by Donna Alward
William knocked and she latched the wardrobe door before saying, “Come in.”
He looked at the suitcase on the bed and his brows pulled together. “Going somewhere?”
“Home. This is ridiculous. I should have gone home in the first place. It’s where I belong.”
“I know this is a setback, but we’re dealing with it.”
She put her hands on her hips and let out a sigh. “William, I don’t want to be something you have to ‘deal with.’ I did everything you asked without complaint for the better part of a week and it changed nothing. If anything, it made things worse.” She tried to ignore the niggling fact that the press had picked up on some sort of attraction between them. One they wouldn’t act on but that was there just the same.
“It’s my fault. I suggested the walk. It had been quiet, and I didn’t consider someone would be out there with a massive camera lens. I got careless.”
“Would it be so bad if we told the truth? That I decided we didn’t suit and took the blame?”
He gave his head a shake. “Are you serious? Then the story becomes all about what possible deficiencies Stephen has, since it clearly isn’t his money or position.”
Gabi spun away, frustrated beyond belief. “But they’re going to spin it no matter what! So why can’t we, I don’t know, live our lives?” She turned back to face him. “Stephen is a big boy. Why do you have to handle everything?”
“Because I owe him,” William shot back.
“Owe him for what?”
“Saving me from myself, all right?”
Silence fell over the room. Gabi wondered what in the world that meant.
“I understand family loyalty—”
“You have no idea,” he interrupted. “I owe William, and my father, everything. I can never repay our dad. But I owe Stephen this. I’m no longer a mess to clean up, you see? I’m the one who does the cleaning up. That’s how it is now.”
She didn’t even know what that meant. “Then we’re right back where we started. I’m the mess. So let’s take me out of the equation. I’ll go back to Italy and my family. Completely out of your hair.”
William ran his fingers through his hair. “Are you mad? You think they won’t find you there, either?”
“So what’s your brilliant idea? How are you going to control the story this time?” She raised her voice in frustration, and he did the same.
“I don’t know, all right?”
Was it absolutely bonkers to feel like crossing the room to kiss him right now? What was wrong with her?
And then he did it. William took a half dozen long strides, pulled her into his arms and pressed his mouth to hers.
There was a brief moment of surprise and then she wrapped her arms around him, sliding her fingers into the hair just above his neck. Excitement jangled from her belly up through her chest, catching her breath as she responded to the feel of his lips on hers. His arm settled at the hollow of her back and pulled her tightly against his hard body. Oh, magnifico. The word slipped into her brain on a sigh as her body ignited against his fit physique.
She nibbled on his lower lip and he moaned, then pushed her away and stood back, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he stared at her. His hair was slightly mussed and his lips swollen, and his jeans... She swallowed thickly. Magnifico, indeed. Fantastico. Splendido. And about a hundred other adjectives she could think of.
“That was a spectacular mistake,” he ground out, his voice gritty with frustration.
Gabi straightened her shoulders and reminded herself to be calm, despite the crazy beating of her heart. “Oh? I’m glad we got it out of the way. It’s been brewing all week. At least now I don’t have to wonder.”
“Wonder? What are you talking about?”
She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I got the feeling there was some chemistry between us. Then I wondered if I’d imagined it. Now I know.”
“Chemistry!” he exploded.
In another situation she might have laughed at the astounded expression on his face, as if she’d said something both preposterous and unsavory. But this was a serious situation. It made the mess even more complicated.
“We ignore it at our peril,” she advised, trying to sound logical. It was difficult, though, because he looked so utterly delicious and the taste of him was still on her lips. “That picture caught us in a vulnerable moment, Will. It looks bad because we were gazing at each other.” She wiped a hand over her face. “It’s annoying and problematic, but the worst thing we can do is pretend what just happened never happened.”
His expression darkened. “Stephen is my brother.” His voice was low and seemed to hold a warning.
“I know that.”
“Less than a week ago, you were going to marry him.”
“Thank you for the recap.”
His eyes sparked, more green than hazel at the moment. “Stop that. You’re being...troublesome.”
“After last weekend? Also not news. And your finely executed plan didn’t exactly work. Here I am in the tabloids again.” She glared. “I trusted you and your precious plan, and look where it landed us. I won’t make that mistake again.”
He clamped his lips shut.
“I am going back to Italy. I’m going to be with my parents as my father prepares for surgery. And you’re going to help me do it.”
“You’re hardly in a position to make demands,” he shot back, shoving his hands in his pockets.
She took a moment to breathe, swallow and stand tall even though inside she was quivering. She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “I’m in a perfect position to make demands. Because if you don’t, I’m sure the press would be interested in a few details from the past week.”
Gabi hated the words immediately after saying them. Extortion wasn’t her style, and neither was deliberately hurting someone. But William had to believe she’d follow through. It was the only way to regain control of the situation. The only way to go home. That was all she really wanted to do now. Be with her family. Get back to her life and start rebuilding.
“You wouldn’t.”
“I don’t want to, but I would. I’ve played it your way and all it’s done is keep me closeted away and bored for a week.”
