by Selena Kitt
Like Sergio, for example. He was gorgeous, and downright charming. She thanked him politely for his compliment, and then he smiled with a nod. “You’re American?”
“I am. And I can tell you’re Italian.”
“Well yes, but I’m originally from Tuscany. I’m in Verona for a two-week conference. It’s been a bland few days but now, things seem to be getting a lot more exciting.” He grinned wolfishly. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Keyonna.”
He held out his hand, and Keyonna hesitated before placing hers in his. But instead of just shaking it, he raised it to his lips and bent to kiss it. Only to stop short as his eyes fell on her wedding and engagement rings. He exclaimed somewhat in dismay, “You’re married?”
“Um…yes,” she said dully, retrieving her hand as an unstoppable cloud of pain crossed her eyes. Why hadn’t she flung off the damned things ages ago, she wondered as she fisted her left hand, conscious of the weight of the two rings. She looked up at Sergio to find his expression had softened.
“But I guess it didn’t work out?” he asked kindly, a look of perceptiveness in his eyes.
“You could say that,” Keyonna murmured with twisted lips. “Or you could say it never stood a chance.”
“I see. And I presume you’re here on your own?”
She nodded, taking a gulp of wine and finding her hand was shaking slightly. Just mentioning anything about what she was going through, even with a kindly stranger was making her chest constrict. “I simply needed to get away, from everything. Give myself some space to think things through and make up my mind about everything.”
Yeah, like if she got back to Boston, she could ask for an annulment or something. To hell with Nick’s threat to destroy her, Keyonna thought with an inner surge of anger. She’d fight him every way she knew how.
Nick might have all that money and the connections, but this time she wasn’t going to take things lying down. Keyonna knew she should have stood up to him the first time – but then a part of her sensed that in some way, she’d welcomed the chance to be a part of his life. His ‘blackmail’ had undercut her decision to marry him, and yet even deeper had been the sense that she’d already felt irrepressibly drawn to him and the forced marriage had given her an excuse she’d needed.
Now she wasn’t sure exactly how she’d do it, but she’d find a way to beat him at his game. She just needed to stop feeling like her heart had been crushed by a bulldozer first.
To her surprise, she felt Sergio place his hand over hers in a warm touch that was in no way suggestive. “Whatever you need to get through, I’d like the opportunity to be there for you. I couldn’t help watching you from afar these past several minutes and I felt drawn to you for a reason. Yes, I think you’re a gorgeous woman, very attractive but I’ll be glad to settle for whatever you think you’re ready for right now. You’re alone, I’m alone – there’s nothing stopping us from becoming friends is there?”
He had that naturally charming smile again and Keyonna suddenly felt the assurance that she did need one – a friend that is. And as it turned out that Sergio turned out to be a good one as the days went on. They were staying at the same hotel so it was easier to meet up. Sergio was only busy with his conference a few hours during the mornings but after that he had to day to spend and he took the time to show Keyonna around all the historic and beautiful places. Keyonna had already gone on a bit of sightseeing but it was far more fun being shown around by an attentive, handsome and fun young gent.
And yet even as she tried to have fun she couldn’t help having it at the back of her mind that maybe she was stirring a storm back home. She’d called her family to tell them she was fine but didn’t tell them where she was. She’d given them no details and she certainly hadn’t contacted Nick.
She could only imagine what her friends or the outside world might be thinking but she didn’t care. This was how she was choosing to deal with things and though she knew deep down it was cowardly, she wasn’t heading back to face the crap she’d left behind until she was good and ready.
