“I didn’t know if you’d be up yet.” His voice was deep and gravelly.
“I set my phone alarm. I didn’t want to miss the sunrise.”
“And was it worth the effort?”
She nodded vigorously. “Definitely. I’m in love.” When his eyes widened in surprise, she added, “With the villa and the vineyard. With all of it.”
“I’m glad you like it here.”
“I was considering going for a walk.”
“Would you care for some company?”
Her gaze jerked back around to his to see if he was serious. “You really want to escort me around? I mean, it isn’t like I’ll be running into any of your family. You don’t have to babysit me.”
“I didn’t offer so I could play babysitter. I thought maybe you’d want some company, but obviously I was wrong.” He turned back to the house.
“Wait.” He paused, but he didn’t turn around. She swallowed down a chunk of pride. “I would like your company.”
He turned to her but his lips were pressed together in a firm line. He crossed his arms and looked at her expectantly. He had a right to expect more. She’d been snippy and he hadn’t deserved it. But it wasn’t easy for her. For some reason, she had the hardest time dealing with him. His mere presence put her on edge. And he always scattered her thoughts with his good looks and charming smile.
“Okay, I’m sorry. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Yes, it is.” He stepped up to her. “Shall we go?”
She glanced down at the almost empty cup. “I need to put this in the house.”
He took it from her, jogged back to the kitchen and returned in no time. He extended his arm like a total gentleman, which sent her heart tumbling in her chest. Without hesitation, she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. When her fingers tightened around his biceps, she noticed his rock-hard strength.
This wasn’t right. She had no business letting her guard down around him. Nothing good would come of it. She considered pulling away, but part of her refused to let go. With a quick glance at his relaxed features, she realized she was making too much of the situation.
He led her away from the house and down a dirt path. “You made quite an impression on my family.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Most definitely. They’re all quite taken with you. It was the most excitement they’ve had around here in quite a while.”
Normally she kept up her walls and held everyone at bay, but being here, being around Massimo, she’d let down her defenses a bit. “I noticed you were quiet last night. Was there something wrong?”
“No, not at all. And you were amazing, especially with Nonno. He’s been really down in the dumps, but you cheered him up. So I owe you a big thank-you.”
She noticed how he didn’t explain his quietness. She wondered if he was always so reserved around his family. Granted, she didn’t understand how traditional families worked as her life had consisted of foster homes where kids came and went and there wasn’t that deep, abiding love that came naturally. But she had Jules and they were as close as any blood relatives.
“Your brother, he’s older than you, isn’t he?” She wanted to get Dante to open up about his family. She couldn’t help it. She was curious.
“Yes. He’s a couple of years older.”
Well, that certainly didn’t strike up the hoped-for conversation. “Are you two very close?”
Dante slanted a gaze her way but she pretended not to notice. “I don’t know. We’re brothers.”
She knew none of this was any of her business but everything about Dante intrigued her. He was like an artichoke and she’d barely begun to pull at the tough outer layer. There was so much to learn before she got to the tender center that he protected from everyone.
“They care a lot about you.”
He stopped and pulled her around to look at him. “Why all of this curiosity about my family? What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”
Did he just say she was beautiful? Her gaze met his and her breath became shallow. No, he’d said her mind was beautiful. But was that the same thing as saying she was beautiful?
“I was just making small talk.” She tried to act innocent. “Why do I have to have ulterior motives?”
“I didn’t say you did. But sometimes you make me wonder.” He peered into her eyes and for a moment she wondered if he could read her thoughts.
Heat filled her cheeks and she glanced away. “Wonder about what?”
“You. There’s more to you than meets the eye. Something tells me that you have an interesting past.”
She couldn’t hold back a laugh. “You make me sound very mysterious. Like Mata Hari or something.” She leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear. “I’m here to find out your secrets.”
He grabbed her upper arms and moved her back, allowing her the opportunity to see the worry lines ingrained on his face. “What secrets?”
His hard, sharp tone startled her. “Your secrets in the kitchen, of course. What else did you think I meant?”
His frown eased. “You’re having far too much fun at my expense.”
So the man was keeping secrets. From her? Or from the whole world? She didn’t think it was possible but she was even more intrigued by him.
She gazed into his bottomless brown eyes. “You need to let your hair down and have some fun. It won’t hurt. I promise.”
“Is that what all of the smiling and laughing was about last night? Or are you trying to sway my family over to your side so they’ll pressure me into agreeing to follow through with the contract?”
She pulled back her shoulders. She knew she shouldn’t but she just couldn’t help herself. His gaze dipped as her fingers once again made an X over her chest. “I promised not to do that.”
The vein in his neck pulsated and when his eyes met hers again, there was a need, a passion in his gaze. Her line of vision dipped to his lips.
“You do know that you’re driving me crazy, don’t you?”
“Who, me?” This was the most fun she’d ever had. She’d never flirted with a guy before. Sure, they’d flirted with her but she never felt the desire to return the flirtations.
Until now.
His hands encircled her waist. “Yes, you. Do you have any idea what I’d like to do to you right now?”
