Page 71 of Angel

‘This beats the tourist traps down by the harbor,’ Roxy noted, licking her treat, which set my imagination on fire.

‘Sure does, beautiful,’ I said, my fingers brushing the nape of her neck.

Touching each other seemed to come naturally, and once more my heart jolted as I gazed down at her.

Our next pit stop brought us to Vinoteca La Zagara, the street-side wine bar of Casa Mariantonia.

I ordered two glasses of crisp local prosecco from their well-curated list of Italian labels.

We paired the bubbles with a gorgeous cheese-and-charcuterie plate, using the sidewalk tables to watch the parade of international travelers pass by.

I’d not felt this relaxed in months, enjoying the smart, quick-witted woman sitting across from me.

We shared a ridiculous number of interests: similar dispositions in underground indie music, classic literature, political leanings, including those about philanthropy and sharing wealth.

How had I missed how freakin’ funny and brilliant a woman she was before?

She was in front of me all along.

Hiding in plain sight.

We concluded our mission upstairs at the venue’s rooftop lounge bar, the ultimate spot for a well-poured cocktail and a magnificent sunset.

The terrace offered sweeping, unobstructed views of the glittering Mediterranean Sea.

We claimed two cushioned loungers on the deck and soaked up the final rays of sun while a live DJ spun a house set that vibrated through the floor.

When he remixed one of Six Sinners’ songs, ‘Redemption’s Call,’ with an acid beat and hypnotic synth sounds, I knifed up to listen with incredulity.

‘You offended or liking it?’ Roxy asked, her eyes dancing.

‘It’s not bad, it’s almost ace,’ I grunted as a few guests got up and began dancing.

I slid out my phone and recorded the unlikely event for the band, then sent the video to Jude.

‘I’d normally be affronted, but heck, the Ibiza spin on a rock ballad isn’t too shabby.’

We ordered two custom gin cocktails and more share platters.

As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, turning the sky a wild indigo, a server delivered a slice of traditional Torta Caprese chocolate cake.

We shared the dessert, fighting for the last piece with a laugh.

I let her have it after a face-off that ended in chuckles.

‘To winning,’ Roxy said, lifting her fork with a lush smile.

‘To happiness,’ I added, surrendering to the unexpected lift in my heart as I pulled her closer to me and buried my nose in her neck, breathing her beauty in.

Chapter 15

ROXY

The morning sun baked the pool deck, reflecting off the water and casting dancing ripples of turquoise light across the walls of the villa.

Angel floated on his back on a lilo, one bejeweled hand trailing through the crystalline liquid.

His broad chest rose and fell as he half-napped while I sat a few yards away, working on my latest canvas.