Belated Wednesday Words on…Thursday
I’m losing track of the days! Here’s a sexy snippet from Saturnalia: The Lord of Misrule, coming next week. Enjoy!
Each year, Saturn requires special tribute, and he prefers abundance in sexual favor, suitable “sacrifice” for the god of nature and the harvest. Matteo Silvano and Renato Fortuna are up to the task, both charged with continuing their town’s prosperity. Used to sharing women, the two are drawing toward something deeper than friendship with the addition of Allegra Valente, a unique young woman. For when the proper tribute is paid, Saturn will reward not only the town, but Matt, Renato and Allegra with a very special gift that will last an eternity.
♥
Allegra worked the bread dough in front of her with a happy sigh. Like her grandmother, she delighted in a kitchen. She thought it telling that Josh, her ex, hadn’t come close to giving her as much pleasure as baking her mini pear/almond cakes did. They sold like wildfire the minute she put them behind the glass counter, and they tasted like heaven dusted with sugar. Josh had been anything but sweet. Boring, even bland. Not like Matt or Renato. Allegra could almost taste the honeyed flavor of their skin, could smell the salty maleness of arousal as she pressed her mouth closer…
Ack. Keep thinking like that and you’ll go crazy. Again with those dreams…
Deliberately shaking free from her ill-timed fantasies, Allegra looked forward to trying one of the cook’s favorites, zeppole, which sounded a lot like funnel cakes made with ricotta cheese. Allegra knew she’d try the recipe as soon as she could find the ingredients. Lost in another fantasy world, this one much healthier for her state of mind, Allegra focused on the thought of what she’d add to her already impressive recipe collection as she kneaded the dough on the counter.
She was therefore understandably scared into a yelp when large hands settled over her shoulder and a warm mouth caressed her neck.
“Hmm, tastes sweet,” Matt murmured as he kissed her neck.
“Looks as good, too.” Renato came into view, his blue eyes filled with mirth. “Bella, why are you staring at me so shocked? We said we’d take you to the festival.”
His words barely penetrated as she tried to get over the feeling of Matt kissing her neck. Then she realized who she was looking at and gaped at the sight of Renato in jeans. And she’d thought he looked terrific in a suit? In form-hugging jeans and a black, button- down shirt, he looked good enough to eat.
At her stare, Renato frowned. “What? You no like?”
She loved when his accent thickened, that voice so sexy, so hers…
Blinking out of the sexual hunger again taking control, she tried nudging out of Matt’s hold, sucking in her breath when she felt the press of something hard against her backside.
“Matteo,” Renato barked.
“Yeah, yeah.” He continued in a husky voice, directly into her ear. “I’m sorry, baby. But you smell so damned good.” He nuzzled her neck before sighing and moving back. “What are you wearing?”
Turning to see him, she noted his similar attire to Renato’s, save he wore a red cotton shirt, the sleeves rolled back to reveal muscular forearms. Realizing he was waiting on her answer, she stuttered, “Ah, nothing. Just bread dough.”
Renato chuckled. “I’d like to see that. Nothing but dough.”
“What?”
“I said that dough looks about done, yes?”
She stared down at the mixture, aware she’d gone overboard. Grimacing, she put the blob in a glass dish and placed it next to the stove to rise. While washing her hands in the sink, she spoke, knowing it was easier to think without looking at God’s gifts to women.
“My family’s going to go to the festival tonight. All of us together.” When they said nothing, she glanced up, only to see an intense look pass between Matt and Renato. “I, ah, guess you could come with us if you want.” And hey, while you’re at it, feel free to put those lips of yours on me anywhere you like. Either of you.
“No, bella. You’ll join us. The time has finally come to choose the new Lord of Misrule. You can’t miss that,” Renato cajoled. Then he glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Ah, we’ll tell them together. Donna, Tony, it’s good to see you again. We’ve come to take Allegra to the party.”
“So soon?” her grandmother said, and Allegra frowned at the warble in her tone.
“Not soon enough,” Matt grumbled, only to grow quiet at a sharp look from Renato.
“I mean,” her grandmother paused and blushed, her embarrassed smile growing into laughter. “I can’t believe we slept so long. Allegra, you should have woken us.”
“It’s only been an…” Allegra stared at the clock in disbelief. How had three hours passed while she’d been preparing bread dough? And when had it gotten dark? When Matt and Renato had entered, sunlight had been streaming through the windows.
“Allegra?” Her grandfather studied her with a frown on his face.
“It’s nothing.” Nothing but losing three hours of my life, which makes as much sense as two men who look like Matt and Renato being interested in me. “Why don’t I clean up and change, and we can all go together?” She needed a moment to figure out what had happened, and she couldn’t put her finger on it, but this situation wasn’t right. Losing time? Attracting the attention of two eligible bachelors attractive and wealthy beyond her imagination? And besides, something about the pair overwhelmed her. As they studied her, she could feel wisps of power and sexual need enveloping her with seductive, greedy hands. It was all so incredibly bizarre, and not a little scary how much she wanted them both.
