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by Melody Anne

  “Although I do make mistakes, and I will mess up, I was raised by a remarkable woman and I won’t ever forget the values that you taught me. Rafe does get to be too much at times, but when he does, I hear your voice in my head telling me not to stay down when I get in over my head. I promise you that I will be OK. ”

  “I think you will, darling. I see so much strength in you — more than I’ve ever seen before. You had to do a lot of growing up over the past year, but it’s only made you stronger. You need to be very proud of that. A lot of women would have just sunk to the ground and felt sorry for themselves, but you’ve risen above and chosen to make do with the circumstances handed to you. I don’t know when it happened, but you’ve gone from a little girl into a woman. Hmm. I don’t think I like this,” she teased with a sniffle.

  “Thank you, Mom. I needed to hear that. ”

  “Well, we’ve covered work, school and your personal life. Now you get to hear about something new in my life. ” Sandra’s tears faded and she practically glowed.

  Ari looked at her quizzically. Her mother was such a person of routine; what could she possibly say?

  “I’ve started dating a really wonderful man. ”

  “What?” Ari didn’t mean to stand there with her mouth hanging open, but in the entire time she was growing up, she didn’t remember her mother dating once.

  “Hey, sweetheart, I still have needs…”

  “Please, I’m begging you,” Ari gasped in horror at the visual of her mother’s needs.

  “OK. I’ll take mercy on you, but I have been seeing a wonderful man for the past month, and a woman my age doesn’t want to waste too much time, so I’m giving you a heads up. ”

  “What does he do?” Ari asked with suspicion. Her mom had been through enough — she didn’t want some man taking advantage of her.

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  “He owns a beautiful restaurant downtown. ”

  “Not to sound shallow, but is he financially secure? I don’t want you being used for your flourishing floral shop,” Ari joked. Her mother was doing well with her shop, but because of all the medical expenses, it would be a while before she had a decent amount in savings again. Ari was trying to work on that. She hated owing Rafe, even if her mom didn’t know about it; she wanted him paid off and her mother’s life back in her own hands.

  “Actually, his place is very successful. He has a large celebrity following. To tell you the truth, I normally would never eat in a place like his, but the food is mouthwatering. I’ve never had such incredible pasta in my life. ”

  “He’s not a snob, is he?”

  “No, he’s a wonderful man. I would like to take you to dinner to meet him. If we get done early enough, we could go tonight. ”

  Ari wasn’t eager to go, but the excitement shining in her mother’s eyes prevented her from refusing. Her own eyes took on a steely glint — this man had better be treating Mom like the Queen of England or he’s toast. Nothing but the best for her mother.

  “If we get done in time, then, I’d be pleased to have dinner with you and this man,” Ari said with a forced brightness.

  She found reason to regret her words as her mother kicked their pace into overdrive, and Ari felt as if her hands were going to fall off. Still, as she looked at her mother’s youthful joy, she couldn’t be too negative. This man was obviously giving her mom the happiness she deserved.

  “I can’t believe how nervous I am,” Sandra said as the two of them approached the exclusive Italian restaurant.

  “Wow, Mom, you are really glowing,” Ari commented, almost agape at the sight. Her mother was beautiful in her long blue dress and with her hair put up. This new relationship seemed to be knocking years off her life.

  Sandra looked young and almost carefree. Ari had to admit that she’d never seen her happier. But she’d never been forced to share her mother before, and a selfish part of her wanted to stake her claim, tell this man he had no rights to her mom. It was stupid, but she knew she would have battle this absurd surge of emotions.

  “Marco makes me feel like a teenager again,” Sandra said with a giggle.

  “Then I’m very happy for you, though perhaps the tiniest bit jealous,” Ari admitted with a smile.

