“You women are dangerous when you put your heads together.”
“I’m glad you think so, although I was a little shocked myself.”
“Yes, well, I guarantee you none of us more than Giovanni. Antonio is going to hate he missed this.”
“Sophia’s acting was stellar.”
Carlo chuckled. “If her career here doesn’t work out, I will definitely help represent her as an actress.”
“So how long do you think it will take him to calm down?”
Carlo gave her a disbelieving look. “After seeing Sophia’s panties hanging from her purse—the rest of his life.”
Daníella laughed as she rested her bottom against Carlo’s desk. “If that’s so, we might hold off on the plans we have for the rest of the week.”
“Please do. Our insurance premiums are going to go through the roof if you all keep this up.”
“I didn’t realize Giovanni had such a temper.”
“He normally doesn’t, but Sophia has him wound so tight, Giovanni doesn’t know what to do.” Carlo lowered his voice a notch. “I also know for a fact Giovanni has not touched another woman since Sophia has become the focus of his attention.”
Daníella smiled. “That’s good.”
Carlo shook his head. “For us it’s bad.”
“So what do you suggest?”
“Find a way to get Giovanni to ask Sophia out on a date so he can see she really is a good woman—more importantly, the right woman for him.”
She nodded, glad Carlo agreed with her. Sophia and Giovanni made a good couple.
“I’ll try to come up with some ideas.”
Carlo chuckled. “I have confidence in you.”
Daníella gave him a brief kiss on the lips. “Well, that is nice to know.” She pulled back when he would have deepened the kiss. “As much as I would love to, I can’t. I have to get to work.”
He groaned in response. “Will I get to see you tonight?”
“Are you going to get off at a decent hour?”
“For you, I will get off early if needed.”
“That isn’t necessary, although it does earn you credit for being smarter than Giovanni.”
Carlo gave her an appreciative look. “You just made my day.”
She laughed. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“I’ll be there.”
Daníella left his office before she really was later getting to work than she said she would be. She planned to use tonight as a way to seduce Carlo into talking to her. Even if she had to tie him down to her bed to make him do so. They were at a point where the discussion had to take place for their relationship to develop any further. She thought about the way Carlo put off her questions, and it wasn’t something she enjoyed in the least. Yet, she didn’t have a choice when it weighed so heavily on her mind because she didn’t know all of the reasoning behind their breakup.
The only thing she could equate it to was fear of the dark. Most people feared the dark because of the thought something bad lurked there. Well, she knew something bad lurked behind the reason Carlo pushed her away from him. She wasn’t certain if she was ready to hear what it was, but she needed to hear it—needed to know it in order to find out which direction she and Carlo were going in. Right now everything was good and, as far as she was concerned, couldn’t be better. It was almost as if they had never gone through a divorce, yet a glance down at her left hand told her they had. When Carlo had divorced her, she had made sure to send her engagement and wedding rings back to him. She had wanted him to have the visual proof of what he’d done, thinking he would come to his senses. Obviously the tactic hadn’t worked, at least not soon enough for her liking.
Daníella waved to Amalía and Sophia as she left the hotel and made the short walk to work. Her mom and dad were alone when she arrived, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Nikkía and Silvana had become more bratty than usual.
“Ciao, Mom, Dad.” She gave each of her parents a kiss on the cheek before walking over to her desk. “How has the morning been?”
“Very good. Silvana and Nikkía have already gone out for their tours,” Estelle said.
“Yes, and I’m very thankful,” Daníella retorted.
Her mother laughed. “You know you love your sisters.”
“You’re right, Mama, but only from a distance.”
Her father chuckled. “And your mother wonders why I wanted to try one more time for a boy.”
Daníella couldn’t help but to smile as her mother gave her father a sharp look. “As we have discussed several times, you weren’t the one who had to carry three babies around for nine months, nor did you have to give birth to any of them. You also got three lovable daughters out of the deal. I think you did pretty well.”
Constantin leaned over and gave his wife a kiss on the cheek. “No, you did pretty well.”
Estelle’s expression changed to a smile. “And you are a sweet talker, but I love you for it.”
Daníella shook her head at her parents. She loved them more than anything. They were great loving parents and always had been. The two of them always supported her and her sisters no matter how wild their ideas were. Daníella glanced down at the schedule. She grinned when she saw the next tour scheduled was for Vatican City. It was one of her favorite tours to give. The tour group was small with only eight people signed up. That was even better.
Daníella was scheduled to give a tour of the Spanish Steps after the lunch hour. It worked out perfectly because it would give her time to get home and set up everything for Carlo’s arrival. He had surprised her last week by cooking dinner for her at his place. She’d enjoyed spending the night in his bed. It was a little more comfortable than her own and left her with the strong feeling of wanting to do it again, and soon. She was pretty certain she would.
“Mom, Dad, do you have anything you need me to do before I go give my last tour today?”
