No matter how much she’d end up hating him, he had to set Jules free. It was for the best. “I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be. You were amazing.” Jules pulled on her boots and strode over to him. She smiled up at him. “And I—”
He pressed a finger to her soft lips, not letting her finish. He knew what she was going to say, and he didn’t think that he could bear to hear her say again that she loved him. If she uttered those words, he was afraid the last of his resolve would crack, and that couldn’t happen.
“You aren’t understanding me.” He averted his face to avoid witnessing the inevitable hurt in her eyes. “You and I aren’t meant to be.”
“Yes, we are.”
“No, we aren’t. Your life is back in New York. You have grad school to attend.”
“Grad school was Lizzie’s idea, not mine. I want to stay here with you.”
He couldn’t keep arguing with her. She had to understand that this thing, whatever it was, wasn’t going to happen again. She had a life to lead, and it wasn’t with him.
Stefano grasped her shoulders. “You have to hear me. This thing between us is over. After the wedding, you’ll get on a plane back to New York and I’ll be busy preparing for the harvest.”
Her eyes opened wide. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am.”
“But we just shared—”
“A special moment that I’ll never forget. But we have to be realistic. We both want different things in the future. And you don’t even know for certain what that’s going to be.”
She drew her shoulders back. Her eyes glittered with strength and determination. “I know I want you. And you punishing yourself for your wife’s accident isn’t going to change what happened. You’re a good man, and you deserve to be happy again.”
“I will be when I know that you aren’t throwing away your future. You have the whole world at your feet. All you have to do is choose your path.”
“I choose you.”
He refused to accept her words. She didn’t mean them. In time, she would realize that they were a mistake. “Don’t let your experience as an intern scare you away from grad school. This world needs people who see things that need changing and aren’t afraid to speak up. The key is not to give up in the face of adversity. Sometimes you just have to regroup and take a different approach. Be the voice of those children who can’t speak for themselves.”
She hadn’t thought of it that way. Was she turning her back on helping countless children who didn’t have a voice? The thought tumbled through her mind.
“And if you want to be a mother, you can do that, too. Don’t let your past hold you back. I know your life with your mother wasn’t good, but use it as a lesson in what not to do as a parent.”
Jules worried her lush bottom lip. “But what if I’m no good at it?”
“Follow your heart. It won’t lead you astray. You have good instincts. If you do that, you can’t possibly fail. But remember that no one is perfect. You’ll make mistakes along the way. Everyone does. Just learn from them.”
She tilted her head to the side and gave him a hard stare. “You know, you’re awfully full of good advice for a bachelor.”
“You forget I come from a very big family, and they are all full of advice. I guess some of it rubbed off on me.”
She was going to make someone an amazing wife. And when the time came some child was going to be showered in love. The image of her with a husband and baby flashed in his mind, causing his gut to knot up.
“To bad you can’t accept advice as well as you hand it out.” Her lips pressed into a hard line.
His hand rubbed over his stubbled jaw as a war raged inside him. “I wish I could tell you what you want to hear. But I can’t.”
“And here’s my advice to you. Don’t let the past dictate your future. Live in the moment. Otherwise you’re going to miss everything that is good in life.” When he didn’t say anything, she glared at him. “Why do I even try? I give up.”
The pained look in her eyes stabbed deep into his heart. He’d rather have dealt with some female hysterics than the defeat that was reflected in her expression. She turned, glanced over at the horses and then started walking back to the villa.
“Don’t you want to ride?” he called out to her retreating form.
She shook her head and picked up her pace.
He started after her. He couldn’t let it end this way. He had to tell her that their lovemaking had meant so much more than he was letting on. It had moved his world and left him wanting more of her.
His steps slowed down. He couldn’t do that. He’d be encouraging her to stay here with him. She’d sacrifice everything. And maybe not today or tomorrow but someday she’d regret it. And she’d blame him.
He stopped. His gaze followed her. He assured himself that this was best for both of them. No matter how much the sacrifice would cost him.
Because beneath it all, he loved her.
* * *
In the days that ensued, Jules resolved to hold Stefano at arm’s length.
How could she have been so foolish to think that he felt the same way about her? How many times had she been told that men and women looked at relationships two different ways? She knew better. While she was busy letting her heart fill with love for him, he was enjoying the moment. He wasn’t picturing a future with a picket fence, two-point-five kids and a cat or two or three.
She nuzzled Apricot close to her neck. “You know I’m leaving soon. The wedding is next week. And then my time here will be over.”
Apricot purred and used her tiny pin-like nails to climb up on Jules’s shoulder, where she liked to perch. The kitten’s happy meter went all the way to the top, and all Jules could hear was the sound of purring. Jules loved the sound. It was comforting and reassuring. Boy, was she going to miss Apricot, this vineyard and—
She brought her thoughts up short. She refused to miss Stefano. He was the one to turn away from her—to dismiss their lovemaking as if it meant nothing. And to think that she’d blurted out that she loved him. She blinked rapidly. No way was she going to cry. He didn’t deserve her tears.
