• • •
Luca stared down at Sophia curled in the fetal position on the bed. His heart swelled and it was time he admitted it, at least to himself. He was in love with his wife. Sophia had become the foundation that supported the rest of his life. When he was with her, he experienced an inner peace he hadn’t even realized was missing. The sense of purpose he’d been unconsciously searching for, he’d found in her arms. His money, his success, it all meant nothing if she wasn’t there to share it.
He wanted to tell her. But, his head told him to hold back. Sophia was always so serene, so in control. He had no idea what she really felt. Sometimes, she even appeared to be playing a role. On the drive down from Milan, she said she could easily fool Leslie that she was desperately in love with her husband. What he would give to make it real. This deal? The future of his company? His stomach felt like it was falling.
He sighed. This wasn’t supposed to be so complicated. Sophia seemed to enjoy his company, she certainly enjoyed their lovemaking. Was he still just her ticket to an easier life? She never asked him to stay home or made any demands of him. He couldn’t give her his heart if she didn’t want it.
He would have to be content with telling her how he felt during the heat of their passion. Of course he had to tell her in his mother’s native language, as Sophia’s Italian was too good now for her not to know what he was saying. The wry thought passed through his mind that his mother would be so proud that he could still remember some of the Sardinian she’d taught him as a child.
As he continued to stare, her eyes fluttered open and she stretched.
“What time is it?” Her voice was husky with sleep.
“Almost eleven. Sorry to be so late. We went for drinks after our meeting to celebrate. Have you eaten?” He glanced around the room. There were no room service dishes here or in the hallway outside the room.
“No, something I had at breakfast didn’t agree with me. I haven’t felt like eating.”
He sat on the bed beside her and checked her forehead for a fever. If anything, she was a little cool. “I think we should take you to a doctor.”
“Honestly, Luca, you worry too much. I’ll be fine in the morning. What’s the schedule for tomorrow? Are we going back to the site?”
“No, there is no need. I may still have to go back next week if the regional planners have any questions. I thought tomorrow we would take the coastal road back, stop in some of the villages, and enjoy the sea air.”
“Actually, I would like to get back to the villa as soon as possible tomorrow. Isabella and I have an important meeting on Monday and I’d like to prepare. We have a chance to bid on a huge contract to redecorate twenty rental properties.”
There was a sharp stabbing pain in his chest. “Twenty? That is amazing.”
She yawned again. “Are you coming to bed now?”
He searched her face, her eyes were already closed.
“Actually, I have a few emails to send first. I will join you in a little while.”
“Okay, ’night.”
He turned away from the bed and grabbed his laptop out of his bag. He’d work in the lobby so as not to disturb her. The chances were slim that he’d actually be able to concentrate and send the urgent messages. Not when the distinct possibility of living apart from his wife loomed large before him. But he had seventy-five people depending on him for work—he couldn’t just pack it in because he wanted to spend every possible moment with Sophia.
He couldn’t give up the hotel project and he couldn’t take it.
• • •
Sophia stepped through the door to the villa. She loved this house. Would she love it the same if Luca weren’t living here? Probably not.
At least she felt better than yesterday. A good night’s sleep and a couple cups of tea had done the trick. That, and leaving Teramo in the rearview mirror. But that respite was probably short-lived.
Maria bustled out of the kitchen as Luca brought in their bags, informing them that dinner would be ready in about an hour.
“Do you need to work on the proposal for your meeting tomorrow?” There was an odd light in Luca’s eyes. Probably the same look she got when he talked about his project.
“No. Isabella is coming over tomorrow morning, and we’ll work on it together then.”
“Shall we take a walk in the garden?”
She searched his eyes and saw hope and something else. Fear? “I’d love that.”
He took her hand and they strolled toward the rotunda set in the topiary garden. The trailing roses were in full bloom and their delicate scent filled the air with perfume.
“You do not like the cottage, do you?” Luca stopped walking and tilted her face up, his thumb gently caressing her cheek.
“The cottage is fine. It’s just so far from anywhere. I’ll be trapped there while you’re at work.”
“It is only for a little while. There is no other option, Sophia. The city is more than two hours away. We plan to start construction at 6:00 a.m. If we live in town I will have to leave by four and will not get home until after eight at night.”
“I know.” She tried to blink it away, but a tear fell down her cheek. Luca bent and kissed it away, holding her close.
“I cannot bear for us to live apart, amore. It hurts to even think about it.”
“For me, too. But I’m scared of what I will become. I told you when we first married that I didn’t do sitting around the house well. And what if you tire of me? You will be dealing with interesting people all day, and when you come home the only thing I’ll be able to talk about is the dust bunny I chased around the sitting room.”
“Dust bunny?”
“Never mind. The point is, I’ll be bored out of my mind. What if I turn into Leslie Wilkins?”
“You will never become that. You are too strong. You are my warrior ninja woman. And I do not know why you think I will get tired of you. You fascinate me, Sophia. More each day.” He kissed her lips, absorbing her sigh.
Yeah, but for how long?
• • •
Sophia shut down her laptop and prepared to answer questions. Thankfully she was sitting and they couldn’t see how badly her knees were shaking. Even Isabella, who always seemed so confident, was fiddling with their paper proposal in front of her. The board had been silent during her presentation, and Sophia had no idea whether she’d nailed it or missed by a mile.
“Thank you, Signora Castellioni and Signora Carrero. That is the best presentation we have seen. You understood exactly what we were looking for,” the chairman said. The elation Sophia expected to feel was squashed by her nausea. “Do any of the other board members have questions?” John Templeton looked around the room. An ex-British Army commander, he was as rigid as a concrete wall. No one, it seemed, dared question him. “Very well, then. We will make a decision this evening and let you know the results.”