The Playboy of Rome

by Jennifer Faye

  “Definitely.” Her gaze skimmed down over him again, enjoying the view. “You look a bit overdressed to be heading downstairs to help with the lunch crowd.”

  “That’s because I’m not. I made arrangements so the kitchen is covered today. You, my pretty lady, have the day off.” His smile sent her heart tumbling.

  To spend with him! She grinned back at him.

  She shouldn’t have worried. It’d been the rush of the filming and keeping up with the increasing crush of patrons that had kept him from following up on those kisses at the vineyard. She was certain of it now.

  “I like the sounds of that. What shall we do with the day?”

  “I don’t know about you, but I have a meeting.”

  “A meeting?” The words slipped past her lips.

  A questioning brow lifted. “Is that a problem?”

  “Umm...no. I just thought we could do something, you know, together.” Did she really have to spell it out for him?

  The intercom buzzed. Who in the world could that be? From what she’d gathered living here for the past several weeks, Dante didn’t entertain much, and when he did, it was down in the restaurant.

  “That’ll be for me. They sent a car.”

  “Who did?”

  His face creased with stress lines. “The people interested in buying the ristorante.”

  His words knocked her off-kilter. She sat down on the arm of the couch. And here she’d been daydreaming about them one day running the restaurant together. She didn’t have a clue how she’d work things out with Jules being so far away, but Massimo’s words came back to her: Love will always find a way. Now all of her daydreams were about to be dashed.

  “You’re really going through with it?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

  “Why do you seem so surprised? I told you I was considering it. And thanks to you, things between me and my father are looking up. It’s time I do what’s expected of me.”

  He was trying to be noble and earn his father’s respect and love. That she could admire. But at what cost?

  “Dante, do you really think that you’ll be happy working at the vineyard? After all, you couldn’t wait to leave when you were younger. Do you really think it’ll have changed?”

  His gaze darkened. “Maybe I’ve changed.”

  “And you aren’t going to miss the restaurant—your grandfather’s legacy? Have you even told Massimo?”

  Dante’s brows gathered. “When I took over the ristorante, he gave me his blessing to do what I thought was appropriate with it. And that’s what I’m doing.”

  She knew the decision was ultimately up to him, but if she didn’t say something now, she’d regret it—they both might regret it. “Don’t do it. Don’t sell the restaurant.”

  Dante grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door. “I’ve got to go.”

  “Wait.” She rushed over to him. “I’m sorry. I’m butting in where I don’t belong, but I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

  “I won’t. I know what I want.”

  And it wasn’t working here side by side with her. Her heart sank.

  “We’ll do something when I get back.” The buzzer sounded again. “I really do have to go.”

  He rushed out the door. She willed him to come back, but he didn’t. Deep down she had a bad feeling that Dante was about to make a decision that he would come to regret. But there was nothing else she could do to stop him.

  Not quite an hour later, as Lizzie was trying to find a television show to distract her from thinking of Dante, the phone rang. Maybe it was him. Maybe he had come to his senses and couldn’t wait to tell her.

  “Hello.”

  “Lizzie, is that you?” Definitely not Dante’s voice, but still it was familiar.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Dante’s father.”

  “Oh, hi. Dante isn’t here. But I can give him a message.”

  “Actually, you’re the one I wanted to speak to. I wanted to know if you needed any help with the food for the party tomorrow. My sisters have been pestering me to know how they can help.”

  How in the world had she let Massimo’s party slip her mind? Of course, with the crazy filming schedule and the vibes of attraction zinging back and forth between her and Dante, it culminated into a surge, short-circuiting her mind.

  “Don’t worry about a thing. I have everything under control.” No way was she telling him the truth. Not after that disastrous dinner.

  “I knew I could count on you.” His confidence in her only compounded her guilt. “This party is going to be just what Massimo needs. A houseful of family and friends with great food, music and the best vino.”

  They talked for a few more minutes before she gave in and said that his sisters could do the appetizers, but the entrées were her and Dante’s responsibility.

  As she hung up the phone, her mind was racing. That was when she realized they hadn’t picked up the collage of photos of the restaurant through the years to hang in Massimo’s room at the vineyard. A quick call assured her that the order was complete, but she’d have to get there right away. In twenty minutes, they closed for the weekend. She tried calling Dante’s cell phone but it went straight to voice mail.

  A glance at the clock told her that she didn’t have time to wait. She needed to go right now. She wouldn’t let Dante down in front of his family. Not when he was so anxious to fix things with his father. This gift was from the both of them, but it was more Dante’s idea than hers.

  Spotting the keys to Red on the counter, she wondered if Dante would mind if she borrowed the car. After all, this was an emergency and he had let her drive it when they were in the country. What could it hurt? The shop wasn’t too far away.

  Before she could change her mind, she grabbed the keys and headed out the door. Her stomach quivered with nerves as she fired up the engine. As she maneuvered Red down the street, heads turned. She could only ever dream of having a luxury sports car for herself. Without even checking, she knew that the price tag on this gem was not even in her realm of possibilities...ever.

