by Melissa Hill
She could only begin to imagine what it would be like to feel those hands moving across her bare skin, and realised with a start that she badly wanted to.
Colette swallowed hard.
Chapter 31
‘Why don’t you pour some wine and get comfortable back on deck,’ Luca suggested as eventually heavy beads of sweat began to form on Colette’s nose. She wasn’t sure if it was from the stove or the heat in her body. ‘I am almost finished here.’
She reluctantly did so, carrying up the cutlery and wine glasses he handed her.
Back outside on deck, the air was completely still and she had no idea where they actually were, though she could still make out the glittering lights of the coast in the distance.
Once again, she was struck by the romance of it all, and she pinched herself, unable to believe she was sitting in the middle of the Mediterranean on a boat with a gorgeous Italian man who seemed impossibly keen to impress her.
Up above, the sky was blanketed with stars; constellations she had never seen before lay painted like a canvas above her. It was all so beautiful, truly like something out of a fairy tale.
Minutes later, Luca joined her on deck, placing a mouth-watering plate of food before her.
‘If you were to leave your father’s business, would you want to become a chef?’ she asked as they ate. ‘You really could, you know.’
He smiled a little as he sat across from her. ‘I don’t think that’ll happen any time soon.’
‘But if it did. Would you?’ Colette sipped her wine.
‘Probably,’ he replied. ‘But I doubt I could.’
She sensed his wistfulness. He truly did want to do something else with his life, but commitments were holding him back.
The chicken was tender and juicy, the vegetables crisp and perfectly seasoned, and the pasta was perfectly al dente.
‘Another masterpiece,’ she sighed and sat back, unable to eat another morsel. She shivered a little, beginning to feel the late-evening chill off the water on her bare skin beneath her off-the-shoulder top.
‘Your approval is always appreciated.’ He smiled as he cleared the table.
A minute later, a warm blanket slid over her shoulders. ‘Come,’ Luca said as he gently took her hand and led her to the front of the boat. Once there, he took another blanket from where it was draped around his own shoulders, and arranged it on the bow of the boat. ‘After you.’
Colette lowered herself onto the softness of the blanket, and looked up in wonderment as she lay down beneath the sky.
‘It is beautiful, isn’t it?’ he commented as he joined her.
‘It’s incredible.’
‘You’re incredible.’
‘Oh, stop it,’ she replied automatically, as a fresh blush painted her cheeks.
‘Why do you have such trouble with me saying these things to you?’ Luca questioned as he raised his head and propped it up on one arm to look at her.
‘I’m just … not used to it, I suppose.’
‘You should be. You should have people telling you every day how wonderful you are.’ He put a finger beneath her chin and turned her face back towards his.
‘But I’m no one special,’ she insisted.
‘Yes, you are, and I think you could be even more with the right person.’
Colette swallowed hard. ‘And who would that be?’
‘Me.’ He leaned closer, and this time Colette didn’t turn away. She kept still, caught between nerves and excitement, as his face hovered over hers and then finally their lips met.
His kisses were sweet, tender yet passionate, and it wasn’t long before her hands were touching his face, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Their kisses quickly grew deeper and more urgent, and Colette’s body screamed for his, unable to believe she could want anyone – or anything – as much as she did in that moment.
As she lowered her hand to the belt of his trousers, a little amazed at her own boldness, he stilled and moved to look into her eyes. ‘Are you sure?’
She nodded, surer of anything she’d been in her entire life.
Afterwards, Luca moved onto his back and pulled her closer to him, nestling her into the crook of his arm, while Colette’s body still trembled from the intensity of their love-making.
She had never felt so incredible, so alive as she did just then. As she rested her head against his chest, she felt the ripple of his muscles beneath the fabric and incredibly a fresh wave of arousal stirred.
She smiled to herself in the darkness. This was obviously what people were talking about when they joked about Italian men …
She’d had no idea what she’d been missing.
‘What are you thinking about?’ Luca asked.
‘Oh nothing,’ she lied with a grin, snuggling up against him. She wanted to stay here and listen to him forever.
The way he made he’d made her feel just now, how her insides turned to mush whenever he looked at her, how he spoke to her, and what he said just made her want to lose herself in him and never awaken from that dream.
Despite herself, she was falling for him and she didn’t know what to do about it. This could be nothing more than a holiday romance, the ultimate cliché.
But sometimes clichés were a very good thing.
‘I never want this night to end,’ Colette admitted with a sigh. ‘Is that silly?’
‘No,’ Luca replied. ‘I am wishing for the very same thing.’
She smiled in the darkness, deciding there and then to just go along with it, whatever it was and wherever it might lead.
She and Luca remained there, lying in silence in each other’s arms, the picture-perfect sky above them, when the sound of his phone buzzing broke the silence.
Groaning, Luca extricated himself to fish out his phone. He shook his head in frustration, but when he looked at the display she noticed a flash of something, besides annoyance at being interrupted, dart across his face.
‘Scusi,’ he stated, quickly moving away from her and continuing to speak hurriedly in Italian.
