Destino (22 page)

A nervous tremble went through her hand when she reached for her cappuccino, so she abandoned the attempt. It was silly to hide the truth from her best friend, but for some reason she didn’t want to talk about it. She ignored the questioning look on Fabiana’s face. Mira hid her sleep-deprived eyes behind the black lenses of her sunglasses. Giovanni was gone. So breakfast this morning had been served outside on the veranda facing the lake. They dined alone on an arrangement of pastries, so sweet and fresh the cream filled croissants melted on her tongue.

“I have news.” Fabiana’s voice, whimsical and light, matched the mood of her friend when she arrived in a tangerine sundress that Mira had designed for her three years ago.

“Sounds mysterious,” Mira said, grateful for the change in subject.

“Lorenzo and I are going to date exclusively. We’re falling in love. It’s real.”

“Oh? Okay.”

“That’s all you have to say?”

“Good grief Fabiana, I’m not your mother or your priest.” Mira chuckled. “If you’re getting close to the man, then it’s okay. I only want you to be careful and use your head.”

“Take off those sunglasses. I want to see your eyes when you say those words.” Fabiana laughed. “Where’s my friend? What have you done with her?”

Mira waved off the request. “I’ve only been protective of you because I love you. I’ve seen you disappointed too often in the past.”

“He’s great. Yesterday I broke the golden rule. He got a taste.”

“Taste of what?” Mira asked a bit disinterested. She wondered when Giovanni would return. He left before they could finish their talk. She was even more curious about the man.

Fabiana snapped her fingers in front of her face. “Pay attention. We made love. It was more than I expected. Not to say I’m in love with the sex. It’s just how he makes me feel. I can’t explain it.”

“Trust me I understand.”

“Would you take the sunglasses off please?”

She gently removed them from her face. Fabiana leaned forward. “Sweet Jesus, girl, did you get any sleep last night?”

Mira picked up her knife and checked her reflection in the sterling blade. Her eyes were puffy, and watery with dark circles beneath. She didn’t bother with makeup. “No. I didn’t sleep. Not a wink.”

“Why? You went to bed early enough.”

Indeed she had gone to bed. Between tossing and turning and being ravished, there was no time for rest. The sun warmed her face and shoulders, still she felt drained, hollow, lifeless. Fabiana stared with an expectant look of some confession to be offered. What could she say? Every time she begged for release he had his hands on her. All night he wanted her. When his dick didn’t respond he used his mouth and hands, fingers. It was never ending. Thankfully a knock on the door sent him to the shower and leaving her semi-conscious on the bed. She nearly had to crawl back to her room. The muscles in her legs screamed from the strain he put on them.

“Hello? I asked you a question. Why were you up all night?”

“Don Giovanni.”

Fabiana’s eyes stretched wide. Mira took another sip of her coffee, set the cup on the saucer and met her friend’s questioning stare. “He returned to the villa late last night.”

“And? So?”

“And I went to his room.”

Fabiana sat back, her long bangs falling into her eyes. She sat perfectly still, staring, as if they’d just met. Mira averted her gaze to the lake. The water was a beautiful cobalt blue, and the waves almost sparkled under the clear sky. This place defined paradise.

“Go on.” Fabiana encouraged.

“I let him… you know... we talked, and then we did more.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am.” Mira nodded. “All night.”

“But you said you went to his room? I found you in yours this morning, alone.”

“I did.” Mira shrugged. “And it happened.”

“Sounds to me like you wanted it to happen. Planned it?”

“Maybe. So?”

“So?”

“There’s no conspiracy. You just confessed to sleeping with Lorenzo. I’m sure you wanted that to happen.”

“Sorry.” Fabiana raised her hands in defense. “It’s not like you. That’s all.”

“You sound like Kei.
This is not like you Mira
, he would always say.
Has Fabiana been putting crazy ideas in your head again
?” she mocked her ex’s deep voice.

“Well? Have I?”

“Everyone thinks they know me better than I know myself. And that’s the thing with Giovanni, I can be me. He has no preconceived notions. It feels so good. So I say this is exactly like me. The new me!”

“Hey. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. What’s wrong with you? You dated Kei for six months before you had sex with him. You are very, very particular about men. More so than me.”

Mira put her sunglasses back on. “I guess I’m a bit caught up. You know. In all of this.” She nodded toward the sparkling blue waters of the lake. They were in the middle of paradise. She had a sexy Italian man showing her more passion than she’d had in years, and it’s got her head spinning. Who could blame her?

“I can be impulsive.”

“So he just wants sex?”

“I never said those words.”

“Do you care what he wants? Is this only about you?” Fabiana leaned in and lowered her voice. “Good for you if it’s about you and you only. I want you to be selfish for once. If you can forget Kei and all the stress of the past year, then that means you can create so much more. It’s perfect. This is why we needed this break, so we can discover who we are.”

“You are good for my inner wild child.” Mira winked. “I love you.”

“Who else will put up with your uptight ass? Besides I knew something was up. I mean girlfriend, who gets hickies from a washcloth?”

Laughter exploded from them both. “You haven’t seen anything. I think I got some on my butt, too!

“Whew!” Fabiana fanned herself. The laughter eased them into a comfortable silence, but Fabiana continued to grin. “Okay so I have to ask. The man is intense. Did you see the way he flipped to gangster on me at dinner?

“He did not.”

“He did too! He rarely smiles, unless you are speaking. And when you are in the room, he stares like you belong to him. Intense. Kind of intimidates me, and you know, no one intimidates me.”

“What do you want to know?” she asked.

“How… how did it go down? Did you just go to his room and then bam! Sex, lots and lots of sex?”

“Don’t be silly!”

“C’mon, did you seduce him? What? I have to know about this inner wild child.”

