An Inconvenient Love (Crimson Romance) (18 page)

After about ten minutes, the trees thinned and they emerged onto a little plateau. A slate terrace and a pergola covered in roses graced the center. They all wandered over and stared at the view. In the far distance the blue Aegean Sea shimmered in the early-summer sunshine. But it was the magnificent view of the medieval village they would be turning into a world-class spa hotel that was the real prize.

“See, from here you will be able to watch as we turn the past into the future. I plan to take a photo every day when it is not raining and create a slideshow of our progress.”

“What a great idea,” Chet said. “It will make great marketing material.”

“The view is beautiful,” Sophia agreed.

Leslie huffed. “I’m sure Rapunzel said the same thing when she looked out of her tower.”

Sophia leaned her head against the cool tile wall of the hotel bathroom, hoping to quell the rising nausea. Luca and Chet had gone off to a meeting with the regional planning committee to discuss the restoration of the village and its transformation into a hotel complex. They didn’t expect any opposition to their plans as the tax revenue and local employment benefits were substantial. Leslie had pleaded a headache and decided to stay in the hotel, so Sophia had been relieved of her chaperone duties.

Now she could vomit in peace, without Luca hovering over her. He’d been really sweet at the cottage, almost carrying her down the hill in the end. And for the drive back to Teramo, he’d insisted that she sit up front with him, relegating the billionaire Chet to the backseat, next to his wife.

Sophia had pretended to sleep while Luca and Chet discussed the initial construction phase. They were going to start with the smallest houses, which were to serve as accommodation for the workers while they rebuilt the larger structures. She and Luca were to live at the cottage for at least the first year, although Chet acknowledged that Luca had other projects that would require his attention so he didn’t need to be onsite every day. Luca already had someone who would take over from him in Milan, dealing with the day-to-day business aspects of his company.

Next they talked about other places in Italy and southern France where they could possibly replicate the project. At that point, Sophia stopped listening. Leslie was right. There was always one more deal.

Her mother’s pinched face loomed before her mind. The disillusion, the drudgery, the despair of giving up on her dreams had haunted Janice Stevens until there was no light left within her to shine on her children. Sophia couldn’t, wouldn’t let that happen to her. But could she really be so selfish as to pursue her dream at the cost of Luca’s? Isabella had said that she put her husband’s happiness before her own, knowing that he did the same. If it was always the one person giving up their happiness, however, could the marriage last? And would Luca soon lose interest in her, as Chet had done with Leslie, if she had nothing to bring to the relationship?

The turmoil of her thoughts echoed in her stomach.

Her mobile phone rang in the other room and she hurried to answer it, although if it was Luca, she wasn’t sure that she wanted to speak to him just yet.

“
Ciao
, Isabella,” Sophia said, seeing her friend’s name on the call display.

“Sophia, I have the great news. But first, did Luca get the job?”

“Yes. He is meeting with the officials now to get started on the paperwork.”

“You do not sound happy.” Trust Isabella to pick up on that hundreds of kilometers away when her husband hadn’t been able to work it out while standing in the same tiny room in a cottage.

“It means Luca has to move down here for at least a year, probably two.” Sophia’s stomach roiled again and she took a drink of water.

“Oh, I see. Then that makes my news of no matter.”

“What’s your news?”

“You remember my friend from school who works with a company that rents houses to English tourists?”

“Yes, we met her at lunch a few days ago.”

“Well, her company is looking to redecorate all twenty of their properties. They want to combine local Italian features with some English style so the guests will feel more at home. She wants us to bid on the contract. She believes you will be a top contender to be the chief designer as you know both cultures. But if you will not be living in the area … ” The excitement in Isabella’s voice faded away.

“How much is the contract worth?” she swallowed again.

“Fifty thousand euros. And that would be just our commission. The total budget for the redecoration is 200,000.” Her dream come true. Dare she take it?

“I’ll have to call you back, Isabella. I think I’m going to be sick.” Sophia raced to the bathroom, making it just in time.