He was too far away for her to make out what he was saying, but the secretive way he’d moved to the other end of the boat instinctively made her stomach roil.
‘Everything all right?’ she asked when he returned.
‘All is fine,’ he replied distractedly.
‘Are you sure?’ Colette questioned as she studied his face. ‘I know you hate phones but I hope that wasn’t bad news or anything.’
But he seemed irritated by her questions, and just like that, the mood changed.
‘Nothing to worry about,’ he insisted, heading over to the wheel of the boat. ‘Let’s get you back.’
Chapter 32
Now
It was a manic day at #GlamSquad.
Several important clients had appointments all around the same time, which meant all hands on deck and Annie spending more time than usual out on the floor instead of in the office.
Unused to being on her feet these days, by the time four o’clock hit she was exhausted and almost ready to go home and collapse into bed when the phone rang.
‘Annie, it’s Nick. Can you come over to my office – preferably today? I need to speak with you face to face.’
Nick was her business manager of sorts, her friend Gemma’s brother and a financial whizz kid. Annie was thinking of expanding the business and opening a second and possibly even a third salon, and he’d originally agreed to help her look at the best way to finance it all without putting the current operation under pressure.
But he’d recently ended up having to take a more hands-on role by stepping in and taking over the accountancy side when Annie’s previous guy emigrated abroad suddenly.
She checked her watch. ‘Timing’s not great, Nick. Can’t it wait till tomorrow? I was just about to head off. Anyway, what’s going on?’ she teased, her voice light. ‘You make it all sound so serious.’
‘It is, actually. And no, I’m not sure it can
wait.’
She sat forward in her seat, all ears. They had an easy-going, almost buddy-like relationship and she’d never actually heard him sound so serious.
‘Hey, what’s going on?’
He sighed heavily. ‘Well, I’m looking through the accounts for the last three years and I have to tell you, there’s something very wrong.’
Her heart leaped into her throat. ‘Wrong how?’
‘I really think it’ll be easier if you just come here and see for yourself.’
‘OK. I’ll try to be with you within the hour.’
‘Great. See you then.’
Annie was troubled. She was due to meet with the bank soon to help fund the second premises and thus needed the accounts in order before then.
Nick had only been working on them a wet week. What could possibly be wrong? Business was booming. Every single day they were out the door with clients – exactly the thing that made the idea of a second salon a no-brainer.
Distracted, and still feeling more than a little uneasy, she picked up her mobile and fired off a quick text.
Something unexpected’s come up so I’ll be a bit late. Call me if any issues.
Annie left the salon for the girls to close up later.
She got into her car and headed straight to Nick’s office in nearby Kimmage, meeting some annoying traffic on the way. Half an hour later she was seated in front of his desk.
‘So what’s going on?’ she demanded, sitting up straight in the chair, unsure what to expect, but bracing herself for a problem.
In her world, there was always a problem.
Nick looked at her, a deeply solemn expression on what was usually an open and smiling face. It was one of the things that had initially made her trust him. And Annie didn’t trust easily.
‘I honestly don’t know how to say this …’
‘Just spit it out, Nick. I’ve never known you not to speak your mind. And you obviously made me come all the way over here for a reason.’
‘It’s not often that I have to tell a client –’ his face softened then – ‘or a friend, what I have to tell you.’
Her stomach knotted afresh. Now he was seriously scaring her. ‘What do you have to tell me?’
‘The business … it’s in trouble, Annie. Serious trouble. Basically, you’re broke. Other than what cash you have in the bank.’
Everything froze. She was sure she’d misheard him. ‘What did you say? That’s not possible.’
‘I’m sorry but it is.’
She sat forward and slapped her hand on his desk. ‘No, it isn’t. We do a good six figures in turnover a year and have done so for the last three at least. There’s little overhead besides the lease, so profits are very healthy. You’re obviously missing something.’
‘I’m not, truly. You mention three good profitable years but as far as the Revenue is concerned, you owe them back taxes for every penny you’ve ever made.’
‘What are you talking about? I put aside a huge lump sum for tax every year – I always have. And I’m up to date with staff insurance and pension contributions …’
But Nick was shaking his head and Annie’s heart plummeted again.
He stepped out from behind his desk and perched on the side of her chair, putting a comforting hand on her arm. ‘Your last accountant was obviously creaming the money you set aside for the Revenue. He never paid them a penny, Annie. He’s also messed up your cash flow by being late on supplier invoices and racking up some serious interest.’
Her mind was whirling. ‘Frank was stealing from me? But how? Why?’
‘I’m not entirely sure of all the ins and outs of it just yet. But even a quick look at the numbers and alarm bells started ringing. I waited until I’d spoken to someone at the Revenue office and knew for sure until I involved you. But it would probably explain why he left so suddenly when you got me in to go over the accounts.’
‘Oh my God. How much do we owe?’ she asked, afraid of the answer. But being a businesswoman was all about facing facts. Not to mention that Annie had never been one to hide away from reality. Better to just face up to it instead of collapsing in a heap about the whys and wheretofores. ‘And how much cash do we have?’