  “Ari, you should know that no one ever will or ever could replace you. You’re my little girl, no matter how old you become. I never had a desire to date while you were growing up, because you were my first priority and I didn’t want to risk your being hurt. After your father… Well, let’s just say, it was hard for me to trust that a relationship would last, and I didn’t want to put you through the turmoil of having men coming and going from your life. I still wasn’t looking for a man, but I met Marco and it just…well, it just sort of happened. ”

  “I think that’s wonderful, Mom. I have a feeling I will love your Marco, even if I want to bring out the claws and make sure he knows you’re mine first,” Ari admitted with a half grin and an exaggeratedly furrowed brow.

  “He’s a charmer. I think he’ll have you under his spell within seconds. ”

  “I don’t know, Mom. I’m quite hard to charm,” Ari told her with a twinkle in her eye.

  The two of them stepped into the restaurant and the maître d’ glanced up and gave Sandra a beaming smile.

  “How lovely to see you this evening, Ms. Harlow. You are more gorgeous each time you bless us with your presence. ”

  Ari’s mouth dropped open as the man approached them, took her mother’s hand, bringing it to his lips and giving it a kiss, and then turned his twinkling eyes on Ari.

  “Oh, this must be the stunning daughter you’ve spoken so fondly of. I can certainly see the family resemblance. Welcome to Il Mio Cuore,” he said as he took Ari’s hand and kissed it as well.

  “Thank you, Gene; you are too kind, as usual,” Sandra said with a light laugh.

  “Let me take you to your table. The world should wait on beautiful women, but never make them wait,” he said with a flourish as he gave Ari and her mom his full attention. He led them straight to a private room glowing golden in candlelight and smelling of something savory and delicious wafting to them from their table.

  “Ah, it looks as if Benny spotted you and has brought out something to keep your hunger at bay until Marco joins you. ”

  “Whatever it is, it smells ambrosial. Tell Marco to take his time. We don’t need him to rush right out,” Sandra offered.

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  “How could I attend to anything else when I know such a beautiful woman is near?”

  Ari turned and her jaw dropped as she assessed the man standing behind them. Her mother giggled as she rushed to him, and his arms wrapped around her as he pressed a sweet kiss on her lips.

  The man was arrestingly handsome, standing about six feet tall and wearing a dark navy blue suit that matched his eyes to perfection. His olive skin and salt-and-pepper hair gave him a refined appearance. Age had been good to Marco, and the laugh lines around his eyes attested to a good sense of humor.

  “I am being so rude; I apologize,” he said as he turned to Ari, while leaving one hand clasped around her mother’s fingers. “I am Marco Giannini, and it’s such a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Arianna Harlow,” he finished as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  Ari wasn’t used to men being so touchy or flirty, but she found herself standing there tongue-tied and smiling. Finally, she pulled herself together enough to speak.

  “The pleasure is all mine. Please call me Ari. ”

  “A lovely name for an exquisite woman, Ari. And do call me Marco. ”

  “You are quite the flirt, Marco. I can see why my mother is fond of you,” Ari said with a chuckle as she sat in the chair he pulled out for her.

  “Ah, being around beautiful women brings out the romantic in me. I hope you don’t mind if I order for us. My chef has incredible talent and exquisite taste, and your mother
hasn’t found fault yet with any of his dishes. ”

  “That would be perfect; thank you. ”

  Marco helped her mother to her seat, and then the waiter stepped in and poured a fine Italian red into their lovely crystal glasses. The evening started off quite pleasantly, and soon Ari was laughing and enjoying herself immensely.

  “Ari, your mother tells me you’re soon to graduate from Stanford. ”

  “I have one semester left, so I hope I’ll be graduating soon,” she said with a bit of an uncomfortable laugh. She really didn’t want to talk about her education.

  “What are your plans after you’re finished?”

  Ari barely managed to hold back the sigh. “I don’t know, yet. My dream was always to get my doctorate and work as a college professor in history, but things change…” she trailed off. She hated even speaking of that dream because it seemed further and further away with each day that passed.

  “Do you not want that anymore?”

  She knew he was just trying to get to know her, but she needed to change the subject.