And right now Keyonna felt far from ready to face that world again. She might fill her days with activities but at night, when she lay beneath the covers, her nights were haunted by the image of Nick’s dark, piercing eyes and devilishly gorgeous smile. The way he touched her; the texture of his lips over hers and the solid heat from his body as his powerful arms had held her tightly to him…it had her biting into her pillow thinking of how tremendously he’d given her pleasure and hadn’t expected anything in return. She’d been so looking forward to discovering more about the way they clicked sexually, but now that was never going to happen. She couldn’t imagine letting Nick even lay a finger on her body now. And yet though she told herself she loathed him, she couldn’t seem to find the nerve to pull off his rings. They were like shackles that held her bound to him but still she chose to act like they weren’t even there. The same way she ignored the pain and hoped that one day, it would all go away.
Keyonna spent Saturday by the pool, but later she went up to her room to prepare for an evening with Sergio. The hotel was holding a gala dinner, and Keyonna was looking forward to another night of drinks and more of the Italian cuisine.
And the company of course. Sergio was always fun to be around. He never hid his attraction to her but it was never obtrusive. He respected her immensely, she could tell and had never even tried to cop even a kiss. She found that very chivalrous and she wondered if, had she been totally free to be in a relationship, she would have liked to be with someone like Sergio. He was easy to get along with and always knew the right thing to say or do. There was no earth-tilting chemistry like she had with Nick but things like that could develop with more time and once she was over the rude shock of having her heart broken.
It was now more than a month since she’d arrived in the city. The cost of the hotel was making a huge dent in her finances but Keyonna was glad she’d had enough tucked aside to afford the stay even as she knew she couldn’t keep up the expense for much longer. She needed to get her shit together and soon. She had a business and a life waiting for her back home and she wasn’t going to let Nick take away her sense of self. Soon, she was taking the flight back to face whatever waited for her.
Keyonna had felt extra depressed earlier that day so as a lift she’d gone all the way with her appearance that evening. She wore a sassy black wrap dress that skimmed her toned thighs and clung to her curves. Her hair was in a sleek ponytail and she’d complimented her attire with gold accessories and strappy high heels. Her make-up was somewhat dramatic and yet flattering, giving her more of an exotic look.
Sergio’s look of deep admiration when he first saw her was enough to make her cheeks warm. He looked dashing himself; his hair nicely styled and his clothes as well fitting and stylish as ever. She couldn’t help but think they made a striking couple and felt many admiring looks sent their way as they settled to enjoy an elegant evening.
They were enjoying a particularly scrumptious course and Keyonna was so at ease thanks to the great wine and food that she could actually laugh at Sergio’s many anecdotes. She threw her head back with a deep burst of mirth and was still smiling as she felt Sergio’s hand squeeze hers. Her laughter died away though as she finally met Sergio’s eyes again and found them deepened with an emotion she daren’t define.
“Keyonna, I know I’ve said it a lot of times how beautiful I think you are and how much I feel drawn to you,” he said with frank warmth, “It’s been barely two weeks and my trip would soon be over, but somehow I sense there could have been a chance for us to see where this could lead. If only you…”
But Keyonna was distracted from hearing the rest of his words, because just then her eyes shifted to a point beyond Sergio’s shoulder to meet the fiery gaze of a blonde-haired woman.
It took a few more minutes for Keyonna to figure out where she’d seen that catty-eyed face before, and then she gasped inaudibly. Rachel Conte. Nick’s ex-fiancée. Keyonna wat
ched with concealed horror as the woman excused herself from her male companion and walked from her table to stand in front of Keyonna. Rachel’s face was twisted in distaste.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Rachel yelled at Keyonna. “And who’s this?” She jerked her chin to Sergio, who was frowning quizzically at her sudden appearance.
Keyonna was just as taken aback by the attack and felt somewhat speechless. The younger woman was the last person on earth Keyonna would have wanted to run into again.
“Ah, so this is your new conquest? It wasn’t enough that you stole my ex-fiancé. Oh no, that wasn’t enough for you,” Rachel snarled furiously, her beautiful face a mask of hate.
Keyonna strove to keep her cool. She wasn’t about to lose it on this snotty bitch, not in front of the shocked looking Sergio and certainly not in the fine restaurant in front of the many glamorous guests. But damn if she didn’t want to punch Rachel to pulp for the way she was talking to her.
