sexy Italian by her side, the poshest car she’d ever ridden in and the most magnificent countryside added up to trouble. She was certain of it.
Then again, why fight it? Why not enjoy it? This was her treat for working so hard to graduate with high honors from college. Granted she’d been a couple of years older than her classmates, a result of enrolling late because of a financial hardship. But none of that meant the classes had been any easier for her.
“Here we are.” Stefano slowed the car to a stop outside a sprawling villa. “I hope you’ll be comfortable here.”
“I...I’m certain I will be.”
She gazed up at the sprawling three-story villa. This was more like a colorful mansion than a cozy country home. She caught herself gaping and pressed her lips together. Bright blue shutters adorned each window and door. The color contrasted well with the sunny yellow walls and the red tile roof. Someone sure appreciated vibrant colors. And she couldn’t blame them. It made a happy, welcoming statement.
The various balconies beckoned to her. Was it possible that her room would have one? She hoped so. She envisioned strolling out there to enjoy her morning coffee. Wow. People really lived like this?
She couldn’t help but glance around looking for someone with a video camera. But there was no one in sight. Somehow it was hard to imagine that this villa was someone’s home and not a prop on a television show about the rich and famous. And Stefano could easily fit the part of a sexy movie star who set women’s heart’s racing—except hers. She was immune to his charms.
Stefano opened the car door for her, and she stepped out. “This place is amazing.”
“Thank you.”
“It’ll be the perfect backdrop for the wedding.” She glanced around, searching for the ideal spot for Lizzie and Dante to say their vows.
“You’re thinking of having the ceremony outside?”
A gentle breeze tickled her skin. “Of course. With such a beautiful setting, it’s not even worth considering any other place.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what do you know about planning a wedding? Are you—I mean, have you been married?”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. The thought of her making such a commitment was akin to asking her if she could sprout wings and fly. Sure, she hoped that Lizzie would live happily ever after, but, as for herself, she didn’t believe in putting her future in someone else’s hands.
“I’m a confirmed bachelorette.”
His dark brows lifted. “Really?”
“Don’t look so shocked. Men don’t have the market cornered on staying single.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I just never met a woman that didn’t believe in roses, platitudes and promises of forever.”
“Well, now you have.”
“So I have.”
Though she’d never admit it, standing here in this little piece of heaven on earth with a man whose thoughts extended beyond his zipper, she could at last understand why some women went the romantic forever route. She turned, and their gazes connected. She should glance away, but she didn’t want to. Not yet. Her stomach quivered. She’d never experienced such a sensation around a man. What was it about him that had her body betraying her?
Whatever it was, she’d have to be careful around him. No way was she going to fall for some unrealistic fantasy. She knew for a fact that the people you were supposed to trust the most were the first to let you down—the first to inflict pain. Her father had done it first. And then her mother had let her down in the worst way.
Jules refused to let herself get close enough to a man for him to hurt her.
* * *
The following morning, Stefano found himself lingering in the updated kitchen longer than necessary. Instead of his normal one cup of caffè, he’d just finished his second when he turned to refill his cup and found the pot empty.
Oh, this was ridiculous. He was stalling, and by the look on Maria’s face, their cook/housekeeper knew it, too. Thankfully she didn’t say a word about his beautiful houseguest. Maria turned her back to him and set about making a fresh pot.
He carried his empty cup to the sink.
Maria tilted her head to look at him. “If you wait, you can have more caffè.”
“No, thanks.” He forced a smile before gazing out the window at the brilliant morning sunshine casting a golden glow over the ordered rows of grapevines. “I’m just tired today. I was up late last night catching up on some paperwork for the winery. Harvest time will be here soon. We need to be prepared.”
Maria’s dark head nodded before she moved to the fridge. Just great. Now he was talking like a blathering fool. He shouldn’t be standing around—waiting for Jules. She’d be fine on her own. He’d shown her all around the villa yesterday.
The less he thought about the woman who wore far too much makeup, the better. His work was waiting for him, and it wasn’t getting done standing here.
“Thanks for breakfast.”
“Don’t worry so much. Everything will work out.”
Before he could ask what she meant, he heard footsteps. He turned to find Jules standing there in black shorts and a sheer long-sleeved black top. But what sent his heart slamming into his ribs was the black bra that was visible beneath her top. Wait. It was more than a bra, but not much more. There was a strip of stomach visible, and the spaghetti straps left her arms bare beneath the sheer top.
His first instinct was to get her one of his long-sleeved shirts to put on. What if one of the workmen saw her like this? His gut knotted up. Then again, why should he care what clothes she wore? Or who looked at her? But he couldn’t shrug off the unsettling feeling of protectiveness. He didn’t want other men ogling her.
The thought brought him up short. He couldn’t be jealous. That was ridiculous. He had no claim on her. Nor would he. She could traipse around in her birthday suit and it’d mean nothing to him.
So then why was the sight of her in that sexy little outfit warming his blood? His jaw tightened, and his body tensed. It’d be best if he thought of something else—and quick.
“Good morning.” She smiled as though she didn’t have a care in the world. “I didn’t mean to sleep in so late. I guess all of the traveling is catching up with me.”
Stefano’s mouth went dry, and his mind went blank. He should say something. Yet his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. He was staring. And he couldn’t tear his gaze from her.
Maria stepped between them and offered Jules breakfast—a hearty one. As Jules dug in, the fact that the slip of a woman had such a hearty appetite didn’t escape his attention. When her eyes met his there was a twinkle of amusement in them.
He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did. I
