The Magnate's Holiday Proposal

by Rebecca Winters

  After turning off the light, Luca disappeared down the hall to his own suite of rooms, aware of a new burden weighing him down. Dino’s mother wouldn’t be coming back, but Gabi Parisi was alive and living in a city not that far away. No one was more aware of that than Luca, who would like nothing more than to see her again tomorrow.

  The woman was beautiful, feminine. During the film in the darkened room, he’d found himself wanting to taste her mouth. They’d sat close enough that it would have been so easy for him to move close enough to kiss her. It had been over two years since Luca had made love to his wife. Today it stunned him that his feelings for Gabi were so strong.

  Luca had sensed she was aware of him, too. There were certain signs he’d noticed when their bodies or fingers had brushed against each other by accident, or when she’d thanked him, sounding a little breathless.

  There was no doubt she’d made an impact on Dino that wasn’t going to go away. Judging from the way she reacted to his son, Gabi had showed him genuine interest and attention. So much so that by the weekend, Dino had become more taciturn than Luca had ever seen him.

  He showed no excitement at the hockey match and had stopped working on the project left on the table. The impending operation had to be responsible for part of that behavior, but not all of it. His son wanted to see Gabi again. So did Luca, who was pained by the effort Dino made not to mention her name.

  When Luca’s mother came over on Sunday for dinner, he didn’t want to talk about the outing to Padova. It was too painful for his son. The weekend had been hard on Luca, too.

  After he drove his son to school on Monday morning, he had every intention of going to work. But when he reached the highway, something made him turn around and head for Padova. En route he phoned and made an appointment to talk to Edda Romano. As soon as he arrived at the foundation, he was shown upstairs to her office.

  “Thank you for seeing me so quickly. I know how busy you are.”

  She smiled. “Never too busy when this involves your son, who is facing a difficult ordeal. How soon is his operation?”

  “December 21.”

  “I see. What can I do for you?”

  “You’ve already done everything humanly possible, and I’m deeply grateful. Since you hired Signora Parisi, you have to know she brought sunshine into Dino’s life. He had a wonderful time with her last Wednesday and wants to see her again. I realize that wasn’t something any of us could have predicted.”

  “Are you asking my permission for her to spend more time with Dino?”

  “After hours, yes. But only if it doesn’t break your rules.”

  “Of course it doesn’t! The person you need to ask is Signora Parisi herself.”

  “But I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. Would you be willing to ask her to meet me in the reception room downstairs?”

  “Of course.”

  “Bene, signor. Arrivederci.”

  Luca left her office with trepidation and went downstairs to wait. Gabi might not want any more contact with him for her own personal reasons. He didn’t want her to feel obligated. If she wasn’t interested in getting to know him better, that would be the end of it.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “GABI?” STEFANIA HAD just returned from Edda’s office. “Signor Berettini is downstairs in the reception area waiting for you.”

  She almost fell off her chair in shock. He was here? Gabi knew she wasn’t dreaming. Just the mention of the man’s name caused a small gasp to escape her throat. “Do you know what it’s about?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “I’ll go now. Thanks.”

  She reached for her purse and hurried downstairs, embarrassingly breathless when he saw her coming and walked toward her. Darn if her heart didn’t leap at the sight of him. “Signor Berettini—” Her hand went to her throat. “Has something happened to Dino?”

  “Only that he’s missing you and wishes he could see you again.”

  “You mean it?” she cried softly, giving herself away. “I’d love to see him again, too. He’s a wonderful boy!” And so was his father.

  “He feels the same way about you. Why don’t we go out for a cappuccino and plan something? I’ve already checked with Edda.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “If you’re ready.”

  She nodded and he walked her out to his car. He was wearing navy trousers and a crew neck matching sweater. With his hard-muscled physique, he looked magnificent in anything.

  She really couldn’t believe this was happening. Adrenaline kept her pulse racing. “Where are we going?”

  “I thought we’d visit the James Bond Bar at the Abano Grand Hotel for the fun of it.”

  Fun. When had she ever had fun like this? “I’ve heard about it but have never been there.”

  Gabi felt like she was floating. For the rest of last week, she’d wondered if there was something wrong with her because she’d been reliving the day with Dino and his father to the exclusion of all else.

  She’d wanted to do something like it again, but had given up hope such a thing would happen. In fact, there’d been moments when she’d wanted to call Dino’s grandmother and find out how he was doing, but she hadn’t dared. Now because of his father’s visit to the foundation, Gabi was going to see him again and spend this beautiful morning with Luca.

  Her heart pounded crazily while he walked her into the bar, famous for the selection of cocktails created as a tribute to the famous 007. But when the waiter came over to their table, Luca ordered cappuccinos and croissants. “Unless you’d like a martini, shaken but not stirred.”

  Gabi laughed gently. “Not this early, in fact hardly ever.”

  “My feelings exactly.”

  “Not even while you were winning medals at ski races?”

  “Especially not then. You have to keep your wits.”

  She studied his arresting features. “I admire you for that.”