Keyonna wasn’t sure just how much Rachel knew about what happened; she hadn’t seen or heard from the woman since that night at Mark’s party. Not a word had ever passed between them, until now.
“Just one month after marrying Nick, you’re already messing around with another man,” accused Rachel with a sneer. “I was right when I told Nick you were nothing but a slut.”
“Now watch your tongue, ma’am,” Sergio snapped as he shot to his feet. “I’m not averse to taking it upon myself to throw you out for being rude to my companion.”
Rachel’s eyes widened at his ice-cold tone, and Keyonna chose that moment to compose herself and speak before Rachel could think up another word.
She looked squarely up at the other woman. “Now you look here. What I do is none of your business. I certainly don’t care what you think of me either. If you think you can judge me then go ahead. I can see you still haven’t forgiven me for taking Nick away from you. But please, try to control your lack of manners and spare yourself any more embarrassment.”
Rachel dragged in an infuriated gasp, her mouth working soundlessly. It was obvious she was struggling with her temper, but then suddenly her green eyes narrowed suspiciously as she stared at Keyonna. “Something’s not right here,” she said slowly, still looking as furious as ever. “And I’m going to get to the bottom of it!”
After that she whirled round and with a swish of her full skirts returned to her table where her escort was looking up at her in amazement.
Keyonna turned to Sergio, her smile stiff yet apologetic as she saw him retake his seat. “I’m really sorry about that. I never dreamed I’d run into anyone from back home.”
Sergio’s eyes were worried. “Want to tell me about what happened? I mean between you and him?”
Keyonna shook her head sadly, glad that Sergio hadn’t mentioned Nick’s name. Talking to anyone about what she’d seen and heard that day, in the hidden corner of the garden – at her own wedding, was unbearable even if it was to Sergio. She had no doubt he’d be on her side if he heard the details, and he wouldn’t blame her for running off and jumping on a plane across the world just to get away from it all.
But now the whole night was ruined and the calm of the past few weeks was now totally shattered. It seemed like fate was reminding her that she couldn’t run away from her problems. She was only delaying the inevitable and she’d be worse off thinking she could hide away from making a decision and soon.
“Can we leave now, please?” she asked Sergio and he readily assented. He was trying to suggest they go out to a night club or something but Keyonna declined with a rueful smile.
“I’d just rather call it a night. I’m really tired,” she said.
Lying in her bed an hour later, Keyonna thought of how disappointed yet understanding Sergio had been when she’d chosen to go up to her room – alone. Then he’d planted a light kiss on her forehead and she’d smiled, touched by the soothing gesture.
Yet now that she was alone and huddled beneath the covers, she felt her eyes swim with tears. Why hadn’t she stayed as far away from Nick as she could from the start? There’d always been a sense of danger surrounding him and she’d kept him at a distance as much as she could. But then somehow their paths crossed in ways that made it impossible to simply back away. He’d approached her at Mark’s party and she’d been dumb enough to try to put him in his place to prove a point.
And now she was trapped in a hell she’d brought on herself with her foolishness. Who had ever said a kiss was just a kiss?
Chapter Twelve
Keyonna flicked her sunglasses off her face as she stepped out of the taxi which had stopped in front of her hotel. She preferred doing her shopping in the morning and now she was back for some brunch and maybe a nap in her room. She found herself pausing by a stall near the hotel where a man was selling fresh flowers. Buying an attractive bunch, she buried her nose in the colorful bloom as she turned to walk up the steps into the hotel.
But then she was startled by the sound of screeching tires and turned sharply to see a tall, familiar man spring from out of the driver’s seat, her name spilling from his lips.
“Keyonna!”
Nick. Here.
Those were the only two things she could process in her mind as she was struck with a sudden, inexplicable bolt of fear.
He’s found me! Damn! Wild thoughts flew through her head as she realized it must have been Rachel who told him. She should have known.
