Love, International Style

by Alexia Adams

  “I’ll have to call you back, Isabella. I think I’m going to be sick.” Sophia raced to the bathroom, making it just in time.

  • • •

  Luca stared down at Sophia curled in the fetal position on the bed. His heart swelled and it was time he admitted it, at least to himself. He was in love with his wife. Sophia had become the foundation that supported the rest of his life. When he was with her, he experienced an inner peace he hadn’t even realized was missing. The sense of purpose he’d been unconsciously searching for, he’d found in her arms. His money, his success, it all meant nothing if she wasn’t there to share it.

  He wanted to tell her. But, his head told him to hold back. Sophia was always so serene, so in control. He had no idea what she really felt. Sometimes, she even appeared to be playing a role. On the drive down from Milan, she said she could easily fool Leslie that she was desperately in love with her husband. What he would give to make it real. This deal? The future of his company? His stomach felt like it was falling.

  He sighed. This wasn’t supposed to be so complicated. Sophia seemed to enjoy his company, she certainly enjoyed their lovemaking. Was he still just her ticket to an easier life? She never asked him to stay home or made any demands of him. He couldn’t give her his heart if she didn’t want it.

  He would have to be content with telling her how he felt during the heat of their passion. Of course he had to tell her in his mother’s native language, as Sophia’s Italian was too good now for her not to know what he was saying. The wry thought passed through his mind that his mother would be so proud that he could still remember some of the Sardinian she’d taught him as a child.

  As he continued to stare, her eyes fluttered open and she stretched.

  “What time is it?” Her voice was husky with sleep.

  “Almost eleven. Sorry to be so late. We went for drinks after our meeting to celebrate. Have you eaten?” He glanced around the room. There were no room service dishes here or in the hallway outside the room.

  “No, something I had at breakfast didn’t agree with me. I haven’t felt like eating.”

  He sat on the bed beside her and checked her forehead for a fever. If anything, she was a little cool. “I think we should take you to a doctor.”

  “Honestly, Luca, you worry too much. I’ll be fine in the morning. What’s the schedule for tomorrow? Are we going back to the site?”

  “No, there is no need. I may still have to go back next week if the regional planners have any questions. I thought tomorrow we would take the coastal road back, stop in some of the villages, and enjoy the sea air.”

  “Actually, I would like to get back to the villa as soon as possible tomorrow. Isabella and I have an important meeting on Monday and I’d like to prepare. We have a chance to bid on a huge contract to redecorate twenty rental properties.”

  There was a sharp stabbing pain in his chest. “Twenty? That is amazing.”

  She yawned again. “Are you coming to bed now?”

  He searched her face, her eyes were already closed.

  “Actually, I have a few emails to send first. I will join you in a little while.”

  “Okay, ’night.”

  He turned away from the bed and grabbed his laptop out of his bag. He’d work in the lobby so as not to disturb her. The chances were slim that he’d actually be able to concentrate and send the urgent messages. Not when the distinct possibility of living apart from his wife loomed large before him. But he had seventy-five people depending on him for work—he couldn’t just pack it in because he wanted to spend every possible moment with Sophia.

  He couldn’t give up the hotel project and he couldn’t take it.

  • • •

  Sophia stepped through the door to the villa. She loved this house. Would she love it the same if Luca weren’t living here? Probably not.

  At least she felt better than yesterday. A good night’s sleep and a couple cups of tea had done the trick. That, and leaving Teramo in the rearview mirror. But that respite was probably short-lived.

  Maria bustled out of the kitchen as Luca brought in their bags, informing them that dinner would be ready in about an hour.

  “Do you need to work on the proposal for your meeting tomorrow?” There was an odd light in Luca’s eyes. Probably the same look she got when he talked about his project.

  “No. Isabella is coming over tomorrow morning, and we’ll work on it together then.”

  “Shall we take a walk in the garden?”

  She searched his eyes and saw hope and something else. Fear? “I’d love that.”

  He took her hand and they strolled toward the rotunda set in the topiary garden. The trailing roses were in full bloom and their delicate scent filled the air with perfume.

  “You do not like the cottage, do you?” Luca stopped walking and tilted her face up, his thumb gently caressing her cheek.

  “The cottage is fine. It’s just so far from anywhere. I’ll be trapped there while you’re at work.”

  “It is only for a little while. There is no other option, Sophia. The city is more than two hours away. We plan to start construction at 6:00 a.m. If we live in town I will have to leave by four and will not get home until after eight at night.”

  “I know.” She tried to blink it away, but a tear fell down her cheek. Luca bent and kissed it away, holding her close.

  “I cannot bear for us to live apart, amore. It hurts to even think about it.”

  “For me, too. But I’m scared of what I will become. I told you when we first married that I didn’t do sitting around the house well. And what if you tire of me? You will be dealing with interesting people all day, and when you come home the only thing I’ll be able to talk about is the dust bunny I chased around the sitting room.”

  “Dust bunny?”

  “Never mind. The point is, I’ll be bored out of my mind. What if I turn into Leslie Wilkins?”

