He winked. ‘I prefer this view.’
The water deepened and soon they were both treading hard to keep their heads above it. Luca pulled Colette close and held her in his arms. The sudden action caused her to laugh and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
‘I am so glad to be back,’ he said. ‘I missed you.’
Colette searched his eyes. Did he really? He looked back at her, the depths searching hers.
‘You do not believe me.’
‘No,’ she replied, sighing. ‘It’s not that.’
‘Yes, it is. I can see it,’ Luca answered. ‘What troubles you, my Colette?’
His Colette? She wanted to be.
They bobbed in the water, and Luca picked up her legs and wrapped them around his waist as he supported them both.
‘Tell me.’
She swallowed the lump in her throat at his question. If she wanted the truth there was no better way to get it than to ask. And no better time than the present.
‘That night on the boat, the phone call. You were very secretive about it.’
His brow wrinkled. ‘Secretive? I think I was just annoyed. You know how much I hate those things. I wish they had never been invented, and that Mr Jobs had stayed working in his garage,’ he added light-heartedly.
But Colette wasn’t to be dissuaded by humour. ‘Who was it?’ she asked, surprised at her own insistence. But she needed to know. ‘On the end of the line that night.’
Luca shrugged. ‘My father. He and I … Let’s just say we do not bring out the best in each other.’
She let out the breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. She believed him. It wasn’t another woman or something he was trying to hide, like Annie had suggested.
He’d already told her that he worked in his father’s business more out of duty than anything else. So if the two men clashed,it made sense that a phone call interrupting a personal moment would put Luca out of sorts.
‘I’m still confused, though,’ she admitted. ‘When I’m with you I feel amazing. Then when you were gone and I didn’t hear from you, I wondered what was happening. I still don’t know why you’re interested in me. What it is that you want.’
Luca looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Is that all?’
‘No,’ Colette admitted, deciding to be honest. ‘I want to know what we are. What is this thing between us?’ she questioned. ‘Is it just a summer fling, or something more?’
‘Summer flings can be wonderful,’ he mused. He grinned from ear-to-ear until he saw the expression on Colette’s face.
‘Is that what I am to you?’
His expression immediately became apologetic. ‘I was just making a joke. You want to know what you are to me. You want to know if there is more than just the time you have left here in Italy.’
‘I want the truth, yes.’
‘Well, I cannot tell you for certain.’ Her face fell at his words. He shrugged. ‘I do not know what tomorrow will bring,’ he continued. ‘I cannot say what will be with any certainty, but I can say what I hope will be.’
‘What does that mean?’ she asked, her voice testy. He was maddeningly obtuse.
He smiled. ‘Not right now, OK? There is much going on in my life right now. Today is just a day to enjoy the sun and each other.’ He pulled her closer and whispered in her ear. ‘I will not play with your emotions. I would not be so cruel. I promise I will answer you, just not now. Now, I just want to be here – with you in my arms.’
‘That’s not fair. Why should I wait around for you to make a decision, to tell me what’s really going on?’
‘I do not intend to tell you, my Colette. I plan to show you. Before you leave here, I will make all the arrangements and soon, you will know. I hope to know also.’
‘What do you mean?’
