He grinned. ‘Five minutes and, truly, the food is spectacular.’
Stella sank back in her chair, cradling the baby bump he longed to explore. ‘You were right. The food was great.’
‘It’s one of my favourite places to eat.’
In the past he’d brought business associates or eaten alone. He’d never brought a lover to his Lake Como home. It was much better eating with Stella. The spectacular view, impeccable food and service were as good as ever, but she made this memorable. He was glad he’d booked a private room, to be alone with her.
He felt…happy.
That made him still. How often in his life had he thought that? At the Villa Rosa with Stella, and as a child.
He frowned, scouring his memory. Of course he’d had happy moments. Work triumphs. Sexual satisfaction. The adrenaline rush he got from skiing.
But had any felt as good as this? He lifted his gaze from his coffee to find a pair of honey-flecked dark eyes watching. Heat sizzled. Desire, but something more too.
‘You’re wearing that look you had on the boat.’ Stella’s voice was husky. ‘Something’s on your mind.’
Her perspicacity awed him. Just as well he wasn’t facing her across a negotiating table.
Gio hesitated. He was grappling with his response toher. How she made him feel, though he’d spent years avoiding feelings.
‘You’re thinking about Eduardo again, aren’t you?’
‘I…’ He shook his head. ‘There are things I don’t understand.’ Mainly about himself and how far he’d go to secure Stella. But Morosiwason his mind. They mightn’t have been lovers but… ‘Why marry him?’
‘Stability,’ she responded instantly. ‘I want my baby to have a caring family. To be safe.’
Gio’s stare sharpened. ‘Safe?’
‘You wanted to know why I went to Rome.’ Stella ran her tongue over her lips as if her mouth were dry. ‘I’d asked my father for the chance to run one of his hotels. He’d given my brothers the gift of a hotel each in their early twenties. I didn’t really expect that, but I’d hoped, with my work record, he’d give me a chance to prove myself as a manager without oversight. I’ve worked towards that for years.’
What had this to do with their baby’s safety? ‘Go on.’
‘He put a counteroffer. Marry a rich man, from a family he planned to do business with, and he’d agree, though I can’t say I was ever sure he’d keep his word.’
Gio scowled. ‘He’d chosen a husband?’
‘Yes. Someone I’d never met. He expected me to marry a stranger who had nothing to recommend him but his aristocratic family and banking connections. His character wasn’t mentioned.’
Shock held Gio silent, mind racing. A rich banker from an old family. ‘Not Morosi?’
Stella nodded. ‘From the time I came to Italy I’ve tried to fit in. I did what my father demanded, wanting to be part of the family, accepted and…’
She drew a shaky breath that made his heart clench, for what she hadn’t said was as clear as what she had. She hadn’t been accepted, wasn’t truly one of them.
‘You said no?’
‘I packed a bag and took the first flight out. I needed to think. If I didn’t do what he wanted, it would end my career in the family business, and my relationship with my family.’
His hand found hers across the table. The thought of Stella with Barbieri iced his blood. Grappling with that ultimatum then running into Gio, only to be suspected of spying…
‘I’m sorry, Stella. For my actions and suspicions. You had enough to deal with without that.’
The hint of a smile teased her lips. ‘Thank you. At least I understand why now. Because you’d already had dealings with my father.’
Her fingers tightened around his. ‘My time with you made me see how mistaken I’d been, hoping he’d change. He’d always put his own interests first. I returned to Sicily determined not to live like that any more.
‘When I discovered I was pregnant, I knew I had to make a complete break. I couldn’t let my child be raised under his influence.’
