My eyes darted around the patio.It wound around the back of the house—or castle.An infinity pool butted up against the edge of the patio.I wanted to get up to see what was on the other side, but Stefan came back with a bottle of wine in an ice bucket and two glasses.He dropped the bucket into a stand that was off to the side.Then he handed me the wine glasses.“Take these for me, please.”
I grabbed the glasses and watched him move the ice bucket stand beside his chair.He slid the wine bottle out as the ice crashed back into the bucket.
Stefan pulled a corkscrew from his pocket and began opening the bottle.The sleeves of his button-down shirt were rolled up, and I found myself staring at his forearms.Who knew that forearms could be so attractive?My fingers itched to touch them.
The bottle opened with a pop, and I smiled up at him.He took one glass from me and poured—and handed it back.Then he took the other glass and poured until it was halfway full and stuck the bottle back into the bucket.
“To my beautiful wife.”He held out his glass.“And her first meal in our home.”He clinked his glass against mine.I bit my tongue, not wanting to ruin the moment.It still really confused me why he kept saying this house—or more like castle—was mine.It obviously wasn't.
We weren't even really married.
I'd have to bring it up later.
But for now, I didn't want to disturb the peace between us.And quite honestly—this view was otherworldly.Stefan could say anything he wanted as long as I could sit here and stare at the beautiful water.
I took a quick taste of the wine and—“Mm,” I said and drank some more.There was a distinct fruity taste.Berries of some kind?It was delicious.
“Do you like it?”Stefan asked as he sat down beside me.He took a long sip from his glass.
“I love it,” I told him truthfully and drank more.Then I shifted in my seat and set the glass down.The uncomfortable ache between my legs was getting a bit worse.Maybe from all the sitting.“Where did you get it?I bet there are some great vineyards around here.”I ignored the pain and picked up my fork.
“Carlo has the family vineyard.I help when I can, but it's mostly his thing.”
I stabbed at my salad and stopped.“Carlo owns a vineyard?”I gazed over at him and was speechless.I mean—who the heck—owns a freaking vineyard?
“It's the family vineyard.But yes, essentially, it's his.”
I shifted again and brought the fork to my mouth.
Just then, Stefan abruptly got up from the table and walked away.
All right.
Whatever.
I dug into the salad and the rest of the food.Unsurprisingly, it was all perfectly tasty.
The lettuce was crisp.Not sad and wilty like the lettuce I served him at my apartment.
Gosh.
Yeah, I was embarrassed back then at the quality of food I'd given Stefan to eat.But now—eating this—knowing how rich this guy really was, I was mortified.
My thoughts were interrupted by four pill bottles deposited on the table beside me.“Take something.I can tell you're in pain.”Stefan sat back down and began eating.
I looked at the bottles and then at him.“I'm fine, thanks.”And then I felt even more self-conscious.How could he tell I was in pain?
I went back to my meal, ignoring his orders.I didn't need to take anything.
“Francesca,” he said a minute later.
I turned my head to him as I chewed.“What?”
He shut his eyes in what looked like frustration and took a deep breath.When he opened them, he said, “Take a pill.It'll make you feel better.”He dropped his fork on the plate and picked up one of the bottles.He opened it and spilled out two pills into his palm.Then he held them out to me.“Here.”
I frowned at his offering and continued eating.“I said I'm fine.”Gosh, this guy was even bossier than I remembered.Good grief.
“Why are you being so stubborn?I know you're hurting.”
