‘I know that, but—’
As her defensive words snapped off, Gio cupped her face. ‘Marcia knows where you are. If she needs you, she’ll contact you in her own time. Everyone comes to terms with grief in their own way. Believe me, I know.’
Fresh tears stung Jessica’s eyes as Gio’s words hit home, pain for him mingling with her anxiety for Marcia. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘There’s nothing to apologise for.’ His smile was gentle, as was his touch.
Jess bit her lip, fighting the temptation, the need, to step closer, to press herself against him and be hugged… held in those strong arms. ‘I’m OK,’ she lied, stepping back and manufacturing a smile.
‘Jess!’ A female voice called her name and she looked round, smiling as she saw Kate Althorp approaching. ‘Hello, my love.’
‘Hi, Kate, how are you? And how is Jem?’ She had spent many an hour talking with the older woman, especially when her son had been badly hurt in a car accident earlier in the year.
Kate’s smile was free from the shadows Jess had seen there in the past. ‘Jem’s made a wonderful recovery. Thank you. And we’re all well.’
‘I’m so glad.’ She was painfully conscious of Gio beside her and, when Kate looked at him expectantly, Jess had to introduce them. ‘Kate, this is Gio Corezzi. He’s a neurosurgeon and joined St Piran’s in August,’ she explained, her gaze flicking to him and away again. ‘Gio, meet Kate Althorp. She’s a midwife at the surgery in Penhally.’
Jess watched as the two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, noting how Kate glowed when faced with Gio’s natural charm and humour.
‘What Jess has modestly left out, Gio, is how wonderful she has been to me,’ Kate told him. ‘She not only helped me a year ago when I had a scary brush with breast cancer, but she was an absolute rock when my son, Jem, broke his pelvis five months ago.’
‘I didn’t really do anything,’ Jess murmured with embarrassment.
Kate waved her protest aside. ‘What nonsense! I couldn’t have got through it all without you, life was so difficult,’ the older woman insisted, deepening Jess’s blush and her discomfort. Kate smiled up at Gio. ‘Jess is one in a million.’
‘Yes I know.’
Jess opened her mouth then closed it again, unsure what to say in response to Gio’s husky words.
Kate chuckled, a twinkle in her brown eyes. She glanced at her watch and sighed. ‘I’m afraid I have to run. There’s so little time before the wedding and I have a million things to do. You are coming, aren’t you, my love? I so want you to be there, it would mean so much to me. Bring Gio,’ she added with a wink.
As Kate hurried off, Jess turned to walk back towards the car, but Gio surprised her, catching her hand and leading her in the opposite direction. ‘This way.’
‘Where are we going?’ she asked, all too conscious of the way her fingers curled naturally with his.
‘You’re going to need a dress for the wedding and, as Kate said, there isn’t much time.’ He headed in the direction of one of St Piran’s classy boutiques. ‘We can take care of it while we are here.’
Jessica tried to dig her heels in. No way could she afford anything from that kind of shop. ‘I’m not sure if I’m going to go,’ she admitted, pulling on his hand.
‘Not go?’ He halted, an eyebrow raised in query as he looked at her. ‘Why ever not?’
She attempted a careless shrug. He’d known about the wedding—the invitation had been propped on the mantelpiece in his living room for some time—but now he’d met Kate, it was more difficult to explain. It was one thing interacting with Kate at the hospital and quite another to move things into a social context. Jess didn’t do social. Telling Gio that she felt too shy and nervous to go to the wedding on her own sounded far too pathetic.
‘Kate wants you to be there,’ he pointed out.
‘Yes, but—’
‘But nothing.’ Gio forestalled further protests, the smile that curved his sexy mouth doing peculiar things to her insides.
‘Gio,’ she protested as he started them walking again.
‘I’m going to buy you a frock for the wedding, to which I shall be honoured to escort you,’ he informed her, shock rendering her temporarily compliant as he guided her along and halted outside the door of the boutique.
‘Gio, you can’t buy me a dress!’
‘Of course I can!’ He tweaked the tip of her nose between finger and thumb of his free hand.