Nick’s voice was especially sombre now. ‘I’m sorry, Annie. At present, the business owes far more in back taxes, interest, and penalties than it earns. So the short answer is … nothing.’
‘Don’t say that!’ Her breath hitched and tears began to fill her eyes. Despite her best attempts at keeping her emotions rational and in check, upon hearing this she couldn’t help her despair.
Nothing …
What the fuck had Frank done? And why? He’d come highly recommended, so she’d trusted him to keep the books in order when the salon had become so busy that she could no longer do it.
Granted, she’d had a hard time letting go of the reins initially, but that was understandable. This was her business, her baby. And Frank had messed it up on her – stolen from her, cleaned her out!
Her knuckles went white as she clasped the side of the chair. She’d kill him. She’d track the bastard down, wherever he was, and there’d be hell to pay …
‘It’s a horrible situation.’ Nick was still talking. ‘And he obviously scarpered when he knew he’d be found out.’
‘This can’t be happening …’ Annie whispered, almost to herself. ‘He can’t get away with this …’
‘I know you’re upset and that’s understandable,’ Nick soothed, moving across to place a comforting hand on her arm. ‘This is a huge shock to the system – for anyone. But now we need to figure out what happens next.
‘The salon owes the taxman a lot of money – everything. Even if you set up a payment plan, with interest and penalties, you’ll be paying it back for years. And the current cash to hand won’t be enough to keep paying the staff or indeed yourself a salary for too much longer.’
A cry left her lips so suddenly, it surprised her. ‘You mean I’m finished? Gone? The salon is finished?’
She didn’t know how to process any of this. She’d worked so hard for so many years to get where she was.
Felicity had trusted her to make something of herself.
Now Annie felt dizzy. It couldn’t be true. All these years, all the work – blood, sweat, long hours, and sacrifice – gone. The shock, confusion, and pure disbelief she was feeling then reminded her of when she’d first heard news of her father’s death all those years ago. This, too, felt like a death.
It couldn’t be happening …
Her mind reeled as she tried to get a handle on the implications of it all.
She wanted to run out of the room, get as far away as she could from Nick’s words and this unfolding nightmare.
But she also knew she couldn’t do that; from what he was telling her, the situation was critical, beyond that, even. There were decisions to be made, plans to make – desperate measures to consider. She didn’t have the luxury of taking off somewhere to cry and lick her wounds.
Nick had made that much very clear.
Still Annie couldn’t escape an all-too-familiar feeling of déjà vu. And that once again, she’d been let down. As always, just when she thought she’d found something good in life, the axe had to fall.
Story of her life.
Chapter 33
Then
Colette wandered along the streets of Sorrento with a smile on her face and a spring in her step.
She’d never really been desired before. She’d never been anyone’s girlfriend either, though she wasn’t quite sure she was Luca’s yet.
She hoped so, especially after the other night.
It was entirely possible for a man like him to genuinely care about someone like her, wasn’t it?
She still had her doubts, but that wonderful evening they’d spent together on the boat had encouraged her to forget her misgivings and just enjoy the time they had together while she was here.
Her copper hair looked like flames as she gla
nced at her reflection in the passing store windows. Whereas before she would’ve frowned at her fair skin and freckles, these days, thanks to Luca, she had a greater appreciation for them.
The summer dress she wore – a recent purchase – came above her knees and hugged her neat waist. It wasn’t flashy or revealing, still pretty simple, but thanks to Kim and Annie’s style advice, a lot more flattering than anything she’d ever dreamed of wearing before.
‘Ah, here we are,’ Colette mumbled happily to herself as she peered up at a sign.
House of Gems was Mama Elene’s recommendation when – on a recent visit to the restaurant with Luca – she had asked the older woman for shopping advice. She said it was the best retailer to find quality jewellery at decent prices.
‘Don’t waste your money in the tourist places,’ the Italian woman cautioned.
The windows were filled with unusual displays that used everything from driftwood to coffee cups to enhance the appearance of the merchandise.
Inside, the floors were covered in green tiles that looked like marble. They may very well have been marble but Colette was clueless on the subject. Glass display cases dotted the cosy space, while shelves adorned the walls. Colette wandered past a case with a selection of rings and watches, further on towards the bracelets and necklaces.
She was hoping to find gifts for her mum and sister, as well as picking up something small to thank Kim and Annie for their advice, and as a memento of their time here. Onyx, opals, sapphires, and other gems Colette couldn’t identify, but certainly looked pretty, lined the display before her.
‘Welcome, I’m Anastasia. How may I help you?’ a pretty woman with black hair greeted in Italian.
Colette turned to her with a smile and cleared her throat a little before responding, also in Italian. ‘I’m looking for some gifts for some special people in my life.’
‘For a birthday? Or other celebration?’
Colette shrugged. ‘Just a thank you.’
Anastasia smiled. ‘You have come to the right place. We have everything you need for every reason.’ She picked up a silver bracelet with a green stone in it. ‘Would your friends perhaps like something like this?’