Chapter 18
SAMMIE
It was now Tuesday and I was in my room getting ready to go on today’s excursion to a secret destination.
There was still no news from Edward, but right now I was too relaxed to care. The massage and facial Romeo had arranged for me yesterday was out of this world.
My Relaxation Facilitator (another crazy job title) had magic hands. During those treatments, all of the stress and worries about being here on my own, what would happen with Edward and everything else melted away.
Once my treatments ended, I floated back to my room.
And you could’ve knocked me over with a feather when I saw the bottle of my new favourite prosecco chilling in an ice bucket, next to a box of fancy chocolates, a bouquet of stunning flowers and a card from Victoria and Romeo apologising for the inconvenience.
Talk about knowing how to make a girl feel special.
Romeo had also called to ask if I’d prefer to have room service for dinner, which was kind because I didn’t fancy eating alone in the restaurant.
After I’d finished gushing about how amazing the spa was and thanking Romeo, he’d said the chef could make whatever I wanted so I’d ordered spaghetti Bolognese and gelato.
One benefit of Edward leaving was that I didn’t have anyone judging my portion sizes. And eating in my room meant I didn’t have to worry about getting tomato sauce down my chin. Every cloud had a silver lining.
Yep. That pamper sesh worked wonders. I felt much more positive.
Other than a quick wave, I hadn’t spoken to Romeo this morning. Thanks to the massage and sleeping on the bed that was handcrafted by angels, I’d slept through my alarm so hadn’t even had time to grab breakfast at the restaurant, so I’d eaten a banana from the fruit bowl in my room instead.
Just as I was about to leave, my phone rang.
‘Hi, Jasmine,’ I said, surprised that she was calling me directly. Normally we spoke through Stella.
‘Hi, Sammie, how are you doing? I heard what happened with your match. I’m so sorry. Fingers crossed he’ll be back soon.’
‘Yeah.’ I blew out a breath. ‘I was a bit apprehensive about going on yesterday’s trip alone and the trip today, but Romeo’s been really sweet.’
‘ Romeo ?’ she said, her voice tinged with concern. ‘I didn’t realise he was still there.’
‘Why wouldn’t he be?’
‘Last time Victoria spoke about him, she said there’d been a couple of incidents with guests.’
‘Incidents? Like what?’
‘I shouldn’t really say anything. Especially when I don’t know him personally.’
‘I thought we were friends? I promise whatever you say will stay between us. Well, and Stella too.’
‘Okay.’ She let out a sigh. I knew Jasmine was professional, but I wanted to know more. ‘I heard that Romeo can be overly flirtatious with the guests.’
‘What? Like sleazy?’
‘No, no. Nothing like that. If the Love Hotel thought he was dangerous, there’s no way that they’d keep him.
The safety of guests is paramount. No, more just some complaints from male matches saying he was flirting with their partners.
And there was an incident last month with a woman that Victoria didn’t go into.
Not sure what happened but he’s still there so it’s probably fine.
All I’m saying is just be careful. I don’t want him leading you on or anything. ’
‘Thanks, but I’m here for Edward. Not to hook up with my Love Alchemist.’
‘Good. Single employees are allowed to date, but Love Alchemists hooking up with matches is an absolute no-no. Guests pay a lot of money, so the last thing they want is for their match to run off with the staff. That’d be a disaster!’
Which was exactly why I had shut down any attraction I felt towards Romeo. Especially now it seemed like he flirted with every guest.
‘Got it. It’s not relevant anyway. I’m sure Edward will be back soon and we can get back to building a relationship together.’
‘That’s the spirit! I’m keeping everything crossed for you. And if you have any queries or concerns, just call. I know how much you’ve been looking forward to going to the Love Hotel so I want to make sure you’re looked after.’
‘Thanks. I’d better go,’ I said as I stepped out of my room door. ‘The coach is leaving in less than five minutes for today’s excursion.’
‘Okay. Have fun!’
I ended the call, then raced to reception. After climbing the coach steps, I found an empty seat and sat down. Seconds later a delicious scent surrounded me.
‘ Ciao , Samantha.’ I looked up and saw Romeo in the aisle.
Jesus, he looked…
Never mind. It didn’t matter how he looked.
I had no intention of noticing the fact that his olive skin was glowing, how neat his dark beard was or how his branded shirt clung to what I was sure was a very muscular chest.
Nope.
I definitely hadn’t noticed any of that at all.
‘Hi!’ I said a little too enthusiastically. ‘You okay?’
‘I am good,’ he replied in a ridiculously delicious accent which once again had zero effect on me whatsoever. ‘You did not come for breakfast this morning.’