  He winked at her. “The nondrinking, or the racing?”

  “Both, if you want to know.”

  “Would it surprise you to know that if you hadn’t agreed to come with me this morning, I was virtually at my wit’s end?”

  All of a sudden their conversation had taken a downturn. She took a bite of croissant. “Why is that?”

  “Dino hasn’t been the same since our outing. I’m afraid that’s my fault. I told him that when we said goodbye to you at the museum, I didn’t want there to be any tantrums.”

  “That’s why he was so quiet on the drive home.”

  “Dino only speaks when spoken to now and has suffered another headache.”

  “Oh, no!”

  “It’s all right. He would have had the headache no matter what had happened. But he’s so unhappy, I had to see you again. I figured that if you turned me down this morning, I wouldn’t be able to cope any longer.”

  The honesty of this father gave her insight into his torment. Gabi was thrilled, not only because his son missed her so much, which was very touching, but to realize that Luca had driven all this way to be with her in person when a phone call would have sufficed. Her instincts told her Luca wanted her company, and not just for Dino’s sake.

  “I have an idea. I could get off early from work tomorrow and drive to Maniago. Depending on the traffic I could be there close to six.”

  She heard his sharp intake of breath. “We’ll be waiting for you when you drive up to the house, and we’ll go out for a meal. How does that sound to you?”

  “I’ll love it.”

  “Do you have a preference?”

  “No. I like surprises, just like this one.”

  “So do I, and you’re one of them. Grazie, signora,” he said with what sounded like heartfelt sincerity. She knew Dino’s father was relieved. Sin
ce their outing, she’d dreamed about being with him to the point she’d been thinking about him all day long, too. Gabi had even wished on a star in order to see him again.

  “My name is Gabi.”

  She heard his low chuckle. It sent curls of warmth through her. “Don’t I know it! When you came to our home last week, Dino never stopped saying it.”

  “The joys of fatherhood.”

  “It has its moments.”

  Gabi envied him, no matter how much pain he was in. “I’ll see you tomorrow. In case I haven’t said so before now, I’m glad you talked to Edda this morning. She’s very understanding of Dino. I can’t wait to see him again. Now I’d better get back to work, signor.”

  “Luca, please.”

  “Luca it is.”

  He put some bills on the table, and they left the hotel to reach his car. Christmas decorations were everywhere. For a minute, as she walked with the man who had a stranglehold on her heart, she could dream she was in the middle of the winter season Dino was building. When they reached her office and said goodbye, Gabi was so excited for the next day, she knew she wouldn’t close her eyes all night.

  After work that evening, she walked over to the worktable in her bedroom and pulled down her fourteen-by-eighteen sketch pad from the shelf. Since the visit to the museum, Gabi had been making a drawing of the black-and-green butterfly Dino had loved from her phone photo, not knowing when there’d be an opportunity to give it to him.

  Now she needed to color it with the pastels to make it come to life. She’d already signed it “Gabi,” and had written the date they’d gone to the museum beneath it. Tomorrow she’d buy a frame with clear glass on her lunch hour and mount the drawing. When she saw Dino later, this would be her personal gift to him. She couldn’t wait to surprise him!

  In truth, Gabi couldn’t wait to be with Luca again either.

  * * *

  Luca told Ines and their cook, Pia, that he and Dino would be eating out. He’d debated whether to tell his son the news early. In the end he decided it would be much more exciting for him to walk out the front door and discover Gabi parked in the drive.

  At ten to six Luca went to the family room and shut off the TV. “Come on, Dino. We’re leaving. Grab your jacket.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Out to dinner.”

  “I don’t want to go anywhere.”

  “You’ll change your mind when you find out who’s going with us.” He left the room and started down the hall to the foyer.

  “But we were with my nonni last night. Is it Signorina Gilbert? I heard them talking about her. I don’t want you to marry her.”

  Luca was furious at his father for talking about it in front of Dino, who picked up on everything. “I’d never marry her.”

  “Promise?”

  “I swear it. This is a happy surprise. Now let’s go.” He opened the front door and headed for his car in the dark. Dino followed him and climbed in the back, fastening his seat belt. Luca got behind the wheel and backed out to the street, where he pulled the car to the side. “Why are we stopping?”

  “You’ll see.”

  A minute later he saw headlights in his rearview mirror and waited for Gabi to park behind him. That’s when he turned to Dino. “Why don’t you get out and see who pulled up? She’s come to have dinner with us.”

  Dino got out of the car. Luca followed.

  “Gabi?” Even in the dark he could tell his son’s countenance had completely changed. “Evviva!”

  Luca watched his son hug Gabi around the waist. In that revealing moment she hugged him back. Her feelings for his son were just as strong. He knew he’d done the right thing to bring them together.

  “Look, Papà! She’s brought me another present.”

  Another Christmas-wrapped package. “I can see that.” There were too many of them. “I’ll put it in the car.”

  Before long they were settled in the Lancia and Luca drove them down to the town. Dino talked his head off answering her questions. When they stopped for pizza and salad, Luca carried her gift inside so Dino could open it.