Gazing at him in confusion, her skin tingling from his touch, she swallowed, all too conscious that this man was getting far too close. The walls she had constructed for her own protection felt increasingly vulnerable. And she was scared. Scared that if she continued to allow Gio to breach her defences and become more than a platonic friend, she would end up breaking her heart all over again.
And this time she might never recover.
CHAPTER EIGHT
IT WAS wonderful to see Kate so happy. Sitting with Polly d’Azzaro and a heavily pregnant Lucy Carter, in the garden of the beautiful granite-built barn a few miles outside Penhally that was now Kate’s home, Jess watched the older woman mingle with her guests. She had a broad smile on her face, her brown eyes were alight with joy, and Nick, her new husband, was never far from her side.
St Mark’s, Penhally’s small church, had been bursting at the seams as people had come from far and wide to attend Nick and Kate’s wedding. Nick’s grown-up children from his first marriage had been there to support their father and give their blessing to Kate. And Kate’s eleven-year-old son Jem, who had only recently discovered that Nick was his real father, had recovered well enough from his broken pelvis to proudly walk his mother down the aisle. A lump had formed in Jess’s throat as Jem had stood with his half-brothers and-sister, watching his mother marry his father, publicly acknowledging him and making them one big united family at last.
Nervous about attending the party, Jess would never have come alone. Having Gio there made her feel better. When they’d arrived at the barn, anxiety had gripped her as she’d faced the prospect of socialising with so many people. Unconsciously she’d moved closer to Gio. A moment later her right hand had been enveloped in his left one. Far from flinching away, or reminding him of the no-touching rule, her fingers had linked with his and held on tight.
Now, several hours later, after endless chat and laughter, an informal buffet, complete with hog roast and lashings of champagne, the dancing was soon to begin. Having enjoyed things more than she’d expected to—although she’d lost count of the number of times she’d explained she and Gio were just friends?the prospect of the live band and dancing into the evening was making her tense.
Jess’s gaze strayed to Gio, who was deep in conversation with Polly’s husband, Luca. Both Italian and with similar tragedies in their pasts, the two men had much in common. Luca was also Jess’s GP.
‘Gio’s very handsome,’ Polly commented, following the direction of her gaze.
‘Mmm.’ Jess hoped her murmur of agreement sounded noncommittal, even though her heart did somersaults every time she looked at him. He was always stunning but in his suit and tie he looked like a matinée idol. ‘We’re just friends.’
Polly’s blue eyes were filled with understanding. ‘That’s a shame.’
‘It’s for the best.’ Jess’s words emerged as a whisper and, however much she wanted to deny it, even she could hear the regret in her voice.
‘Is it?’ Polly’s smile was kind. As a fellow GP at Penhally surgery, Jess knew the other woman was speaking both as a doctor and a woman. ‘Are you sure, Jess?’
She nodded, glancing at Polly before her gaze was drawn inexorably back to Gio. ‘Yes.’ Although it was getting harder and harder to believe it.
Before Polly could say any more, Nick and Kate passed on their way indoors to prepare for the first dance. Nick looked on with an indulgent and contented smile as Kate hugged Polly, whom, Jess had discovered, was Kate’s god-daughter.
‘We’re s
o glad you and Gio came, Jess, and thank you so much for your lovely gift and the beautiful words in your card,’ Kate told her, linking her arm through Nick’s. ‘You’re looking gorgeous today.’
‘Thank you,’ Jess murmured, taken by surprise.
She was wearing the dress Gio had insisted on buying at the boutique in St Piran. Sleeveless and deceptively simple, it fell to her knees, highlighting her curves, the shades of teal and peacock green bringing out the colour of her eyes and highlighting the rich reds in her hair, now drawn back in a ponytail. She felt guilty for giving in to temptation?and Gio’s persuasion?but the instant she had put the expensive dress on, she’d fallen in love with it. The desire and appreciation in Gio’s eyes when he’d seen her in it had set her blood zinging in her veins.
‘Enjoy yourselves,’ Nick instructed with a benevolent smile before leading Kate away.
Gio and Luca returned, bringing non-alcoholic fruit punch with them, which both she and Polly accepted gratefully. She met Gio’s gaze, her stomach muscles tightening at the expression in his intense blue eyes, her hand not entirely steady as she sipped the ice-cold drink.