• • •

Luca stared down at Sophia curled in the fetal position on the bed. His heart swelled and it was time he admitted it, at least to himself. He was in love with his wife. Sophia had become the foundation that supported the rest of his life. When he was with her, he experienced an inner peace he hadn’t even realized was missing. The sense of purpose he’d been unconsciously searching for, he’d found in her arms. His money, his success, it all meant nothing if she wasn’t there to share it.

He wanted to tell her. But, his head told him to hold back. Sophia was always so serene, so in control. He had no idea what she really felt. Sometimes, she even appeared to be playing a role. On the drive down from Milan, she said she could easily fool Leslie that she was desperately in love with her husband. What he would give to make it real. This deal? The future of his company? His stomach felt like it was falling.

He sighed. This wasn’t supposed to be so complicated. Sophia seemed to enjoy his company, she certainly enjoyed their lovemaking. Was he still just her ticket to an easier life? She never asked him to stay home or made any demands of him. He couldn’t give her his heart if she didn’t want it.

He would have to be content with telling her how he felt during the heat of their passion. Of course he had to tell her in his mother’s native language, as Sophia’s Italian was too good now for her not to know what he was saying. The wry thought passed through his mind that his mother would be so proud that he could still remember some of the Sardinian she’d taught him as a child.

As he continued to stare, her eyes fluttered open and she stretched.

“What time is it?” Her voice was husky with sleep.

“Almost eleven. Sorry to be so late. We went for drinks after our meeting to celebrate. Have you eaten?” He glanced around the room. There were no room service dishes here or in the hallway outside the room.

“No, something I had at breakfast didn’t agree with me. I haven’t felt like eating.”

He sat on the bed beside her and checked her forehead for a fever. If anything, she was a little cool. “I think we should take you to a doctor.”

“Honestly, Luca, you worry too much. I’ll be fine in the morning. What’s the schedule for tomorrow? Are we going back to the site?”

“No, there is no need. I may still have to go back next week if the regional planners have any questions. I thought tomorrow we would take the coastal road back, stop in some of the villages, and enjoy the sea air.”

“Actually, I would like to get back to the villa as soon as possible tomorrow. Isabella and I have an important meeting on Monday and I’d like to prepare. We have a chance to bid on a huge contract to redecorate twenty rental properties.”

There was a sharp stabbing pain in his chest. “Twenty? That is amazing.”

She yawned again. “Are you coming to bed now?”

He searched her face, her eyes were already closed.

“Actually, I have a few emails to send first. I will join you in a little while.”

“Okay, ’night.”

He turned away from the bed and grabbed his laptop out of his bag. He’d work in the lobby so as not to disturb her. The chances were slim that he’d actually be able to concentrate and send the urgent messages. Not when the distinct possibility of living apart from his wife loomed large before him. But he had seventy-five people depending on him for work—he couldn’t just pack it in because he wanted to spend every possible moment with Sophia.

He couldn’t give up the hotel project and he couldn’t take it.

• • •

Sophia stepped through the door to the villa. She loved this house. Would she love it the same if Luca weren’t living here? Probably not.

At least she felt better than yesterday. A good night’s sleep and a couple cups of tea had done the trick. That, and leaving Teramo in the rearview mirror. But that respite was probably short-lived.

Maria bustled out of the kitchen as Luca brought in their bags, informing them that dinner would be ready in about an hour.

“Do you need to work on the proposal for your meeting tomorrow?” There was an odd light in Luca’s eyes. Probably the same look she got when he talked about his project.

“No. Isabella is coming over tomorrow morning, and we’ll work on it together then.”

“Shall we take a walk in the garden?”

She searched his eyes and saw hope and something else. Fear? “I’d love that.”

He took her hand and they strolled toward the rotunda set in the topiary garden. The trailing roses were in full bloom and their delicate scent filled the air with perfume.

“You do not like the cottage, do you?” Luca stopped walking and tilted her face up, his thumb gently caressing her cheek.