In a sudden spurt of panic, she dumped her shopping and the flowers and turned the other way to run. Running, always running. Her one aim always to evade that sharp feeling of dread that enveloped her senses from knowing Nick had come to get her back. She couldn’t let him catch her.
“Keyonna, stop!” Nick called out to her in a harsh, tortured voice. But Keyonna didn’t look back, hurtling forward on her choppy heels and quickly turning the corner. Then she tried to cross the road without looking both ways first and missed a moving motorcycle making straight for her.
The rider gave a shout but couldn’t stop in time. Keyonna couldn’t get back out of the way fast enough, and she was only able to let out a tiny scream as the motorcycle made impact and threw her to the ground. The last thing she was aware of was of Nick’s voice yelling, “No!” before she sank into a dark, painful nothingness.
* * * *
“Keyonna…vita mia. Please. Wake up.”
Slowly regaining consciousness, Keyonna clung to the husky, familiar voice speaking so softly, calling her ‘his life’. She sighed, savoring the gentle hand stroking her knuckles even as she slowly, painstakingly blinked her heavy lids open.
The sight of Nick sitting right by her bed, his head bent over her hand clasped in his, made Keyonna’s heart constrict.
“Oh Nick,” she breathed, very softly. But he heard her, and his head jerked up instantly. His pained eyes brightened when he saw her looking wide-eyed at him.
“Keyonna, my darling, you’re okay!” Nick exclaimed, his grip on her hand tightening.
“Yeah, I think,” Keyonna said with a smile at the relief on his face. She suddenly became aware of her surroundings and realized she must be in some kind of private hospital room. Under the white and blue sheets, she noted that she was wearing only a light cotton hospital gown. The windows were open and it was daylight, and there were flowers all over the nearby drawers and shelves.
Keyonna was at a loss, not sure what had happened to her. “Nick…what am I doing here?” Her tone was anxious.
“You had an accident, tesoro,” Nick told her hoarsely. “Close to the hotel. That bike ran you down, remember?”
Keyonna frowned incomprehensively. “Remember what?”
Nick stared at her, squeezing that much harder on her hand and causing her to let out a small cry in surprise.
“I’m sorry,” he said, hastily loosening his grip. “But, you’re sure you don’t remember…anything?”
Keyonna’s eyes looked uncertain as she paused thoughtfully. “Well, we were
supposed to be married…” This time her own fingers clutched tighter around his. “We did get married, didn’t we?”
Nick nodded, looking numb as he seemed unsure what to say.
“I remember now,” Keyonna said slowly. “We had this marvelous wedding, and then the reception with everything looking so perfect…But I can’t seem to recall anything after that. Nothing at all. Oh Nick, I’m scared,” she cried, and struggled to raise herself from the pillows on her elbows, but then the pain shattered through her whole body. Feeling faint, she gasped and then felt everywhere go black again.
* * * *
Nick stared unseeingly at the tiled floor as he listened to what the doctor was saying.
“It must have been the terrible shock of the accident…sudden trauma can do that to people. It has been known to happen, Mr. Vitale. Some memory loss can occur whereby the patient will blank out certain events – events that may cause them pain to remember. It’s generally a temporary condition. I suggest that you take it slowly and not try to force her to remember anything. It will all come back to her naturally, I’m sure. Just give it time…”
Time, thought Nick with bitterness. That’s exactly what he’d had to fight against these past several weeks since Keyonna disappeared from the wedding reception. Since then he’d endured different stages of torture. His first fear was that she’d been kidnapped – but soon he found out she must have run away because her overnight cases and some other items were found to have been missing.
He’d been half-frantic, half-enraged and had done all he could to find her, to hear from her own lips why she had done this to him. Nothing had prepared him for this; he hadn’t seen it coming. Day and night for the past five weeks he’d born the speculations of onlookers who’d had a field day over her disappearance.