Jess was about to tell Gio that she’d like to leave before the dancing began when Luca’s twin daughters came running towards them. She’d been shocked when she’d heard how their mother had died giving birth to them. Now four and a half, they were adorable, so alike in looks but so different in character. It was the bolder, more outgoing Toni who arrived first.
‘Mummy Polly?’ she asked breathlessly.
‘Yes, darling?’
‘Rosie wants to know if she can have more cake.’
‘Does she?’ Jess saw Polly’s lips twitch as she saw through the ruse. ‘You can tell Rosie she can have a piece if she wants one.’
Toni’s eyes widened and her mouth formed a silent O as she realised what had happened and tried to work out what to do about it. Gio and Luca both chuckled. Toni glanced round at her sister and then looked pleadingly up at her father, who hid his grin by taking a drink. The little girl’s anxious gaze returned to Polly.
‘Would you like another piece of cake, too, Toni?’ she queried, unable to contain her amusement.
‘Yes, please!’ The relief on the child’s face was so funny they all laughed.
‘All right,’ Polly agreed. ‘You can both have one more small piece each.’
The little girl leaned in and kissed her stepmother soundly on the cheek. ‘Thank you!’
As Toni ran off to join her quieter sister, Jess experienced for the first time the pressing weight of regret that she would never know the joy of motherhood. She hadn’t thought of it much before. She’d never felt a maternal yearning, neither had she and Duncan ever discussed having a family.
Now, seeing the twins, she couldn’t help but wonder what Gio’s children would look like… although any idea of her ever being with him was pure fantasy. But it hit home that this was one more thing Duncan had taken away from her.
Gio was aware of the change in Jessica but was unsure of its cause. She put on a smiling face, but a light had dimmed in her eyes. He wanted to know what had happened. Unfortunately this was neither the time nor the place to ask. He was proud of her. She’d been nervous and uncomfortable about the party, even before she had clung so tenaciously to his hand when faced with the throng of guests. But she’d gradually relaxed, especially when the d’Azzaro family had taken them under their collective wings.
He’d enjoyed himself, too. Much of that had been simply being with Jessica, but he’d also been pleased to meet Luca. Discovering that Luca’s life had mirrored his own in many ways had given him much to think about, especially seeing how Luca had been able to move on to find love and happiness with Polly.
‘It wasn’t easy,’ Luca had told him. ‘For so long I lived only for my girls. I’d not even looked at anyone else after Elaine died and I never expected to love again. Then I met Polly.’ His smile and tone of voice had revealed his emotion more than words. ‘I’m so lucky. And grateful. Don’t close your heart and mind to possibilities, Gio,’ he’d advised, his dark gaze straying to where Jessica and Polly had been sitting. ‘You have the chance for something special. Jess deserves the best. She’s not someone to be toyed with.’
The warning had been gently given, but it was a warning nonetheless. Luca and Polly not only viewed Jessica with affection, they were also protective of her. Gio wondered what his compatriot knew but was unable to reveal because of patient confidentiality.
After the live band struck up, Nick and Kate taking the first dance, most of the guests took to the floor. Jessica, however, refused all offers. It was Luca who eventually managed to get her on her feet, and Gio was shocked by the rush of envy and possessiveness that washed over him. Luca was happily married and had no designs on Jessica, but Gio hated to see her in anyone’s arms but his own.
‘Would you mind dancing with me, Gio?’
Polly’s request took him by surprise. ‘I’d be delighted,’ he agreed politely, although the only person he wanted was Jessica.
‘Don’t worry, it won’t be for long.’ Polly, a pretty blonde and tiny, smiled up at him. ‘Luca’s giving Jess a pep talk.’
‘A pep talk?’ Gio frowned. What was Luca saying to her? And why?
Polly glanced across to where her husband and Jessica were dancing. ‘Be ready to take over when Luca gives the signal.’
Puzzled but intrigued, Gio did as he was bidden, eager for the moment they would swap partners and he would have Jessica in his arms at last.
‘It’s good to see you happy.’ Luca smiled, holding Jess lightly and allowing her to determine the personal space she was comfortable with. ‘Gio’s a nice guy.’
