by Dez Burke
Part of her wondered if perhaps there was another reason why she’d picked this city. Nick had spoken of his family being from here and how he’d liked to visit especially since they had a number of homes not just here but all over Italy. Kaycie really hadn’t been thinking straight when she bought the ticket with cash but now that she was here, she felt calmed as the days went by.
She could get through this. She would get through this; because she had to. She had her whole life ahead of her and she was going to overcome this one setback. At that point she didn’t even care what Nick could or would do to her. It didn’t matter anymore because as far as she was concerned, he’d done his worst.
Every time she thought of his cold, distant words, she flinched. She couldn’t forget that first time at Mark’s party when he’d made those unfair comments. And then to hear him talk about her like she meant nothing, and at their own wedding, it had cut her to the bone. She should have known better than to think he would grow to have feelings for her. Whatever he had going on with his stepmother Lena, Kaycie decided had nothing to do with her. Kaycie told herself she didn’t care if those two got together. Nick was nothing to her now and if she had her way, she’d never see him again.
Understandably, Kaycie was in no state to be thinking of romance, not even in the most romantic country in the world. She’d been getting a lot of attention both at the hotel and much to her surprise, whenever she went out sightseeing or shopping. Kaycie knew she couldn’t hide away from the world forever, but while she was here it felt good to just have some time for herself, with no one to bother her. So she grew very adept at brushing off unwanted admirers or offers. She knew that being alone in a strange city would make her susceptible to seek company to ease the loneliness but Kaycie just wasn’t interested.
But then three weeks into her stay, she was having dinner in the hotel’s beautiful restaurant and lounge, with its splendid 14th century arches and innovative regional cuisine. Being surrounded by such contemplative beauty as well as enjoying the fine dining available, would have been enough to improve Kaycie’s mood but it only made her sadder. She’d have been on her honeymoon with Nick in another beautiful and romantic city, but now she was here, alone and still caught up in the way he’d made her feel.
He’d touched her like no other man could. That one time, spread over her kitchen counter she’d let him take her to a place she’d never dreamed she’d see. A man who could make a woman feel like she was walking on a cloud of bliss wouldn’t be so easy to forget. But then it wasn’t just physical the way she felt about him.
He switched on something inside her heart that made her feel weak and yet bold at the same time. He made her feel like a woman. But that was then, before she discovered just how shallow and unfeeling he really was. She’d felt like nothing but an object manipulated to fulfill his self-interested uses. How could she have stood another second of that?
Glad now that she’d walked out of the situation without a backward glance, she sighed deeply as she sipped on her wine, just before a shadow fell over her table.
For some reason, her heart simply froze, unable to function. Until she looked up and saw a strange man standing there, a charming smile on his face as he asked if he could join her. From his strong, classic good looks, she could tell he was Italian, especially from his smooth, flowing accent.
He was dressed impeccably in a suit, and something in his broad, friendly smile endeared her to him. He looked a few years older than she was and Kaycie had a sudden sensation that he reminded her of someone.
Like Nick, he had a strongly carved jaw and dark, lustrous hair, and he stood around the same height. But unlike Nick’s dark, brooding gaze, this stranger’s brown eyes were warm, almost boyish.
Kaycie found herself agreeing with a smile of her own. He seemed like he’d be nice company and she really was kind of lonely, having a solitary dinner in the stately lounge where everyone else seemed coupled up or with friends or family.
“My name is Sergio. Sergio Battista,” he told her as a server appeared to offer him some wine. “And you, beautiful lady?”
“Kaycie...Hayes,” she said slowly, unable to use her married name. she’d stopped feeling like a “Vitale Bride” long ago.
Sergio took a drink of his wine, his eyes appreciative as they ran over her face. “You are very lovely.”
“Yeah, you already said that,” Kaycie murmured, her smile wry. He’d called her ‘beautiful lady’ and now he said she was lovely. Nice. These Italian men weren’t stingy with her compliments, she’d noted. Since she’d arrived she’d had a few propositions and even made some casual acquaintances.
She’d never have imagined attracting so much attention; she’d never been vain about her looks or figure but it was somewhat a morale boost to find that if she was interested, she could get in a fling or two with someone totally hot.
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, Kaycie.”
He held out his hand, and Kaycie 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,” Kaycie 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, Kaycie 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. Kaycie 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 Kaycie 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 we
nt 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 Kaycie around all the historic and beautiful places. Kaycie 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 Kaycie 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.
Kaycie 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 Kaycie 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 Kaycie 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.
Kaycie 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 Kaycie was so at ease thanks to the great wine and food that she could 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.
“Kaycie, 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 Kaycie 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 Kaycie to figure out where she’d seen that catty-eyed face before, and then she gasped inaudibly. Rachel Conte. Nick’s ex-fiancée. Kaycie watched with concealed horror as the woman excused herself from her male companion and walked from her table to stand in front of Kaycie. Rachel’s face was twisted in distaste.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Rachel yelled at Kaycie. “And who’s this?” She jerked her chin to Sergio, who was frowning quizzically at her sudden appearance.
Kaycie was just as taken aback by the attack and felt somewhat speechless. The younger woman was the last person on earth Kaycie 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.
Kaycie 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.
Kaycie 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 Kaycie 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 Kaycie. “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.
Kaycie 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?”
Kaycie 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 acros
s 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 Kaycie 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, Kaycie 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
Kaycie 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.
