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She flitted around the room almost as if she owned the place, but I could tell she was enjoying herself immensely. So, I let her.
Dropping the bags, I immediately moved into the kitchen, checking the cabinets and refrigerator. I had to admit my staff knew me far too well, lining both with everything we’d need. Which was why they got paid the big bucks. Too bad I wasn’t a romantic guy since there were even new pillar candles on the counter.
She finally moved to the connecting bridge for the other main bungalow, standing just outside the door as if fearful to head down the well-secured planks.
The sun was already setting, creating stunning imagery across the water. I took the time to open a bottle of cabernet, one of my favorites. With two glasses in my hand, I headed toward the bridge, but she’d already crossed. Taking my time, I meandered toward her, marveling once again at her beauty when I found her at the furthest point, standing with her hands on the railing.
She was laughing softly, simply enjoying the quiet reverence the location had to offer.
I moved beside her, offering the glass as if it was an olive branch. At least she accepted without tossing the expensive liquid in my face. Somewhere during the trip, she’d yanked out her ponytail holder and the way the wind was blowing through the long strands kept me staring at her.
She gave me a onceover, starting to say something then stopping. As she returned her gaze toward the ocean, I leaned over the railing.
“You are very lucky,” she said in such a reserved voice I almost didn’t recognize it.
“Didn’t your parents ever take you to a location like this when you were young? They had the money for glorious vacations.”
Her snort also caught me off guard. “You obviously suck at research. When you were investigating my family, you should have easily learned when I was a kid, we were poor. My dad worked two jobs just to make ends meet, my mom even cashiering at a local mini mart for a little while so I could have the kind of toys and treats other children my age were getting on a weekly basis.”
That surprised me. Granted, I hadn’t delved into every year or every contract her father had secured. “Where did you live?”
“Oh, Dad insisted we act like we had money. He put everything into a house way out of our means. Little did anyone know Mom and Dad were mortgaged to the hilt, some furniture close to being threadbare. But we made do, even if dinners were often macaroni and cheese and whatever meat was on sale. What their hard work showed me was that if you wanted something bad enough, you did the work.”
“Impressive values to teach a child.”
She nodded and took a sip of wine, closing her eyes as if savoring the taste. Every expression drew me in even more. “I think that’s why when he got his first major contract followed by a second and was suddenly invited to all the swanky parties, I was shocked how much his attitude changed. Yes, he was good at acting but I didn’t want to be like the rest of the kids. Arrogant little bastards.” She laughed and goddamn, the sound was the perfect music.
“You mean like me and my brothers?”
“If we’re being honest, I’d say I prefer to think of your family as rich, spoiled kids with silver spoons stuck up their asses. I know that’s rude of me stereotyping that way, but I grew up around them.”
“I do want you to feel like you can be honest with me as well as comfortable. We don’t need to be enemies.”
“Don’t we?” As soon as she turned her head, she was forced to shove hair behind her ear to keep it from blowing in her face. “I might not always understand or react the way I should about my father’s rise to wealth and fame of sorts, but I was there when he barely got home in time to grab a couple hours of sleep. I was the kid who never had her father take her to father-daughter special places. He never came to school recitals. Granted, even as a kid I knew the sacrifices he was making.” She turned toward me, walking closer. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“What is that?”
“Break my father into little bits by using me. It’s not going to work, Valerio. We come from a tougher stock than you have any idea about. You’ve never had a tough day in your life. Have you? You likely never got dirt under your fingernails from the joy of planting flowers. And I doubt you ever changed your own oil in any vehicle. I have. My dad taught me to be self-supportive. You see, all of us weren’t born so lucky. So, if I’m here solely so you can turn me against my father, it’s just not going to happen and you can take me back to the States. I will fight you.”
She was one of the few people, let alone women who dared stand up to me. I would usually be angry or attempt to crush the spirit of the person doing so, but around her I didn’t necessarily want to be that person.
Even if we were playing an emotional game of chess where one opponent would ultimately lose.
“I wanted you here so we could get to know each other.” I realized that was true.
She laughed entirely differently. As if I was making fun of her. “Right. I guess we’ll see what happens. Don’t fool yourself or try to fool me. You’re a superficial man who is used to fulfilling his needs with ease. Sure, I’m attracted to you. I’m not going to lie about that. Yes, I’ve even enjoyed your company, as crazy as that sounds, but I want to be around a man who understands real life. Men who can embrace suffering and family tragedy as much as they manipulate passion into something they want it to be. We’re two different people destined for two different things but one thing I can say: I can look at myself in the mirror. Can you?”
I honestly had no easy answer for her, so I remained quiet.
As she headed back to the bedroom bungalows, I took a deep breath. How in the hell was I going to handle this woman?
I honestly had no idea.
But I knew one thing; she had more chutzpa than I’d ever had.
And something else. I wanted her to be mine. All mine.
CHAPTER 18