The green in his eyes dulled as he stared at her. “Gabriella.”
“You’re very displeased. You always call me Gabi.”
“I thought we were becoming friends.”
She huffed. “Don’t try that, Will. Friends don’t kiss like we just kissed. What am I to you? Forbidden fruit? You don’t want to betray your brother. I get that. Believe me, I understand family loyalty. And while running from my wedding does not demonstrate the best judgment, I’m really quite smart. It made sense for me to lie low for a few days. Now I need to start controlling the story instead of hiding from it.”
“I don’t like it.” He moved to a chair and sat down with a sigh. “When you control it, it means I don’t.”
“Ah, yes.” She smiled faintly and sat across from him. Now they were getting somewhere. “And you don’t trust me. I don’t blame you. I haven’t given you much reason to. Except that I’ve followed your every instruction all week.” She raised an eyebrow.
“You have,” he admitted.
“I promise that if you let me return to my family now, I will keep to the original story. I fell ill and recovered for a few days, then took some quiet time at the family château. I’ll frame it as you and I are friends, as we should be as future in-laws. I’ll even hint at the new wedding date. But I’m not going to stay hidden away like a princess in a tower.”
“I’m going with you.”
“That will only fuel the rumors.”
He ran a finger along his chin. “Too bad. That’s my condition.” He frowned, his brows pulling together. “In fact, what makes the most sense is for Step
hen to meet us there.”
Her head shot up in alarm. “Stephen? Whatever for?”
“Because you should be seen with your fiancé. And because if Aurora is going to make a deal with Baresi, he needs to be part of it.”
She sensed she was now losing the bit of control she’d had, but she had to be smart with this. “Not if. When. The deal with Baresi will happen, William, because if it doesn’t, I’ll tell all.” She hoped he couldn’t see the lie in her eyes. The truth would also hurt her family.
His fingers gripped the arms of the chair until his knuckles turned white. “You wouldn’t. You’re too...sweet.”
Her eyebrows shot up at his choice of words. “Sweet? I was going to enter into a loveless marriage as a business deal. Not sure how sweet that makes me.”
“But you didn’t go through with it.”
It was a fair point. She stood, folding her hands in front of her. “You’re protecting your family, and I’m protecting mine. Whatever was between us that night in the garden, and ten minutes ago in this room, can’t exist, can it? We both know it. So let’s focus on what’s important. Our families.”
She went to the bed and began folding clothes again, placing them in her suitcase. She certainly hoped that William couldn’t tell that her hands were shaking.
Because Gabriella Baresi was terrified. Terrified of what she’d felt only minutes ago, being held in his arms. And terrified that she’d have to make a decision to make good on her threat. In her heart she knew she never would. Never could. Stephen didn’t deserve that, and neither did William. Neither did her papa.
She only hoped William didn’t call her bluff. Because that would ruin everything.
* * *
She’d called him Will. Twice.
Over the last twenty-four hours he’d tried to push that thought aside and failed. Why should it matter so? And yet the sound of her voice, soft and yet strong, speaking the truncated version of his name, repeated over and over. She’d gotten into his head, hadn’t she? Into his blood, like a drug he needed more of. The thought sent a shaft of panic through his veins. All those years ago, he’d been looking for thrills, adventure, and the element of danger had been attractive. The reasons why he’d gone off the rails didn’t matter. What mattered was that he was worried that reckless person was still inside of him somewhere, waiting to emerge and undo all his hard work.
Was that the real reason he’d insisted he come along? To get his Gabi fix? It couldn’t be. No. He was being careful. Protecting his family, like he’d promised to do four years ago. And Gabi was not to blame, not for this. Not for the undeniable attraction and...dammit, need for her. She’d done absolutely nothing to try to tempt or manipulate him. He wasn’t sure she was capable of it. No, this was all on him.
Now they were in a rented car, climbing the hill to her family’s villa outside Perugia. Umbria was not a region he’d traveled to often, and he was captivated by the rolling hills and abundant olive groves. Gabi drove at eye-watering speeds through the turns, and more than once his fingers tightened in his lap while Gabi seemed perfectly serene.
Perhaps she was. She was getting her way, after all. Except for one sticking point. Stephen would be arriving on Tuesday.
He and his brother had had a huge argument about it. First about the photo, which he’d had to explain as best he could, leaving out the truth that Gabi had so plainly revealed during their argument yesterday. They did have chemistry, and a lot of it. She was also right that to ignore it would be a big mistake. Nothing like that scene on the bench—or yesterday’s kiss—could happen again.
Once he’d calmed Stephen down, he’d put forward the case for him visiting the Baresi villa. He’d expected it to be a harder sell, but once they’d shifted into business talk Stephen had been far more amenable. It came down to what was good for Aurora, Inc., and the rest be damned.
He loved his brother, but even William was losing patience with Stephen’s cold, calculating manner. He’d treated his wedding like a business merger. No wonder Gabi had fled. She deserved better. Even if she’d threatened to reveal the truth to the press, he understood an act of desperation when he saw it. She wasn’t mercenary. She was fighting back. He admired that, even if it made her a pain in his neck.