A few scintillating thoughts danced and teased her mind. She placed her hands on his chest and felt the pounding of his heart. She was certain that hers could easily keep time with his. It was pumping so fast that it felt as if she’d just finished a long run on a hot, muggy day. In that moment she was overcome by the urge to find out if his kiss was as moving in real life as it had been in her dreams last night.
“You know, we really shouldn’t do this.” His voice was carried like a whisper in the breeze.
“When have you ever done what was expected of you?”
“Not very often.” His gaze bored deep into her, making her stomach quiver with need.
“Then why start now? I won’t tell, if you won’t.”
That was all it took. His head dipped and then his lips were there. He stopped just a breath away from hers. She could practically feel the turbulent vibes coming off him. It was as though he was fighting an inner battle between what was right and what he wanted. She needed to put him out of his misery—out of her misery.
Acting on total instinct and desire, she leaned up on her tiptoes and pressed her mouth to his. His lips were smooth and warm. He didn’t move. He wanted it. She knew that as well as she knew that the sun would set that evening. Perhaps he needed just a touch more enticement.
She let her body lean into his as her hands slipped up over his broad shoulders. Her fingertips raked through his dark hair as her lips gently moved over his. And then she heard a hungry moan swell in his throat as he pulled her snug against him.
Perhaps it was the knowledge that this kiss should be forbidden that made it the most enticing kiss she’d e
ver experienced. Then again, it could be that she was lonely and missing her sister, and being in Dante’s arms made her feel connected to someone. Or maybe it was simply the fact that he was the dreamiest hunk she’d ever laid her eyes on, and she just wanted to see what she’d be missing by holding herself back.
He stroked and prodded, sending her heart pounding against her ribs with pure desire. His hard planes fit perfectly against her soft curves. And for the moment, she felt like the most beautiful—most desired—woman in the world.
Dante moved, placing his hands on each side of her face. When he pulled his lips from hers, she felt bereft. She wanted more. Needed more.
He rested his forehead against hers. His breathing was deep and uneven. He’d been just as caught up in the moment as she’d been, so why had he stopped? What had happened?
His thumb gently stroked her cheek. “Lizzie, we can’t do this. You know that it’s wrong.”
“But it felt so right.”
She couldn’t help it. She wasn’t ready for the harsh light of reality. She lived every single day with the sharp edges of reality slicing into her dreams. Just once, she wanted to know what it was like not to have to worry about meeting the monthly bills. She just wanted this one blissful memory.
“Lizzie, this can’t happen. You and I...it’s impossible.”
His words pricked her bubble of happiness. Once again she was being rejected. And the worst part was he was right. And that thought made the backs of her eyes sting.
When was it going to be her turn for just a little bit of happiness without the rug being pulled out from under her? This trip to Rome should be the trip of a lifetime, but now the entire arrangement was in jeopardy and she had no job to return to.
She blinked repeatedly, keeping the moisture in her eyes in check. If she was good at one thing in life, it was being a trooper. When life dropped lemons on her, she whipped up a lemon meringue pie with the fluffiest, tallest peaks. She could do it again.
She pulled back until her spine was straight and his hands fell away. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Her voice wobbled. She swallowed down the lump of emotion. “It won’t happen again.”
Without meeting his gaze, she moved past him and started for the villa. The tip of her tongue ran over her lower lip, where she found the slightest minty taste of toothpaste he’d left behind. She stifled a frustrated moan, knowing that he was only a few steps behind her.
CHAPTER NINE
HE’D TOTALLY BLOWN IT.
Dante stowed their bags in the car’s boot and then glanced back at the villa. Lizzie smiled at his grandfather before hugging him goodbye. A stab of jealousy tore into Dante. She’d barely spoken to him after they’d kissed, and even then, it’d only been one-word answers. Why in the world had he let his hormones do the thinking for him?
He had absolutely no desire to toy with her feelings. Hurting Lizzie was the last thing in the world he wanted to do. And though she appeared to have it all together, he knew that she had a vulnerable side, too. He’d witnessed the hurt that had flashed in her eyes when she realized that he didn’t trust her with his grandfather. She wanted him to think she was tough, but he knew lurking beneath the beautiful surface lay a vulnerable woman—a woman that he was coming to like a bit more than he should.
When she at last joined him in the car, she stared straight ahead. The unease between them was palpable. Dante didn’t like it one bit, but he had no one to blame but himself. There was no way he could go back in time and undo the kiss. And if he could, he wasn’t so sure he would. Their kiss had been something special—something he’d never experienced before.
He cut his thoughts off short. He realized that it was thoughts like this that had gotten him into trouble in the first place. But he couldn’t ignore the fact that this silent treatment was doing him in.
“Are you ever going to speak to me again?” He struggled to keep the frustration out of his voice.
“Yes.”
More of the one-syllable answers. “Did you enjoy your visit to the vineyard?”
“Yes.”
