confused. “Who is Zach?”
“No one,” Keira told him. She cast appealing glances at her mom and sister, willing them to keep their big mouths shut for once.
Mallory smiled at Cristiano. “You’d like to stay here for a bit, wouldn’t you, hun? I can show you around the local areas tomorrow.”
Keira’s eyes widened. “No way, mom. Cristiano has better things to do with his time.” The thought of her mom having him for the whole day filled her with dread.
“What things?” Bryn challenged her with a laugh. “Someone has to show him around. Keep him entertained. You know I could always do it.” She crossed one of her lean legs over the other.
“No!” Keira said more forcefully. She did not trust either of them around Cristiano!
“Actually, I’d like to explore by myself,” Cristiano said, finally getting a chance to get his own voice heard. “When I’m in a new city, anyway. Is that okay, Mallory?”
“Of course,” she chuckled. Then with a grin, she added to no one in particular, “He is so polite.”
“But I do think it would be nice to take up your offer of us staying here,” he added. “Keira got to see my home and I would love to see her old room too.”
Keira buried her head in her hands. This was about the last thing she wanted to happen! But then she thought about the complete lack of privacy they had at Bryn’s. Even with her offering up her bed to them it was still very crowded. Not to mention messy and noisy. At least here Mallory would go to bed early and they’d get a bit of space and privacy.
“Fine,” Keira finally replied. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d slept over at her mom’s. But thanks to Cristiano it was about to happen for the first time in years. “We’ll stay.”
“Wonderful!” Mallory cried, and she topped up everyone’s wine glasses with more sickly pink wine.
Keira and Cristiano shared a cab with Bryn to her apartment so they could collect some things. Cristiano stuffed his clothes into his satchel, and Keira collected toiletries, fresh underwear, her makeup, perfume, and an outfit for work, including heels, something she’d not worn for the entire time she’d been in Italy!
When they left, Keira was relieved that it was just the two of them again.
“I’m sorry about today,” Keira told Cristiano as she curled up beside him in the back of the cab.
“Sorry?” he asked. “What for?”
“For my family. They’re nuts.”
He laughed. “I actually really like them.”
Keira pondered over whether he just meant he liked Bryn but tried not to dwell on it.
“And are you sure you’re going to be okay on your own tomorrow?” she added. “I could see whether one of my friends might be around to meet up with you?”
As she said it, she thought of Shelby who was very safely engaged. But Shelby would definitely be at work. Maxine would be free, but she was single. Keira just didn’t trust this relationship enough yet to loosen the reins.
“I’m very sure,” Cristiano told her decisively. “I already said I like to explore. I made it my job, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” Keira admitted, “But New York City is kind of different to Italy.”
Cristiano pressed a hand to his heart. “I am a big boy,” he told her. “I can look after myself. Even in New York City.” He kissed her lightly.
They reached Mallory’s apartment, and, after paying the cab driver, went inside, settling down for a quiet evening on the couch watching TV. A little after nine pm, Keira’s plan paid off – Mallory did indeed retire to bed.
Then for the first time in ages, Keira felt herself finally relax. She’d been pretty on edge ever since landing back home. Between Bryn’s craziness, her mom’s craziness, and a whistle-stop tour of the city, she felt like she had hardly had time to catch her breath. At last she could really take stock of things, of Cristiano and the fact he had traveled halfway across the world to be with her.
She kissed him, savoring the taste of him. There was something different now in their kisses. A greater intensity. Now she was on home turf, everything had become very real. He’d made something of a commitment and that changed things for the better.
“I suppose you’ll be wanting to see my room soon?” she asked, using her sultry voice.
Cristiano picked up her tone immediately, raising his eyebrows in excited anticipation. “I definitely would.”
She stood from the couch and reached down, offering her hand.
“Then you’d better follow me,” she purred.
Looking like the cat who caught the cream, Cristiano did exactly as she said.
Chapter Six
Keira woke the next morning feeling groggy. But the moment she rolled over and caught sight of Cristiano’s gorgeous face, she sighed with content. Last night had been wonderful, and put all her fears to rest. It was just a shame that she would have to leave him and go to work!
She slid out of bed, careful not to wake him, and headed out into the corridor. Everything was very dark as she padded across the floor towards the bathroom.
Showering at her mom’s felt so strange. Keira couldn’t remember the last time she’d had cause to stay the night here. It certainly hadn’t happened in the last two years because she’d been living with Zachary.
As warm water ran over her skin, Keira wondered if her mom was right. Maybe she didn’t pay her as much attention as she ought to. Cristiano’s relationship with his parents was admirable. It was only the fact Keira put her career at the forefront of everything she did that she didn’t share a similar relationship with her own mom. There was a lot she could learn from him, she realized.
She finished showering quickly and emerged with sopping wet hair, then wrapped herself up in one of her mom’s bamboo towels before heading back out into the hall. As she shuffled through the apartment, a noise caught her attention, coming from the kitchen. Curious, she walked over and peered her head around the door.
“Mom?” she asked, when she saw her mother standing there in her robe.
Her mother yawned. “Morning, darling. Coffee?”
Keira smiled at her mom. “Did you wake up early just to make me coffee?” she asked, touched. She’d just been planning on grabbing one on the way to work.
“It’s not every day I get the chance,” Mallory replied.
Keira went into the kitchen and kissed her mom on the cheek. “That would be great. Thank you,” she said.
Mallory looked surprised. “I think Cristiano is a good influence on you,” she said.
“I think you’re right,” Keira replied.
She went back into her room and dressed in the darkness as the smell of coffee began to seep in