  In no time, she placed the large framed collage in the passenger seat. Being cautious, she used the seat belt to hold it in place. She didn’t want anything to happen to the gift. It was perfect. And she was certain that Massimo would treasure it.

  Mentally she was listing everything she needed to start preparing as soon as she got home. The fact that there would be a hundred-plus people at this “small” gathering totally boggled her mind. When she and Jules had a birthday party, it usually ended up being them and a handful of friends—less than ten people total. The DeFiore clan was more like a small village.

  She would need at least four trays of lasagna alone. Thankfully the restaurant was kept well stocked. When they’d talked about the party previously, Dante had told her to take whatever she needed and just to leave him a list of what she used. That was a big relief—

  The blur of a speeding car caught her attention. Lizzie slammed on the brakes. Red immediately responded. Her body tensed. The air became trapped in her lungs.

  The blue compact car cut in front of her, narrowly missing her.

  Lizzie slowed to a stop. She blew out the pent-up breath.

  Thank goodness nothing had happened to Red. Dante would have freaked out if she’d damaged his precious car. The man truly loved this fine vehicle—

  Squeal!

  Thunk!

  Lizzie’s body lurched forward. Her body jerked hard against the seat belt. The air was knocked out of her lungs.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “THAT’S NOT POSSIBLE. Lizzie wouldn’t be out in Red.” Dante gripped the phone tighter. “You’re sure it was her?” He listened intently as though his very life depended on it. “What do you mean you don’t know if she’s okay?” His gut twisted into a painful knot. “I’m on my way.”

  Was it possible his newly hired busboy was mistaken? Lizzie had been in a car accident with Red? The kid didn’t know Lizzie
very well. He had to have her mixed up with someone else.

  Dante strode toward the elevator of the corporate offices after his meeting. He could only hope the hired car would be waiting for him. When the elevator didn’t come fast enough, he headed for the stairwell. Lizzie just had to be okay. His feet barely touched the steps as he flew down the two flights of stairs.

  After nearly running into a half-dozen people, he made it to the street. The black car was waiting for him. When the driver went to get out to open his door for him, Dante waved him off. There wasn’t time for niceties. He had to know if Lizzie was okay.

  It seemed to take forever for the car to get across the city. He tried calling her. She didn’t answer at the apartment and she didn’t pick up her cell phone. Dante’s body tensed. Was the kid right? Had she been in an accident? Was she hurt?

  Then feeling utterly helpless, Dante did something he hadn’t done since he was a kid. He sent a prayer to the big guy upstairs, pleading for Lizzie’s safety.

  What had she been doing? Where had she gone? And what was she doing with Red? He couldn’t come up with any plausible answers. All he could do was stare helplessly out the window as they slowly inched closer to the accident site.

  “This is as close as I can get, sir. Looks like they have the road shut down up ahead.” The driver sent him an apologetic look in the rearview mirror.

  “Thank you.”

  Dante sprang out of the car and weaved his way through the throng of people on the sidewalk, sidestepping a cyclist and a few strollers. He inwardly groaned. Just his luck. Everyone seemed to be out and about on such a sunny day.

  And then he saw the familiar candy-apple-red paint, but his gaze kept moving, searching for Lizzie’s blond hair. She wasn’t by the car. And she wasn’t standing on the sidewalk.

  And then he spotted the ambulance. His heart tightened.

  Please. Please. Don’t let her be hurt.

  He ran to the ambulance and moved to the back. Lizzie was sitting there with a stunned look on her face. His gaze scanned her from head to foot. No blood. No bandages.

  Thank goodness.

  “Lizzie.”

  It was all he got out before she was rushing into his arms and he nearly dropped to the roadway with relief. As his arms wrapped around her, he realized that he’d never been so scared in his entire life. If he had lost her— No, he couldn’t go there. Losing her was unimaginable.

  As he held her close and felt her shake, he realized that he loved her. Not just a little. But a whole lot. In that moment, he understood the depth of love his father had felt for his mother. He’d never before been able to comprehend why his father never remarried—why his father kept all of the memories of his mother around the house. Now he understood.

  Lizzie pulled back. “Dante, I’m so sorry. I...I—”

  “Are you okay?” When she didn’t answer right away, his gaze moved to the paramedic. “Is she okay? Does she need to go to the hospital?”

  “She refused to go to the hospital.”

  Dante turned to her. “You’ve got to go. What if something is wrong?”

  “It looks like she’s going to be bruised from the seat belt and a bit sore in the morning, but she should be okay.”

  Lizzie patted Dante’s arm to get his attention. “He’s right. I’m fine. But...”

  “But what?” If she so much as had a pain in her little finger, he was going to carry her into that ambulance himself.

  “But Red isn’t in such good condition. Oh, Dante, I’m sorry...” She burst out in tears.

  What did he do now? He didn’t know a thing about women and tears. He let his instincts take over as he pulled her against his chest and gently rubbed her back. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  He truly meant it.

  While she let her emotions flow, he realized how close he’d come to losing her in a car accident. He knew this scene. He’d lived through it with his brother. Stefano’s wife had died so tragically—so unexpectedly.