“Enough with the yeses and nos.” His hands tightened on the steering wheel, trying to get a grip on his rising frustration. Worst of all was the fact he had no clue how to fix things between them. And whether it was wise or not, he wanted Lizzie to like him. “My grandfather seemed quite taken with you. In fact, the whole family did.”
Nothing.
She crossed her arms and huffed. What did that mean? Was she about to let him have it? His muscles tensed as he waited for a tongue-lashing. Not that he could blame her. He deserved it, but it wouldn’t make it any less uncomfortable.
Her voice was soft and he strained to hear her. “How do you do it?”
Well, it was more than one syllable, but he didn’t have a clue what she meant. And he was hesitant to ask, but what choice did he have?
“How do I do what?” The breath caught in his throat as he waited for what came next.
“How do you drive away from that little piece of heaven at the end of each weekend and return to the city?”
This wasn’t the direction he’d expected the conversation to take. His family wasn’t a subject he talked about beyond the generalities. How’s your father? Is your brother still working at the vineyard? Did they have a good harvest? But no one ever probed into his choice to move away—to distance himself from his family.
“I prefer Rome.” It wasn’t necessarily a lie.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love the city life. But I was born and bred in a city that never sleeps. I think it’s in my bones to appreciate the chatter of voices and the hum of vehicles. But you, you were raised in the peace and tranquillity.”
“It isn’t the perfect slice of heaven like you’re thinking.” He tried not to think about his childhood. He didn’t want to remember.
“What wasn’t perfect about it?”
He glanced her way, giving her a warning stare to leave the subject alone.
“Hey, you’re the one who wanted me to talk. I’m talking. Now it’s your turn.”
He could see that she wasn’t going to leave this subject alone. Not unless he let her know that she was stepping on a very tender subject.
“Life at the DeFiore Vineyard wasn’t idyllic when I was a kid. Far from it.”
“Why?”
She really was going to push this. And for some unknown reason, he wanted to make her understand his side. “I’m the reason my mother died.”
“What?” She swung around in her seat, fighting with the seat belt so that she was able to look directly at him. “But I don’t understand. How?”
“She died after she gave birth to me.”
“Oh. How horrible.” There was an awkward pause. “But it wasn’t your fault.”
“No, not directly. But my father blamed me. He told me that I took away the best part of his life.”
“He didn’t mean it. That...those words, they were part of his grief.”
Dante shoved his fingers through his hair. “He meant it. I can’t help but feel that I bring sadness and misery to those closest to me—”
“Nonsense. Listen, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how tough that can be, but you’re not to blame for her death or how your father handled his grief. We all handle the death of family members differently.”
That caught his attention. A chance to turn the tables away from himself and back to her. “Have you lost a parent?”
Silence enveloped the car. Only the hum of the engine and the tires rolling over the blacktop could be heard. Lizzie turned away to stare out the side window as Dante drove on, waiting and wondering.
“Lizzie, you can talk to me. Whatever you say won’t go any further.”
He took his focus off the road for just a moment to glance her way. She cast him a hesitant look. He had a feeling she had something important to say—something she didn’t normally share. He really hoped she’d let down her guard and let him in. He wanted so bad
ly to understand more about her.
“My mother died.” Her voice was so soft.
“I’m sorry. I guess we’ve both had some hard knocks in life.”
“Yes, but at least you have a loving family. And you can always go home when you want to...” It seemed as though she wanted to say more but stopped.
This conversation was much deeper—much more serious than he’d ever expected. He wanted to press for more information, but he sensed now wasn’t the time. Spotting a small village up ahead with a trattoria, he slowed down.
“You know, we left without eating. Would you care for a bite of food? And they have the best caffé around. I noticed that you have quite a fondness for cappuccino.”
“I do. And I’d love to get some.”
He eased off the road and maneuvered the car into the lot. Before he got out, he knew there was something more he had to say. “I’m sorry about what happened back at the vineyard. The kiss was a mistake. I didn’t mean to cross the line. The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
She turned to him and smiled, but the gesture never quite reached her eyes. “Don’t worry. You’d have to do a lot more than that kiss to hurt me. Now let’s get that coffee.”
Without giving him a chance to say anything else, she alighted from the car. Her words might have been what he wanted to hear, but he didn’t believe her. His gut told him that he’d hurt her more deeply than her stubborn pride would let on.
He didn’t know what it was about Ms. Lizzie Addler from New York, but she was getting to him. He longed to be a good guy in her eyes, but he was torn between his desire to help her and his need to sell the ristorante in order to return to the vineyard and help his family. How was he supposed to make everyone happy? Was it even possible?
* * *
How had that happened?
Lizzie had entered the quaint restaurant with no appetite at all. And now as they exited the small family establishment, her stomach was full up with the most delicious sampling of pastas, meats and cheeses.
It had all started when they’d been greeted by the sweetest older woman. She’d insisted that they have a seat while she called to her husband, who was in the kitchen. Apparently they’d known Dante all of his life and were thrilled to see that he’d brought his lady friend to meet them. When Lizzie tried to correct the very chatty woman, her words got lost in the conversation.
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