7. Chapter 7
Giselle
I ’ve never had such mixed emotions in my life.
On one hand, I think my father has lost his mind offering a stranger from halfway around the world to stay in close proximity with his daughter. On the other hand, I’m foolishly thrilled about getting to spend more time with Loys. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is not just about the business deal, but that my dad is trying to set us up.
Ever since Hilarion broke my heart and I moved to Chicago, my parents have been badgering me about dating. My mom goes on and on about wanting grandbabies every time we’re together. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve explained that my ballet career was too demanding to allow me to be on the dating scene; they’re relentless about me putting myself out there, even more so that I’m back home. But the truth is, I haven’t wanted to. Trust is a big issue for me, and I’m not sure my fragile heart is ready to risk getting crushed again.
And yet there is something about Loys that has me wondering if the risk would be worth it.
Walking quickly out the back door of the office, I take off into the vineyard to catch my breath. I’ve been replaying the moments with Loys in my head, trying to decipher if the chemistry I felt was all in my head. He doesn’t seem like the type of man who would lead me on just to get a good report from me to my father. I shake my head, hearing my crazy thoughts. How could I possibly trust a guy I just met? And yet, just thinking about the feel of my hand in his and the way we connected so effortlessly makes me wonder if there could be something there. I guess if he’s to be my roommate for the next several weeks, I’ll find out.
I tilt my head back, feeling the warm autumn sun against my face. Something about being among the vines makes me feel at peace. I’m about to turn around and head back when I hear leaves crunching under heavy footsteps. I look over my shoulder and see that it’s Loys. And just like that, my calm heart starts racing.
“Giselle,” he says quietly in his deep voice. “Please forgive me if I overstepped back there. I should have asked you first if you were okay with me staying with you. I honestly figured your father had already spoken to you about it. If it’s uncomfortable or too much of an inconvenience, just say the words and I’ll figure something else out.”
I heave a heavy breath and turn around to face him. His sandy brown eyebrows are furrowed, and he’s chewing on his lower lip. God, how can someone be so sexy without even trying? Not to mention how handsome he looks in his suit today.
“I was just shocked and a bit surprised my father would suggest such a thing, but I can see if you’re to be our partner, why he’d want you to stick around a bit longer,” I say, shrugging. He takes a step forward, closing the space between us. My breath hitches as he reaches his hand out and wraps it around mine. I swear I feel sparks when he touches me.
“So you truly don’t mind me staying with you?”
“No, it’s fine, I promise. It just may not be the luxury you’re used to. It’s a bit small.”
“I’m sure it will be much more comfortable than my hotel.” It will definitely be cozier.
“Maybe,” I say, not having the heart to tell him he’ll be sleeping on a couch, since the only other bed is mine.
An hour later, I’ve scrambled to clean my cottage as fast as possible and just as I’m taking the trash out, I see Loys pull up. My heart beats wildly inside my chest at the sight of him. Standing here frozen on my front porch holding bags of trash, I watch him get out of his car, pop the trunk, and lift two suitcases out as if they weigh nothing. I guess when you’re tall and built like a lumberjack, they probably are light as a feather. Why my mind drifts to what it would feel like for him to lift me up, my legs wrapping around his waist, I’m not sure.
“Do you need help with those?” he asks.
Oh God, he’s caught me gawking at him. Please tell me I’m not drooling.
“No, no, I’m fine. I just need to take these around the corner and I’ll be right back to give you the grand tour,” I tell him, waving him off with my bags of trash in hand. Gosh, I must look like a total disaster in my ripped jeans and dusty T-shirt. I bet European women would never be caught dressed like this.
I blow the hair out of my face, feeling both tired and fidgety as I make my way back inside. Entering my living room, I find Loys standing in front of the stone fireplace, looking at the family photographs on top of the wooden mantel. He must hear me enter because he whips around to face me with a boyish grin that has me clenching my thighs.
“You didn’t tell me you were a dancer?”
“I guess we didn’t really get to know too much about each other yesterday. But yes, I am a ballerina. I danced with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago for the last five years before I returned home.”
“That is incredible. I could have guessed you were a dancer—you hold yourself with so much grace.” It’s like he knows what to say to make me blush. I’ve never been one to take compliments well, so I just give him a smile. “And I would like to remedy not knowing each other well. Maybe tonight we could spend some time doing just that over a glass of wine.”
“That sounds great, I’d like that. First though, let me show you around. As you can see, it’s pretty small.” The cottage was most likely originally maids’ quarters, as it’s made of the same gray stones as my parent’s villa, but much smaller.
“It’s very quaint, I like it.”
“Thanks. Okay, well you’ve seen the living room, and the kitchen is right through here,” I say as he follows me through the archway. I adore my cozy little boho cottage filled with succulents and fluffy pillows, but I’m sure it's not much compared to what Loys is used to. If his company has millions of dollars to invest, he’s probably paid quite well and living like a king in Italy. “Help yourself to whatever you can find. Do you cook?”
“Me? No, but I’d love to learn. Do you enjoy cooking?”
“I enjoy it, but I don’t do it as often as I should. There’s so many good restaurants here, and my mother insists on cooking for me as often as I let her now that I’m home.”
“Ah, well, you’ll have to tell me which restaurants are the best.”
“Will do. Okay, so through here are my bedroom and that bathroom,” I say, leading him down the small hallway. He pokes his head briefly into both and nods. “I put fresh towels on one of the hooks for you and cleared out a drawer for your toiletries. Your towels are the navy blue ones.”
“Thank you, that is very kind,” he says with a smile. He seems completely unphased by sharing such a small space. I, on the other hand, am a bundle of nerves with my throat is dry and my stomach is in knots. I’ve never lived with a guy before, even if it’s just for a month. I was too young to live with Hilarion right out of high school and never dated anyone worth moving in with in Chicago.
“And down at the end are the stairs that lead to the loft where you’ll sleep.” He follows me up the stairs and I can’t help but think about how my ass is right in his face as we ascend. Hopefully he likes what he sees. I mean, no, hopefully he averts his eyes. Ugh, why do I want this man to like me so much? Be professional, Giselle.
We get to the landing and his eyes finally go wide, taking in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors and the ballet barre against one wall. I barely had time to throw a rug over the rectangle pad of ballet flooring I use for training. I brought up a couple of my plants and some pumpkins to livin it up a bit so it no longer looks too much like a dance studio. I can’t help but notice him staring at the small futon couch, as if he’s trying to piece together how his long legs will fit. I hope he’s a side sleeper.
“There’s bedding and pillows in the ottoman next to the futon. I can help you make it up later if you want.”
“That… that will be perfect. Thank you for opening up your home to me.”
“It’s no big deal, really. I’m glad you’re here.”
“I’m happy to be here as well.”
“Okay, well I’ll let you get settled in. I’m feeling a bit tired, so I’m going to make some coffee. Would you like some?”
“Definitely. So, we both love pasta and coffee then?” he asks, and I swear his eyes twinkle when he smiles.
“Yes, I guess so.”
“See, we’re already getting to know each other, but I look forward to learning all about you tonight.”
As I walk back down the stairs, I can’t help but wonder if there was an innuendo there. Get your head out of the gutter, Giselle, jeeze . Although, I’m finding it hard to remember why I shouldn’t be interested in this man.