Strokes by Ashlyn Chase, Dalton Diaz Page B

I’m not.” Thank goodness I colored my hair yesterday. To change the subject from her age, she said, “Something smells delicious.”
    “It is my specialty. Genuine Sicilian lasagna. I hope you like it.”
    Like it? She drank in the aromas of sausage, garlic and oregano. Ah, heaven. “As long as you’re willing to cook such fantastic dishes, I’ll love it and I’ll gladly take my clothes off for you.” Especially if you’ll return the favor. Good God, even the man’s naked toes were long, lean and sexy.
    He stepped back and appraised her body. His chocolate brown eyes raked over her and then he smiled. “You look perfect.”
    “I assure you, I’m not. Nobody is.”
    “All women are beautiful and the saddest thing is that so many of them cannot see it.” He slowly circled and complimented her. “Your hair—it is a rich color with shine—like cappuccino just as the milk is added. Your skin, so creamy and such a striking contrast…”
    Darcy had accepted her image, but it never hurt to hear a guy she wanted to fuck tell her she was delicious and desirable. Coffee and cream, huh? If only he’d take a sip.
    Dinner was an unhurried affair with each of them talking about their work, hometowns and their need to leave their own mark on the world. The only strange thing was how Paolo noticeably steered all conversation away from family.
    By the time the sun had set, she was more than ready to hold up her end of the bargain and get naked. She’d worn her best black lace camisole and panties, so when Paolo pointed to a sheet he’d suspended to shield while she undressed, she simply smiled and stripped where she stood.
    Only the slight quiver of his lip disturbed the charged atmosphere as she revealed what she wore beneath her clothes. He didn’t speak until her lingerie was removed as well, and she was pleased to note an added gruffness to his voice as he guided her into position.
    Darcy reclined in the pose he wanted. Propped on one elbow, the next book to review below her breasts, she could read as he painted most of her. An hour later he had her remove her glasses and she assumed he must be painting her face. Hopefully he was nearly finished.
    Even without the help of glasses she caught the heat in his gaze. He held his brush still for several seconds. His intense dark gaze swept over her body with unabated lust.
    She fixed her eyes in a “come hither” gaze and finally allowed herself to check out the size of the bulge he sported in his jeans. Yes! It was even bigger than she dared hope and growing bigger at her perusal. She licked her lips, realizing just how long it had been since she’d had the opportunity to play with a cock, let alone one that big.
    “Yes, hold it, just like that,” he rasped.
    More animated, he painted faster. Darcy stared at the handsome artist, willing him to approach and caress her. A musky dampness developed between her thighs. Could she stand this teasing much longer?
    “Paolo?” she asked seductively.
    Eventually he looked up and responded. “Yes?”
    “I have a cramp in the back of my left thigh from sitting in one position for so long. Do you think you could massage it for me?”
    Paolo dropped his brush into a turpentine cup and hurried over as Darcy rolled onto her stomach. She displayed her pride and joy—a still-firm butt without any visible cellulite thanks to her regular workouts.
    “ Cara , why did you not tell me sooner?”
    What the…? She twisted her torso to scowl at him. “My name isn’t Cara . It’s Darcy, remember?”
    He laughed and sat on the bed beside her. “In my native tongue, cara is an endearment, like darling or dear.”
    “Oh.” She sucked in a deep breath and moaned. “Ohhhhhh…”
    Paolo had sunk his firm fingers into her thigh and caressed her flesh. He jerked his hands from her body. “Is this too much pressure?”
    “No, it’s perrrrfect. God that feels good.”
    “Ah.” He smiled and resumed kneading her thigh and then his