“Let’s go back to the room,” I tell him.
He wags his brows at me. He knows what I mean. He finishes his cocktail and then we’re going up the elevator to our room near the top floor.
Our room is pretty swanky and happens to have a balcony overlooking London. It’s a funny city in that when you’re at street level, things kind of feel like a maze, but when you have a chance to be up high, then the city really opens up.
Right now it’s shining and golden and beautiful, matching how I feel on the inside. Like anything and everything is possible and I can’t wait for what’s next.
While I’m staring at the view, Claudio closes the door behind us, and then grabs me by the elbows spinning me around into a kiss.
I sink deeply into his arms, falling into the kiss, our mouths opening against each other with tenderness that will soon morph into hunger. We fit so well together, it’s amazing we’re even able to come apart. My hands go to the small of his back, pulling up his shirt so that I can slide my palms over his smooth, hot skin. I love the feel of him, that even after a year, I never get tired of this. It’s like I need this connection with him to feel alive and whole.
He pulls away, cupping my face, his head resting against my forehead. “I am so proud of you,” he murmurs. “You did so good today.”
“Because I had you there.”
“No,” he says. He gazes deep into my eyes and I am lost in the dark depths of his. “Because you are you, Grace Harper. This is who you are. Who you were born to be. I merely showed you this. You were already there.” He places a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Musa. And now, you inspire so many others, not just me.”
I close my eyes and let it wash over me, knowing how much we belong to each other, and that our future together is only just starting.
I am his, and he is mine.
Inspired, desired, and completely in love.
THE END
What to read after One Hot Italian Summer
If you’re looking for something else to read from me that’s similar to One Hot Italian Summer, do I have some recommended books for you!
The Forbidden Man - After moving to Madrid to become the first female physiotherapist for the Real Madrid football team, Thalia must resist the temptation of the much younger player Alejo Albarado. Steamy, sensual and highly emotional, this book will sweep you off to Spain, break your heart and put it back together.
Tropes: Forbidden romance, sports romance, younger man/older woman
Love, in English - 23 yr-old Vera Miles doesn’t know what she wants from life, but she’s hoping to find it when she embarks on a two-week course in the Spanish countryside. What she doesn’t expect is the love of her life, Mateo Casalles, who she strikes up a deep relationship with. Of course, Mateo can never be hers if he belongs to someone else…
Tropes: Forbidden romance, older man/younger woman, slow-burn
Before I Ever Met You - Growing up, Jackie always knew Will McAllister as her father’s good friend. When single mom Jackie ends up moving back to her hometown of Vancouver, looking for a job, she gets hired at her father’s company - as Will’s assistant. But the heat rises and sparks fly as Will and Jackie fall head over heels for each other, doing their best to deny it…and failing.
Tropes: Dad’s best friend, older man/younger woman, single mom, office romance
My Life in Shambles - When Valerie Stephens made the resolution to say yes to new adventures, she never thought she'd end up in the tiny Irish town of Shambles, fake engaged to one of Ireland's top rugby players, Padraig McCarthy. But there's a first time for everything...including losing your heart.
Tropes: Fake relationship, sports romance, emotional tearjerker
Free Signed Postcard!
Did you love One Hot Italian Summer?
Valentine PR, is giving away free signed postcards such as the one below, to anyone who leaves a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Just email [email protected] with the subject line “OHIS postcard” and link to your review in the email.
This offer will run from July 29th until September 1st. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. This is only open to US addresses.
Acknowledgments
They say writing is the loneliest profession.
No, you didn’t start reading this book over again (that’s also the first sentence), it’s just the truth. But just because writing tends to attract weird introverted hermits like myself, doesn’t mean that I do it all on my own. There is always a team of people in the wings, supporting me, believing in my work, and encouraging me.
Believe me…if you’ve picked up anything from being in Grace’s POV, it’s that we writers are a neurotic mess and we LIVE on encouragement.
So…One Hot Italian Summer had a lot of cheerleaders as I wrote and in particular I would like to thank Tarryn Fisher, Kathleen Tucker, Jay Crownover, Angie McKeon, Heather Brown, Dawn Sousa , Elsi Gabrielsen and of course, Nina Grinstead and the Valentine PR team (and Charlie!).
More thanks to my beta readers Pavlina Michou, Sarah Symonds, Sarah Sentz, Heather Pollack.
Hang Le, thanks again for this cover. We’ve been a team for six years and countless covers and I definitely can’t do this without you!
Sandra, you’re the MVP.
And Grazie to the REAL Marika Nespoli for help with my Italian!
PS I’ve been with my agent Taylor Haggerty of Root Literary since 2014 and I consider her a champion of my work and a friend. Taylor, I will not sleep with any ex-husbands of yours :P
PPS Scott you are my muse and I wouldn’t be doing this without you. You’re my greatest fan, and the best cook in the world (you feed me AND my soul), and thank you for loving my artist heart with your artist heart.