“We are caught up on everything. Your father and I are sitting here organizing the rest of the tours for the week.”
Daníella turned back to face her computer. A few moments later she began packing up the stuff she would need for the tour.
An hour later they were headed back to Rome, and Daníella realized she was tired and hungry. She walked into the office and took a deep relaxing breath.
Her mother looked up and smiled. “How did the tour go?”
“It went great. A few of the people today might call and set up another tour.”
“Buon. Carlo called you for you a few minutes ago.”
“What did he want?”
“He didn’t say, but I don’t think it was anything important. We chatted for a while and then he said to tell you he called.”
Daníella nodded before grabbing her purse and cell phone. “I’m going to lunch. Do you or Dad want anything?”
“No, your father and I have leftovers.”
She shook her head. Her parents were always resourceful, and she loved them for it. “Okay. I will see you guys back here in an hour.”
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
Daníella headed toward the little café on the corner. It was cheap, quick, and she liked the food. She’d just received her food when she saw her parents walk by. They were holding hands, and her father held a picnic basket. The two of them were so cute together. Daníella hoped she and Carlo would have that kind of happiness. Speaking of which, she reached for her cell phone to call Carlo. He answered on the first ring.
“Ciao, bella.”
She smiled at the sound of his voice. “Ciao.”
“What are you doing?”
“I am having lunch. What are you doing?”
Carlo’s chuckle traveled across the line. “Watching Giovanni storm around the hotel.”
Daníella laughed. “I take it he is still upset about Sophia’s surprise this morning?”
“Upset is an understatement. Leonardo and I are contemplating making him go home before he scares off the guests.
”
“Since you mentioned it, I have noticed the single female population is down around the hotel.”
“Giovanni has chased them all off, and he doesn’t even know it.”
Carlo told her about a scantily clad woman who offered an illicit proposition to Giovanni. Giovanni had turned the woman down flat without blinking.
Daníella tried to refrain from laughing. “Sounds like Giovanni is in danger of losing his suave reputation.”
“Right now, I don’t think he cares. His main focus is on Sophia.”
“I still have to talk to Amalía, Tierra, and Talía and see if they have any ideas as to getting Giovanni to ask Sophia out. The only thing I have come up with is some sort of outing that forces the two of them together,” Daníella said.
“That sounds good, although I thought about us playing matchmaker.”
She paused, not really expecting to hear that from Carlo. “What do you mean?”
“Maybe you and I can set up a place to meet for dinner, only you happen to bring Sophia and I bring Giovanni.”
“Why, Carlo, it sounds like Tierra is starting to rub off on you.”
“Yes, but you have to admit she’s good at it.”
Daníella stirred honey into her tea. “Yes, she is, because her plans tend to work. The one that you just came up with would probably get us killed.”
Carlo exhaled deeply. “Well, I just wanted to call you and say hello, as well as to tell you Giovanni is still slamming doors.”
She took a sip of tea before responding. “What has Sophia’s reaction been?”
“Classic. She is still playing up this morning’s performance, brushing by Giovanni, a lot closer than necessary, I might add.”
Daníella laughed before shaking her head. To think Sophia said she wasn’t a good actress. “Just make sure you keep Giovanni from getting arrested.”
Carlo sighed dejectedly. “I’ll do my best.”
Daníella chuckled. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Daníella disconnected the call and put her cell phone away before reaching for her sandwich. It looked good and tasted even better. The half-order sandwich would hold her over until dinnertime. She still had no idea as to what she was going to make, but it had to be good. A good meal followed by good lovemaking was sure to put Carlo in the mood for a serious conversation. If it didn’t, she just might have to resort to drastic measures.
Chapter Fifteen
Daníella took a deep breath as she put the finishing touch on dinner. She only had a few minutes until Carlo arrived, and she was more than ready. It had been a long time since she been this nervous. It was with good reason. Deep down, she was well aware of this being a defining moment in their relationship. Daníella placed the lid on the pot then headed to the bathroom to check her appearance. Her reflection spoke of confidence and seduction. She jumped when the doorbell rang.
Taking another deep calming breath, she made her way for the door. The corners of her mouth tilted upward when she saw Carlo standing on the other side of the door looking as handsome as usual. He was holding a bottle of wine. Carlo put it to the side as he pulled her into his arms. His mouth came down on hers, and she melted into his embrace. Several minutes later he came up for air.
“Hello to you as well,” she gasped.
Carlo smiled. “You don’t have any idea how much I look forward to kissing you.”
She licked her lips as if she were still savoring the taste of him. “I have a slight idea.”
He chuckled as she moved back to allow him to enter her apartment. She took the bottle of wine he offered her.
“I hope I chose well.”
She gave the bottle a quick glance before nodding. “Perfect. The food is ready.”
“Let me freshen up a little.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen waiting for you.”