And once more, he was the mess cleaner-upper. Which meant he had to keep her from making good on her threat. He was feeling pulled in about six directions, but he could manage. Finding the right thing to focus on and then coming up with solutions was something he’d discovered he was good at during his time in the trenches at Aurora. It was why his mother had put him in charge of the division, or so she said.
Clean up the mess. Run a division. Make everyone happy. No pressure at all. He’d redeemed himself and proved he was up to the task.
“William?”
“Hmm?” He turned toward her, found her smiling. The sight shouldn’t affect him at all, but her full lips curved happily and a light in her eyes sent a warm sensation through his chest. When she was happy, she was breathtaking.
“You weren’t listening. Look. You can see the villa from here.” She pointed out his window.
A stone villa stood proudly atop the hill. Even at this distance he could tell it wasn’t massive but was a good size, tall and strong. Massimo Baresi had built his business and provided for his family. As they wound their way up the drive, he noted healthy-looking olive groves and slopes of leafy grapes. Dust swirled up from their tires as they neared the house, and when they pulled to a stop, a woman who had to be Gabi’s mother stepped outside the door, shading her eyes with her hand, a huge smile breaking over her face.
Gabi barely waited for the car to stop before she jumped out and rushed across the gravel, calling, “Mama!”
They hugged tightly for several seconds before Gabi stepped back and turned toward the car.
William took it as his cue, so he opened the door and got out, then shut it carefully behind him.
Signora Baresi said something in Italian as her gaze traveled over him, assessing. William lifted an eyebrow as Gabi laughed, but she gave her head a little shake. He’d ask her later what her mother had said, but there was a twinkle in the older woman’s eye so he guessed it couldn’t be anything too bad.
“Signora Baresi, it is so good to meet you.”
She looked up at him, her eyes sharp. “We were surprised that you were coming with Gabi, and not Stephen.”
“He’ll join us on Tuesday.”
Signora Baresi let her gaze slide to her daughter. “Oh, well, that’s good.”
Gabi’s smile was weak. “It’s the first he could get away.”
“Get away? You were supposed to be on your honeymoon this week!”
At Gabi’s panicked look, William stepped in. “I’m afraid that’s my fault,” he interjected as smoothly as possible. “I asked Stephen for help on a project. I thought it would keep his mind off things.”
Signora Baresi looked at Gabi again. “And you’re feeling all right?”
“I’m fine now. Is Giulia here?”
“Tomorrow. She’s been staying with friends in Rome since the wedding. I mean, since the wedding was canceled.”
Gabi flinched. Clearly the Baresi family had been in favor of the marriage, and the delay wasn’t going over well. William quickly realized that Gabi had wanted to come home, but she’d also known that she’d have to keep up the lie of why the wedding didn’t happen. She loved her parents. Lying to them had to be killing her.
Did they realize how much she would sacrifice for their well-being?
“It is good to have you home,” her mother decreed. “Your father is inside, and I’m making pollo arrabiata for dinner.”
“Mama. You know that’s my favorite.”
“Sì, gattina.” Her smile was warm as she touched Gabi’s face. “I know.” Then she looked at William again. “Come. I will show you
to your room, Signor Pemberton.”
Will tried winning her over with a charming smile. “Please, call me William. Or Will, if you like.”
She smiled politely, but William got the idea that he had some work to do where she was concerned. Normally mothers were not his problem. His bank account and the Pemberton charm usually worked fine, but maybe not so much in Italy.
The villa was gorgeous and homey, with oak beams creating an old-country look throughout. Signora Baresi’s decorations were warm and welcoming, and Will could understand why Gabi had wanted to come back here. The château was lovely, but this was a home.
Signor Baresi was in the kitchen, fixing a plate of what Will assumed was antipasti. A broad smile spread across his face as he saw Gabi enter the room. “Gabriella,” he said softly, opening his arms.
“Papa.” The way she said it went straight to William’s heart. There was so much affection there, so much love. She went to her father and embraced him, and Will watched as the man closed his eyes and hugged his daughter in return. It made Will miss his own father intensely. Not that they’d ever been the hugging type, but the unconditional welcome? That was familiar, and Will missed it horribly.
“Papa, this is William, Stephen’s brother. William is in charge of the fashion division at Aurora.”
“Signor Baresi. It’s a pleasure to see you again. We met, once a few years ago. And of course, Gabi has told me so much.” He held out his hand and Massimo Baresi shook it firmly, not like a man who was about to undergo cancer surgery. But there was something in his color that was off, and he looked tired around the eyes.
“Benvenuto a Villa Baresi, William.” Massimo glanced at Gabi. “I was sorry to hear that the wedding was postponed, but selfishly I’m hoping that when it is rescheduled I’ll be well enough to walk my daughter down the aisle.”
“I’m sure she would like nothing more,” William replied, smiling at Gabi. “Stephen will be joining us on Tuesday. We want to assure you that nothing will harm your relationship with Aurora. You need to focus on your treatments and recovery.”
