Turn Towards the Sun (6 page)

I step out of the dressing room into the main boutique. Did he just take a deep breath?

“You look ama
zing.” His eyes linger on mine.
“Here, try these on.
”

I bend down and slip on some gold sandals, thankful they are my size. I twirl around for him once.

“Does this meet your approval?”

He
studies
me
with warm
eyes,
and then his voice suddenly cools.

“Yes.
Anna,
go ahead and ring it up.”

His mood shifted back to all business.
Oh,
right. This is just an event he’s attending. It’s not a real date. I’m the unknown woman for the evening. I shuffle back and forth while Anna moves in to remove my tags.

“Mr. Milano that will be $1,125. Shall I have it delivered to her room?”

What? I can’t believe these two things cost that much. I know
I had better
not question it but
seriously,
he just spent this much on a girl he barely knows. Maybe he does this sort of thing all the time. He seems perfectly comfortable with it. I hurry to change back into my own clothes. When I come out, Enzo is waiting for me.

“Well then Ava.
I thought we
might
go to the pool for a few hours.
Get a little sun.” His tone is still a little
cool,
but he wants to keep me around. I have no idea what to think at
this point,
but I know I could use a bit of
sun,
so I agree.

“Sure. Already got my suit on. Do you need to change?”

“No.”

That’s it? I guess we’re not having a conversation.

“Listen Enzo, I really appreciate the salon
visit,
and the dress is
beautiful,
but I feel uncomfortable that you’re spending this kind of money on me. I don’t even know you.”

He continues walking without saying a word. A strange expression settles on his face. Sunglasses hide his
eyes,
so I have no clue what he’s thinking.

“You will get to know me, no?”

So um, what the hell does that mean?

We
enter the
pool
area
and find a nice set of lounge chairs. Immediately
,
attendants swarm around us, providing towels, pillows, and plying us with cool drinks.

“Must be nice to be the boss.” 

“Yes, it has its benefits.” He smirks, warming up to me again.

“Make sure you put on some sunscreen. The sun is strong here. You don’t want to burn.”

There he goes
,
bossing me around again.

“I’m not a child you know.” I shouldn’t have said that based on the fact that my poor planning has led to this series of events.

He grins. “I’m sure I didn’t say that you were a child.”

Just shut up Ava.

“Aren’t you going to swim?”

“In linen?” He laughs. “No
,
I just came to the pool to get some work done and get a little sun. Now relax.”

He
removes his shirt and
lay
s
it at the foot of his lounge chair, then slips off his shoes and places them underneath the chair. I try to keep my eyes off his
physique,
but it
’
s damn near impossible. He rubs sunscreen across his taut arms and
chest,
and I wish I could do that for him.

I remove my t-shirt and shorts revealing my swimsuit. He gazes up from his iPad.

“That looks like a sunflower.” He muses.

“
I
t’s supposed to. I love sunflowers. They’re my favorite flower.”

“Well then you must like the hotel name.”

I look at him clueless.

“Girasole. It’s the word for sunflower in Italian. It means to turn towards the sun.”

“Oh how beautiful.” I love that meaning.

“Yes, beautiful. I chose sunflowers for the hotel because all good things come from the warmth of sunlight.
Of course, too much sun can bu
rn.” He hands me the sunscreen.

  I take the bottle. “Do you like it then, my swimsuit?” I ask. I have no idea why I am seeking his approval.

“Yes
,
Ava. I like it.” His tone is pure business again. His gaze lingers on me for a moment before returning to his work.

I settle into my lounger and rub sunscreen on my front. Enzo is typing away on his iPad paying no attention to me. At least I got him to admit he likes my suit.

The hotel pool is as lush as its rooms. The color scheme is a vibrant blue and yellow with dark espr
esso colored furniture. The space
is large, with sitting areas, covered cabanas, and lounge chairs flanking the infinity edge pool. A bar area sits alongside one end of the pool where visitors can swim up and order drinks. Every guest has
a
server
who
brings
drinks, food, or anything else the person desires. It’s all very posh.

I want to strike up a
conversation,
but he seems very cold and
distant. He’s obviously focused on his work. Best to keep my iPod plugged in and my mouth shut.

I’m ready to flip and need sunscreen on my back. Should I ask Enzo to do it? Good reason to talk to him at least after thirty minutes of silence. Will that seem too forward? I can’t do it myself though. Here goes.

“Enzo, would you mind?” I hold up the sunscreen.

I can’t read his expression with his sunglasses
on,
but it seems like twenty minutes before he responds.

“Certainly.”

I flip over waiting for him to start rubbing it on me. His hands ar
e about to be all over my body!
The sound of sunscreen pressed between his palms causes me to tense with anticipation.

Really Ava, it’s sunscreen.

His smooth hands start at my shoulders and rub very softly, long stroking motions, as he moves across my back. He moves his hands slowly back up and slides just briefly under the strap of my suit. This is the most sensual experience I’ve ever had with sun protection. I move my hair to
the side,
and he rubs cream on my neck.