‘I overslept. I was so relaxed after the spa yesterday. And what do you put in the mattress and pillows? And do you pump sleeping gas into the rooms? I’ve been here three nights now, and I’ve never slept better.
Don’t tell the management, but I’m considering stuffing a pillow in my suitcase to take home! ’
‘I am glad you had a good rest.’ Romeo chuckled and the sound made my body… Nope. The sound of his deep, gravelly sexy laugh did absolutely nothing to me. Nada .
And if I knew the Italian for nothing , I would’ve added that to my denial list too.
Jasmine had just warned me to be careful with Romeo and I was going to listen.
‘The best!’ I replied. ‘Not ideal for waking up though, but sorry, not sorry !’
Romeo laughed again. I liked that he appreciated my sense of humour. Not everyone did.
‘Today we are going to a place which involves a lot of walking, so you will need energy. I have something that I think you will like. One moment.’
Romeo disappeared down the aisle towards the back of the coach.
Seconds later he was clutching a takeaway coffee cup and a small white box.
‘Here.’ He handed the box to me, then pulled the fancy chrome tray table down from the seat next to me and rested the coffee cup in the holder.
I quickly opened the box, eager to see what was inside.
‘Wow, what’s this?’ It looked like a circular shortcrust pastry pie which was roughly the same size as a cupcake.
‘This is a pasticciotto – it is very typical to eat for breakfast or a mid-morning snack in Puglia. Inside is like a vanilla egg custard. The Cuisine Champions said you like a cappuccino, but I have orange juice in the fridge if you prefer?’
My heart inflated and those crazy butterflies erupted in my stomach yet again.
‘You did all this for me ?’ My eyes widened, then I cringed. It was a dumb thing to ask considering he’d just handed me the cappuccino and dessert box and not someone else. ‘I mean, that was really kind of you, grazie .’
‘ Prego . We like to take care of all of our guests at the Love Hotel.’
‘Oh… course!’ I added, feeling like an even bigger plonker.
He was just doing his job. I wasn’t getting special treatment. Maybe this was all part of his flirty routine. It was still kind of him though.
‘I hope you enjoy. If you need anything else, I will be at the front of the coach.’
‘Great!’ I squeaked. ‘Thanks again.’
Romeo continued up the aisle, checking on the guests, and I tore my gaze away and back to the pastry in front of me.
I lifted it out of the box, then up to my mouth before taking a bite.
‘Oh my God,’ I groaned a little too loudly. It was bloody delicious.
What was it about the food in Italy? How did everything taste so good?
I inhaled the pastry so fast, I was glad that the couple adjacent to me were deep in conversation, so they didn’t see me gobbling it up.
Whilst Romeo chatted to other guests, I snuck to the back to see if there were more pastries left, but there was just some fruit.
For the rest of the journey, I took in the sights from the window and pulled out my Kindle to start reading a new romance book.
I’d barely read two chapters before Romeo announced that we’d arrived at our destination.
Apparently wherever we were going had restricted parking, so we needed to walk the rest of the way.
I gasped as I took in the magnificent views in front of me. And this time I wasn’t talking about Romeo’s face and body.
‘ Benvenuti a Matera,’ he said. ‘This is not just the oldest city in Italy or Europe: it is one of the three oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.’
‘Wow,’ a lady opposite me said.
The city was carved into the limestone cliffs and was breathtaking.
‘Instead of using a guided tour, we have prepared a list of recommended places, because we think it is better for you to discover the city together.’ Romeo handed out a glossy brochure and tickets which I assumed gave everyone entrance to key sites.
‘But if you get lost or would like recommendations, call me.’
‘Will do!’ a lady, whose name I think was Kim, said.
‘Edward, Samantha’s match, has unfortunately been called to attend a family emergency in London. Hopefully he will return soon. But in the meantime, sadly Samantha will be stuck with me accompanying her around the city.’
‘Lucky lady!’ Kim said and her partner’s eyes bulged. ‘Only joking, sweetheart.’ She pecked him on the cheek affectionately.
‘This place is stunning,’ I said as we wandered down the cobbled streets. ‘I’ve never heard of it before.’
‘It is another UNESCO site and has been featured in many movies.’
‘Yeah? Which ones?’
‘ Wonder Woman and the James Bond movie No Time to Die .’
‘I’ve seen both of those. Wait!’ I shouted out as my brain scanned the different scenes in my memory. ‘Is this the place where James Bond drives his Aston Martin down the streets at the start of the film?’
‘ Sì .’
‘No way! Never did I think when I was watching it that one day I’d be here!’
‘Life is that way sometimes.’
‘I get excited when I see landmarks like Tower Bridge or Big Ben in films because it’s my home city, so everything’s familiar, but now I can say I’ve visited an international film location. Very cool,’ I smiled. ‘Have you ever been to London?’