Wedding or no wedding, she didn’t know if she’d be able to face him again. There were just some things that you couldn’t take back once they were spoken. A frustrated growl rose in her throat. Why, oh, why had she thought Stefano had been the exception to her rule about not trusting people with her heart?
Her fingers ran over Apricot’s downy-soft fur. There was something so comforting and reassuring about a fur baby’s presence. It calmed her and let her realize that she was wasting her time standing around thinking about Stefano. He was going to be Lizzie’s in-law, and that was all. She’d probably never see him again. Well, that might be stretching it a bit, but their run-ins would be few and far between.
Speaking of which, she was supposed to ride with him to Rome for the final dress fitting. Her stomach knotted up thinking of sitting next to him—alone with him—for the entire ride. That wasn’t going to happen. She’d get to Rome some other way.
A glance at the time told her that she had to get a move on. A red-and-white-striped sundress flirted just above her knees. The new white-heeled sandals perfectly complemented the dress. She had to admit that it was a big stretch from her usual black-and-purple ensembles, but she was finding that she was having fun with colors. Maybe she’d hemmed her fashion choices in too tightly. She was actually quite comfortable in the dress. Of course, she’d applied makeup to cover up her scars, but she hadn’t gone so heavy with the eye makeup. Maybe when she went back to New York, she would maintain this makeover. Or at least switch up her wardrobe now and then.
She reached up and removed Apricot from her shoulder. “You have to be good, okay?”
Those big blue eyes star
ed at her, looking as innocent as could be. But Jules knew what trouble this fur baby could get herself into from climbing up on furniture and being unsure how to get down to sticking her paw in a glass of water and tipping it over.
“We’ll just see if Massimo is up to keeping an eye on you. He’ll make sure you don’t get into too much trouble while I’m gone. And you can entertain him. I don’t know why, but he certainly seems to like you, little miss.”
Apricot mewed as if she knew what Jules had said to her.
With a smile, Jules headed downstairs in search of Massimo. Since his stroke, his room was on the first floor, and he spent a lot of time in the living room with the large glass wall that made the room bright and cheery. And that’s exactly where she found him. He was sitting on the couch doing a crossword puzzle. He glanced up and sent her a lopsided smile.
“I see you brought the fuzzy one to visit.”
“Yes, Apricot is feeling particularly energetic. I was wondering if you could keep an eye on her while I go to Rome. Today is our last dress fitting.”
“Ah, my grandson will be driving you.”
“I think I’ll take the train. He has work to do.”
“DeFiore men don’t put work ahead of their obligations to beautiful women.” Massimo reached out and squeezed her hand. “I know something is troubling you. Just remember that anything worth having is worth fighting for. Life isn’t easy, and the good stuff doesn’t just land in your lap. You have to work for it and never give up.”
“Are you ready to go?”
She turned to find Stefano standing in the hallway. His face was a mask of indifference. It was the first time they’d spoken to each other since their moment on the grassy hillside.
“If you’d just drop me at the train station, I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I said that I would take you, and I’m ready to go. Besides, there isn’t another train until much later.”
She sighed. The last thing she wanted to do was end up in a fight with him. “I was just asking your grandfather if he’d keep an eye on Apricot.”
“I’d love to.” Massimo reached out for the fluff ball, and she gently placed the squirming kitten in his hands.
“I should run and get her food bowl.”
“No need. I’m sure Maria won’t mind getting some food.”
Jules glanced around, spotting the litter box in the corner of the room. “And water. I forgot the water.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine together.”
“Are you sure?”
Massimo sent her a reassuring smile. “Go before you’re late for your appointment. Did you say this was the last fitting?”
She nodded. “We’re taking our dresses home today. Well, I guess I’m bringing both dresses here as Lizzie doesn’t want to take any chance on Dante spotting it.”
“All the more reason for me to drive you,” Stefano piped in. “The dresses would get wrinkled on the train or worse.”
He did have a good point. “Then we best get going.”
This was going to be the longest ride of her life. There was tangible tension between them, and she didn’t know how to get around it. She didn’t even know if she wanted to resolve it. After all, she hadn’t started any of this. It was Stefano. One minute he wanted her, and the next he was shoving her away and spouting out every reason why they shouldn’t be together.
If he thought she was the only one who didn’t know what she wanted, then he should take a good look in the mirror. His mouth said one thing. But his body said another.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
WHAT WAS TAKING SO LONG?
Stefano sat alone in the front of the bridal boutique. The oval table in front of him was littered with every bridal magazine published. No matter how bored he was, there was no way he was picking up one of those periodicals. He’d had his fill of flowers, dresses and cakes.