Leaning into me, he whispers, “just a little bit longer Ava.”

Just a little bit longer for what? I turn and smile, hoping he has no idea how turned on I am at the moment. Thank you is all I can manage to say.

I don’t address his comment. I don’t know how. I lay my head down and hit play on the iPod, trying to erase the feeling of his hands over my skin.

Twenty minutes later, Enzo taps me on the shoulder. “Ava, I think we should move to a cabana. We’ve both had enough sun now.”

I look up and nod. Our server gathers our things and leads us to a spacious cabana, and by
cabana,
I mean small bedroom. There is a large double lounger in the middle that looks to be at least as big as a
full-size
bed. A blue and
yellow striped
canvas gazebo surrounds us, opening out to the pool. Misters cool down the internal temperature and a small fan blows from its canvassed roof.

Enzo sits down and pats the lounger, inviting me to sit. I do so and settle in. I put the iPod back on and steal glances of the stunning man sitting next to me. I would prefer if he
were
on top of me. Maybe someday. Damn this man
already
has me thinking about sex. I close my eyes and giggle to myself.

“Yes…
I can ta
ke a message for her…okay…when…v
ery well.”

I stir
,
realizing I’ve fallen asleep. Why is Enzo talking on my phone?

“Hello there sleeping beauty.” He smiles at me. “I’ve got some news for you.”

I sit up. “Yes?”

“The moving company just called. They’ve been delayed because of mechanical problems and won’t be in Phoenix until Wednesday.”

“Wednesday! That’s bullshit.”

“Hey, it’s not so bad. You can stay here. With me.”

“But I don’t want to impose any further.”

“You are not imposing and I insist. I enjoy your company.” 

“Um
,
okay. Thank you.” Where else am I going to go?

“Good. Settled. Now go change.
We should leave here around five.
Oh and
I have a car for you.
Grayson will bring the keys around later.”

“Thanks Enzo. This is really so sweet.”

He seems intent on avoiding eye contact. “I’ll come to your room at five. Be ready.”

His moods are all over the place- one minute he seems so relaxed, the next he’s all business. And I still have no idea why he’s doing all of this for me.

To get in your pants silly girl.

I can’t really shake the thought. And
frankly,
I can’t say I wouldn’t like it. I remember Camilla telling me he must be
interested. Interested in what
though
?
He’s hot and
cold,
and I’m confused.

S
till,
his presence is very appealing. Unlike the loser I left behind in Denver. Ugh, I don’t want to think about him anymore. I just want to enjoy the moment.

“Okay I’ll see you later then Enzo.” He nods. I leave to head back to my room. I glance
back,
and I swear he was watching me. Could it be?

This all seems so unreal, like I stepped into some fantasy world, except that Prince Charming can be blunt and moody sometimes. This room, this entire hotel, is magical. I’ve already pinched
myself,
and I’m definitely awake. A small knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. Anna
is there with a shit look on her face
.

“Your dress.” Her voice is flat
as she hands me the dress bag and sandals.

“Thank you Anna.” I really want to close the
door,
but she’s standing in the doorway sizing me up.

“Can I help you with something?” What is her problem?

She
crosses
her arms, glaring at me and dripping with hostility. “I just wanted to see the next notch on Enzo’s bedpost up close.”

I cannot believe she just said that! I take a deep breath, trying to remain calm.

“Well here I am. Would you like to take a picture?”

Anna pulls her head back in surprise. I can play this game
too,
bitch.

“Now if you’re done staring at me, I have an event to prepare for.” I hold her stare, not backing down. She turns on her stiletto sandaled heel and stomps away.

Well,
that was pleasant. Either she wants him and can’t get
him,
or she had him and couldn’t keep him. Didn’t know I’d be defending myself over a man I’m not even with.

I decide I won’t say a word to Enzo. I have a feeling that wouldn’t bode well for Anna.
Besides,
I can handle a little jealousy.

My shower washes away just as much sexual tension as sunscreen. I recall how Enzo’s hands felt as he rubbed cream into my skin. I can only imagine what else those hands can do. Being this close to a man so sexy makes me realize how long a year really is. I’m sure tonight he’ll move
in for the kill,
but I can’t give in that easy. No matter how hot he is, I’m not interested in actually becoming the next notch.

I hated washing away Camilla’s handiwork but my hair dried in pretty
waves,
and I decide to keep it down
.
Amazing what a difference a good haircut can make.

Now I’m glad I listened to Cassie and brought so much with me instead of sending it all with the movers. I find some pretty panties to wear and decide a regular bra won’t do under this dress.
Fortunately,
I have a strapless that will work. I slip on the sandals.

I keep my makeup light but line my eyes with my favorite purple liner. My eyes are definitely my best
feature,
so I like to play them up a little. I apply a soft pink gloss to my lips and spritz myself with perfume. Finally, I step into my dress. I check myself in the
full-length mirror.
Not bad Ava. Not bad.

I look at the clock.
He should be here in five minutes.
I grab my handbag and smooth my hair one more time when I hear the knock at my door.
I hope he likes how I look.