  His son had told him that Gabi had wanted to go to art school. But he had no idea how talented she was until Dino pulled the wrapping away and the butterfly from Africa appeared in all its glory. While an astonished Luca stared at it, Dino went into ecstasy.

  “I love it, Gabi. I’m going to hang it over my bed.”

  “I’m glad you like it, tesoro.” Gabi had used the endearment so naturally, she sounded like any mother with her child. Luca was so deeply touched, he couldn’t say anything for a minute, but it didn’t matter. The two of them were engrossed talking about what he’d learned in school earlier in the day.

  While Dino left the table long enough to use the restroom, Luca eyed the gorgeous woman who had been on his mind day and night. “Quick, before he comes back, would you be willing to spend the coming weekend with us?

  “We have a guest bedroom that will be yours while you’re there. I realize you probably have other plans, but I confess that I don’t want to try and get through another weekend without you.” After being with Gabi at the bar and again tonight, Luca couldn’t wait to get to know her better. In fact, he needed to be with her so badly he could taste it.

  A stillness surrounded her. He could tell he’d taken her by surprise. Before she could answer him, Dino came running back. “Can we go home and play a game now?”

  Luca put some bills on the table. “I’m afraid Gabi has to get back home.”

  The time had passed too fast.

  As they walked out of the pizzeria and left for home, Luca’s frustration grew because he was aware she still faced the hour-and-a-half drive back to Padova. It wasn’t fair to her to come such a long way for such a short period of time. Worse, she hadn’t answered his question.

  After pulling behind her car, he kept his headlights on and started to get out of the car to help her. But she’d undone her seat belt and had turned to Dino.

  “Guess what? Your papà has invited me to come spend this weekend with you.”

  Dino undid his seat belt and sat forward. “He did?”

  Gabi shot Luca a glance before she said, “Yes! I think it would be fun. On Saturday we could go get a Christmas tree and decorate it. I saw some for sale in the town while I was driving through. What do you think?”

  “A real tree?”

  “How about it, Papà?” she asked Luca. “Maybe after we’re through, we can go Christmas shopping and walk around the town eating our heads off.”

  “Can you stay at our house all night?”

  “Yes, she can,” Luca spoke up before she could answer Dino. “On Sunday we’ll put a new puzzle together and work on your Christmas scene.”

  “Do we have to wait until Saturday?”

  She leaned over the seat and ruffled his hair. “I have to work, but we can talk to each other on the computer. You’re supposed to be learning your computer skills for school, right? Tomorrow you can send me an email and tell me what you learned in class. When I get home, I’ll write you back. How does that sound?”

  “I’ll send you a whole bunch of stuff.”

  “Wonderful! Now I’d better get going.”

  They walked her to her car. Luca opened the door for her. “Thank you for driving all this way. Be careful going home.”

  Her eyes lifted to his. “I promise I will. We’ve got Saturday to look forward to.”

  Indeed they did. She wouldn’t have agreed to come if she didn’t want to. Luca would be counting the hours. The next time they were together, he intended to get her alone. He could hardly think about anything else.

  They waved goodbye.

  Life would be different this week now that his son knew he’d be seeing Gabi again. The rest of Luca’s
workweek would be different, too. He’d manage to get through it now because in the next few days she’d be with them.

  Dino carried his framed butterfly inside. After his bath and prayers, he got in his bed. Luca gathered what he needed to hang it above him. Trust his son to put his pillow on the other end so he could look up at her artwork. “She’s molto bello, Papà.”

  Yes, Gabi was awesome. “Don’t forget to get under your covers.”

  “I won’t. Tomorrow will you help me send her an email? I want to surprise her.”

  “Si, figlio mio. Dormi bene.”

  As he walked out of the bedroom he heard him say, “I wish she lived in Maniago.”

  Luca smiled. His son would beat a daily trail to Gabi’s door no matter how he had to do it.

  As for himself, Luca didn’t dare say what he wished for, but it was a given he wouldn’t be far behind his son. If he could have his heart’s desire, he’d hold her in his arms and kiss her senseless. Gabi was in his blood.

  * * *

  Emails flew back and forth for the rest of the week. Dino mentioned his friend Paolo many times. With his father’s permission, he’d talked Gabi into coming on Friday evening and staying until Sunday afternoon. That would give them more time to do all the plans he had in mind.

  But Gabi suffered an emotional panic attack when she realized how strongly attached she was to Dino. In her love for him and the ordeal he was facing, it had made her vulnerable. Though she refused to believe that anything could go wrong during the operation, a part of her wondered how she would handle it if she had to suffer another loss in her life.

  And what about his father? She could hardly breathe when she was around him now. It frightened her that Luca had become so important to her in such a short amount of time. What if he wasn’t interested in her? What in heaven’s name was she doing allowing herself to get close to him?

  On Friday after work, Gabi’s mother walked her out to the car. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “The truth is, I’m concerned because Dino is growing more dependent on me, but I can’t help it.”