Chapter Seven
Stella had never seen anything so beautiful.
Sunset bathed the sea and sky in dusky pinks, mellow apricots and deep lilac. The steep headland between the villa and the town was daubed in shades of copper and violet.
From the cushioned bench that ran around the edge of the terrace, she had a perfect view right down to the pale sickle of private beach below.
She sighed, curling her arms around her knees and leaning back against piled cushions. ‘Paradise.’
‘I’m glad you think so. My friend is very proud of this place.’
Gio’s mellow tones made her swing around, pulse tripping.
He moved silently across the terrace. He wore pale trousers and a charcoal shirt open at the neck, and no man had ever been more attractive, more magnetic.
Her gaze dropped from his face to his strong, sinewy arms, carrying a tray, then to his feet.
She’d never thought of bare feet as intimate before, much less sexy, but…
Stella flushed, heat swarming over her breasts, throat and cheeks. Because he’d found her talking to herself, not because…
Don’t lie. You’ve spent all day wishing for his company and now he’s here you’re excited.
Sometimes she hated the analytical part of her brain that insisted she face facts rather than hide from them.
She smiled, projecting a calm at odds with the pulse in her throat that throbbed too fast.
‘I thought you were still working.’
They’d arrived last night and to her surprise she’d felt exhausted, retreating immediately to her beautiful suite. But she’d spent the night dreaming of Gio. His lips on hers, his heat, his hardness, and pleasure so intense she’d woken with a fast-beating pulse and a hollow ache in her pelvis.
Yet Gio had kept his distance. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
Liar. It’s disappointment.
Today he’d spent the day inside, catching up on work. They’d shared breakfast here on the terrace but she’d spent the day alone.
‘I just finished my last video meeting.’
He put the tray down and showed her the bottle of wine he’d brought. ‘Or there’s sparkling water. Or juice.’
‘Wine would be lovely, thanks.’ At this time of day Stella was usually at her desk, working. ‘It’s a luxury to relax and enjoy the sunset.’
She made herself turn back to the panorama, as if the view of Gio wasn’t far more captivating.
She sensed his approach, her flesh prickling, her breaths quickening. An elegant glass appeared before her, long stemmed, its contents golden. Yet it wasn’t the drink that held her attention, but Gio’s well-shaped hand and that strong forearm dusted with dark hair.
Stella remembered his hand cupping her head, the heady mix of power and tenderness that had smashed through every defensive wall she’d ever built.
Now you’ve got a weakness for hands as well as bare feet? Get a grip!
She took the glass, raised it in silent toast, and sipped, finding it zesty and refreshing. ‘Delicious, thank you.’
Gio raised his own wine. As he drank Stella’s gaze got stuck on the movement of muscles in his throat.
That simple action was so intriguing she couldn’t look away.
She wanted to touch, draw her fingertips down his throat, then spread her palm across his collarbone to capture his pulse with her hand.
Silver eyes met hers and her heart seemed to pause. Pause then leap.
What was this power he had? She’d never been more aware of a man. Every micro expression, the flare of his nostrils, even the tiny grooves beside his mouth when he smiled.
He wasn’t smiling now. He looked serious.
Could he read her emotions? They were so new she wasn’t ready to discuss them.
‘You had a lot of meetings? A couple of times I passed through the villa and heard your voice.’
Gio took a seat, long legs stretching out near hers. ‘I have interests in many locations. I can’t be everywhere so online meetings are essential.’
‘You said it was property. Residential or commercial?’
‘Commercial.’
He didn’t say more and Stella searched for a suitable topic of conversation. For the first time their easy camaraderie felt strained.
Because you want more than camaraderie. That’s why you’re tense. You didn’t mind silence before.
She smoothed her hands down her skirt and sipped her wine. ‘So you’re busy managing those properties. Or buying more?’
When she looked up something had shifted in his expression but she couldn’t name it. ‘Both. I’m looking to acquire another property but I want to inspect it first. I don’t buy anything without seeing it myself.’
Stella nodded. ‘I understand. Sometimes you see things others don’t, no matter how qualified they are.’
He leaned forward, ‘You invest in property too?’
‘I wish. I’d love to have the money to buy a place of my own. One day I will.’
‘What sort of home would it be?’
She laughed. ‘I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Somewhere cosy and, if I could afford it, with a view.’ She gestured towards the darkening sea. ‘I meant I’d like to buy a small hotel. That’s where I work and one day I’ll run my own business.’