  “Oh, life never stands still for any of us. Please, I want to hear the story of how you and my mother met. ”

  Her words did the trick — Marco and her mother looked at each other with identical besotted looks on their faces.

  “It’s actually a bit of a Cinderella story…” Sandra started saying with a wink and a sly giggle.

  “It’s a complete modern fairy tale come true,” Marco took over. “I was down at the docks picking fresh seafood for the day’s specials when something shiny caught my eye. I turned and there was your mother arguing with man over how fresh his fish was, and her bracelet was sparkling in the sun. I was amused at first that this tiny woman was going head to head with Albert, who weighs at least three hundred pounds. I know he’s a gentle giant, so I wasn’t worried, but Sandra didn’t know that. Finally, she turned and her heel caught in a gap on the dock, and she went flying into the water. ”

  “Oh my gosh, Mom. You never told me you hurt yourself!”

  “I didn’t get injured — well, my pride got hurt a bit, but Marco dived in after me, and I was so mesmerized, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. ”

  “Luckily for me, your mother was wearing a white blouse that day, too,” Marco said, wiggling his eyebrows and rolling his eyes. Ari couldn’t help bursting into laughter at the way these two supposedly sophisticated people were acting like children.

  “That’s a great story! You were her knight in soggy amour,” Ari said between fits of laughter.

  “Ari, I thought I recognized that laugh. ”

  Ari turned to find Rafe standing in the doorway wearing her favorite black suit with a teal dress shirt beneath, and a midnight tie. His eyes zeroed in on her and her breath caught mid-laugh. She’d been apart from him for only a few days and yet seeing him brought an extra beat to her heart. Why did he have to be so enthralling?

  “Hello, Rafe. I’m having dinner with my mother and her friend. ”

  “It sounds as if you’re having a good time. ” He didn’t move from the doorway and she hoped he wasn’t going to expect her to leave. Her day with her mother wasn’t over, yet.

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  “I’m sorry, I’ve been rude. Rafe Palazzo,” he said as he approached Marco.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you in the business circles. I’m Marco Giannini. Would you like to join us?” Marco asked as he stood to shake Rafe’s hand.

  “It would be my pleasure. ” Ari was a bit peeved that he’d tracked her down while she was with her mother, especially since he’d been gone with not a single word for almost a full week. What had he been up to? What was going on in the hidden depths of his mind? Suspicion caused her eyes to narrow.

  “How do you know Ari and Sandra?” Marco asked.

  “Ari and I are seeing each other. I met Sandra while she was in the hospital,” Rafe replied as he took his seat and accepted a glass of wine from the server.

  “Then you are a fortunate man, indeed, to be dating such a lovely woman. I know I have counted my blessings every day since meeting Sandra. ”

  “Yes, the Harlow women have a certain sparkle about them,” Rafe said with a secretive smile.

  Ari was afraid the evening would become uncomfortable, but Rafe fit right in, and soon they were all bantering back and forth. When it was time to say goodbye, she felt assured that her mother was being treated properly. It wasn’t a hardship for her to hug her mother goodbye and arrange to come back soon to dine with her and even Marco.

  Ari had agreed to let Rafe take her home, but she thought about insisting that he drop her off and not come in. It was her right. But, as he assisted her into the passenger seat of his car, she knew that to pretend she didn’t want him there was absurd. She’d be hurting only herself.

  They both remained silent as he moved through the bustling streets of San Francisco. Though it was close to eleven at night, there was much traffic on the road. Ari preferred taking the bus, feeling safer than when she tried to navigate the freeways or the narrow roads through town, where the fear of a wreck was always in the back of her mind.

  At least while Rafe drove, she felt secure. He was confident and sure as he steered his way through the city streets. She really had nothing to fear, well, nothing on the roads, at least. Once they arrived at her home, she had a lot to worry her.

  When he pulled into her garage, she reached for her seat belt, but sudden weariness made her move in slow motion. By the time Rafe parked and stepped around to her side of the car, she was still fighting the blasted clip.

