"What?" Tanya exclaimed, already forgetting her trail of thought. "Umm.. you want me to call you Rio? As in, short for your name, Ilario?" She asked unnecessary and felt like a fool for doing it.

The sides of his eyes crinkled as he confirmed with a "Si."

But she wasn't done yet, "Uh... is that for like... now, or for even in the office?"

"Hmm... let's see." He leaned back on the sofa and mock pretended to be considering her question as two more drinks were placed in front of them. "Would you like that?"

Tanya scrunched her small nose, "Are you making fun of me, Rio?" She asked bluntly, getting angrier by the second. Ilario seemed fond of always putting her down and making fun of her in that oh-so- serious way. She didn't like it one bit.

That damn smirk on his sexy lips just got wider as he enquired with his accented voice, "You think I'm making fun of you?"

She took a gulp of the liquid and smacked her lips. She didn't know what it was she was drinking but it was delicious. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because you are always doing that. Always mocking me for some reason or other."

He looked thoughtful, "Do I?"

"Yes, you do." The fizzy drink seemed to have given her courage, or it might be their surroundings and seeing Ilario so relaxed for the first time. "And on that topic, I don't think you should be kissing me when you are engaged to Apollonia."

He tilted his head to one side, a curious light in her eyes. "I didn't kiss you."

"You so did."

"No, I didn't." He denied lazily. "That wasn't kissing. That was just... appreciating a beautiful girl."

"Huh!" Now, Tanya was confused. Did she over react or something? Made a small thing into something it isn't. Plus, it didn't make any sense that a male like Ilario engaged to a gorgeous woman like Apollonia would even want to kiss Tanya. She didn't have any false modesty, she knew in right clothes and accessories and her natural charms, she was capable of turning quite a few heads if she wanted to. But still, Ilario seemed way out of her league. Maybe if he had been some random guy she met at a bar or some cousin's wedding, she'd have flirted with him full of confidence; but now that he was her boss and she knew what the man was really like, she knew she wouldn't have a chance with him.

The object of her musing was still regarding with that strange expression. "Don't overthink it, dolcezza. You really, really need to stop overthinking."

Still deep in her thoughts, she mumbled, "Uh-ha. Right."

"Besides." He continued as if she hadn't spoken, "When I do kiss you, you wouldn't need to ask so many questions. You'd just know."

What does that mean? Tanya took more sips of the drink in her hand, her hands trembling a little. What does that mean, seriously?

"Wh-what do you mean by that, Rio? Know what?"

He leaned forward until he was only a few inches from her. His breath fanning her face, he cupped her cheek lightly. His thumb touched her lips and caressed them, almost tentatively.

Tanya quivered. It was that damn electricity jolt again. Her lips parted and she let out a sigh. "Rio."

Holding her captive with those dark gold eyes, he smirked, "Relax, dolce mia. Relax. Remember what I told you about our relationship?"

Our relationship!

That was the only part which penetrated her subconscious. What was happening to her? Why is Rio, her tormentor of a boss, behaving this way? She was so confused right now!

Nervously licking her dry lips, she asked, her voice unintentionally husky, "When you kiss me, what will I know, Rio?"

He continued caressing her lower lip, "That I'm not flirting or making fun of you." The thumb reached her sim of her upper lip and Tanya sucked in a breath. "That when I kiss you, you'd already be mine."