“That’s so interesting,” a heavily accented voice crows from behind me. Turning, I see it’s Luca’s grandma, Gam Gam. She is wearing fur, jewels, and an air of excellence, exactly how you’d imagine Italian royalty. “I’m Rosa Bianchi, but you can call me Queen.”
My eyes must widen, because she cackles. Antonio scolds his mom. “She’s joking with you, Elizabeth. Mom has a rude sense of humor.”
“When you get as old as I am, you get your kicks where you can.” I stand and greet her with a head nod that’s far more delicate than my first attempt at a graceful acknowledgment. Rosa takes my hand in hers. “Call me Gam Gam. What have you been up to with my grandson?”
Luca laughs. “You really are feisty today, Gams,” he says, walking over to kiss her on the cheek. “I’ve been keeping Elizabeth busy. Don’t you worry.”
“Don’t turn her into a clown car, Luca Bianchi. She looks like a nice girl.”
“She is. That’s why you’re meeting her,” Luca says, smiling with his eyes. “She’s something special. She’s got the magic kiss.”
A glass breaks in the corner where Kieran is standing next to the bar. “I’m sorry,” she tosses out, not really meaning it. “Gam Gam, do you want a flute or a goblet?” For the first time, Kieran looks flustered. Maybe his family does make her nervous. I’m relieved she does get ruffled. Gam answers her, and Kieran’s hand shakes as she pours champagne into a flute and walks the glass over to hand it to her.
Luca notices immediately and excuses himself to talk to her in the corner. I talk to Gabby about her extreme animal charities while keeping Kieran and Luca in my peripheral. Her arms are crossed and her body language makes it clear she’s not happy right now. Jealousy sears when he lays a hand on her shoulder, but her defensive posture doesn’t change. Maria and Antonio are sipping tea, talking about me to each other. Something they aren’t even trying to hide.
Gabby sees where my gaze is and whispers, “He likes you and they’re tallying the scoreboard. Don’t take it personally.”
“Take it personally? You just said they’re scoring me!” My heart thrums along at a frantic pace. “This isn’t serious with Luca, they don’t need to judge me too harshly.”
Her deep blue eyes are set wide in her face. Gabby is an exotic beauty. Those same stunning eyes narrow with suspicion. “Not serious? Of course it is!”
I can’t follow her train of thought. “Because I’m considering the director position?”
“No, because we’re in the room with you.”
A lurch of excitement washes over me. “But so is his ex-girlfriend.”
“We only met her after, when she was his employee. He called yesterday and told us to come meet his ‘Princess.’ This is one hundred percent a first.”
I can’t help it, I immediately let my gaze lock on Luca. He’s not looking at Kieran anymore, he’s looking at me. A ravaging, soul-stealing look, that says I’m not the only one falling in love.
“Princess?” My voice cracks. “He used that word?”
“Did he kiss you?”
An odd question, I retract from. “Yes.”
She smiles. “Oh, he’s so going to keep you forever.” Gabby hugs me. “Want to go see my Capuchin, Princess?”
Chapter Eight
The beach
“THEY’LL STAY AWAY,they’re back at their house for the night. They drink so much during the day on vacation that they’re all nearly asleep by seven. The night is ours,” Luca whispers, wrapping his arms around me, his chest pressed against my back. “Relax now.”
“They must hate me. I’m so plain and boring,” I sigh. “Not that I expected anyone would love me, but impressing people like you guys is probably the most difficult thing in the world.”
A cool wave washes over our feet and we sink a little further into the white sand. “Not that I care even a little bit about what they think, but they do like you. They told me that much before they left.” The other Bianchi mansion is next door, but you still need a vehicle to get there. We’re isolated on Luca’s beach right now. After I ate my feelings and donned a new green bikini, I joined him out here. I’m being vulnerable, but I only have a couple days left here in this bliss-filled oasis with Luca, and I’m feeling morose.
“I never expected this to be more than sex. I think when you asked me to be your Christmas con it opened my mind to more. Then I saw you. Then I kissed you.”
“Are you saying my lie is what drew you to me more than you’re typically drawn to women?” I ask, spinning to face him. Luca’s hands trail my sides, leaving chill bumps in their wake. “That’s pretty bad.”
He kisses me again, and I languish in the way he lets everything sink into the gesture. I think about what Gabby said. “Did you really want your family to meet me? That’s why they came?”
I can taste him inside my mouth and I know it won’t be long until we’re naked. “I did. It will keep me accountable when I go back to the real world.”
The pull to him gets stronger every second I’m near him. This is what it’s like to have lust at first sight morph into something different. “Accountable?”
