Swept Away by the Venetian Millionaire

by Nina Singh

  Maya found herself at a loss for words. She really hadn’t seen this coming. But she had to think of something, some way to get out of this lunch invitation. Because if Leo wasn’t aware of the murderous glare Vito was casting at him, she certainly hadn’t missed it.

  Vito Rameri clearly did not want her here.

  * * *

  If they’d been alone, Vito would not have hesitated to give his cousin a good, hard smack. In fact, he was planning all the ways he would deliver it as soon as he got the opportunity. The man was too nosy for his own good. He could give Nonna a run for her money when it came to busybody meddling.

  It was bad enough that Maya had shown up here in the first place. She had no idea how hard Vito had been working to forget she even existed. How desperately he’d tried to put those few short hours they’d spent together in his rearview mirror so that he could continue moving forward with the steady existence he’d worked so hard to create for himself since losing Marina. He’d been foolish to mistake a fleeting bout of artistic inspiration for anything more. Her sorrow had called to him that day as he’d sat watching her from the café. There was nothing more to it than that.

  But now he’d have to somehow endure a meal where she sat across from him, where he’d be required to look at her expressive face and notice again her flawless bone structure and features. After he’d tried so hard all these hours to forget.

  “So, tell me about this fall you suffered, bella,” Leo said as they sat. Vito focused on pulling out the food and serving plates. The steaming aroma of fresh pasta and fine Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano wafted through the air as he did so. Normally the enticing scents would be enough to make his mouth water. But today all he could focus on was the delicate flowery scent of lilac and rose from whatever perfume she was wearing. A heady mixture that seemed to be fogging his brain.

  Maya ducked her head before answering. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not discuss it. It wasn’t one of my finest moments.”

  Vito wanted to tell her she had nothing to be embarrassed about. But he could only guess what type of conversation that might lead to. He decided it was better to not say anything at all. Just get through this unexpected meal as best he could.

  “Understandable,” Leo assured her. “I’m just glad you’re all right. And that my cousin here was able to help.”

  He had to change the subject. “The sketch is yours if you want it,” Vito said, handing her a plate of hot pasta.

  She seemed taken aback; her hand shook as she took the food. “But I couldn’t do that. After all, it’s an original Rameri.”

  So she’d done some checking up on him. Her knowledge of his exact identity was new, he had no doubt. She’d had no clue who he was yesterday.

  “That may be, but it belongs to you more than me. It’s only right that you should have it.”

  “But why would you do such a thing?”

  He shrugged. “You weren’t a paid model, more of an inspiration.”

  She gasped. Now why had he gone and said that? It opened up a whole new slew of avenues she probably wanted to examine. And he had absolutely no desire to do any such thing.

  Vito felt off, out of his element around this woman. It didn’t help matters that his cousin sat watching the two of them interact as if he were a scientist observing a lab experiment. Yeah, Leo definitely had a nice hard whack coming his way as soon as Maya left.

  “That’s more than generous. I would never have been able to afford any kind of original art under normal circumstances.”

  “It’s only a sketch,” Vito repeated.

  “Nevertheless. It is indeed quite a generous gesture,” Leo said, giving him a questioning glance and causing Vito’s anger with him to spike even higher.

  He ignored his cousin. “Don’t mention it. I’ll have my assistant prep and package it to be shipped to your Boston address. Be sure to give it to me before you leave.”

  She nodded slowly. “Thank you, Vito. Again.”

  Several moments of silence passed. Leo was the only one even pretending to eat. Vito couldn’t seem to summon the appetite that had had his stomach loudly grumbling only an hour earlier. Maya was simply pushing her pasta around on her plate.

  Leo was the one who finally spoke. “So, tell me, Maya. What are your plans for today? Will you be visiting some of our many historic sights?”

  “Well, first I’ll have to pick up an Italian burner phone. But yes. I’m scheduled for a sightseeing tour of St. Mark’s Cathedral and the Doge’s Palace. An exclusive guided tour for two. Only now the guide will have to settle for one.” She wrangled a clearly forced smile that was just a bit too wide.

  “Maya finds herself in the unexpected position of traveling alone.” Vito answered the questioning look his cousin threw his way.

  “Well, that won’t do at all. We’ll have to find you a tour companion.”

  Maya chuckled. “Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. Vito had to wonder if her statement was something of a fib. She sat ramrod straight, throwing out the words as if daring someone to argue with her. “Though I came very close to asking the housekeeping worker who came in this morning. But she mentioned it was her sister’s birthday and she had plans. But I really don’t have any kind of issue going by myself.” She swallowed some water. “None at all.” Again, the words were uttered with just a bit too much vehemence.

  Vito had no doubt she was putting on a brave front. Yet again, a stab of anger at the faceless man who’d so callously abandoned her seared through him.

  “Perhaps Vito might be able to—”

  Vito suddenly stood before the other man could finish his sentence. He knew exactly where Leo was headed and had no intention of letting him go there.

