Play of Love: The Gladiator Players Box Set

by Gray, Khardine

"I promise, trust me." I answered against her wet hair.

  When she nodded I made my way into the bathroom with her, grabbed the large bath towel from the rail and held it against her so she could slip it around her when she got off me.

  She did exactly that and covered herself with it.

  "Hey." I reached for her face and wiped away the tears that streamed down her cheek. "It's okay. I'll get you out of here."

  She nodded and offered a small appreciative smile.

  I then left her to get her some clothes, shaking my head as the lizards scampered across the floor.

  God. What a bizarre start to the day.

  Chapter 6

  Evie

  * * *

  Shit.

  How embarrassing.

  How very embarrassing. Of all the things that could have happened to me, and had happened to me, what happened this morning was by far the worse.

  I had tried to scale it up against every bad thing that had ever happened to me but came to the same conclusion that it outdid them all.

  All of them. The only thing worse would have been if it had happened in a room full of people. But the fact that it happened with just Gage seemed to outdo that too. It felt more embarrassing because it was him.

  He'd seen me naked. Not even just a glimpse, but full on naked me with my breasts practically in his face and my legs wrapped around him as he tried to evade holding on to my naked ass.

  God in heaven, why did these things have to happen to me?

  And, this morning had been my own doing. Again I wasn't thinking. I simply opened the window to let in the fresh morning air and indulge on the delicious smell of bread being baked in the bakery down the street. It was supposed to be a nice feel good session of absorbing the whole Italian atmosphere. But no, those awful creatures rushed in and nearly gave me a heart attack. The first one jumped on the shower head and was on the brink of jumping on either my face or on my head. Just the thought of it now could have sent me straight to an early grave. It was when I evaded the first that I saw the others hopping about on the white tiled floor.

  All I could do was retreat to higher ground. How the hell was I to know that those things could climb walls too?

  Thank God Gage came in and saved me.

  I had to call it saving because it was indeed saving, and I didn't know what I would have done if he hadn't come by.

  Now all I had to do was deal with the embarrassment and humiliation of it all. I couldn't even look at him without coloring fiercely. Every time I attempted to I'd turn red, feeling like I was going to combust from the sudden heat of humiliation that would rush over me, and shame weighed down heavily on me.

  We'd been on the train to Tuscany now for about half an hour. While he talked with Lucy about the lists of contacts he'd put together for Angelo and his sisters, I kept my head down skimming over a brochure I was pretending to read.

  In the booth we sat at I was directly opposite Gage so noticed the occasional look he'd give me. At those times I could feel his eyes on me. Then I'd risk looking and see him smiling to himself, obviously thinking about earlier.

  How embarrassing. I just wished the train would hurry up and get to our destination as quickly as possible because this was killing me.

  All that strength and confidence I normally handled him with had been made null in a matter of minutes, and now I had this long train journey and the rest of this trip ahead of me.

  The thought of the trip itself was draining enough with all we had to do. It was like there was something new every day to push us further back. Today was the contact list. When I'd heard how many people we had to call I had to try hard to keep that positive vibe going. I'd known the task wasn't going to be easy so there was no point being surprised when we came up against obstacles.

  As hard and tedious as it was going to be, this was the easiest way. We had to call everyone on the list and hope we'd get lucky in finding the right people. If we went through the Angelo list and found him, that would be amazing, and with the sister's list whichever they found first would lead them to him. Assuming they were both still alive and their names hadn't changed, and still in Tuscany. There was all of that to factor in.

  Getting through calling all those people was going to be hard even with dividing it up between us. It was a good thing I was off from work for so long as it was looking like we would be here for a minimum of at least a week, but most likely more. At least I'd get to see more of Italy. Who knew where this mission could take us?

  Aside from my awkward, embarrassed state, I was excited to see Tuscany. The idea of gazing at the vast countryside or sitting on one of the gorgeous golden sand beaches was definitely lush. Gage hadn't told us much about where he'd booked, and there was no way that I was going to ask. I was just going through the motions. Knowing him, he already knew that and was having a field day about it.

