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?’