  The memory sent a new cold knife of fear into Dante’s heart. He’d watched the agony his brother had endured when he’d joined the ranks of the DeFiore widowers’ club. Dante had sworn then and there that wouldn’t be him. He’d never let someone close enough to make him vulnerable. And that was exactly what was happening with Lizzie. Every moment he was with her. Every time he touched her, she got further under his skin and deeper in his heart.

  He had to stop it.

  He couldn’t go through this again. Because next time they both might not be so lucky.

  As though sensing the change in him, Lizzie pulled back and swiped quickly at her cheeks. “Dante, I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “Of course it is. I didn’t ask you... I tried. But your phone was off. And I had to hurry.”

  “I had my phone switched off for the meeting.”

  “I’d forgotten. Then your dad called. And there wasn’t time to wait. Then this car cut me off—”

  “Slow down. Take a breath.” In her excitement she wasn’t making much sense and he was worried she might hyperventilate.

  “The car—Red—it’s not drivable. They called for a flatbed.”

  This was the first time he truly looked at Red. Any other time that would have been his priority. Warning bells went off in his head. He loved Lizzie more than anything in the world. When his gaze landed on the crumpled rear corner panel, he didn’t feel anything. Maybe he was numb with shock and worry after seeing Lizzie in the back of the ambulance.

  She sniffled. “I can’t believe it happened. I was on my way home when this little car cut me off. I braked just in time. Before I could get moving again, I was hit from behind by that delivery truck.”

  Dante’s gaze moved to the nearby white truck. The size of it was much, much larger than he’d been anticipating. The damage could have been so much worse. The thought that Lizzie could have been seriously injured...or worse hit him in the gut with a sharp jab.

  “I don’t know if they can repair the car but...but I’ll pay the bill or replace it. Whatever it takes.”

  She didn’t have that kind of money. Not that he’d accept it even if she did. The only important part was that she was safe. He’d be lost without her. The words teetered on his tongue, but he couldn’t vocalize them. Telling her that would just be cruel. He refused to get her hopes up and have her think they were going to have a happily-ever-after ending. That simply couldn’t happen.

  Stifling his emotions, he said, “I still don’t understand why you took the car without asking.”

  She turned and stared directly at him. “I told you. I tried to call you but it went straight to voice mail. And I couldn’t be late. Otherwise they would have closed.”

  “Who would have closed? What was so damn important that you almost got yourself killed?”

  Pain flashed in her eyes. “Listen, I know you’re worked up about your car, but I was trying to do you a favor.”

  “A favor? You call totaling my car and scaring me doing me a favor?” He rubbed the back of his neck. His words were coming out all wrong. His gut continued to churn with a ball of conflicting emotions.

  Lizzie glared at him. “I told you I’m sorry.”

  “But that won’t fix anything.” And it wouldn’t ease the scare she’d given him.

  The groan of the motor hauling his car up onto the back of the tow drew his attention. The bent, broken and cracked car was slowly rolled onto a flatbed. It was a miracle Lizzie had escaped serious injury.

  If this worry and agony was what loving someone was about, he didn’t want it. He didn’t want to have to care so deeply—to depend on someone. The price of loving and losing was too steep. He didn’t care if that made him a wimp or worse. He wasn’t going to end up a miserable old man like the rest of his family—with only memories to keep him company on those long lonely nights. No way.

  “Stay here.” He wanted to keep her in sight just in case she started to feel il
l. “I need to speak to the polizia and the tow driver.”

  In truth, he needed some distance. A chance to think clearly. He had to break things off with Lizzie. It was the only logical thing to do. But why did it feel so wrong?

  * * *

  What was his problem?

  Lizzie had never seen Dante in such a black mood. Did he really care about his car that much? She glanced over to see broken bits of the car being cleaned up. Okay. So she had totally messed up today. She knew it was her fault, but did he have to be so gruff? This wasn’t the man—dare she say it—the man she loved.

  After he spoke with the tow driver and the polizia, he returned to Lizzie. His face creased into a frown. “I’ll call us a taxi.”

  There was no way she wanted to spend any more time around him. She already felt bad enough and had offered to pay for the damages. There was nothing else she could do to make things better. “I’d rather walk.”

  “You aren’t up for walking.” His gaze wouldn’t even meet hers. “You were just in an accident.”

  His body was rigid. A vein pulsated in his neck. He was doing his best to bottle up his anger but she could feel it. And she couldn’t stand it. He hated her for wrecking his car. “Just say it.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m calling a taxi.” He placed the call, ignoring her protests. “The taxi will be here shortly.”

  She wished he’d get it off his chest. If they couldn’t even talk to each other, how in the world did she think they were going to have an ongoing relationship? Her mind was racing. She had to calm down. Everything was under control...except Massimo’s birthday party.

  And that was when she realized that the gift—the whole reason for this illuminating calamity—was about to be hauled away inside Red. Her gaze swung around to the damaged car atop the tow. Anxious to get to the truck before it pulled out, she took off at a brisk pace. Her heeled black boots kept her from moving quicker.

  “Lizzie!” Dante called out behind her. “What’s wrong? Would you talk to me?”

  She kept moving until she was next to the truck. She reached up and knocked on the window. When the driver rolled down his window, she explained that she needed a package out of the vehicle.