  “I should go back up front. It won’t do to have a patron stop by and find the counter empty.”

  The look Leo gave him relayed his thoughts just as well as spoken words could have. As if any real buyers had bothered to stop by the studio in over two years. There had been nothing available to sell.

  He gave Maya a slight bow. “Please, stay and enjoy your meal, Maya. My cousin will show you out once you finish.”

  Leo’s voice followed behind him. “Must you leave so soon?”

  Vito didn’t bother to respond out loud to the query. But the answer to his cousin’s question was a resounding yes. Vito did have to leave. Because otherwise he might be tempted to do something he had no business even considering: he might foolishly offer to accompany Maya Talbot on her tour of Venice.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  TURNED OUT VITO would be the one getting smacked. As he watched Maya step out the door less than twenty minutes later, he felt his cousin’s open palm swat him across the back of his shoulder.

  Vito had to clench every muscle in his body to resist the urge to hit him back. For, if he did, he would deliver a much harder blow than the playful one he’d received. And then things might very well escalate.

  When was the last time he and Leo had actually indulged in a physical row? They’d had to have been teenagers. Nonna would throttle both of them if she ever got word they were fighting as adults.

  Still, he had to wonder if the risk would be worth it.

  He slowly turned to face the other man. “And what was that for, cousin?” he asked, with all the calm and steadiness he could muster.

  “For being downright rude just now. To an American tourist, no less. One who was here as a guest at your studio.”

  “Through your invitation, let’s not forget.”

  “That simply proves my point.”

  Vito sighed in dismissal and turned back to the newspaper article he’d been trying to read for the past several minutes. “You have no point. You’re just a meddlesome pest who doesn’t know how to mind his own business.”

  Leo wasn’t taking the bait. “You’re family. That makes you my business.”


  “Not when it comes to volunteering me to play babysitter to some lonely tourist.”

  “She’s only here in Venice for a few days. What would be the harm in accompanying her?”

  “If you’re that worried about her lack of company on this trip, you should have gone with her yourself.”

  His cousin gave a sardonic laugh. “And try to explain to Lynetta why I’m spending the day with an unattached American tourist? Dio mio.” He physically shuddered at that possibility.

  Leo came to stand right in front of Vito, casting his shadow on the article he was pretending to read. “Do you seriously think we’re not going to talk about this?”

  “About what?”

  “About the fact that you haven’t so much as picked up a pencil in several months let alone handled any clay. Up until a day ago, that is. When you sketched that young woman.”

  “So?”

  Leo blinked. “So your sudden inspiration appears to have everything to do with the lady you just let walk out of here.”

  “She fell asleep in the back room. I simply felt a desire to capture her features. It isn’t the grand breakthrough you’re making it appear to be.”

  “Isn’t it?”

  “Not to me.”

  “That’s mind-boggling. You come here every day simply to remind yourself of the life you used to lead, the passion you used to have. Someone may have finally revived that passion in some small way and you don’t find it significant at all.”

  Vito slammed his hand down on the counter. “It’s a simple sketch, Leo. Stop trying to turn it into some type of milestone. I’ll know when or even if I’ll be ready to create again. Trust me, this isn’t the time.”

  “Not if you don’t let it be. It’s been three years, Vito. Surely that’s enough time to at least consider moving forward.”

  “Family or not, I wish you’d remember what is and is not your place to try and lecture me about, Leo.”

  Leo’s lips tightened as his eyes clouded with disappointment. “And I wish you’d remember that you were not the one who drove Marina’s car over the rock cliff that day.” With those words, Leo walked to the exit and shut the glass door none too softly behind him.

  Vito bit out a curse. Leo was being downright belligerent. What business was it of his if Maya would be touring the basilica and palazzo on her own?

  An exclusive guided tour for two. Only now the guide will have to settle for one. Her words replayed in his mind.

  And what kind of guide would she have, he wondered. No doubt a distracted University of Venice design student who simply wanted the extra cash and was willing the day to be over soon. A random guide wouldn’t be able to help Maya fully appreciate the historic art and architecture of the cathedral. He’d no doubt go on and on about lines and angles and historical facts that anyone could look up online or in a textbook. Such a shame and a waste of time for everyone involved.

  There was also something else he didn’t want to think about. After the soulless tour, she’d be eating dinner by herself.

  Vito gave his head a brisk shake. What did it matter to him? Again, it was absolutely no concern of his. He’d spent enough mental energy on Maya Talbot as it was. He already had too little to spare.

  * * *

  After buying an inexpensive phone, she was down to her last few euros. Thank heavens she’d left an emergency stash in her hotel room before she’d ventured out the other day. Her bank was in the process of delivering new credit and debit cards; she could only hope they arrived at her Venice hotel before she moved on to the next destination.

