partners will handle everything, and you’ve already done the most important work with Maurice. When was the last time you went off on a real trip anywhere? Be honest.”
Her eyes closed tightly. “I don’t remember.”
“That’s what I thought. I need a holiday badly, too, but I never felt like taking one because the woman I wanted with me wasn’t available. My fear that you were happily married and living somewhere in Italy with your husband and children tortured me more nights than you’ll ever know.”
Gemma had battled the same fears about him and had suffered endlessly for years.
“We’ll leave in the morning. Go home and get packed. I’ll come by the pensione at eight. We’ll drive to the airport and have breakfast on the plane.”
He was serious. It frightened and thrilled her at the same time. She moistened her lips. “Aren’t you too tired to go anywhere after coming back from New York?”
“When we get to the beach, we’ll sleep, relax and play in the water to our hearts’ content.”
It did sound out of this world.
“If—if we go,” she stammered, “I don’t want us to sleep together. When we’re in each other’s arms we communicate as a man and woman, but—”
“We certainly do.”
Heat filled her cheeks. “You know what I mean. I didn’t think of you as the duca while we were on the bed, but at other times—”
“I get where you’re going with this,” he broke in. “You want to see us as that man and woman no matter what else we’re doing.”
She nodded.
“So do I, so I’ll try to keep my hands off you. But I’ll warn you now, it’s not going to be easy.” He walked over to the massive dresser and pulled out a knit shirt he put on. “I thought I’d better cover up before I walk you out to your car. Fortino’s a man and would understand, but I don’t want him to get the wrong idea about you.”
“Thank you.”
His deep chuckle reverberated through her body as he caught her face between his hands, kissing her long and hard. Like old times, they wrapped their arms around each other and started down the winding staircase. Vincenzo stopped every so often to give her another kiss. She didn’t think they’d ever reach the bottom and didn’t care.
They crossed through the castello to the front entrance. “It feels like we’re the only two people on earth.”
“Don’t I wish,” he whispered against her throat. They nodded to Fortino and went down to her car. “Let’s exchange phones so we can put in our numbers. I want you to call me the second you reach the pensione.”
She nodded. When that was done, he crushed her against him. “Ci vediamo domattina.”
If she wasn’t dreaming, then she would be seeing him in the morning. Taking the initiative, she pressed a kiss to his lips and climbed in the car. “Tomorrow.”
* * *
Vincenzo packed a bag, then phoned his cousin before getting in bed. “Dimi?”
“Are you back from New York?”
“Yes, and I’m going away again, but I wanted to call you first. How’s Zia Consolata?”
“Failing a little more each day.”
“I’m so sorry. When I get back from this trip, I’ll come and spend a few days with her to give you some relief.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’ve had a breakthrough with Gemma.” He’d always told his cousin everything. For the next little while he explained what had gone on this evening. The part about her conversation with their grandfather Emanuele came as a shock to him.
“You’re right. That gave Mirella more ammunition. But I’m worried. You sound too excited, Vincenzo. The zebra doesn’t lose its stripes.”
Vincenzo didn’t want to hear that. “But she has agreed to go on vacation with me.”
“Just be warned. You’ve been in hell for years. Two weeks with her might still not be enough to make her see the light.”
His breath caught. “Thanks for your optimism.”
“I just don’t want you to end up in more pain that could last for the rest of your life.”
He didn’t want that, either, and worried about his cousin. Vincenzo wished there was more he could do for him. Dimi had relationships with various women, but his prime concern was to take care of his mother.
“I love you for caring, Dimi. Talk to you soon. Ciao.”
WHEN MORNING CAME Vincenzo dressed in chinos and a sport shirt, then met early with Cesare and Takis to tell them his plans. With everything settled, he phoned Gemma to say that he was on his way to Sopri in one of the hotel service vehicles. He’d parked his Maserati around the back of the castello.
When he pulled up in front, she came out with her suitcase. His heart rate picked up speed. She looked fabulous in white sailor pants and a sleeveless white top. He wondered how long it would be before the sight of her didn’t send adrenaline pounding through his blood.
He jumped out of the car to help her in and put her case in the back. Those luscious lips of coral were too much of an enticement. By the time he’d finished kissing her, there was no more lipstick left.
“The padrona was watching out her window.”
“Are you ever going to stop worrying about being with me?”
Her chest heaved. “I promise to try not to let my fears get the best of me.”
“That’s all I can ask.” He tucked some strands of honey-blond hair behind her ear.
“Where are we going?”
“First we’ll fly to someplace I haven’t been before. Have you ever traveled to Bari along the Adriatic?”
“No.”
“Good. I want to explore the coast.”
“Ooh. That sounds exciting. Are we taking the ducal private jet?”
“No. We’re flying commercial, like two ordinary people.”
Her head turned toward him. “Are you teasing me?”
“Does that mean you’re disappointed?”
She blushed. “Of course not.”
“We’re simply two people on holiday together, doing whatever we feel
