into his eyes. “To her teacher, a man who is without equal.”
Cesare wished it were true.
Everything she said and did had such impact he didn’t know where to go with his feelings without betraying them. But he’d made himself a promise to keep things professional for a while longer. She, too, was behaving as if their soul-destroying kiss that morning had changed nothing.
But they both knew that it had.
All he could do was clink her glass and drink more wine.
“Hmm,” she said after tasting the fettuccini. “This is exceptional. I can see why Maurice was hired.”
“We’ve been very happy with him.” Cesare ate another of her rolls. “It’s a balmy night out. After we finish dinner, would you like to go for a drive while we talk about tomorrow?”
“You must be reading my mind. I was afraid to ask.”
She’d probably be shocked if she knew what was going through his. He’d rather take her in the other room and dance with her. Unfortunately if he did that, they would end up in the bedroom and not come back out for days. So much for him following his own advice to put those thoughts out of his mind.
He took a deep breath. “I thought I’d show you around the castello estate to get you acquainted. You’ll enjoy seeing the swans on the lake.”
“Ooh. How beautiful.”
“It’s quite a sight on a moonlit night, though the moon won’t be out for several hours. When we return, I’ll finish off the granita and another slice of torte.”
After they finished eating and had cleared the table, they walked outside and took off in the car. Tuccia turned to him in her seat. “I’ve wanted to see the fortress up close. It has such a rich history. I can hardly believe that Vincenzo’s family home has been turned into a hotel and restaurant.”
“Vincenzo’s father and uncle squandered everything and the estate was seized by the government to be sold to the highest bidder. Vincenzo asked me and Takis if we wanted to pool our assets and buy it with him.”
“When was this?”
“The three of us were in New York at the time. He had the idea to turn it into the business proposition it is today. That way he could preserve his family legacy and do something honorable for the region. I thought it a fantastic idea. So did Takis.”
“Bravo for Vincenzo,” she exclaimed. “I can understand that happening in a family as power-hungry as his. It’s the only reason my parents made sure early in my life that they would have a son-in-law with a fortune. That would be their insurance to keep them living their lavish lifestyle to the end of their days.”
Her words caused Cesare’s stomach muscles to clench. He drove them to the summit and took the road that wound behind the castello.
“This place is massive.”
“You’re right.”
Two sets of guests from the hotel were out walking. He drove the car past them until they reached the lake much further away. She rolled down her window. “It’s so lovely and peaceful, but I don’t see any swans.”
“They’re probably hiding in the rushes, but they’ll come out.” Cesare turned off the engine and turned toward her. “Tomorrow will be here before you know it. Gemma is ready to ease many of your concerns. But I’d like to know what is worrying you most and relieve you if I can.”
Tuccia shook her head. “Do you know what I wish? That I could have been a normal person you’d hired at one of your restaurants in New York. Think how much I could have learned from you.”
He had news for her. If she’d come into his life back then, they’d be married by now. He wouldn’t have hesitated asking her. “Instead you’re learning to be a pastry chef here.”
“But it isn’t fair to you,” her voice cracked.
“Tuccia...”
“It’s true. You’re playing a dangerous game in order to protect me, Cesare. I honestly don’t know what Jean-Michel would do if he caught up to you.”
Cesare smiled. “I’m afraid you should be worried what I’d do to him if I had the opportunity.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Try me. What can he do except rage?”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“All I know is, your mother should never have asked you to help me.”
He slid his arm along the back of the seat. “Aside from the fact that I met you at her house in the middle of the night, she didn’t have anything to do with my decision to fly you here.”
She stirred in the seat. “How can you say that?”
“Because I’ve had to live with Vincenzo and Gemma’s story for many years. The night my mother told me about your situation, the horror of their history came back to haunt me. For you to be forced to undergo a betrothal at your age was not only feudal, it was criminal.”
“Zia Bertina said the same thing many times. That’s why she agreed to help me escape. I’ll love her forever for what she did for me.”
“The emotional damage to you was as bad as anything physical,” Cesare spoke his mind. “When Mamma asked if I would help you leave Palermo, I didn’t have to think about it and was determined to help you any way I could. That hasn’t changed for me. Does that answer your question?”
Once more she hid her face in her hands, but she nodded.
He ruffled one of her curls with his fingers. “You said you wished you were a normal girl I’d hired to work in one of my restaurants in New York. In truth it’s exactly what I’ve done, but this restaurant happens to be in Milan. Shall we put all the angst of the past aside and concentrate on tomorrow? You’re my new pastry chef who’s going to be running the show.”
She finally lifted her head. “I intend to make you proud. Maybe you should take me back to the apartment. I rested a little today, but I didn’t sleep. If I go to bed now, I’ll be in much better shape by morning. Another time I’ll come out here and watch for the swans.”
Tuccia’s resilience was something to behold.
“There’ll be many opportunities.” Cesare started the engine and he drove them back to the pensione. When they arrived, he walked her to the door.
Don’t touch her, Donati.
If he made that mistake, he would never leave her apartment. “I’ll be by for you at eight. We’ll have a working breakfast with Gemma.”
“I’ll be ready. Thank you for the dinner and the tour, Cesare. Dormi bene.”
“E tu.”
Giving in to unassuaged longings, he pulled her in his arms, kissing her long and hard.
He
