Swept Away by the Venetian Millionaire

by Nina Singh

  When they made it inside, everyone was already seated around the table and had started serving. One of the toddlers seemed to be wearing marinara sauce all over his face. Numerous Rameris motioned for them to come in and sit.

  “What took you so long, cousin?” Leo wanted to know. “Wanted to be alone for a while?”

  Vito gave him a look that would have flattened most men where they sat. Leo just laughed in response. Lynetta glanced in Maya’s direction, an eyebrow raised in question. Maya gave her a small shrug.

  Conversation roared around them, most of it in Italian. Maya took a small bite of the gigantic piece of lasagna that had been set on a plate before her. The smell of garlic and spices tickled her nose. As delicious as it was, and as hungry as she was, she couldn’t fully focus on the feast. Vito sat in the chair right next to her, throwing loaded sideways looks at her.

  It didn’t help that with so many people seated at the table, their legs kept brushing. Each time she felt the contact, she remembered how it had felt to be held in his arms. How his lips had felt on her. Something she was not likely to feel again.

  Suddenly, Nonna slapped her palm against the table where she sat at the very end. It wasn’t a hard smack but it was loud enough that it got everyone’s attention.

  “English, everyone,” she ordered once all eyes were on her. “Let’s not be rude to our American guest.”

  Maya had never necessarily been shy, but it was a little daunting to have everyone’s focus suddenly lasered in on her where she sat. “Oh, that’s all right. Please don’t inconvenience yourselves. I don’t need to understand everything that’s being said.”

  Nonna shook her head. “Nonsense, dear. Of course you do. You’re one of us.” She clapped her hands in front of her chest. “Vito will have to teach you the language soon, however. Not everyone you’ll have at your wedding will be fluent. Tell us what plans you two have made already.”

  Maya’s jaw dropped. Sure, she’d agreed to the pretense of a false engagement. But she hadn’t actually expected to be speaking about any kind of wedding. And she certainly hadn’t been expecting to do so in front of close to two dozen people.

  Her mouth went dry as she tried to come up with something to say. She suddenly felt Vito’s hand on hers; he gave it a reassuring press.

  He cleared his throat, sat upright. “Nonna, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  Oh, no. Not like this. Maya willed him to read her mind. His intention was clear. He was going to come clean. Probably to try and spare her from this tortuous situation. She couldn’t let him do that. It would ruin everyone’s dinner. Not to mention the scrutiny Vito would have to deal with afterward. She gave his knee a gentle squeeze below the table and shot him a subtle wink. Her silent plea somehow worked. Vito got the hint and sat back in his chair. He gave her a small nod.

  “This is all still pretty new, Signora Rameri—”

  The older woman interrupted her. “I told you to call me Nonna, dear.”

  Maya cleared her throat. “Yes... Nonna...what I mean to say is, we’re still getting used to being together.”

  None of that was a lie.

  Vito cleared his throat. “That’s right. I haven’t even got around to getting a ring.”

  Again, not quite a lie.

  “I’m afraid our newfound relationship has caught us both somewhat by surprise,” Vito added. He may have been addressing the whole table, but Maya noticed he didn’t take his eyes off her as he spoke the words.

  * * *

  It was hours later by the time the dishes had been cleared, rich cannoli had been served for dessert and everyone was getting ready to retire. Vito had given her a small peck on the cheek in view of his grandmother and bid her good-night. Lynetta then showed her to a guest room.

  Maya uttered a silent prayer of thanks that no one had had the bright idea to try and put her and Vito in the same quarters. Spending the night alone with him in bed would be more than her emotions could handle right now. She didn’t trust herself not to ask for what she so badly wanted.

  He was determined to hold back from her, didn’t want to share any part of himself. But she couldn’t be certain that she wouldn’t settle for what she could get if she found herself alone with the man.

  She’d just finished brushing her teeth and had slipped on her nightdress when a knock sounded on the door. It had to be Nonna making the rounds to wish her guests good-night. Maya walked over to the door and flung it open, ready to thank the woman for all her hospitality.

  She came up short as the words died on her lips. Vito stood in the doorway, an arm casually braced against the wooden frame. When he saw her, his eyes grew dark and traveled down the length of her body.

  Maya resisted the urge to cross her arms in front of her chest. Her nightgown was a strappy silk number that she hadn’t thought was particularly sexy. But the way Vito stared at her now had her wondering.

  “Vito?”

  “Sì, cara. Sorry to disturb you.”

  “I...uh...was just getting ready for bed.”

  “I must say I like the way you slumber.”

  He didn’t look so bad himself. He’d undone yet another button on his shirt, revealing a V of golden tan. His hair had grown more disheveled after the long day they’d had. A wayward curl rested over his forehead, lending him the look of a man with mischief on his mind.

  For all she knew, that was an accurate description. Then she remembered the way they’d left things between them. How cross he’d been. Simply because she and Lynetta had discussed his marriage. Clearly, it was a sacred subject as far as he was concerned.

  So why was he here at her door right now?