  Deciding that I'd had enough of my brochure I chanced looking up and set my focus on the scenery outside. It was beautiful, and I shouldn't be missing it. It would be like cutting off my nose to spite my leg as the saying went.

  Lucy reached across the table between us and tapped my hand. "Are you okay dear? You're awfully quiet."

  I fought back a blush before answering. "I'm okay. Maybe just a little disorientated from this morning."

  "I hate lizards too if that helps," Lucy sighed.

  "Grams, I think you'll find that Evie totally hates them," Gage stated, with that smug look I hated so much. That I'm a god worship me expression he used to walk around the school campus with, and life in general. "You should have been there."

  Lucy would have had a total heart attack. In fact, her heart would just skip past the attacking part and demolish her. I was sure Gage knew that too.

  I looked at him and frowned in distaste even though I could feel my face turning red. I would have given him the usual back chat by now but found I couldn't. I'd fed myself to the lions on this one.

  "Oh, son I don't like those things at all." Lucy smiled. "It was a good thing you were there."

  "It was, wasn't it?" He still had that smug look.

  My cheeks burned in remembrance, and I cringed inwardly, feeling my insides crumpling. That damn Gage knew he had me. It was bad enough that I'd mauled him with my naked self, but when I got dressed, he'd been sweet enough to carry me out of the room and into Lucy's while I clung to him for dear life. Squeezing my eyes shut so I wouldn't have to see those awful things ever again.

  Who would have thought Italy had lizards? Okay, maybe many people, but it was the last thing on my mind. Now I'd be checking everywhere we went, and I certainly wouldn't be opening any windows.

  "You're such a dear." Lucy smiled wider reaching up to tap his head like she used to when we were children, she habitually did the same thing to me too.

  "I try my best." He cooed with an angelic expression, rolling up the sleeves of his long sleeved, black t-shirt. The movement drew my attention to the deep ridge and definition of muscle on his thick forearms, with its hint of a tan that made his skin look golden and sensual. "Especially when the rewards are great."

  I narrowed my eyes at him. What did he mean by rewards?

  His eyes met mine, capturing my gaze. Feeling my face burn beneath his stare I turned away and focused outside once more.

  Lucy started talking to Gage about Tuscany. I would have joined in, but it was best to keep my focus away from them. At least outside had its own benefits to enjoy. The scenic landscape we passed as the train rolled on was a picture of fine beauty. Rows of dwarf olives, cypresses, walnuts and bay trees graced the land below and rang as far as my eyes could see. Then it changed to a golden sea of sunflowers, reminding me of a dream I had once where there were sunflowers everywhere. Except for that, I had never seen so many sunflowers in my life. I had to get out my camera and take pictures.

  "It's so beautiful." Lucy stated, gazing out the window too. Her eyes gleamed at the picturesque sight.

  I nodded. "I can't believ
e I haven't tried to make it here before."

  Considering I'd always wanted to go to Italy, it should have been one of the first holidays I booked when I started earning good money. I wouldn't have had anyone to travel with, but this was the sort of place that I could have visited by myself. Of course, I would have to deal with the lizards, but even that wouldn't stop me.

  "And I should have tried to make it back," Lucy replied with reflection. "When my family lived here we used to go to the beach in Tuscany as often as we could. Angelo took me once. He loved to paint and was so specific about capturing certain places at certain times. If he were painting a picture of the park at sunrise, then he'd make it his duty to be there right on the mark of sunrise. If it were the beach in summer, he'd go on the very day that summer officially began." Her eyes sparkled as she laughed.

  "Like you when you're composing." I smiled remembering how eccentric Lucy could sometimes be. "Remember when you composed Tree Magic and we went to Sayma Forrest, at night?"

  Lucy started to laugh so hard her pale skin reddened.

