An Inconvenient Love (Crimson Romance) (16 page)

Now she was out at client meetings or site visits, scouring junkyards and meeting with artisans, often accompanied by Isabella. The two women had become close friends, and he was happy that Sophia was adjusting to life so well in Italy. He only wished he was a bigger part of the picture.

He’d thought that once they made love, he’d regain control of his life. Instead, he’d lost even more. He was obsessed, and it didn’t sit well with him. He was too distracted. What he needed was a challenge, something that would take all his business acumen and construction skills to pull off—the hotel project near Teramo. He’d been in negotiations with Chet Wilkins for weeks now and they were finally ready to proceed with a site visit. But he needed Sophia to come with him to stop Chet’s wife, Leslie, from swinging a wrecking ball through his plans.

“Sophia, are you still available to come to Teramo with me and the Wilkinses on Friday?”

She flicked to her calendar. “Thanks for reminding me, I almost forgot. Yes, I can adjust the meetings I have; they’re not that important. How long will we be gone?” She was scheduling him into her life, like a client. He crushed the urge to walk over to her desk and pull her into his arms. To kiss her until he was all she could think about.

“Just for the weekend. This is the first site visit. If it goes well, we may have to go back again later in the week.”

“Oh, next week might be a problem. But I’ll deal with that if it happens. Do you really think he’ll go for the place?”

“I hope so. He is deciding between Teramo and a site he saw in Spain. There are more buildings in Teramo, but they are in worse condition. I need this contract, Sophia. It is worth twenty-five million Euros in profit to my company. Plus Chet has offered a ten percent share in the hotel. It will continue to pay, even after the work is all done. And if successful, it will make me one of the biggest property restoration companies in Italy. The name Castellioni will be known everywhere.”

“Wow, I didn’t realize it was such a big deal. I’m sure Chet will love Teramo. The photos you showed me were beautiful. But have you figured out how you’re going to make it work if you do win the bid? How can you oversee a project six hours from here?”

He took a deep breath before delivering the bad news. “We will have to move there for at least the start of the rebuild. I have found a nice house nearby we could rent. It is not as large as this, but it will be comfortable. Once things are running smoothly I can probably appoint someone to take over. But Chet was adamant that I be personally involved.”

“Luca, I just started my own business. I can’t move to Teramo for an indefinite period now. I have clients. And I convinced Isabella to do this with me. I can’t leave her in the lurch. You’re not the only one with responsibilities.”

A crushing weight descended on his chest. He pulled in a deep breath, hoping to relieve the pressure. “Come for the weekend. We can discuss the problems if I get the job.” He tried to inject a note of confidence in his voice. But the excitement of negotiating what could be the biggest contract yet for his company was tainted by the thought that it might mean a separation from Sophia. It was his worst fear, having to choose between his business and his wife.

• • •

Sophia zipped the suitcase closed and took one more look around the bedroom to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. Usually she loved these little impromptu trips with Luca. Generally it was just a day away, occasionally an overnight stay if it was a weekend. Then he’d find a gorgeous little hotel and he’d wine and dine her, shower her with romance, until she forgot he didn’t love her.

This trip, however, there would be no romance. Just a lead ball in her stomach as she contemplated weeks apart from Luca. It was the proverbial no-win situation. She could be a bitch and probably cost him the job. Or she could be super sweet and he’d win the contract and she’d lose a husband.

“Are you ready?”

Was she? “Yes, of course.”

Luca yanked her case off the bed and headed out the door. He hadn’t touched her. Normally, when he came near her, he would at least drop a kiss on her temple or run his hand down her arm. Some indication of wanting her, needing her. This time, nothing. Was it worry over securing the deal and the impact on their marriage? Or was he tiring of her already?

She followed him from the room and slid her sunglasses on her nose as she exited the house so he couldn’t see the dampness in her eyes. He sat behind the wheel in the Land Rover, waiting for her. As soon as she climbed in, he started the vehicle and sped off with a spurt of gravel. Soon they were on the motorway, the beautiful Italian countryside whizzing by the window.

