had already tasted it and knew it was good. Not as good as the cook on the yacht had made it, but she was proud of it. Out of the corner of her eye she watched Cesare take his first few bites, wishing he were her husband so they could do this every morning.
Pretty soon he was dipping his roll into the concoction the way she always did. Halfway through his meal, he ran out of roll and reached for her hand across the table.
“You told me you didn’t know how to cook anything except to make instant coffee and tea in the microwave.”
“I forgot about this. I love it so much I begged the cook on my parents’ yacht to teach me how.”
He released her fingers. “It’s superb...just the right taste and consistency. You must have been up all night.”
“I wanted to treat you for a change. It was worth it.”
He seemed taken back. “My mother’s version isn’t as good as this one. We’re going to be serving your rendition for one of our nightly desserts starting next week.”
She moaned. “It’s so much work!”
His deep laughter filled the kitchen. “That’s what the assistants are for. I have a gut feeling our fame for fine Sicilian cuisine is going to spread and we’ll be inundated with too many would-be guests to accommodate.”
He got up from the table and brought back a plate with more rolls. Having finished off the flavored ice, he devoured the rest of them in no time at all. “These are delicious by the way. You’re such a fast learner it’s breathtaking. I’m convinced you could do anything at all if you put your mind to it.”
“I think you’re flattering me into giving you another serving of granita. I made enough if you want more now.”
“I’ll definitely want some later.” He sat back in the chair. “Tell me. Would you rather lie down for the rest of the morning and catch up on some much-needed sleep? Later on this afternoon I’ll come back and we’ll work on the chocolate torte. Once you’ve made it, we won’t have to worry about your cooking anything new for a few days.”
“I’d rather do it now if you don’t mind. Then I’ll be able to relax enough to face tomorrow.”
“So be it. Let’s get started. I’ll clear the table while you find your bible.”
“It’s on the shelf.” She got up to reach for it and saw Cesare put the menu in his trouser pocket. If that meant what she hoped it meant, all the hard work and loss of sleep had been worth it.
Later, while she was icing her next five-layer creation, Cesare’s cell phone rang. She kept working while he walked in the living room. He didn’t come back to the kitchen for at least fifteen minutes. She couldn’t read his expression.
“Is everything all right?”
He lounged against the wall with his hands in his pockets. “Ciro took a turn for the worse during the night and has ended back up in the ICU.”
“His heart?”
“Yes.”
“How sad.” She waited to hear more. “What else is wrong? I know it’s something serious.”
“I’d rather not have to tell you this, but you have the right to know.”
“What is it?” Her voice shook.
“My mother had just arrived at Bertina’s palazzo to prepare meals this morning when the police showed up without notice and took her to police headquarters for further questioning.”
Tuccia put a hand to her mouth.
“Mamma returned to the villa to phone me. The police know that Bertina is the person you’ve always turned to and that she was the one who chartered the jet for you. Naturally they believe she knows where you are hiding.”
“Of course.”
“Just remember your aunt is a strong woman who loves you very much. She says your parents have softened a great deal and went to the station with her to lend their support.”
“You’re kidding—”
“No. I really do think they are suffering over what they did to you. Mamma and I agree she’ll be able to handle an interrogation. The police don’t have evidence of any kind. Bertina doesn’t know where you are, only that you’re safe. The police won’t be able to hold her.”
“The situation is growing unbearable. I could end all the pain for Bertina by just going home.”
In the next breath Cesare walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. He looked into her eyes. “That’s not going to be necessary. Once Jean-Michel gets your letter, he’ll tell the police and the princess hunt will be over. But if you feel strongly about this, I’ll fly you to Palermo today to see your aunt.”
“I know you would, but I couldn’t let you down now.”
“Forget about me.”
“You’re too wonderful to be real.” She buried her face in her hands. “I wish I knew what to do. I don’t want my zia to suffer, but I’ve made a commitment to you. Hearing the bad news about Ciro only makes things worse.”
Cesare pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. “I have an idea that will make the most sense. Let’s wait another day until I hear from my mother. Hopefully your fiancé will have gotten your letter. Nothing may be as bad as you’re imagining.”
His tenderness was too much. Tuccia broke down sobbing quietly against his chest, unable to stop. “Forgive me for soaking your shirt. I’m a disaster and you shouldn’t have to put up with me for another second.”
“What if I want to.”
When she tried to pull away, he lowered his head and started kissing her wet face until his mouth covered hers. It all happened so naturally that her lips opened. In another second she experienced the full intensity of a kiss that thrilled her to the very depths of her being.
“Cesare—” she cried, so completely besotted she started kissing him back with a passion she didn’t know herself capable of. For this fabulous man to be loving her like this brought a rush of joy to her heart she could hardly contain.
“Forgive me if I’ve been needing this,” he whispered in a shaken voice. “You have no idea how you’ve affected me. Tuccia—” He drew her so close there was no air between them. “Tell me to stop.”
“I can’t. I want you to go on kissing me and never stop.” Once again they were devouring each other. The more she clung to him, the more she realized she’d never be able to appease this growing hunger for him. He’d come into her life and changed it forever.
She wanted him with her whole heart and soul, but if he was only kissing her in order to comfort her, then she had to do something to turn this around. All he needed now was to have to worry about being stuck with a fugitive who was desperate for love and attention and had begged him to let her remain here and work for him.
It
