He held his glass tighter. “I’m still more than capable when it comes to business ledgers.”
Kiwi realized she’d hit a nerve. Perhaps his father hadn’t been kind to Gio’s pursuits though the world clearly thought he was talented. His suits were the go-to clothes for world powers these days.
She sipped her wine and noticed they were now cruising along the Florida coastline. She relaxed and said, “Victoria has a sharp eye for fashion. It’s why she started her company.”
“But my sister doesn’t design for herself. Instead she relies on you and Caro.” His body was tight. Neither said anything as his staff brought out dishes. She glanced at the Mahi-Mahi with almonds and indicated she wanted that meal. “From what I can see, Victoria is good at seeking out talent.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” [give her an action]
Gio also chose the fish and the waiter delivered their food. Once they were alone, Gio said, “Victoria is out to prove herself a capable business woman. She has an eye for nurturing excellent talent and that is why I am open to working with her. She won’t interfere with my own style.”
True, Kiwi thought, so why was he pursing his lips as if he disapproved? Hopefully her second show would be as fabulous as her first though her spine ticked with nerves when she thought about it. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
He relaxed into his leather seat. “No, but it shows she doesn’t have the same intensity I do, which makes going into business with Victoria questionable.”
She cut into the flaky almond crust. “Why? If she is good with the books and you start to trust her, then you get to focus on your lines and share the load of running a business with your sister.”
He speared a section of white fish while he said, “First, I need to trust her—and she was raised by my father. I am giving this merger a chance. Why are you loyal to her?”
Good question. Kiwi placed her hands on the table and ignored how her pulse raced. She really hadn’t explained this to anyone before because she thought it was obvious. “Victoria talked me into leaving my job as CFO to pursue my fashion career. I was going for a paycheck instead of following my dreams until she offered me a chance.”
They ate their lunch in silence and watched the palm trees and beaches off in the distance. Once he finished he sipped his wine and stared at her. Her skin buzzed just from his interest as he said, “So, you weren’t formally trained then.”
That wasn’t a question and her pulse spiked. Did he not think she was good enough after all? The question washed down her spine like icicles seeking a new home for the winter. She put her fork down, done, and sipped her wine as if it might give gave her courage though she’d only had small sips and still had most of her glass. “No.”
He leaned closer. Her lips tingled. Was he going to kiss her at last? Her pulse zipped with excitement as he simply said, “Interesting. That is probably what made your designs stand out.”
Her mind was in the gutter. This wasn’t fair. She wished for ice to cool her down, but instead she looked up at him and ignored the beat of her heart. “I just put together what I think looks beautiful.”
He was inches from her. She needed a reality check—or his kiss— he pulled back and handed her a glass of water. “Then perhaps we do have things in common. We’ll fly to Milan together tonight so you can see where I’d like to raise our family, though if you prefer Miami then we can live here too.”
If she didn’t catch her breath, she’d lose her thoughts and possibly her mind. She stood and walked to the window, looking out at the white sands visible from the window below deck.
Gio came closer and her body heated. She turned toward him and asked, “What about Victoria and the merger? Or the car we left in West Palm?”
“The contract has been signed, and the car company will pick it up at the marina.” His hand traced her arm and she relaxed into him.
Part of her wanted to give in and just be with him. She continued to look out the window as the high-rises of Fort Lauderdale grew closer. Soon they’d be back in Miami.
He had no idea how she ached for him because he just held her, gently, and said, “We talked about design and running the company numbers in a horizontal and vertical integration sense—we have resources that benefit both.”
A clear mind would help right now. Desire heated her veins. “That sounds good. Combining resources makes the end result cheaper.”
“The biggest test will be in design,” he said fast.
Her mind cleared. In mergers people lost jobs though he didn’t have a female shoe division or shoes for men. She turned toward him, now curious about her own future. “How are you going to do that?”
He nodded at her like the deal was imminent but still held her close like he cared. “Caro needs four days to come up with ideas for our first “his and hers” clothing set. I’ll create my own ideas and then we’re going to have a test design meeting in Milan for casual wear. All that’s missing is shoes.”
She gulped and reached for a glass of water on the table. His skin felt warm near her as she asked, “So you’re telling me I have four days to think up some casual shoe designs too?”
He took the glass after she’d had a drink and then circled his arm around her waist. “Just sketches. Once we find commonality and our theme, then we can fine-tune our designs for a launch.”
“That’s a lot of work.” Goosebumps grew on her arms and entire body at his touch.
Goodness, he was sexy.
He tugged her toward him as he said, “The meeting will be in Milan.”
And together they’d see if the things in common might make life together possible. Unlikely, but she’d give this a chance. Her heart beat wildly. “I’m probably crazy—but okay, let me go pack a few things for our trip.”
His hands on her hips possessed her. His voice was deep and rocked her insides when he said, “Don’t bother with clothes. I intend to keep you naked.”
Steam rose despite the cool air from the vents against her skin. She partially closed her eyes. “We’re going to have to leave the house at some point.”
“If you insist; then I’ll have my staff fetch whatever you need.” He claimed her lips as his own.
