Page 230 of Valentino

“Following you, what does it look like.” He lies back on the deck chair and casually closes his eyes into the afternoon sun. “What are we drinking?”

My mouth falls open in shock, before I have to twist my lips to hide a smile that threatens.

“Would you like a drink, sir?” the waiter asks.

“Yes, I’ll have what she’s having, please.”

“Good choice, sir.” The waiter smiles as if knowing exactly what’s going on.

“Have you had a change of heart?” I ask.

“I prefer not to talk or think about work while I’m on vacation.” His eyes stay closed. “Moving on to the next subject.”

I smirk into my drink as I eye him over, lying back on the deck chair like God’s gift to women.

He followed me.

“Do you think you can just turn up here and crash my workweek without finishing our last conversation?” I ask.

“As mentioned, if you would listen.” He widens his eyes as he taps his ear. “I am on vacation and I had the opportunity to have a few days off without anyone with me.”

“You mean guards?”

“Some men.”

“Who are guards.”

“Will. You. Let. Me finish.”

I roll my eyes as I sip my drink.

“As soon as you return to Rome I won’t be able to visit you there without anyone knowing.”

“I thought you weren’t visiting me anyway?” I lie back against my deck chair too.

“I never said that. You said that.”

“No, no,” I snap. “Don’t put this back on me.”

“I’m simply saying that what happens on vacation doesn’t count.”

“Doesn’t count toward what?”

“Anything.”

“But I’m here working.”

“This is not working, Anna, this is vacationing. You are lying on a damn deck chair in a bikini drinking cocktails on the beach.”

“Here go you, sir.” The waiter interrupts us.

“Thank you.”

The waiter disappears and he holds his drink up. “I would like to propose a toast. A vacation toast.”

I narrow my eyes.

“Do it,” he demands. “Now.”