  “You will never become that. You are too strong. You are my warrior ninja woman. And I do not know why you think I will get tired of you. You fascinate me, Sophia. More each day.” He kissed her lips, absorbing her sigh.

  Yeah, but for how long?

  • • •

  Sophia shut down her laptop and prepared to answer questions. Thankfully she was sitting and they couldn’t see how badly her knees were shaking. Even Isabella, who always seemed so confident, was fiddling with their paper proposal in front of her. The board had been silent during her presentation, and Sophia had no idea whether she’d nailed it or missed by a mile.

  “Thank you, Signora Castellioni and Signora Carrero. That is the best presentation we have seen. You understood exactly what we were looking for,” the chairman said. The elation Sophia expected to feel was squashed by her nausea. “Do any of the other board members have questions?” John Templeton looked around the room. An ex-British Army commander, he was as rigid as a concrete wall. No one, it seemed, dared question him. “Very well, then. We will make a decision this evening and let you know the results.”

  Sophia and Isabella managed to wait until they were in Isabella’s car before they shouted in glee. Isabella pulled out her mobile and called Dante. Sophia couldn’t understand the conversation—it was too fast in Italian—but she could hear the pride in Dante’s voice as he congratulated his wife. Sophia’s fingers hovered over the screen of her phone. Should she call Luca?

  He’d done his best to be supportive, but she knew his heart wasn’t in it. When they’d made love for the past three nights, each was as if it were the last time. There was a poignancy in his kisses that had never been there before.

  Her phone buzzed in her hand. Luca calling. Was he excited to hear how her presentation went? Or was he hoping she’d failed?

  “Amore, where are you?”

  “I’m in Monza. I’ve just finished my presentation.”

  “Have you forgot that we are to have dinner with one of my clients tonight?”

  Damn, in her excitement she had forgotte
n. “No. Sorry, I’ll be home in a few minutes. The people before us went over their allotted time, so we are running a little late.”

  “I will wait for you. Please do not be long.” No question about how it went.

  “He is not happy?” Isabella turned her astute eyes on Sophia.

  “No.”

  “If they offer us the contract, we do not have to accept,” Isabella reasoned.

  “I know. Will you hate me if I say ‘no’?”

  “Never. You must decide what is more important to you, your career or your marriage. It is not a decision I would like to make.”

  “But didn’t you give up your career as a journalist for your marriage?”

  “No, not really. It did not make me as happy as being with Dante. But I see your face when you talk about design. You are very excited and you make everyone else excited, too.”

  Design did make her happy. But happier than she was with Luca?

  Isabella started the car and drove Sophia home.

  Luca was pacing the front hallway when she arrived. There was a grim line around his mouth, and he skipped their usual hello kiss.

  “I’ll change quickly and be right down,” Sophia promised.

  The dinner was so boring, Sophia had to restrain herself from checking her watch. The client’s wife had narrowed her eyes when Luca had introduced her but still managed to take every opportunity to put her hand on Luca’s arm and laugh provocatively at anything Luca said that was even remotely funny. Sophia alternated between wanting to rip the other woman’s arm off and spill red wine on her white silk dress. She really should have taken up ninja training. Then she could have dispatched her with grace and stealth.

  That brought a smile to her lips. Luca leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I am pleased to see you happy again. It has been too long.”

  She squeezed his hand where it rested on the table. He lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of hers, oblivious to the couple sat opposite them. The woman glared at her again, but Sophia didn’t care. Luca was hers.

  “Don’t let him out of your sight.” Leslie’s dire warning flitted through her brain.

  Thirty minutes later they sat in the Maserati. When Luca didn’t start the engine, she turned to him.

  “Thank you for coming with me tonight. I know you are tired and would have preferred to stay at home. Are you still ill from Teramo? You look a little pale.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbed lightly across her lips.

  She pressed a kiss against his thumb and he smiled. “I think it’s just because I’ve been inside so much lately. A few days in the garden and I’ll look better.”

  “Hmm.” He didn’t look convinced. Before he could question her further, both their mobile phones buzzed. Their peripherals were more in synch than they were.

  “Mi scusi. The planning committee in Teramo held a special meeting tonight on the project. They said they would let me know their decision.”

  While he read his message, Sophia glanced at hers. There were several missed calls from her brother and an email from the property rental company. They offered her the contract and wanted her to begin in ten days.

  “All is approved. We can start in two weeks,” he said, triumph in his voice. “Let us go home and celebrate.”

  • • •

  Several hours later, a thoroughly satisfied Sophia curled up against Luca. His heartbeat was steady under her ear, his warmth enveloped her. Although she was still slightly embarrassed at her loud reactions to their lovemaking, she couldn’t deny the effect he had on her. “I like the way you celebrate.”

  “Glad to hear it—almost as much as I like hearing your expressions of contentment.” She could hear the self-satisfied grin in his voice.

  “Hmm,” she ran her hand up his thigh and felt his instant reaction. “I seem to recall a rather vocal response from you as well.”

  “Really?” He rolled her onto her back, his hand sliding up from her hip to her breast. “I do not think I said anything. Perhaps we had better test this theory of yours,” he whispered against her lips, before taking them in a blistering kiss.