And that was the truth. She was his, even if she never told him. No one else had ever inspired so much passion.
Chapter 7
Gio had never slept so peacefully on a plane. With Kiwi tucked in his arms, he felt complete and whole. All his life he’d been judged which was why he’d always fought for everything as hard as he had.
He slipped out of their bed quietly without waking her, pulled on a pair of soft 1000 threaded cotton sleep pants, and took a seat opposite the double-sized pod.
Gio reached for his tablet and started to draw free-style in the program. However, instead of working on a men’s business suit, he drew the soft silk coils of Kiwi’s short black hair, her plump, rose-colored mouth, the slender bridge of her nose—but he couldn’t quite capture the peaceful glow she exuded as she slept, smooth, coffee-hued skin wrapped in his ivory sheets.
Would he show her this sketch he’d already committed to memory?
Probably not. The House of Morgan designs were the number one men’s suits in the world because of his hard work. His father, with all his faults, had at least showed him how to run a successful business. Anything other than work, he never showed anyone.
In a few minutes, he’d work on a suit and the lines. Kiwi also designed, so if he shared his work, she might care and see they matched. It might be nice.
He’d just finished his sketch of her profile when she stretched, so he put his tablet away.
Kiwi sat up, naked, and saw him sitting across from her bed. She stretched her arms and let out a small yawn and then turned toward the window where sunlight filtered in. “Where are we?”
“Italy.” He pointed to the tarmac visible from the window. “Get dressed. I want to take you home.”
“That’s it?” She tugged his und
ershirt he’d worn last night on like she claimed it.
He crawled on the bed and ran his hands up and down her now more curvy body since the last time they’d made love.
Somehow she was even more fabulous with more shine to her thick curls and a beautiful glow to her skin. His body turned on and he licked his lips as he stared down at her. “We can stay here.”
She leaned up to kiss him, but then scooted off the bed. “I want to see your home.”
The words buzzed in his ears. He jumped off the bed, kissed her fast and then let her go.
She walked past him, bare-bottomed with a curvy backside that was absolutely gorgeous, causing his body to harden, though she didn’t seem to notice as she headed into the bathroom.
Calm down, Gio. He quickly dressed so when she came out, he only needed a minute.
The limo waited outside and whisked them off the field.
Once they were inside the limo, Kiwi’s eyes fluttered closed after a short time. The drive to his villa took a few hours so he let her sleep, and again took out his tablet. When they got nearer, he’d let the fantasy of carrying her into his bed and keeping her there fully play across his mind.
Gio worked until they were parked before the front door, and he stroked her arm until she woke, bringing the imagery of his fantasy back. Her eyes opened wide as she stared at his ivory three-story villa, in particular, the red doors with ancient marble statue angels on either side on the pillars. She took his hand and they both shuffled out of the car. “Benvenuta a casa, mi bella.”
Her sandals clicked on the white marble bricks outside as she gazed up at the blue sky. “Casa? No. This is an estate.”
Her head swiveled from left to right as she took in the various wings and additions that had been added on a few hundred years after the initial house was built. They stepped onto his veranda and he pointed toward the back, past the reflecting pool that was meant for visual relaxation. “It’s my villa, with a small vineyard.”
“Vineyard?” She repeated like she needed to say the words out loud in order to understand. She breathed in. and only let it out when he opened the doors. Kiwi became transfixed with the original Emma Ciardi impressionist painting on the wall. She didn’t comment but instead asked, “You grow your own grapes for wine?”
He showed her inside the foyer, laid with impeccably polished ancient white marble. He pressed his palm on her lower back to bring her through the house and show her the grounds. “For pleasure, and locals only. I’m not interested in growing for profit.”
“It’s still impressive.” She peeked into the library that had stacks of books from ceiling to the floor.
Gio led her back into the hall to show her the sitting room. “Working in the field keeps me grounded and I get fresh ideas this way.”
He paused as he heard what sounded like American pop music. His ears focused on the female singer as Kiwi said, “Sure, because the house isn’t… wait is someone in here?”
Someone bounced against the marble tile making it sound like they tap-danced on the floor instead of staying on one of the area rugs. His entire body stilled as he stepped in front of Kiwi and reached for the door handle. “Sounds like it. I didn’t invite anyone.” He cautiously opened the sitting room door and saw a long-legged brunette in yoga pants and a man’s t-shirt with a slight bump following an aerobics video with visible pregnant ladies on the screen. His gaze narrowed as he asked, “Who are you?”
“Jennifer Gonzales,” the woman answered.
Ah. His mind instantly clicked in recognition of her name. Jennifer was attractive with dark brown eyes and a face that made everyone want to look at her, but she wasn’t nearly as beautiful as the woman who had just walked in beside him. Kiwi’s kind face made her way more beautiful and she tugged at his heart strings.
Jennifer stopped her exercise to give Kiwi a hug. “Kiwi Washington? I’m a big fan of your shoes.”
Kiwi’s brow wrinkled as she glanced at him. Once the hug ended she asked Jennifer, “What are you doing here?”
Jennifer tilted her head to look at them both. “Anthony brought me.”