‘We’re just friends,’ Jess said for the umpteenth time.
Her protest produced a teasing chuckle. ‘Right!’
‘We are.’ Jess sucked in a ragged breath and tried not to keep staring at Gio. Worst of all, she struggled to banish the ridiculous jealousy that swept through her as he danced with Polly. ‘I can’t get involved with anyone, Luca, you know that.’
Luca’s expression sobered and he steered them to a quiet corner where they wouldn’t be overheard. ‘I know nothing of the sort. You can have a normal relationship, Jess. I gather Gio doesn’t know?’
‘No.’ A shiver rippled through her. ‘He’d run a mile—like everyone else—if he did.’ She hated the bitterness in her voice but the lessons of the last four years had been learned the hard way. ‘Gio’s still grieving. Even were he not, no man would want someone like me.’
‘You’re wrong, Jess. And you’re doing Gio a big disservice,’ he cautioned, his words forestalling a further protest from her. ‘Give him a chance. He cares about you and knows what a wonderful woman you are. If he reacts as you fear, then he isn’t worthy of you. But what if he understands? Think of all you then have to gain.’
Jess bit her lip, caught in an agony of indecision. She didn’t want to lose what she already had and she didn’t dare to believe she could have more.
‘Don’t condemn yourself to a lifetime alone. I nearly did. I was so fearful of being hurt again, but my life is so enriched thanks to Polly. Think about it,’ he added, guiding her back onto the dance floor. ‘It might sound like a cliché, but none of us knows what the future holds so live each day to the fullest and allow yourself to love and be loved.’
It sounded simple when Luca put it into words, but Jess knew it was anything but simple in reality. So distracted was she that she didn’t notice Luca steering her towards Gio and Polly, but in the next moment she found herself in Gio’s arms as Luca reclaimed his wife. Oh, hell! She hadn’t intended dancing at all, and certainly not with Gio because of the temptation when she was near him. But she couldn’t make a scene in front of everyone.
She held herself stiffly as he drew her closer, his touch, his scent, the feel of his body brushing against hers having a potent affect on her. One dance wouldn’t hurt, would it? One moment out of time to enjoy be
ing in his arms, forgetting why she had to be strong?
As she relaxed, giving up the fight, Gio drew her closer, making her even more aware of him, her body instinctively responding to his nearness. When the music ended, she sighed and made a half-hearted effort to draw away.
‘Stay. Please.’ The throaty warmth of his voice stripped her of any remaining willpower and common sense.
The tempo slowed and Jess found herself pressed far too intimately against him, her arms winding round him of their own volition. His fingertips brushed the bare skin between her shoulder blades, exposed by the V back of the dress, making her burn with a rush of desire. She was oblivious to everyone else, focused only on Gio, every sense heightened and attuned to him.
He bent his head, the warmth of his breath caressing her neck, the brush of his faintly stubbled jaw against her sensitive skin incredibly erotic. She’d never expected to be held again, let alone dance in public. Emotion threatened to overwhelm her and, to her horror, tears stung her eyes. She buried her face against his chest to hide them… from him and anyone else.
Revelling in this opportunity to hold Jessica properly for the first time, Gio breathed in her unique womanly scent mixed with the familiar hint of chocolate that clung to her hair and skin. Hair and skin that felt super-soft beneath his fingertips.
He was conscious of her heightened emotions, although he doubted she was aware of the way she was clinging to him. Determined not to rush or scare her, he held her, swaying to the music and waiting for her to relax, welcoming the moment she gave up whatever inner battle she was fighting and melted into him. She felt so right in his arms, her curvy body a perfect fit for his.
‘Ready to go home?’ he asked some considerable time later as they stepped outside to get some fresh air. He wanted her to himself, relishing these moments when he felt closer to her than ever.
She tipped her head back and looked up at the night sky. ‘Yes, please.’
After saying goodbye and gathering up their belongings, they drove home in good spirits and were greeted by two sleepy kittens, who stirred long enough to be cuddled. As Jessica settled them again, he went through to the kitchen.
St Piran's: Italian Surgeon, Forbidden Bride Page 10