  Now that she’d pulled herself together and had some time to think, she’d decided to continue with her European tour. The conversation with Vito and his cousin earlier in the studio had unexpectedly settled it for her. She might be alone, but she was going to try hard not to be lonely. After all, hadn’t she decided back in Boston that part of her new attitude about life was to be more carefree? To worry less and do more?

  Her fall had simply been a mishap, a bump in the road.

  Maya cursed once again her monumental decision to drink so much wine before her first-ever gondola ride. But if it hadn’t been for that decision, she would never have met Vito. Her heart gave a little tug in her chest as she thought of him. No doubt she’d seen the last of the man. A man she would never forget. Maya would have to chalk their meeting up to just one more memorable experience on this trip. A teaser of what her life might have been like if she’d been born under a different sky.

  Though, in some ways, maybe it would have been better if she’d never met him at all. It was so much easier to not actually know what one was missing in life. Maya sighed and slipped her newly acquired cell phone into her dress pocket, her thoughts still centered on the enigmatic, handsome artist who was sure to haunt her dreams for years to come.

  So she thought she was imagining it when she looked up to find him approaching her from the other side of the walkway. She shut her eyes and gave a shake of her head before she looked again, just to be sure.

  Yep, it was definitely him. And he was definitely approaching her.

  “Vito?”

  “Buongiorno. I was hoping I would catch you. Luckily this is the only cell phone store within a mile of the square.”

  “But why?”

  He shrugged. “Most likely because there isn’t enough of a demand to warrant any other retailers.” The hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth told her he’d deliberately misunderstood her question.

  “If only more tourists dropped theirs in the water as I did.”

  “Yes, indeed,” he answered with a small chuckle before turning serious once more. “It occurred to me after you left that you never did leave your address in Boston.”

  “My address?”

  “Yes. So that I could have my assistant mail you the sketch.”

  Realization suddenly dawned on her. How foolish could she be? To think she’d even considered for a moment that he might have followed her because he wanted to speak to her again, to see her again. Although...he could have called the hotel for the information later.

  Nonsense. Maya shook off that thought. The simplest explanation was often the right one. Vito only wanted her address so that he could mail her the sketch, just as he’d explained. She shouldn’t try to find other motives simply because she wished for them.

  “Here.” He handed her his cell phone. “You can type in the information on my contacts list.”

  She did as he asked and handed his mobile back to him. Her fingers brushed over his, ever so slightly, and the same current she’d felt yesterday traveled down her spine and through her limbs. Whatever effect this man had on her, it was enough to make her tremble inside.

  She quickly pulled her hand away, fast enough that Vito seemed on the verge of dropping his phone before being able to fully grasp it. Great. All she needed was to be responsible for yet another damaged mobile.

  “Care to walk with me to the piazza?” Maya blurted out without thinking. What was the harm? She really wouldn’t mind his company for a few more moments. Bad enough she’d be spending the rest of the day essentially alone.

  Vito shifted from one foot to the other. He wasn’t saying he would. Maya’s heart sank down to her toes. She shouldn’t have asked him, should never have risked it. Now he had to find a way to turn her down. So his next words surprised her yet again.

  “It would be an honor and a pleasure to walk with you on such a beautiful afternoon, cara.”

  * * *

  He was beginning to think he might have lost his mind. Vito had had no idea when he left his showroom to go and find her that he’d be spending yet more time with her. But there it was. Clearly, both her own question and Vito’s response to it had surprised Maya, judging from the bemused expression she currently wore.

  Except maybe part of him had known that his jaun
t to the mobile store was simply a way to see her again.

  There’d been no real need to venture out to find her. He certainly could have called her hotel later, asked about her address and wished her well with the rest of her travels. And the rest of her life, for that matter.

  For some reason, he’d felt compelled to come and find her.

  “I’d like that,” she said with a smile. “I’d like that very much.”

  “Excellent.”

  He should have turned her down, told her he had things to do. So why hadn’t he done just that? Damned if he could explain it to himself. Part of him blamed that busybody, meddling cousin of his. Leo had planted the seed, after all. Whatever the reason, it was too late to pull back now. Rather than dwell any further on his motivations, he offered Maya the crook of his arm. “Shall we?”

  She took it with zero hesitation, her touch sending warmth up to his shoulder blades and down along his back. He was completely unprepared for such a reaction to a simple touch on his arm.

  He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  It was one thing to notice her physical qualities and want to capture them, given the artist in him. But this physical reaction was something else altogether.

  Vito had to wonder exactly what he might have just gotten himself into.

  * * *

  It was ridiculous to be this excited. Maya made a point of reassuring herself that her overblown reaction to having Vito join her this afternoon was born of pure relief. After all, who would want to go sightseeing in one of the most beautiful destinations Europe had to offer all by herself? She certainly hadn’t been looking forward to doing so. Thanks to Vito, her afternoon just became much more interesting.

  “You are to start at the piazza? Correct?” Vito asked her.