‘ Sì . My brother, Giorgio, lives there. And my mother’s family live in Kent.’
‘I didn’t realise you had a brother.’
‘I have a brother and a sister. Both younger. My sister, Mirabella, is in Rome and my brother lives with his boyfriend in a place called Brixton.’
‘That’s not far from where I live!’ I said.
‘Really?’
‘Yep! I’m in Tooting. It’s literally a short Tube ride away. Small world!’
‘It is. London is a great city, but the weather…’ He winced. ‘I do not know how Giorgio does it. After living somewhere with such good weather and beaches all of my life, I could not live somewhere that is so cold and grey. I love the sunshine too much.’
‘Can’t argue with you there!’ I laughed.
‘What do you do in London for work, Samantha?’
‘I’m a receptionist for a pharmaceutical company.’
‘That is interesting. Does your company make anything exciting?’
‘You mean like Viagra?’ I blurted out and Romeo’s eyes bulged.
Jeez. My foot-in-mouth levels had already peaked and we’d only just arrived.
‘No, strangely that was not what I was thinking, but now that you have mentioned it, do they?’ He raised an eyebrow.
‘No. Our bestselling products are haemorrhoids cream and diarrhoea tablets.’
‘I see,’ he smiled.
‘Admit it. You’re disappointed about the Viagra.’ I laughed. I shouldn’t have mentioned it again, but I couldn’t help myself. Strangely, despite my inability to say things I shouldn’t, Romeo seemed really chill about it.
‘It is not something I have ever needed…’ His voice trailed off and our eyes locked.
Yeah. I kind of imagined that Romeo wouldn’t have any problems getting it up. Not that I was imagining his cock or anything, because that would be inappropriate and I was an absolute angel.
‘Lucky for you,’ I smiled. ‘And your girlfriend, of course.’
‘I do not have a girlfriend.’
‘Wait, what?’ I stopped in my tracks. ‘So you’re in charge of helping people like me find love, but you haven’t found your own Mrs Right?’
‘I prefer to be single,’ he said.
‘So you can be ready to mingle ?’ I teased, my thoughts returning to my earlier conversation with Jasmine.
‘No, because…’ He paused.
‘It’s okay,’ I jumped in. ‘I shouldn’t have asked. I was just making conversation.’
‘It is fine. I am just not looking for a relationship. Bringing other couples together is enough for me. Did you hear anything from Edward this morning?’
Hearing his name made my stomach twist. Not because I missed him. We weren’t together long and when we were, I didn’t feel the connection I’d hoped for.
I wasn’t giving up though. When Edward got back, I’d still give it my best shot.
‘Nope.’
‘I am sorry.’
‘It’s not your fault.’
‘I know, but you said he was your dream man, so I wanted it to work.’
‘I didn’t say he was my dream man ,’ I added quickly. ‘I said he ticked a lot of boxes. On paper he has the qualities I was looking for. He doesn’t seem like the fuckboys I normally go for, so that’s an improvement.’
‘A fuckboy is a man who has many women?’ His brows furrowed.
‘Yeah. Like a player . It can also mean a man who doesn’t respect women and messes them around.’
‘Understood.’
‘I know Edward isn’t like that, but I was just hoping for more of a… spark. Y’know, like when you look at someone and get those butterflies.’
Romeo’s eyes met mine and right on cue, the flutter of a thousand butterflies filled my stomach and goosebumps erupted across my skin.
I warned my belly to calm the hell down, but the disobedient fucker ignored me and kept fluttering anyway.
‘I… I understand.’ Romeo still held my gaze. ‘But sometimes, it is not all about fireworks. Sometimes the attraction takes time to grow. And sparks can be dangerous. Sometimes when there is too much fire, you can get burnt.’
As his eyes flicked to the caves beside us, I wondered if he was talking from personal experience. Had Romeo had a bad breakup? I couldn’t see how. No woman in their right mind would kick him out of bed.
‘Yep. I’ve been burnt a lot. I’ve thought about giving up on finding the one so many times, but then I look at my parents and they remind me that true love really exists.
They’ve been married for almost forty years and they’re like newlyweds.
Seeing them kiss and hug used to make me cringe, but now it gives me hope. ’
‘That is beautiful.’
‘Yeah. That’s the kind of love I want. And that was what I was hoping to find when I came to the Love Hotel…’
Romeo’s face fell and I felt bad. I knew it wasn’t down to him or the hotel what had happened to me, so I hated that he felt guilty.
‘Perhaps there is still time for the hotel to work its magic.’ He gave a half smile.
Fingers crossed that Romeo was right…