  “Do you have a minute, cara? There’s something I’d like to show you. It shouldn’t take long.”

  “Uh, sure. I just want to grab something decent to wear.”

  He said something under his breath. Maya could have sworn he said, “That’s too bad.”

  He was waiting patiently outside her door when Maya returned after grabbing the light cotton sweater she’d packed.

  “What is it that I’m to see?”

  He motioned for her to follow. He led her down the hall to another doorway. But it wasn’t a different room they stepped into. Maya found herself outside on a high balcony overlooking the vineyards and rolling hills. She realized right away what Vito wanted to show her. It wasn’t the land.

  “Oh, my,” was all she could muster. The sky above was the color of deep blue velvet. Stars dotted the darkness and sparkled like the finest diamonds.

  Another stunning visual she was not likely to soon forget. Why had she not visited Italy before this? Maybe she might have met Vito if she had. Maybe they would have had a chance to get to know each other before he was married. Before they’d become two people who were so wrong for each other. Before it was all too late for the two of them.

  “You should see it during a meteor shower.”

  If only she could. Maya ignored the sorrow that filled her heart at the thought that she’d never be able to do such a thing. She’d probably never set foot on this balcony again after tonight.

  “Can we stay here awhile?” she asked, any hint of tiredness suddenly evaporating.

  “Of course.” He motioned to the outdoor patio love seat behind them. “Make yourself comfortable.”

  Maya did so and tucked her legs beneath her on the comfortable cushion. Vito joined her and draped his arm over the back of the couch. A comfortable silence followed, both of them focused on the dazzling view above. She couldn’t guess how long they sat there, simply gazing up at the night sky, before Vito finally spoke.

  “You handled yourself admirably at dinner. Consider me impressed.”

  “I didn’t want your grandmother’s birthday ruined.”

  “No one but Leo would be to blame if that had happened.”

&n
bsp; She couldn’t argue with him there. Whatever the other man’s motivations had been, Leo had to know the truth was bound to come out sooner or later. Not that she’d be around to witness the fallout.

  What would Vito tell Nonna the next time he visited with no fiancée in tow? Would he confess it had all been a ruse? Maybe he’d make up a story about their unexpected and terribly sad breakup.

  Again, she wouldn’t be around so it really was none of her concern. But she couldn’t help but want to know. Maybe he’d call her in Boston. They could have a chat about it over the phone. Like casual long-distance friends who kept in touch once in a while.

  She had to bite back a sob.

  Vito interrupted her speculations with his next comment. “I’d like to apologize for the way I reacted after the balloon ride today. When I learned about the conversation you had with Lynetta.”

  She hadn’t seen that coming. “Why did it bother you so much, Vito? That we’d discussed you.”

  His profile made for a stark silhouette in the darkness. He exhaled deeply before he answered. “Because it most likely meant you discussed my marriage. My marriage is not something I like people to dwell on.”

  She’d guessed correctly on that score. “Fair enough.” She would let the matter drop. Despite her burning curiosity, she would respect his wishes.

  To her surprise, Vito was the one who continued with the topic.

  He bent over and leaned both elbows on his knees. “My wife was a woman with strong emotions. I thought I was up for the challenges that came with such a characteristic. I was wrong. I didn’t handle it very well.”

  She reached for him, rubbed a hand over his shoulder in comfort. “You can tell me, Vito. Only as much as you like.”

  He was silent so long that Maya thought he wasn’t going to do any such thing. His voice was strained and gravelly when he finally did speak. “Marina was used to being the center of attention. When we first met, I was happy to give her all of mine. I even based some of my creations on inspiration she provided. But that didn’t last. It couldn’t.”

  That wasn’t a burden that a healthy relationship could survive, Maya thought. But she remained silent, letting Vito get all that he wanted to off his chest.

  “As you can guess, things went sour quickly. I convinced myself none of it was my fault. I told myself I couldn’t be expected to be all that she wanted, that she needed. I had my career. My name recognition and accolades of my artwork were growing throughout the world. The more in demand my work became, the more miserable Marina grew. She complained I never had time for her. That we never did things together. Even accused me once of being unfaithful.”

  He sighed before continuing. “She started giving me ultimatums. But I was too busy to pay attention. The perfect cliché of the distracted artist too engrossed in his work to realize what was happening right under his nose.”

  “What happened?”

  “Marina was growing more and more resentful. Depressed. She said she’d make me sorry for tossing her aside like a useless doll. For the life of me, I didn’t think she’d take things that far.”

  No wonder the man behaved like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  “The more she threatened, the less I listened. I thought she meant she was getting ready to leave me.” Vito rubbed his eyes. She couldn’t be sure in the dark, but she thought she saw his hand shaking. “I’m ashamed to say that didn’t bother me as much as it should have. I felt maybe a divorce wouldn’t be such a bad idea, given how bad things had become.”

  “But that wasn’t what she meant, was it?”

