They’d shared a lot today. Intimate things. Her concern for him, the tears she’d shed for his uncle, touched him on a profound level. He’d never met a woman so completely genuine. To his chagrin she made him feel close to her. To his further disgust, he couldn’t think beyond having breakfast with her in the morning.
With his blood effectively chilled now that the conversation with his mother was over, he excused himself and called for his car to come around to his private entrance. He told his driver to head for Tancredi’s Restaurant on the east end of the island, a twenty-minute drive.
Once on his way, he phoned his best friend from his university days to alert him he was coming. Matteo owned the place since his father had died. He would be partying in the bar with a few of their mutual friends now that there were no more customers.
After the limo turned down the alley behind the restaurant, Matteo emerged from the backdoor and climbed inside.
“Ehi, Valentino—”
“Sorry I’m late, but tonight certain things were unavoidable.”
“Non c’è problema! It’s still early for us. Come on. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“I’m afraid I can’t.”
“Ooh. Adriana’s not going to like hearing that.”
“She’s the reason I asked you to come out to the limo. Can I depend on you to put it to her gently that I won’t be seeing her again?”
He frowned. “Why not?”
They stared at each other before Matteo let out an epithet. “Does this mean you’re finally getting married?” He knew the union had been arranged years ago.
Valentino grimaced. “Afraid so.” Once he’d gone to his mother’s apartment, she’d forced him to come to a final decision after talking with his betrothed’s parents. “They’re insisting on an August wedding and coronation. The president of the parliament will announce our formal engagement next week.”
He realized it was long past time to end his brief, shallow relationship with Adriana. For her best interest he should have done it a month ago. Instinct told him she would be a willing mistress after his marriage, but Valentino didn’t feel that way about her or any woman. In any case, he would never go down that path.
Matteo’s features hardened. “I can’t believe this day has finally come. It’s like a bad dream.”
A groan escaped Valentino’s throat. “But one I’m committed to. I’ve told you before, but I’ll say it again. You’ve been a great friend, Matteo. I’ll never forget.”
“Are you saying goodbye to me, too?” he asked quietly.
His friend’s question hurt him. “How can you even ask me that?”
“I don’t know.” Matteo drove his fist into his other palm. “I knew one day there was going to be a wedding and coronation and I know of your loyalty. Now everything’s going to change.”
“Not my friendship with you.”
“I hope not. It’s meant everything to me.”
“My father told me a king has no friends, but I’m not the king yet. Even when I am, you’ll always be my friend. I’ll call you soon.” He clapped him on the shoulder before Matteo got out of the limo. Once he’d disappeared inside the restaurant, Valentino told his driver to head back to the palace. But his mood was black.
After a sleepless night he learned that Max wasn’t any better, so he followed through on his plans to pick up Carolena at her apartment. He found her outside her door waiting for him. The sight of her in jeans and a T-shirt caused another adrenaline rush.
Her eyes lifted to his. “Is there anything else you can think of I might need before we leave?”
He’d already taken inventory of her gorgeous figure and still hadn’t recovered. “We’ll be flying to the center in my helicopter. Whatever is missing we will find there.”
“Then I’m ready.” Carolena shut the suite and followed him down the hallway and out the doors. They crossed the grounds to the pad where his helicopter was waiting. “I hope this isn’t a dream and I’m going to wake up in a few minutes. To see where you spend your time kept me awake all night.”
Nothing could have pleased Valentino more than to know she was an adventurous woman who’d taken an interest in his research. But he knew in his gut her interest in him went deeper than that. “Perhaps now you’ll understand that after a day’s work on the volcano, I have trouble getting to sleep, too.”
Besides his family and bodyguards, plus close friends like Matteo, he rarely shared his love for his work with anyone outside of his colleagues at the center. For his own protection, the women he’d had relationships with knew nothing about his life.
He’d called ahead to one of the center’s pilots who would be taking them up. The helicopter was waiting for them when they touched down.
“Dante Serrano, meet Signorina Carolena Baretti from Arancia. She’s the best friend of my brother-in-law’s wife. They’re staying at the palace with me for a few days. I thought she might like to see Etna at closer range.”
The pilot’s eyes flared in male admiration and surprise before he shook Carolena’s hand and welcomed her aboard. This was a first for Valentino, let alone for Dante, who’d never known Valentino to fly a female with him unless she happened to be a geologist doing work.
He helped her into the seat behind the pilot, then took the copilot’s seat. While the rotors whined, he turned to her. “Your first volcano experience should be from the air.”
“I’m so excited to be seeing this up close, I can hardly stand it.” Her enthusiasm was contagious. “Why does it constantly smoke?”
“That’s because it’s continually being reshaped by seismic activity. There are four distinct craters at the summit and more than three hundred vents on the flanks. Some are small holes, others are large craters. You’ll see things that are invisible or look completely different from the surface.”
“You’re so right!” she cried after they took off. Once they left Catania, they passed over the fertile hillsides and lush pines. “The vistas are breathtaking, Val. With the Mediterranean for a background, these snow-topped mountains are fabulous. I didn’t expect to see so much green and blue.”