“Where are we meeting the Wilkinses?” she asked as the silence in the vehicle became unbearable.

“In Teramo, at the hotel. Tomorrow we will go out to the site. Did you pack your walking boots? The terrain is pretty rough.”

“Yes.”

Luca had been to the site earlier in the week to double check some measurements and see the access roads for himself. He’d stayed overnight, their first night apart since they’d become lovers. If he secured this deal, it wouldn’t be their last.

“And you will play the loving wife so Mrs. Wilkins keeps her hands off me?”

It stung that he asked.
No, I’m going to stand back and let her have you on the reception desk.

“It would be a disaster if the deal fell apart because Chet Wilkins cannot control his wife,” Luca continued.

Like you can control yours?

“I have played the devoted wife at every business function you’ve taken me to, in front of our friends and your mother. I’m pretty sure I can manage to convince a lush for one weekend that I’m desperately in love with my husband.”

His knuckles showed white on the steering wheel, but he didn’t make any other reply.

Eight hours later, Sophia nearly kissed the ground as Luca pulled to stop in front of a generic cement building. A couple of flags over the portico and a nondescript sign at the front were the only indications it was a hotel. The long drive from the villa had been interminable. Only once had Luca asked if she needed to stop for a break. Sensing his need to get the journey over with, she’d declined.

Traffic had been horrific. With the beautiful weather, it seemed most Italian city-dwellers were heading out to the countryside for some fresh air. At one point, they’d crawled along the motorway, rarely going above thirty miles an hour. The whole trip had emphasized just how far away it was from their home. If Luca moved here and she stayed in the villa, they’d have thirty-six hours together, if they were lucky, on the weekends. And she’d overheard a conversation where Luca had mentioned that Chet wanted the restoration done as soon as possible and was willing to pay extra for weekend work.

Which meant Luca wouldn’t be able to leave. She’d have to come down and see him. And if he was busy working, what would be the point? They’d be back to the first days of their marriage when they were roommates who worked opposing shifts.

At the reception desk, Luca asked if the Wilkinses had checked in already and was told they’d arrived a half hour earlier. Before they could even make their way to the lift, Leslie Wilkins emerged from the hotel bar, drink in hand.

“There you are, darlings. Hurry up and put your bags away and meet us in the bar,” Leslie said, her words only slightly slurred.

Luca slid his hand into Sophia’s, the first time he’d touched her that day. “Of course, Leslie. We will just freshen up and join you in a few minutes.”

Sophia swallowed down the bile that rose in her throat. It was show time. She wasn’t sure why it felt different this time, pretending to be in love with Luca. Peeking at him from the corner of her eye as they rode the lift up to their third floor room, it hit her. It was no longer a pretense. She loved her husband. Shit, that wasn’t supposed to have happened.

• • •

Luca put his arm around Sophia and although she smiled up at him, it didn’t reach her eyes. She’d been distant, more reserved around him, since he’d reminded her of the trip to Teramo earlier in the week. She was still a passionate and enthusiastic lover. But the little touches, the moments of intense connection were gone. She was withdrawing from him, millimeter by millimeter.

Chet Wilkins droned on about the boutique hotel industry. Luca had never known a man who only had one topic of conversation. He’d tried to steer the discussion to something more general where everyone could contribute. But Chet always found a way to return to his beloved industry.

Sophia shifted in her chair next to him, and her smile became a little more forced. Her acting talent was slipping. He should be annoyed, but he’d rather have her genuine than pretending. He fiddled with a lock of her silky hair. Across from him, Leslie Wilkins was on her fourth drink, and he had to keep moving his legs under his chair to stop her rubbing her foot along his calf. The woman knew no bounds. Every other business associates’ wives had stopped making advances when he’d introduced his wife to them. Leslie hadn’t taken the hint.

“It has been a long day and we have a full schedule tomorrow. Shall we meet at seven in the restaurant?” Luca suggested.

Leslie groaned. “Darling, I don’t get out of bed at seven for any man. Even one as gorgeous as you. Nine o’clock is the earliest I appear,” she said.