Gio understood at once. Anthony had whisked Jennifer away from Peter and somehow ended up in Gio’s home. “Where is my brother?”
“On the terrace.” Jennifer used his remote to turn off the television.
His lips pressed together. Once he found his brother he would remind him not to use Gio’s house as his own property. Anthony had plenty of his own. Gio narrowed his eyes in preparation of a confrontation, but then felt a slight sting that today wasn’t what he’d planned for Kiwi. “Kiwi, I’ll be right back. It seems I have unexpected guests.”
He hugged Kiwi’s side and moved toward the door. With his back to the women, he heard Jennifer tell Kiwi, “Please don’t tell Victoria I’m here.”
“Too late,” Kiwi said. He turned his head and saw Kiwi with her phone in hand as she stared at Jennifer without malice. “She’s my boss and she’s looking for you.”
Okay, Kiwi was clearly loyal to her boss. Gio squared his shoulders and continued toward the back terrace.
Passing through the ballroom and dining areas that overlooked the terrace and vineyard, he strode right outside into the warm sunshine of Lombardy. He saw his brother enjoying a glass of Gio’s summer red wine and snacking on a plate of grapes as he talked on his cell phone.
Anthony’s gaze flashed at him and his brother hung up the phone.
Gio stormed over and stood taller as he asked, “Anthony, what are you doing here?”
Anthony rose to his full height. “I thought you were in Miami for another few days.”
Invading Gio’s home wasn’t Anthony’s usual style as they’d both gone their separate ways over the past ten years. He widened his stance. If Anthony had asked, Gio would have welcomed him. “You brought your guest here? What about your own house?”
Anthony motioned toward the table and the bottle of wine like he didn’t see what he’d done wrong. “Jennifer was being tracked. I couldn’t bring her to any of my villas.”
And family is the only one you can trust. Their father’s words haunted Gio and his shoulders slumped. Anthony was his younger brother, who his mother had thought simply misguided. On the day she died, she’d had Anthony on her mind. Gio gestured for them both to sit as he settled in. “Couldn’t or wouldn’t? You have the power to transform your own villa into an army base if you want.”
One of Gio’s staff brought him a glass without being summoned. Anthony didn’t care that they had company as he said, “Jennifer doesn’t want to be a prisoner.”
If Anthony was desperate and in love, Gio would have helped him, but he wished his brother called ahead. Anthony’s presence alone would cause ripples in his potential merger. He leaned back. “So you felt it was okay to come to my home uninvited?”
The maid froze and would probably talk with his staff over Anthony’s treatment now. He’d clarify later that family was always welcomed to them, despite this exchange. He’d never throw Anthony out and his brother seemed to know it. Anthony plucked a grape from the bunch. “You’re my brother, Gio. And family sticks together.”
Gio nodded and waited for the staff to leave. Once the door closed, he said without touching any wine or fruit, “I need you to leave for your own good. I’m expecting Victoria and her branch of the family to join me.”
“Or your own business plans need me to disappear fast?” Anthony picked up his glass and sipped thoughtfully. Gio chose to honor their mother, remembering she’d echoed their father’s belief that brothers look out for each other. He poured a small glass as Anthony asked, “You’re really merging with the Americans?”
Business, and some vendetta their father thought his families should have that Gio didn’t understand. Anthony was the only one that seemed to listen to the advice of Mitch Morgan. With a prayer to their departed mother for guidance, Gio sipped the newer wine and waited for a moment to answer. “We are going to try it and see. Are those the
green trousers from my winter collection you’re wearing?”
“Si.” Anthony tapped his fingers on the black metal table. “Father would be proud of your menswear business though not happy you’re working with his princess.”
Mitch and Anthony had both belittled Gio’s intention to start a fashion line for men. They didn’t think painting was manly either and had poked his dreams to deflate him. Gio learned to ignore other’s opinions as a result. He sipped his wine. “Anthony, they are coming here at my invitation. None of the Americans or the French family I’ve met seem to be like you or father. It was refreshing not to be judged.”
Anthony lowered his head. “I’m sorry I stole your girlfriend.”
Gio blinked. What was he talking about? But then a vague memory of Piper Lacey flashed in his mind from last year. He’d caught them kissing. At the moment he couldn’t even remember her face, but he didn’t let Anthony get to him. “Piper and I were done— I’ve forgotten. That has nothing to do with now.”
“I was rude to you because I’m not like you, Gio,” Anthony explained. It was just an easy excuse for thinking he had any right to discuss Gio’s business decisions. But then again Anthony always thought he was the one to inherit their father’s business acumen. Anthony then said, “We both know I don’t have your taste, Lorenzo’s brilliance or perfection like Bartolomeo.” Gio popped one of the grapes in his mouth as his brother finished, “We have the same great mom in common.”
And their mother had loved them all. She’d quietly encouraged him not to let his father or brother destroy his intentions and even drove around Milan years ago to find where he should put his first store. Sofia Morgan would want her sons to get along. He chose another juicy red grape. “I can’t un-invite them. Victoria and I have similar goals and together the House of Morgan designs can grow faster and be the biggest house in fashion.”
Secret Match Page 6