  “That’s just it, cara. I don’t know for certain. I’ll never know what she meant.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “She stormed out one afternoon, said she was heading to visit her parents on the Amalfi Coast. I didn’t hear from her for a whole week.” He sucked in a deep breath. “And I never bothered to call and check on her.”

  “Oh, Vito.” Maya felt the sting of tears in her eyes; the anguish pouring from Vito was nearly tangible.

  “I got a phone call late one night that she’d lost control of her car while driving along the cliffs in Sorrento. I hadn’t so much as spoken to her in days.”

  Maya wanted desperately to comfort him, to find a way to console him. But she knew there weren’t any words to address what he was going through and the guilt he still dealt with even after more than three years.

  Nothing she could say would make a difference. Not only did Vito have to contend with his wife’s death, it appeared he would always question whether or not it had indeed been an accident.

  And if he had indirectly been the cause of it all.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “YOU DIDN’T HAVE to walk me back to the hotel,” Maya said softly as they reached the entrance.

  Vito had spent most of the trip back from Verona trying to determine exactly what he would say to her once they reached Venice. He found himself still at a loss for words now that they’d arrived. He reached over to tug a wayward strand of hair that had fallen over Maya’s cheek before he answered. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I left you to see yourself home?”

  “I’m not sure how to answer that.” She bit her bottom lip and shifted from one foot to the other. There was something on her mind. Something she was debating whether or not to voice out loud. “I’m also not sure if I should invite you upstairs.”

  There it was. He’d been wondering how this particular goodbye would play out. “Would you like to?”

  “Me wanting to do something doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea.”

  “If you were ready to do so, it wouldn’t be such an agonizing decision.” He wouldn’t push her. The decision was hers and hers alone to make. He knew she only had one more day in Venice. Then she was off to Florence. And making her way farther out of his life. One step at a time.

  A weight settled in the area of his chest at that thought. But he knew it was for the best. She needed to move on with her life. Her days in his city were nothing more than a fun getaway for her. A nice little vacation that happened to come at a time of a major upheaval in her life. No doubt the hurt she was nursing from the scoundrel who’d betrayed her was clouding her judgment. She hadn’t even had time to really process the breakup. Now that her visit to Venice was ending, Vito needed to give her the time to do just that. He had no choice but to watch her walk away. They’d both known whatever they’d enjoyed together was to be finite.

  “I know I’ve said it before, but your ex-fiancé is a fool, cara.”

  She blinked up at him, a wealth of emotion behind her eyes. “You can’t say things like that, Vito. Not when you’re standing here trying to figure out a way to say goodbye to me. Forever.”

  “That’s not what I’m doing.”

  “Isn’t it?” She blew out a deep breath and looked away, off to the side.

  “You still have one more day in Venice, do you not?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “You know where to find me, cara. Come by the studio tomorrow if you’d like.” He hadn’t known he was going to say the words until they’d actually left his mouth. But he found he simply wasn’t ready to have it all end so suddenly. Not when she had a few more hours. He would take any of that time she was willing to give him. But it had to be her choice, and hers alone. “It will be your decision whether this is to be our goodbye or not.”

  She didn’t answer before she turned and entered the lobby.

  * * *

  She should spend the day packing and finally catching up on her missed emails and texts. Then she should indulge in one last walking tour around this beautiful city. After all, Maya didn’t know when, or even if, she’d ever be back. Despite spending some of the most momentous days of her life here.

  What she absolutely should not do was take Vito up on his offer t
o see him once more.

  Maya walked over to the small bathroom in her hotel suite and turned the shower on. As the steaming hot water washed over her, she decided that she’d made the right decision. A clean break would be easiest. Better to just rip off the bandage. Only sometimes ripping said bandage off too quickly resulted in losing a bit of skin. Sometimes it resulted in a wound that left a lasting scar.

  By the time she’d toweled off, Maya knew she’d been fooling herself. Who was she kidding? Of course she was going to go see him. There was no way they could leave things between them as it all stood now. Her mind might be trying to tell her one thing, but her heart had other plans.

  In the end, her heart won out. She found herself pushing through the door of Vito’s studio an hour later.

  He immediately stood up from behind the marble counter. “You came, cara. I wasn’t sure that you would.”

  Well, she hadn’t been, either. Right up until she’d found herself at his door. “I actually turned around twice to go back.”

  Looking at him now, she was so very glad she’d trudged on. He looked like he hadn’t slept a wink since leaving her side. Dark circles framed his eyes and his hair looked as if he’d been ramming his fingers through it all night.

  Was it possible he’d been thinking of her as often as she’d thought of him?

  “What made you change your mind?” he wanted to know.

  “Which time?”

  Vito chuckled and stepped closer. She could smell that distinctive scent of his that had somehow grown familiar in such a short time. He trailed a finger along her jawline up to her temple. The simple touch sent a fiery surge of longing through her center.

  How could she have thought she’d been in love with Matt? She’d been so naive.

  “We’ll have to find a way to celebrate your final day in Venice,” Vito said softly, leaning in so close, she thought he might kiss her. He didn’t.

  He took her by the hand. “I want to show you something.”