She went into the kitchen and pulled the wine cork out of the drawer. For some reason, Carlo liked to do it, and she didn’t mind.
Daníella lit the candles on the table then dimmed the lights in the kitchen. Carlo appeared a short while later. Daníella saw a smile appear on his face when he saw everything.
“What is the occasion?”
“I just felt like doing something different.”
“I like it. Feel free to do something different anytime.”
She gave him a quick kiss. “Good”
Daníella began transferring the food to the table while he uncorked the wine. When everything was set, he held out her chair for her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Carlo took his seat, moaning in appreciation as she began to uncover the food. She had made a quick but delicious meal. Her choice had been Chicken Marsala paired with rosemary mashed potatoes and spinach rabe.
“Just make sure you save room for dessert.”
He gave her a purely wicked look, and she shook her head. “I’m referring to real dessert.”
“That is real dessert.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do, but I’m still okay with having two desserts.”
Daníella laughed as she began to make her plate. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, tesoro mio.”
And she didn’t doubt he did. What she did doubt was their ability to successfully stay together with secrets still between them.
Carlo took his first bite of food and moaned. “Between your food, and my mother’s, I’m going to have to watch myself.”
“I’m more than willing to leave the cooking to your mother.”
Carlo shook his head. “I think we have a perfect balance—dinner at your parents’ once a week, dinner at my parents’ twice a week, and private dinners between us twice a week.”
Since he worked the later shift the other two nights of the week, it balanced out pretty well.
“The only thing that would make it even more perfect would be if I could convince you to come up to work on the nights I have to work late. We could have dinner at the restaurant in the hotel, and then you can sit and keep me company while I work.”
“Considering that we have already christened your office carpet, I’m not sure it would be a good thing.”
Carlo took a sip of wine. “Yes, but there are several things in my office we still haven’t christened. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be a good thing.”
“You would think so since you weren’t the one who had to come up with a creative excuse as to why carpet burns are on your knees.”
Carlo laughed. “You know you enjoyed it as much as I did.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t.”
“Good, that means we should do it again and soon.”
Daníella almost choked on the bite of chicken she had just eaten. “You’re awful.”
He winked at her. “And you love me for it.”
The rest of the conversation during the meal was pretty tame. They took their time cleaning up before enjoying dessert.
He carried the candles and what remained of his wine into the living room. She carried the platter of dessert and her own glass of wine. Carlo sat the candles on the coffee table before turning to look at her.
“So what do we have for dessert?”
Daníella sat the platter down and uncovered it. He smiled when he spotted the chocolate-dipped figs.
“You are so good to me.”
“Make sure you remember that.”
He nodded before leaning forward to place a kiss on her lips. “Trust me, it would be hard for me to do.”
His reply made her ugly fear show itself again, and she sat back. Daníella picked up a fig and bit into it. The dessert was a favorite of Carlo’s and was the main reason why she had made it. Secondly, she figured they would help to loosen up his lips. Carlo ate a few figs before sitting back to stare at her.
“Tell me what is on your mind, tesoro mio?”
She stared at him for a moment trying to figure out where she s
hould begin. “I’m trying to figure out where I should start.”
Daníella released up a pent-up breath as he sat back and let her collect her thoughts. One more of the several things she loved about him. The other thing was she knew was she could be honest with Carlo.
“I’m worried about us.”
A look of surprise fell over his face. “Why?”
“Because as great as things are between us, there is one important thing we have yet to discuss.”
His expression told her that she didn’t have to go into details. Carlo knew what she referred to.
He finished off his wine before continuing. “You know part of the story, but not all of it.” He took a deep breath. “I made sure you were sheltered from a lot of things that happened with my accident, and I see I shouldn’t have. After my accident, I asked the medical staff not to tell you anything that would alarm you, so they didn’t. The diagnosis was grim, very grim. They told me I might not be able to walk again because my repaired pelvis might not be strong enough to support me.” Carlo reached for her hand. “It was one of the reasons I pushed you away, but the main reason was because my physician told me I wouldn’t be able to give you children.”
It took a minute for Daníella to process what he’d just said to her. When she did, her composure crumbled. She tried to pull away from him, but he tightened his hold.
“Let me explain, Daníella.”
She shook her head, not sure what to say, but knowing she needed some space. Some time to clear her head and digest the information he’d just given her.
“No, Carlo. I think you should go.”
He gave her a pleading look. “Daníella—”
“Go, Carlo. Now!”
* * * *
Carlo didn’t want to leave, but he did as she asked. He was concerned about leaving her alone to digest the information without him being there to answer any questions she might have. He also knew what he just revealed hurt her. Daníella wanted a family, and it wasn’t a secret to anyone. Knowing she may not be able to have that dream with him could change everything. She shouldn’t be alone right now. Maybe he could convince Amalía to come over and sit with her.
Morris, Stephanie - Unfinished Business [Indulgence 3] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 16