“The cottage is fine. It’s just so far from anywhere. I’ll be trapped there while you’re at work.”

“It is only for a little while. There is no other option, Sophia. The city is more than two hours away. We plan to start construction at 6:00
a.m.
If we live in town I will have to leave by four and will not get home until after eight at night.”

“I know.” She tried to blink it away, but a tear fell down her cheek. Luca bent and kissed it away, holding her close.

“I cannot bear for us to live apart,
amore
. It hurts to even think about it.”

“For me, too. But I’m scared of what I will become. I told you when we first married that I didn’t do sitting around the house well. And what if you tire of me? You will be dealing with interesting people all day, and when you come home the only thing I’ll be able to talk about is the dust bunny I chased around the sitting room.”

“Dust bunny?”

“Never mind. The point is, I’ll be bored out of my mind. What if I turn into Leslie Wilkins?”

“You will never become that. You are too strong. You are my warrior ninja woman. And I do not know why you think I will get tired of you. You fascinate me, Sophia. More each day.” He kissed her lips, absorbing her sigh.

Yeah, but for how long?

• • •

Sophia shut down her laptop and prepared to answer questions. Thankfully she was sitting and they couldn’t see how badly her knees were shaking. Even Isabella, who always seemed so confident, was fiddling with their paper proposal in front of her. The board had been silent during her presentation, and Sophia had no idea whether she’d nailed it or missed by a mile.

“Thank you, Signora Castellioni and Signora Carrero. That is the best presentation we have seen. You understood exactly what we were looking for,” the chairman said. The elation Sophia expected to feel was squashed by her nausea. “Do any of the other board members have questions?” John Templeton looked around the room. An ex-British Army commander, he was as rigid as a concrete wall. No one, it seemed, dared question him. “Very well, then. We will make a decision this evening and let you know the results.”

Sophia and Isabella managed to wait until they were in Isabella’s car before they shouted in glee. Isabella pulled out her mobile and called Dante. Sophia couldn’t understand the conversation—it was too fast in Italian—but she could hear the pride in Dante’s voice as he congratulated his wife. Sophia’s fingers hovered over the screen of her phone. Should she call Luca?

He’d done his best to be supportive, but she knew his heart wasn’t in it. When they’d made love for the past three nights, each was as if it were the last time. There was a poignancy in his kisses that had never been there before.

Her phone buzzed in her hand. Luca calling. Was he excited to hear how her presentation went? Or was he hoping she’d failed?

“
Amore
, where are you?”

“I’m in Monza. I’ve just finished my presentation.”

“Have you forgot that we are to have dinner with one of my clients tonight?”

Damn, in her excitement she had forgotten. “No. Sorry, I’ll be home in a few minutes. The people before us went over their allotted time, so we are running a little late.”

“I will wait for you. Please do not be long.” No question about how it went.

“He is not happy?” Isabella turned her astute eyes on Sophia.

“No.”

“If they offer us the contract, we do not have to accept,” Isabella reasoned.

“I know. Will you hate me if I say ‘no’?”

“Never. You must decide what is more important to you, your career or your marriage. It is not a decision I would like to make.”

“But didn’t you give up your career as a journalist for your marriage?”

“No, not really. It did not make me as happy as being with Dante. But I see your face when you talk about design. You are very excited and you make everyone else excited, too.”

Design did make her happy. But happier than she was with Luca?

Isabella started the car and drove Sophia home.

Luca was pacing the front hallway when she arrived. There was a grim line around his mouth, and he skipped their usual hello kiss.

“I’ll change quickly and be right down,” Sophia promised.

The dinner was so boring, Sophia had to restrain herself from checking her watch. The client’s wife had narrowed her eyes when Luca had introduced her but still managed to take every opportunity to put her hand on Luca’s arm and laugh provocatively at anything Luca said that was even remotely funny. Sophia alternated between wanting to rip the other woman’s arm off and spill red wine on her white silk dress. She really should have taken up ninja training. Then she could have dispatched her with grace and stealth.