretching out of posh cars. No, what I was aware of was the six foot male beside me. The warmth of his large hand on the small of my back, the raw vitality and animal grace he exuded.

And his smell. I covertly leaned in closer, surreptitiously sniffing him. His smell was divine. Sensual. Male.

His deep voice suddenly sounded beside my ear. "Are you sniffing me, amore?"

Even as I shivered, my face warmed in embarrassment. Curse my readiness to blush: it was the one innocent thing life hadn't managed to beat out of me.

"Of course not," I said. I hoped I sounded as nonchalant as I'd intended.

"If you say so." That deep, amused rasp again.

We neared his car and I was shocked when a bulky man came out of the driver's side. He had a long beard and a full sleeve tattoo on his right arm, and his hair was closely cropped to the sides. I wa