  "What happened?" Gage smiled. I risked meeting his eyes again.

  "We got lost and had to call a ranger who thought we were completely mad, especially when he saw me. Lucy made me dress like a fairy."

  Lucy laughed even more. I was happy to see her laughing like that as she'd looked so drained out yesterday.

  "You're joking." Gage laughed. I shook my head.

  Lucy was laughing so much she had to take a sip of water from the bottle she carried in her purse. "Sometimes I need to have something dramatized before I can write the music to it. I'm not as fortunate as you." She smacked my hands playfully.

  "I learn from the best," I replied. Lucy gave my an appreciative look.

  I thought back to my years of working with Lucy. While I may have had a natural gift that sounded weird and wonderful when I explained it, Lucy taught me how to harness it. She taught me how to control it all and make it work the way I wanted. She taught me how to focus and tap into the music itself to bring out the true beauty in the sound.

  We started to talk about their music which even interested Gage. When the train climbed a green valley of oak and started to descend to the lowland the houses became visible again. I felt we'd be there soon. Just as the thought popped into my mind it was announced across the intercom and within minutes they pulled into the Santa Maria Novella station.

  The differences between Rome and Tuscany were very clear from the first glance. Rome had all the glorious buildings, ancient and Renaissance architecture surrounding it that could captivate you for a lifetime. But Tuscany, was wow...

  This was a different sort of beauty altogether. Tuscany had a mass of extraordinary countryside with rolling fields of sunny yellow and luscious green.

  We observed it all on their drive to where they were staying. What I saw had the sort of beauty that demanded silence to appreciate, and silent we were as we journeyed along.

  I didn't even consider where they were going until the sea came into view and I realized that our taxi was heading south. Last night before they went for their walk I'd looked in some of the brochures I'd gathered for the journey and did a little research. If I remembered right, we seemed to be heading to Monte Argentario located on the southern coast. If I was right, and it was looking like I was, then we were about to enter an Italian paradise.

  "Gage. Where did you book us dear?" Lucy leaned forward in her seat. I'd sat in the back with I this time while Gage sat at the front with the driver. From the rearview mirror, I could see him smile.

  "Somewhere with a lot of water." His smile widened as he caught my stare in the mirror.

  Water. Like my composition.

  "For inspiration," he added confirming my thoughts. I couldn't help the little smile that played at the corner of my mouth, neither could I help the odd little flutter that stirred within my as I continued to gaze at him.

  "We'll be there very soon." The driver announced. His voice broke the moment in their stare, and I looked away.

  Soon, came very quickly, but I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

  The luxurious villa they approached looked like something from a fairytale. Like Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella. Like it was created within a fantasy, and with the scenic landscape around it, I was more inclined to believe I'd fallen asleep and drifted into a dream.

  The villa was beautifully positioned on the hillside with a panoramic view of the sea in the background displaying enticing crystalline waters. It was perfectly elegant with its cream and burgundy coloring, Roman tiles that laid adjacent to each other on the roof and decorative wooden casement windows. I marveled at the pristine lawn with olive trees, pomegranates and oak trees adorning it, and the flowerpots on the walls attached by wrought iron baskets.

  "Casa di Sabbia." The driver declared, but I already knew its name. I'd seen it in the brochure and thought if I were rich enough this would undoubtedly be the first place I'd book. Sure I made a very good income from my music, but it was only in the last three years that my composed music had made it to concerts that brought people in. I was by no means rich.

  Gage, on the other hand, was another story. It hadn't occurred to me before how wealthy he must have been. But, of course, he would be. He was the all-star quarterback for the L.A Gladiators. People like him weren't only worth a fortune, they made a fortune too.

  We pulled up outside the front and got out. Lucy was in so much shock she hadn't spoken.

  "Grams are you okay?" Gage asked slipping his arm around her.

  "You booked us in the Casa di Sabbia?" Lucy asked gazing up at him.

