‘What are you training for?’ asked Rebecca, as much from politeness as curiosity. Kimberley seemed to assume she was one of them and as she glanced round the table, she realised all the men had the same lean, muscular, athletic build.
‘The Giro,’ said Kimberley.
Startled, Rebecca did a double-take. ‘What? As in the Giro D’Italia?’
‘The women’s, obviously, but yes.’
‘Wow,’ said Rebecca, impressed and a little bit awe-struck. That was a serious race, over five hundred miles across the length and breadth of Italy. ‘How do you all know each other?’
‘We were all at Marian University together. On cycling scholarships.’
‘In the States?’ she asked, remembering that Felipe had said he’d gone there.
‘Yes, and even though some of us are still competing, we do a pretty good job of staying in touch. Alonso and Giorgio both live in Lisbon, which is handy for the rest of Europe. I’m staying with Alonso, so Walker and Pierre hired an apartment and tagged along. Unless we bump into one another on the circuit, we don’t see each other that often– and of course, I’m on the women’s circuit, unless I’m supporting Walker or Alonso.’
‘So you’re all professional cyclists.’ Rebecca’s eyes widened. She’d always been fascinated by the big cycling races, especially the Tour de France.
‘Yeah,’ agreed Kimberley. ‘Except Felipe, of course.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Which is a damn shame because he was good. He could have gone all the way.’
Rebecca’s heart bumped uncomfortably in her chest at the confidence, although she nodded as if she had always known that Felipe was once a cyclist. What had happened? Had he had an injury? She felt as if she’d encroached on something she shouldn’t have. He’d never mentioned it. In her mind there were two reasons for that: one, it didn’t matter, or two, it mattered a lot.
She gave him a discreetly appraising look. It was obvious now. He had the same lean build as the others. Did he still cycle?
It felt like prying to ask Kimberley for more details, so instead she asked a couple of general questions about where the twins came from (Tennessee), how long she’d been with Alonso (eight years) and how she liked Lisbon (her favourite city).
‘It’s my first time,’ said Rebecca, ‘but I love it.’
‘Yeah, it’s a great city. The hills are a great training ground at five in the morning when no one else is about.’
‘I’ll take your word for it,’ said Rebecca with a wry shudder. ‘I’ve done quite a bit of cycling– nothing in your league of course– and I definitely prefer the flat.’
‘So what gives with you and Felipe? He’s never brought anyone with him since—Sorry, that’s so tactless.’
‘Don’t worry. We’re just friends. I’m working in Portugal for the summer at his family’s hotel.’
‘Ah, phew. I’m relieved to hear it. It’s never a good idea to sleep with the boss. I wondered if Estela broke his heart or something. He’s never mentioned anyone.’
‘Oh, he’s not my boss.’ Rebecca was quick to clarify it because it would be a bit ick to sleep with your boss. ‘I work for his sister.’ She couldn’t, however, help but be intrigued by the mention ofEstela. Was that why Felipe avoided relationships? He’d been burned once, a bit like her.
‘What’s the hotel like?’ asked Kimberley. ‘I’ve never been. Felipe is always quite cagey. Alonso and I are thinking about coming in the off-season in October for some downtime away from training. Would you recommend it?’
‘I would. It’s in the most idyllic location and has a great spa and fitness centre. You can get a massage. There’s a really good pool. And there’s plenty of walking and I bet good cycling round there, although I haven’t been out. In fact, I must ask if there’s a bike I could borrow.’
‘Ha!’ Kimberley let out a belly laugh. ‘You’ve got to be kidding. Felipe must have at least a dozen bikes– I’m sure he won’t have got rid of them all. Hell, he could probably build you one.’
Rebecca simply nodded, feeling that she was trespassing on Felipe’s life. He’d never volunteered any of this information.
‘So, Rebecca, where do you come from?’ asked Giorgio from across the table. ‘And what are you doing later?’
‘We’re going out to dinner,’ said Felipe, surprising her by laying a possessive hand on her back, his fingers stroking her skin very lightly. She leaned into him, relishing the light touch which set her nerve endings quivering again. Sex had never been this much fun or quite so electric. Felipe certainly knew what he was doing. ‘And she’s far too good for you. What happened to the Brazilian model you were seeing?’
‘Bianca. She’s long gone. Keep up.’
‘You’re such a tart, Giorgio,’ said Kimberley with a good-natured laugh. ‘No one can keep up. I bet you have trouble remembering whose head is on the pillow next to yours in the morning when you wake up.’
‘Wake up, bella?’ Giorgio shot her a smouldering smile. ‘I keep them up all night, with my endurance and stamina.’
‘Yeah,’ chimed in Walker. ‘He’s not known as King of the Mountain for nothing.’