“He’s different. Less serious when he’s with me. Sometimes. He’s definitely different when he’s turned on. I went to his room… and yes it was a bam, thank you mam!” she chuckled. “The man had me so horny after he—” Mira bit down on her bottom lip. She had no intention of sharing the details of their prelude to their sex that made her bold enough to seek him out in the night.

“He what? Mira are you comparing him to Kei? Is that holding you back?” Fabiana asked.

Mira shrugged.

“That’s normal. Lorenzo’s different, too. Oh and trust me, here in Italy, different is good.”

They sat in silence for a moment, staring out at the sailboats drifting along the lake. Mira broke the silence. “You do know what they do, who they are?”

Fabiana shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Are you kidding? Having a fling is one thing, but you said you were falling in love.”

“And you’re not?” Fabiana tossed back.

“NO! Been there and done that. No. Absolutely not.”

“I’ve known you since we were nineteen. I’ve seen you with two men in all that time. One a blind date I set up for you that you chased away, and the other Kei. You went to Giovanni last night for more than sex. You like the man.”

“Like! I like him Fabiana. That’s not love.”

“Whatever you say. Remember we do plan to make Napoli our home. The man practically runs the entire region along the Amalfi coast. Your paths are going to cross, over and over again. Shouldn’t you get to know him outside of his bed?”

Suddenly, she felt thirsty. She reached for her water instead of coffee and swallowed down deep gulps.

“They aren’t men to dismiss lightly. Especially, if you’re having sex with them.”

She released a bitter laugh. “I know this. It wouldn’t hurt to get to know the man I’m sleeping with. And yes, I like him. Do you really think it wouldn’t matter to you one bit what Lorenzo does as long as you have him in your life? Especially if it’s illegal?”

“Are you saying that you’ll end this love affair with Giovanni without finding out if there’s something real there, because of your prejudices?”

“Now this is rich! I’m prejudice?”

“Of course you are.” Fabiana waved her off. “We all are in some way or not. Pre-judging people makes you prejudice. You even thought Kei was tied to something illegal because of his associations. If people don’t live up to the moral code your granny carved into you, you have no tolerance level for them. Everyone has to be perfect.”

The accusation cut deep. She was glad for the cover of her sunglasses. She double blinked away the glaze of tears blurring her vision.

“All I’m saying is you must give Giovanni a chance, like I will for Lorenzo.”

“A chance to what Fabiana? If these men are into illegal things, what chances are you suggesting we give them?”

“If? Let’s not pretend we don’t see who they are. The men with guns, the way they speak, dress, nearly bow when your sexy Don enters a room. I’m suggesting that we start our life by new rules in Italy. Take a chance to discover if who these men are matters more than how we feel when we’re with them. That’s all. Maybe we can be better influences on them. Who knows what the future could bring.”

“Dating criminals? I can’t believe you would even suggest it.” Mira shook her head. “You’re thinking about changing who Lorenzo is to make him fit into your life. I won’t play that game. You can’t change a man, and you know this.”

Fabiana picked up her mimosa and gestured in a mock toast.

“I get what you’re saying. I don’t want you to ever think that my support of you is on the condition that you are perfect Fabiana. I’m not perfect, and I don’t expect you to be.”

“Fine, neither is Giovanni or Lorenzo. They aren’t perfect. Let’s just enjoy the time with them and see what we see.”

“Right. I’m sure we’ll see plenty.”

After breakfast Fabiana excused herself to make a few business calls. Mira suffered a twinge of disappointment. Fabiana was far more sensitive than she. If her friend believed she was falling in love with Lorenzo then the blinders were on and her focus was singular. That could mean trouble.

A stroll is what she needed. The veranda had stone steps that led to a cobblestone path through a manicured garden. The cool serenity of the snug retreat made her feel welcome and safe. She shoved her hands down into the front of her jeans. A fresh breeze washed over her. Her oversized long-sleeve shirt, which she tied in the front and rolled the sleeves up on her arms, proved perfect for the day’s weather. Her hair was up in an untamed ponytail, and her sunglasses shielded her weary eyes from the sun. She was too restless to try again for sleep.

At the foot of the path, she stopped. Giovanni was there. He had his back to her staring off into the lake. He wore a dark shirt and slacks. In fact, since she’d met him, the man had worn no other color than black. His hair smoothed back from his face covered his lapel. A curl of smoke lifted from in front of his face before his hand lowered. She saw a half-smoked cigar in between two of his fingers. Her teeth caught the edge of her bottom lip, and she glanced around to see that they were alone. Should she disturb him? She was so excited to find him she ached to do so.

When did he return? Why was he out here smoking alone?

He turned in an instant, and his gaze fell upon her. No wonder she lost her head so quickly with him. One look into his eyes, and she was filled with nervous energy. Fabiana was right. Casual would not be their thing. It had gone beyond that point. “Hi,” she said.

“Morning, Bella. I thought that was you.” He extinguished the cigar with his thumb then dropped it into the front of his shirt pocket without a flinch.

“You knew it was me?” she asked.

“It’s a hidden talent of mine, eyes behind my head.” He approached her. “I had to perfect that skill years ago.” He greeted her with a kiss. She loved the height on the man.

“How tall are you?” Mira asked.

“Strange question,” he smirked.

“You’re tall, and so are your men.”

He chuckled. “Blame our fathers.”

“Did I interrupt you? You looked to be deep in thought.”

“No, I was waiting.”

Mira stepped closer. “For?”

“You. Didn’t want to disturb your breakfast.”

Her smile faded. He had seen her and Fabiana? Did he hear the conversation too? “Okay. So now that you have me what’s next?”

“How about we go for a walk?” He extended his hand.