No wonder this site visit had already been delayed by four weeks. And if they didn’t start until after nine, there was no way they’d be done in one day. Luca had hoped to take Sophia to the coast before they headed back to Milan. Spend a little time with her away from both their businesses.

“If we do not start until nine, then it will be a very long day,” he said.

“Then we’ll just have to take two days, won’t we, darling?” Leslie replied.

He stifled a groan. If this wasn’t the deal of a lifetime, he’d walk out the door right now. As if sensing his frustration, Sophia put a hand on his thigh.

“Actually, I’m getting a headache. A later start is probably a good idea. If you’ll excuse me, I need to take some tablets and get my head on a pillow.” Sophia stood and Luca prepared to depart as well.

“You don’t need to go, too, darling. Stay and have another drink,” Leslie interrupted.

Luca’s eyes flashed to Chet. The man sat there like a dead fish, staring blankly into the distance. What had happened to these two that they were so indifferent to each others' needs? Had they ever been in love? Luca turned back to Sophia, who hovered by her chair. She seemed to be battling her need to flee and her promise to help him. His stomach fluttered.

“No, I will say goodnight, too. If I massage my wife’s neck, sometimes her headache disappears. And we need you fresh for tomorrow, yes,
amore
?”

“Yes,” she replied, her voice subdued.

As they returned to their hotel room, Sophia didn’t say a word. However, as the door clicked closed behind her, she released a weary sigh.

“If I have to spend the whole day with that woman tomorrow, I may take up drinking as well,” she said.

“As long as you do not take up flirting with other men.”

“Why would I, when I have you? Well sort of.”

“What do you mean, ‘well sort of’?” He pulled her against him, cradling her head against his chest. The embrace was more for his sake than hers. He needed to feel her, know that at least the distance between them wasn’t physical. Although it soon may well be.

“I mean I have that bit of you that is not married to your company.”

“You have more of me than that,” he whispered into her hair.

He hoped his surprise tomorrow would do the trick in convincing her to choose him over her career.

“Do you mind if we sit down for a bit, darling? The men can clamber all over these broken down buildings. I just want to relax and enjoy the sunshine.” Leslie plonked down on a stone wall and pulled the bottle of water from her bag, taking a long swig.

Sophia waved at Luca, indicating he should go ahead with Chet. Despite having seen the photos, the village was larger than she expected and more dilapidated. There wasn’t a building left with a roof, and she worried if she leaned against a wall it would collapse on her.

When they’d first arrived after eleven this morning, a sudden lightness had taken over her heart. The place was a disaster—no way would Chet want to build here. After the heavy weight that had been sitting in her chest for the past week lifted, she’d bounded from the backseat of the Land Rover, ready to explore and enjoy the day.

Within half an hour, however, Chet’s concerned features had turned to elation and his expressions of “this is just perfect,” and “I can see it now,” became more frequent. He was enthralled with the site and the vision Luca presented to him. And glancing around now, as Leslie drained her water bottle and hunted around for another, Sophia couldn’t blame him. Nestled in a small valley, sunshine seemed to bounce off all sides of the village. A flock of birds, unused to human companions, called out warning messages to their loved ones. The hills were covered in wildflowers, especially red poppies. Sophia wouldn’t put it past Luca to have planted them for effect during his previous visit.

The project that would rip her and Luca apart took a giant leap closer to reality.

“We were once like you, you know.” Leslie’s nasally voice interrupted Sophia’s musings.

“Pardon?”

“Chet and me. We were once in love like you and Luca. Now, as soon as we get back to the States, I’m going to file for divorce.” Leslie tossed her plastic water bottle over the wall. Sophia made a mental note to pick it up later. This place was too beautiful to leave litter.

“What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

The other woman gave a bitter laugh. “Life happened, darling. It always does.”

Yeah, life had happened to her parents, too. But Isabella and Dante seemed to be coping. Then again, they’d only been married a few years.

“If you loved each other once, can’t you get back to that point?” Sophia had never had a real high opinion of marriage. Marriage to Luca, however, had changed that. It could be wonderful, if done right. It was something worth fighting for.