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And the grandeur of the Palazzo unsettled her.
Her eyes roved over the priceless art on the walls. Cristiano was a renowned collector and she knew he was responsible for much of the restoration of the Palazzo. But although he spent time here when he needed to be in the city, she knew his preference would always be the villa at the Ferrara Spa and their new home in Taormina.
Their home.
Thinking of somewhere as home sent a warm feeling flowing through her. Watching as he took a phone call, switching easily between English and Italian, she felt her insides soften because this incredible man was hers. Yes, he was a workaholic but she loved his energy and his utter commitment to a task. And to his family. Cristiano was big on responsibility and commitment and those had been rare qualities in her life before she’d met him. He was offering her that part of himself.
Laurel took over tying his tie, ducking as he gesticulated with his hands and let out a stream of angry Italian to the person on the end of the phone.
When he finally cut the connection he was visibly angry.
‘Lawyers!’ His jaw clenched, he stood still while she straightened his tie. ‘They are enough to drive a man to drink. I have to fly to Sardinia and I’d planned to spend the afternoon with you. I was going to take you shopping and spoil you.’
‘I’ll be fine. Dani is back from her honeymoon and we’re meeting at the Spa later for manicures and a girly chat. I also promised Santo I’d take a look at the health club at the Resort. I’m going to do a workout, observe some of the trainers in action. Make some recommendations. Then I’m going to find myself an empty office and answer all those emails I’ve been ignoring since we went to Taormina.’
Cristiano frowned. ‘You can use my office, but I don’t want you to have to work today.’
‘I don’t have to work. I want to work.’ Laurel stood back, wondering if there was ever going to be a time when she didn’t go weak at the knees when she looked at him. ‘There. You look smart.’
Sinfully handsome, she thought.
Hers.
‘Grazie.’ Distracted, Cristiano reached for his jacket. ‘I will be back in time to take you for dinner tonight and that’s a promise. I’ve discovered a new restaurant—’
‘In that case I’ll buy a new dress.’
‘You do that.’ He leaned forward and kissed her. ‘I have spoken to my mother, by the way. She was mortified that you’d been through that without telling anyone. She wished very much that you had confided in her.’
Laurel shrugged awkwardly. ‘Not my forte, as you know.’ ‘I tried to explain to her but I didn’t want to talk about your past without your permission.’ He rubbed the backs of his fingers over her cheek. ‘You could confide in her. It would help her understand.’
‘She just wants you to be happy. I do understand that.’ He pulled her hard against him and wrapped his arms around her. ‘I am happy. How could I not be happy when I have you?’
His phone buzzed again and he gave an exasperated sigh and released her. ‘I miss Taormina,’ he said regretfully and she wanted to tell him that she did too but he was already walking out of the door and she knew that by the time he was in the car he would have forgotten her because no one had more focus than Cristiano.
At the moment all his attention was on sorting out the deal in Sardinia.
The most important deal to him for a long time.
‘I’m so clever.’ Delighted with herself, Dani waggled pink toenails and adjusted the brim of her hat. ‘I knew that if I got you together you wouldn’t be able to keep your hands off each other. You just can’t help yourselves. And now Cristiano is close to closing the Sardinia deal so it’s happy ever afters all round.’
Laurel sat cross-legged on the sun lounger next to her. ‘What is so important about Sardinia?’
‘It was our father’s dream.’ Dani rubbed more suncream into her legs. ‘He wanted hotels on both islands. But it’s tricky buying land for development there. Cristiano found the perfect spot, of course, because he’s a genius. And then he has this way of making people feel as if they can’t not sell to him. That’s why he has to be there to finalise the deal. He’s the one they’re selling it to. They trust him to do the right thing. To develop the land in a sympathetic way that won’t ruin the environment. How was Taormina?’ ‘Beautiful.’
‘It’s such a romantic place.’ Dani admired her pink toenails. ‘It must have been like a second honeymoon for you. Any time you want to thank me for getting you two back together, just go right ahead.’