Her reaction, on top of her beautiful face, made it impossible for Valentino to look anywhere else. “It’s a universe all its own.”
‘I can’t believe what I’m seeing.”
The landscape changed as they flew higher and higher. “We’re coming up on some black lava deserts. Take a good look. Mount Etna is spitting lava more violently than it has in years, baffling us. Not only is it unpredictable, the volcano is raging, erupting in rapid succession.”
He loved her awestruck squeals of delight. “I suppose you’ve walked across those deserts.”
“I’ve climbed all over this volcano with Uncle Stefano.”
“No wonder you love your work so much! I would, too!”
“The range of ash fall is much wider than usual. That’s why I always come home dirty.”
“Now I understand. Come to think of it, you did look like you’d been putting out a fire.”
Dante shared a grin with Valentino. “Signorina Baretti,” He spoke over his shoulder. “Even in ancient times, the locals marveled at the forces capable of shooting fountains of lava into the sky. In Greek and Roman mythology, the volcano is represented by a limping blacksmith swinging his hammer as sparks fly.
“Legend has it that the natural philosopher Empedocles jumped into the crater two thousand five hundred years ago. What he found there remained his secret because he never returned. All that remained of him were his iron shoes, which the mountain later spat out.”
“That’s a wonderful story, if not frightening.”
All three of them laughed.
“The really fascinating part is coming up. We’re headed for the Bove Valley, Etna’s huge caldera. You’re going to get a bird’s-eye vi
ew of the eastern slope.” They flew on with Dante giving her the full treatment of the famous volcano that produced more stunned cries from Carolena.
“How big is it?”
“Seven kilometers from east to west, six kilometers from north to south.”
She was glued to the window, mesmerized. Valentino knew how she felt. He signaled Dante to fly them to Bocca Nuova.
“When we set down on the side of the pit, you’ll see a new fumarole in the saddle between the old and new southeast crater. I want you to stay by me. This is where I was working the other day. You won’t need a gas mask at this distance, but you can understand why I want every citizen of Gemelli to be equipped with one.”
“After seeing this and hearing about your uncle Stefano, I understand your concern, believe me.”
Before long, he helped her out and they walked fifty yards to a vantage point. “This is a place no one is allowed except our teams. The organized tours of the thousands of people who came to Etna are much farther below.”
Soon they saw the vent releasing the same bluish gas and ash he’d recorded the other day.
“This fumarole was formed by that long fissure you can see.”
While they stood there gazing, the noise of explosions coming from deep within the volcano shook the ground. When she cried out, he automatically put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight against his side. He liked the feel of her womanly body this close.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he murmured into her fragrant hair. “We’re safe or I wouldn’t have brought you up here.”
She clung to him. “I know that, but I have to tell you a secret. I never felt insignificant until now.” Those were his very thoughts the first time he’d come up on Etna. After a long silence, she lifted her eyes to him. In them he saw a longing for him that she couldn’t hide when she said, “It’s awesome and mind blowing all at the same time.”
Those dazzling, dark-fringed green eyes blew him away, but not for the reasons she’d been alluding to. He was terrified over the feelings he’d developed for her. “You’ve taken the words right out of my mouth.”
The desire to kiss her was so powerful, it took all the self-control he possessed not to crush her against him. He was in serious trouble and knew it.
Fighting his desire, he said, “I think you’ve seen enough for today. We’ve been gone a long time and need to eat. Another day and I’ll take you on a hike through some lava fields and tunnels you’ll find captivating.” Almost as captivating as I’m finding you.
“I doubt I’ll ever be in Gemelli again, but if I am, I’ll certainly take you up on your offer. Thank you for a day I’ll never ever forget.” He felt her tremulous voice shake his insides.
“Nor will I.” The fact that she was off-limits had no meaning to him right now.
On their way back to the center, he checked his phone messages. One from Vincenzo and two from his mother. He checked Vincenzo’s first.
I’m just giving you a heads-up. Max isn’t doing well, so we’re flying back to Arancia at nine in the morning. Sorry about this, but the doctor thinks he may have gastroenteritis and wants to check him out at the hospital. Give me a call when you’re available.
Valentino’s lips thinned. He was sorry about the baby, but it meant Carolena would be leaving in the morning.
The queen’s first message told him she was upset they were going to have to leave with her grandson. She was crazy about Max and her reaction was understandable. Her second message had to do with wedding preparations. Since he couldn’t do anything about either situation at the moment, he decided to concentrate on Carolena, who would be slipping away from his life much sooner than he’d anticipated.
Once they touched down at the center and had thanked Dante for the wonderful trip, they climbed on board Valentino’s helicopter. But instead of flying back to the palace where his mother expected him to join her the second he got back, he instructed his pilot to land on the royal yacht anchored in the bay. They could have dinner on board away from the public eye.
Carolena was a very special VIP and the crew would think nothing of his entertaining the close friend of his new sister-in-law who was here with the prince of Arancia visiting the queen.