  “Let me help. ” The soft sound of his voice made her stop fidgeting with the clasp as she turned to look into his shining eyes.

  “Thank you,” she managed when he unclasped her belt and assisted her from the car. Placing his hand behind her back, he led her to the elevator and pushed the button. Now was the time to speak up if she didn’t want him to stay. Well, she wanted him to, but she didn’t think it was the best idea with the way her emotions were scattered all over the place.

  “I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the ride, but I’m actually pretty worn out, Rafe. I got up early and was hoping to get to bed soon. ”

  “Then we will. ” When he didn’t elaborate, Ari followed him into the elevator without another word, then waited while he pushed her floor’s button. He was in a strange mood that she couldn’t quite figure out. She decided it best not to push his buttons. Soon, he’d reveal whatever was on his mind.

  Rafe led her straight to her bedroom, where he tossed his jacket over the back of her chair and then started pulling his tie down. When he began unbuttoning his shirt, she unfroze and closed herself in her bathroom. Still at a loss, she showered and changed, then stepped into the bedroom to find him lying in her bed shirtless with only a light blanket covering his lower half.

  Since he normally didn’t stay in her bed unless it was for sex, she was baffled by his actions. He was reading one of the books that had been resting on her nightstand. He looked in no hurry at all to have sex. She was unsure whether he expected her to follow him or not — even if it was her own bed. This was all new territory for her. She stood there fidgeting for several moments.

  “Join me, Ari. ” The husky quality of his voice sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. With no further thoughts, Ari floated across the room and climbed into the bed. Her stomach quivered as he reached an arm out and pulled her against his side.

  When Rafe continued to read the book while holding her tightly against him, Ari didn’t know what to think or what to do.

  “Relax,” he whispered. He must have felt the tension vibrating through her. Between her eventful day, and Rafe’s strange mood, Ari was exhausted. Still, though she closed her eyes, she didn’t think she’d be able to nod off. But it didn’t take long.

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  With Rafe holding her tight
, she fell asleep with her head cradled against his chest.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Rafe looked down as Ari slept peacefully in his arms. He was letting her go; it was the right action to take. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but as he gazed at her while she slumbered so deeply, he knew he couldn’t continue holding her against her will.

  Yes, she’d chosen to stay, and she was developing feelings for him, but wasn’t it the same as a victim’s developing feelings for a captor? He couldn’t trust that what she was feeling was true, because he’d never given her the chance to refuse him.

  He’d forced her hand.

  Somewhere in the middle of all of this, he’d fallen for her. He didn’t even know whether he believed in love anymore, but what he felt for her went far past just sex, and far past mere affection.

  He cared about how she was feeling, about what she did during each day. He wanted her to be happy. There were many emotions that he felt for Ari, and he knew he couldn’t make her do anything she didn’t want to do any longer — so he would let her go.

  He promised himself just one more day. He needed the chance to say goodbye so he could move on with his life.

  “Rafe?”

  “I’m here. ”

  “What are you doing?” Through the dim light shining in through the open windows, the moonbeams lit her face just enough for him to memorize her features, and for her perhaps to see the worry he must be wearing in his eyes.

  “I was just getting up. You need to go back to sleep,” he said softly as he brushed back the loose strands of her hair.

  “My throat’s dry. I think I’ll get up and get a drink of water. It’s just so hard to move when I have my own personal heater. ” As she spoke the words, her body edged even closer to his as her arm held on tightly to his waist.

  “You stay warm underneath the blankets; I’ll get your water. ” Though she groaned her disapproval, he managed to slide from the bed and walk across the room, unconcerned with his nakedness.

  Stepping into the bathroom, he filled a glass, then stood there for just a moment before turning and walking back. Ari was leaning up against the headboard, the blankets pulled up high.

  His first instinct was to pull them away so he could gaze upon her. After a thousand times of touching and tasting almost every inch of her ivory skin, he found that she still took the breath right from him.