  He was trailing his lips down her throat when the jarring sound of the phone ringing made him raise his head. “This is very bad timing. Must be my mother. Should I tell her she will never become a nonna if she telephones when we are in bed?” He rolled away and picked up the receiver.

  Still in a fog of bliss, it took a moment for her to understand the voice on the other end, asking if this was the correct number for her.

  “Yes, she is here. Who is calling?”

  “It is your brother, James,” Luca said, passing over the phone.

  “Hello, James.” She cleared her throat, which was still raspy with desire. “What’s wrong? You usually call me on my mobile phone.”

  “I tried your mobile all evening. You never answered my calls or messages. Finally I got in touch with your friend Olivia, who gave me this number. Who answered the phone?” Her brother sounded upset but curious to find a man answering his sister’s home number.

  “That was Luca, my husband.” She moved the phone away from her ear as James’s “what?” echoed through the room. “I’ll tell you all about it later. What’s so urgent you are calling so late?” She sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest.

  “It’s Mum. She’s taken a bad turn and is in hospital. Sophia, the doctors don’t think she is going to last much longer. They say she has only a day or two left. She wants to see you one last time.” James’s voice cracked with emotion.

  “Oh, James! I thought she was doing better. I’ll catch the first flight in the morning … No, no, I’ll meet you at the hospital. I take it she’s at North Mid?” Her voice was calm, but her hands shook. She spoke with James a couple more minutes before hanging up the phone.

  She glanced at Luca and her heart flipped. How could she decide between her husband and her dream? Her future was such a disaster, she might as well go back to the past.

  Chapter 15

  Luca had already gotten out of bed and was standing next to it, wearing his dressing gown, holding hers out for her to slip into.

  “I am coming with you,” he said firmly.

  She gazed up at her husband and saw compassion, and something else she couldn’t identify on his face. “Luca, I would love for you to come. But I don’t think this is the most appropriate time for you to meet my family. If my mum really is dying, then finding out in her last hours that I’m married will only upset her. I can’t tell her our marriage is a business arrangement; she wouldn’t understand. All she’ll think is that her oldest daughter didn’t even invite her to the wedding. And it will remind her of how crappy a mother she’d been to me. I’d rather she went to her grave in peace.”

  A flicker of pain crossed Luca’s eyes, and his hand flew to his chest as though she’d stabbed him in the heart. Then he blinked and the expression disappeared, although he still looked ready to argue with her. “Can we compromise and you come out for the funeral? You can meet my father and the rest of my family then. Also, if the doctors are wrong and she lives longer, you won’t have to fly back and forth. Don’t you need to sign a bunch of contracts for the hotel project this week?”

  “I told you that you would never have to cope alone again, and I meant it.” He paused, as if considering her arguments. “Okay. I will wait for your call. But I am serious, call at any time and for any reason, and I will be on the next plane.” He took the clothes out of her hands that she’d been picking up from the floor. He tossed them on the sofa across the room and pulled her against him.

  “Thank you,” she mumbled into his chest. She didn’t want to leave his warm embrace. Her career might provide her with some financial security and personal satisfaction. But it couldn’t compete with the haven of his arms, or the bliss that filled her when he smiled at her.

  “Pack a bag and I will book you a seat on the first plane in the morning.” Luca leaned back and seemed to search her face. She could feel the wa
lls build up inside of her again as she prepared to face her family.

  With an enigmatic shake of his head, he finally let her go to make the necessary arrangements. She listened to the messages on her mobile phone—several from James and one from Olivia telling her that she had given James her home number and asking her to call back no matter what the time.

  • • •

  Leaden skies greeted her arrival back in England. The early morning sunshine in Italy seemed a lifetime away. This stormy weather, however, reflected her state of mind. Automatically, she scanned the crowd waiting for arriving passengers. Warmth filled her as she caught sight of a familiar face. She hadn’t anticipated how happy she would be that Olivia hadn’t listened to her about not coming to the airport.

  “I saw a uniformed man holding a card with your name on it. Did your gorgeous husband arrange a car for you?” Olivia said, after embracing her.

  “Probably. He made all the arrangements last night while I packed. Luca wanted to come, but I managed to convince him that now wasn’t the best time to spring a husband on my family.”

  “No, I guess not. But you’re going to have to tell them soon. I don’t think it will be too long before you have a gaggle of children following you.”

  “What do you mean?” Sophia could feel the heat creep up her neck.

  Olivia laughed. “You no longer have that gaunt, haunted look, as if waiting for the final blow to do you in. You now look healthy, radiant even. Like a flower that has at long last been moved into the sunshine. Marriage suits you. I’ve never seen you look better.”

  “You should try it. You look exhausted. Are you still burning the candle at both ends?” She noted the dark circles under Olivia’s eyes that her friend had unsuccessfully tried to conceal.

  “No. I broke it off with Stuart. I realized he only wanted me for my looks. When we would go out he would show me off to his friends, but at home he just ignored me. He wasn’t interested in what I wanted or needed. He was like all the others. That’s it. I’m off men for good.”