  "I figured since we're going to be here for a while we may as well be comfortable. We have the place to ourselves."

  "The whole place?" She asked taking in a breath. He nodded.

  "Yeah I thought you two may want to play some music and I didn't want you worrying about disturbing anyone. Open space and plenty of room."

  All I could do is stare at him.

  "Gage this is amazing." Lucy gave him a big hug. I could have hugged him too but thought I'd probably touched him enough for one day.

  "Signora may I help you up the steps?" The taxi driver asked Lucy.

  "Si grazie." Lucy smiled taking his outstretched arm, while he lifted her suitcase.

  "Thank you," I said to Gage. His blue gaze focused on me and I watched in fascination as the corners of his mouth slid up into a sexy smile.

  "You're welcome." The smile in his eyes contained a sensuous flame.

  "I have to pay my way on this one." I told him.

  "No, you don't." His smile widened.

  "It's the Casa di Sabbia. Yes, I do." I nodded firmly.

  "This trip's on me Evie. You offered to come to Italy without even thinking about it. It's the least I can do."

  I wanted to protest, but the spark in his eyes made me stop. "Thank you."

  I pulled in a breath as I watched his gaze take me in. "Is there any chance at all you could forget about this morning?"

  It was wishful thinking, total wishful thinking, but I thought I'd ask. He replied with a laugh.

  "No," he simply imparted. I felt my mouth fall open.

  "Could you at least pretend?" Anyone else I was sure would say sure, let's forget about it. But no, not Gage. It was amazing how I could go from being fascinated with him at one point to being well and truly annoyed.

  He turned up his smile a notch and gave me a cheeky look as he said, "no."

  "Why not?" I pouted with a frustrated sigh. My face flushed with humiliation now, and anger at myself.

  He shrugged in mock resignation and moved away from me, picking up both his bags and my suitcase, then he straightened up and beamed at me.

  "I don't want to," Gage replied. An amused smile danced across his lips.

  I felt my eyes widen at him and I sucked in a sharp breath as he winked at me and moved away to join Lucy.

  He winked at me yesterday too, in the restaurant. However, un
like yesterday my stomach filled with butterflies and my knees weakened.

  * * *

  Gage

  * * *

  "Hi I'm Giselle," said the striking blonde woman who opened the door to us. She'd emerged within seconds of us ringing the bell.

  "Hello Giselle," Grams said with a bright smile.

  The minute Giselle looked at me she gave me that once over look most women did, taking an instant interest in me. I was used to it and used to women like her too. Overly beautiful, and appealing to the eye with her low cut top that enunciated her hefty cleavage and tiny waist.

  "Welcome all of you," Giselle said ushering us in. I noticed that she spoke with an accent like she rarely spoke English and only probably did when she had to. "Did you find it here okay?"

  She looked at us all but then focused on me as if Grams and Evie didn't exist. There was an excitement that flickered in her honey colored eyes.

  "We had a good driver," I replied. I'd made arrangements with the driver to take me into town tomorrow so I could sort out a rental car. We were going to need it.

  "Great, well I'm the custodian here. I just live about ten minutes away so if you need anything, anything at all, call me."

  It was the way she said anything at all, that stood out to me. I could tell Grams picked up on it too because she got this sort of rigid look after Giselle spoke. Evie seemed to hang back since arriving so I couldn't tell what her reaction was.

  "Thank you, we will." Grams blew out with a tight-lipped smile.

  "Let me show you guys around." Giselle offered, that spark flickered in her eyes again as she regarded me, then she turned and started making her way down the wide arch-like corridor.

  She was the kind of woman I would tend to go for, and I liked her forwardness. That might have definitely interested me more if I wasn't so taken with the brunette next to me who'd once again receded into her militant façade.

  When I looked at Evie, she cut her eyes at me, most likely upset because I said I wouldn't try to forget about this morning. I didn't know how the hell anybody could forget something like that, and like I said I didn't want to.