He called ahead to arrange for their meal to be served on deck. After they arrived on board and freshened up, they sat down to dinner accompanied by soft rock music as the sun disappeared below the horizon. Both of them had developed an appetite. Valentino loved it that she ate with enjoyment.
“Try the Insolia wine. It has a slightly nutty flavor with a finish that is a combination of sweet fruit and sour citrus. I think it goes well with swordfish.”
“It definitely does, and the steak is out of this world, Val. Everything here in Gemelli is out of this world.”
From the deck they could see Etna smoking in the far distance. She kept looking at it. “To think I flew over that volcano today and saw a fumarole up close.” Her gaze swerved to his. “Nothing I’ll ever do in life will match the wonder of this day, and it’s all because of you.”
He sipped his wine. “So the surprise didn’t turn out to be so bad, after all.”
“You know it didn’t.” Her voice throbbed, revealing her emotion. “I can’t think why Vincenzo warned me against it. Unless—”
When she didn’t finish, he said, “Unless what?”
“Maybe watching Michelina when she had her riding accident has made him more cautious than usual over the people he loves and cares about. Last night I could tell how worried he was about Max.”
Valentino hadn’t thought of that, but he couldn’t rule it out as a possibility, though he didn’t think it was Vincenzo’s major concern. Now that they were talking about it, his conversation at dinner with Vincenzo in front of her came back to haunt him.
He’d been warning Valentino, but maybe not about the volcano. Unfortunately, Vincenzo had always been a quick study. Possibly he’d picked up on Valentino’s interest in Carolena. Whatever had gone on in Vincenzo’s mind, now was the time to tell her about the change in their plans to fly back to Arancia.
“I checked my voice mail on the way to the yacht. You can listen.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and let her hear Vincenzo’s message.
In an instant everything changed, as he knew it would. “The poor darling. It’s a good thing we’re going home in the morning. I’m sure Max will be all right, but after no sleep, all three of them have to be absolutely miserable.”
Make that an even four.
The idea of Carolena leaving Gemelli filled him with a sense of loss he’d never experienced before. The deaths of his father and sister were different. It didn’t matter that he’d only known her twenty-four hours. To never be with her again was anathema to him.
He could have predicted what she’d say next. “We’d better get back to the palace. I need to pack.”
“Let’s have our dessert first. You have to try cassata alla sicilana.” Anything to prolong their time together.
“Isn’t that a form of cheesecake?”
“Cake like you’ve never tasted anywhere else.”
An impish smile broke one corner of her voluptuous mouth. “Something tells me you’re a man who loves his sweets.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because of the way you embrace life to the fullest and enjoy its richness while at the same time reverencing it. When the gods handed out gifts, you received more than your fair share.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“There aren’t many men who could measure up to you. Your sister used to sing your praises to Abby, who said she worshipped you.”
“The feeling was mutual, believe me.”
“According to Abby, Michelina admitted that the only man who came close to you was Pri
nce Vincenzo. That’s high praise indeed. Luckily for your country, you’re going to be in charge one day.”
One day? That day was almost upon him!
For the wedding date to have been fixed at the same time he’d met Signorina Baretti, the pit in Valentino’s stomach had already grown into a caldera bigger than the one he’d shown her today.
He’d spun out every bit of time with her he could squeeze and had no legitimate choice but to take her back to the palace.
“It’s getting late. I’m sure Vincenzo will want to talk to you tonight.”
Valentino shook his head. “With the baby sick, that won’t be happening.” In truth, he wasn’t up to conversation with Vincenzo or his mother. For the first time in his life he had the wicked instinct to do what he wanted and kidnap this woman who’d beguiled him.
“I have a better idea. It’s been a long day. We’ll stay on the yacht and fly you back on time in the morning. I’ll instruct the maid to pack your things. As for tonight, anything you need we have on board.”
* * *
Carolena’s breath caught. “What about your girlfriend? Won’t she be expecting you?”
His dark blue eyes narrowed on her face. “Not when I’m entertaining family and friends. As for the other question you don’t dare ask, I’ve never brought a woman on board the yacht or taken one up on the volcano.”
He’d been so frank and honest with her today, she believed him now. His admission shook her to her core. “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were propositioning me,” she teased to cover her chaotic emotions. There she went again. Saying something she shouldn’t have allowed to escape her lips.
His jaw hardened. “I’m a man before being a prince and I am propositioning you, but I can see I’ve shocked you as much as myself.”
She could swear that was truth she’d heard come out of him. Carolena was Abby’s friend, yet that hadn’t stopped him, and obviously that fact wasn’t stopping her. It was as if they were both caught in a snare of such intense attraction, they knew no boundaries.
“Do you want to know something else?” he murmured. “I can see in those glorious green eyes of yours that you’d like to stay on board with me tonight. True desire is something you can’t hide. We’ve both felt it since we met, so there’s no use denying it.”
Becoming the Prince's Wife (Princes of Europe) Page 5