Gio made a sound of surprise that drew her attention. He was frowning and she raised her eyebrows in query.
‘You never mentioned hotels.’
Perplexed, she shook her head. ‘We never talked about mundane stuff like work, did we?’
‘Mundane? You don’t enjoy it?’
Stella looked at the golden liquid in her glass. ‘It has its problems.’ Like trying to ensure consistency when her father kept interfering and overturning decisions. ‘Though I’m sure everything does, including property investment. But overall I find it challenging and rewarding.’
‘Is that why you had a notebook from the Nautilus? Were you on the staff there?’
She met his gaze, feeling a buzz of delight that he remembered that small detail. ‘Yes, I work there, mainly behind the scenes.’
‘How do you think it compares with the place we stayed in Rome?’
Stella tilted her head, considering. ‘They’re both luxury hotels with excellent service and amenities.
But they have a different focus. The Nautilus is all about the sea.
It’s right on the beach so there’s a sailing club, private beach, water sports.
It’s a bit more relaxed. The hotel in Rome…
’ She paused, recalling its discreet luxury.
‘Go on.’
‘Everything was top quality, like the Nautilus. But it has an air about it that made it special. It’s not intimidating, but you feel the quality. Above all it’s the staff. They’re at the top of their game but they seem genuinely engaged and happy.’
Gio surveyed her, apparently mulling over her observations. ‘That’s a big compliment.’
‘It is. It’s rare to get that combination of luxury and warmth just right, with service that’s efficient and friendly rather than obsequious. Don’t you think?’
Eventually he nodded. ‘You sum it up well. You know what you’re talking about.’
‘I’ve been working in hotels since I was fourteen. Everything from making beds to scrubbing dishes or working in reception.’
Gio leaned forward, his attention like a warm embrace. ‘Fourteen’s young.’
‘It’s a family business so the opportunity was there.’
‘Even so, at fourteen most kids have other priorities, unless there’s financial need.’
She looked into that steady gaze and revelled in the fact Gio was genuinely curious about her. He was totally focused on her. Not because of what he could get but because she interested him. It was a heady feeling.
‘We weren’t struggling, if that’s what you mean.’ Far from it. Her father had a large, successful business empire. ‘But it meant a lot, being part of something my father built, something my family manages.’
She’d believed if she excelled her family would open its arms a little wider and draw her in.
‘You like working with your family?’
Stella blinked and drew back, the cocoon of warmth and well-being falling away.
‘It has its moments.’ At his enquiring look she shrugged. ‘I’m the youngest and sometimes they interfere though I’m perfectly competent to do my job.’
She’d assumed that after proving her worth again and again, they’d leave her to get on with her responsibilities.
But while they trusted her to work hard and come up with innovative ideas, the men in her family always looked over her shoulder.
Her father regularly countermanded her instructions and her brothers were ready to find flaws, even when none existed.
As for receiving recognition for her successes…
‘Perhaps they have trouble letting go.’
Gio’s tone was easy, as if their behaviour was reasonable. But then she hadn’t given him the full picture.
It struck her that no matter how long or how well she worked in the family company she’d always face the same problem. Not because her work wasn’t good but because they jealously guarded their authority and didn’t want to share.
You’re still the outsider and always will be. Can you even trust your father to keep his word if you accept an arranged marriage?
Stella sipped her wine. ‘I’d rather not talk about them. Tell me about your family.’
But instead of a fond smile, Gio’s expression hardened. ‘There’s not much to tell. My closest relatives are distant cousins. I enjoy their company but we don’t work together.’
‘Your closest relatives?’ She hadn’t meant to repeat his words but they slipped out. He had no parents or siblings and the news made her chest ache. She could relate to his loss. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘It happened a very long time ago.’
Only someone who’d lost a loved one could fully appreciate what his crisp words hid. For a second his eyes looked haunted. Without thinking Stella covered his hand with hers, feeling the tension in his bunched fist. Dark eyebrows rose at her spontaneous sympathy.
‘My mother died when I was ten and that was a long time ago. But the hurt never goes completely.’
His gaze held hers for the longest time, then he nodded. ‘I was five when I lost my mother. You’re right, the hurt’s still there. But I’ve moved on. I’d rather not dwell on the past.’
‘I understand.’