Gio respected her enough to make her own decision.
If her father had his way, that wouldn’t happen again. She’d be tied to a stranger, to new responsibilities as well as her old ones. Hemmed in.
Stella halted. ‘The south coast?’
He nodded. Was that excitement in his bright gaze? ‘The Amalfi Coast. Even so, it’s very private. The villa has its own beach, cut off by cliffs on either side.’
The Amalfi Coast.
She’d seen photos of course. She’d almost visited last year, planning to use precious vacation time to explore the area’s renowned beauty. Colourful towns climbing steep hills from the sea. Vine-covered terraces high above spectacular vistas, perfect for an intimate meal or sunset drinks. Picturesque little boats on a sea that was aquamarine and turquoise and cerulean.
But her vacation had been cancelled, because her father had needed her elsewhere. Again.
Sometimes you just have to jump.
‘Thank you, Gio. I’d love to come with you.’
CHAPTER SEVEN
Stella had neverseen 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.