He glanced at his wristwatch for the second time in five minutes. Jules and Lizzie were supposed to try on their dresses and then they’d be on their way. Not that he was anxious to repeat the car ride with Jules. The whole ride to Rome had been nothing but tense silence. What should he say to her? That he was sorry? That when he was around her he couldn’t think straight? That he cared so much about her that he was trying to protect her from himself?
It was all true. But he couldn’t take back his words. She’d never believe him. And if she did, where would that leave them?
His temples started to throb. Oh, it didn’t matter what he felt for her. Just speaking the words that she meant something to him would only spur her on to stay here, and then what? One day she’d wake and realize that she’d sacrificed everything for him, and then she’d leave. She’d go off to follow her dreams.
It was best to let her go now before they got in too deep. He knew that she cared for him, but it wasn’t as if they’d made promises to each other. The exit door was still wide-open for both of them. By giving her a healthy shove through it, he was doing her a big favor. She may not realize it now, but in time she would understand.
She’d return to her life in New York—to grad school—and she’d soon forget about him. His gut churned. With her beauty, she could have her choice of men.
At last, the women stepped into the waiting area. Each was carrying a white zippered garment bag. They were chatting back and forth. Neither even seemed to notice him. He didn’t know why it should bother him. He was, after all, just the chauffeur. And this was what he wanted—Jules to forget about him—wasn’t it?
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, not sure if they were leaving or if there was more that needed to be done. When Lizzie’s phone buzzed, she held up a finger to Jules to wait a moment.
Jules glanced over at him. When she didn’t move, he did. He strode over and held out his hand. “Let me take that for you.”
She didn’t say a word as she handed over the dress. Once she’d adjusted it so that it wouldn’t wrinkle, she turned and picked up a bridal magazine. As though he wasn’t even in the room, she thumbed through the glossy pages.
He’d been privy to all the other stuff for the wedding except the dresses. He had to admit he was really curious to see what Jules would be wearing. Would it be purple like the paper flowers he’d helped her make? Or would it be another color? Was it short, showing off her legs? Or was it longer on the bottom with the top scaled back and showing off her bare shoulders and that butterfly on her chest?
He cut off his thoughts. They were only going to get him in trouble. What Jules wore to the wedding made no difference to him. He inwardly groaned, wishing that were the case.
“Are you ready to go?” He hoped so. The tension was starting to give him a headache.
She glanced up. “Are you that anxious to get away from me?”
“Of course not.”
She turned back to the magazine. “I could take the train back. You don’t have to wait if you’re that anxious to go.”
“Would you stop putting words in my mouth? I just wanted to know if I should take the dress to the car.”
“Oh.” She glanced down at the earth-tone swirls of the plush carpeting.
How in the world had they gone from laughter and kissing among other delicious things to this awkward silence? Agitation churned in his gut. He knew the answer, and he didn’t like it one bit. He’d let things get out of hand. When he’d tried to fix it, it was too late. And he’d only made things worse.
Lizzie approached them. “That was Dante. He needs me right away at the restaurant. Something’s come up. Do you think you could handle picking out the candles for the tables? I’m really sorry about this.”
More time together. More stress and tension. Stefano’s body grew rigid.
“Sure.” Jules wore a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Do you need anyt
hing else?”
“Not that I can think of.” Lizzie gave her a hug. “You’ve been great. I don’t know what I’d have done without you. I’m really going to miss you when you leave for school.”
“I’m sure you’ll be so busy being a newlywed that you won’t even notice.”
Lizzie beamed. “I think you’re right. Oh, there is one more thing. Would you mind stopping by the florist? They called and said that one of the flowers they ordered is out of stock or some such thing. Anyway, they said they had a suitable replacement, but I haven’t had a chance to stop by. Would you mind?”
This was the last straw. Stefano just couldn’t take it anymore. Everyone was acting as if everything was perfect, and it wasn’t. Nothing about this was right. Jules was hiding the truth from her sister, and her sister was taking advantage of Jules’s guilt and generosity.
“Yes, she minds,” he heard himself say. “She’s been running herself ragged for you because of that television show, and she can’t do everything. You need to stop taking advantage of Jules and listen to what she needs and wants.”
Both women gaped at him as if he’d just sprouted another head. But he didn’t care at this point. Lizzie didn’t know how much it was costing Jules to spend time in the car with him. He could tell that she just wanted to get away from him.
Jules stepped up to him and poked a finger at his chest. “You’re the pot calling the kettle black. Who are you to tell Lizzie that when you refuse to hear what I’ve been telling you? You are so caught up in trying to make up for the past that you can’t see what’s right in front of you. You’re squandering your future, and it’s for nothing. You did nothing wrong.” Her shoulders hunched as she shook her head. “I don’t know why I’m wasting my time. You refuse to accept anything I say.”
He wanted to object, but he couldn’t. Was she right? Was it time to let go of the past? Could he move past the guilt?
Harlequin Romance April 2015 Box Set Page 51
