Bella Cigna

by Wendi Dass

  She opened the door and her heart pounded. She gasped…Eduardo.

  Chapter 15

  “Eduardo? What are you doing here?”

  “I ran into Sister Maria—”

  “Sister Maria?” She poked her head out the door. The front door slammed, and a rush of air drifted down the hall, delivering a cloud of student giggles. The shadows of feet darkened the floor. Sarah darted her gaze from Eduardo to the shadows then back to Eduardo. Then she grabbed his shirt and yanked him inside. She kicked shut the door, and it closed with a thud.

  She was alone with him, and he was close…so close. An intoxicating smell—his spicy cologne mixed with the dewiness of rain—filled the air. She still gripped his damp shirt, drawing the thin white fabric tighter against his muscular arms and shoulders. Sarah relaxed her hands to rest her palms against his hard, taut chest.

  Eduardo stared down at her, a grin spreading. “Well, if I had known I’d get a greeting like this, I’d have visited you a long time ago.”

  His words sent vibrations through Sarah’s hands, and she stepped back. A hot blush seared her cheeks. “Does she know you’re here?”

  “Who?”

  “Who? Sister Maria. Did she let you in?”

  He shook his head. “I entered with a group of students. I asked them where your room was.”

  “You what?” Her voice came out shrill, and she stiffened her posture. “My God, Eduardo. Are you trying to get me fired?”

  “Fired?” He lowered his chin.

  “Sister Maria doesn’t allow male visitors. This is an all-girls school, you know.”

  Eduardo furrowed his brow. Then he doubled over with laughter.

  His deep, wall-shaking laughter must have resonated through the entire dorm. “Eduardo, please,” Sarah pleaded.

  He laughed so hard his eyes welled with tears.

  Sister Maria would burst through the door at any second. Sarah stepped forward and grabbed his hand. “Eduardo, I’m serious. If you keep this up, Sister Maria will probably have me deported.”

  He quieted. “Sister Maria’s tongue is worse than her lashing. I know from experience. But she might have a point.” He removed his thumb from her grasp and ran it from the base of her wrist to the tips of her fingers. “Putting a man in a room this small with a woman is dangerous. Especially a woman who looks as good as you do in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.”

  This time, Sarah felt her legs and arms go so limp she worried she might melt into a puddle. Freeing herself from his grasp, she stepped back, steadied herself against her desk chair, and struggled to catch her breath. “What are you doing here anyway?” Her voice came out in a raspy whisper.

  Eduardo smiled. “Sister Maria. She told me you were working.”

  Sarah sucked in a breath and looked away. He talked to Sister Maria? She was done for.

  “I thought you were just making excuses,” he said.

  “Excuses?” She looked up. “Why would I do that?”

  “I don’t know.” He cast his gaze downward. “Maybe for the same reason you never called me. Or for the same reason you said no to drinks—because you’re not interested in me as more than a tutor or a friend.”

  Her heart dropped. “Eduardo, no.”

  He shifted his gaze. “But then I realized, maybe you’re just shy.”

  Sarah nodded.

  “Maybe, you’re just nervous.”

  If she were any more nervous, she’d keel over. Yet somehow, with shaky legs, she stepped toward him.

  In a quick stride, he removed the space between them. “I see an obvious solution to our problem.”

  “You do?”

  “We need time to get to know each other. Time without distractions from work.” He scooped her right hand in his, raised it to his mouth, and brushed his lips against her knuckles. “We need to go out on a date.”

  Her pulse quickened, and her legs threatened to give way. She leaned her hip into the chair. “A real date?” she whispered.

  He nodded, his eyes alight. “I propose dinner. Tomorrow, my place. Unless”—he kissed her hand again—“you can think of reason we should—”

  “No reason I can think of.” Sarah bit her lip. She shouldn’t seem so eager, should she?

  He tightened his fingers around her hand, widened his smile, and held her in his gaze.

  Sarah’s breath quickened, and the air between them thickened with her hot exhalations. She could stay in this moment, in his grasp and his stare, for eternity.

  “Aspettare!” A young voice echoed in the hall.

  Eduardo pulled back and dropped her hand. “Tomorrow.” He darted toward the door with an extra spring in his step. “Six okay?”

  “Perfect.”

  Eduardo opened the door, poked out his head then looked back. “I think the coast is clear.”

  Sarah smiled.

  “Until tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  He closed the door quietly behind him.

  Sarah leaned back on the desk, jitters pulsing through her body. She was going on a date—a real date.

  ****

  A knock sounded on the door.

  Sarah opened her eyes. She turned to the clock next to her bed—nine thirty. When was the last time she’d slept in so late? She yawned, a smile percolating on her lips. She hadn’t wanted to use Dad’s trick of reciting state capitals last night—instead she’d reveled in Eduardo’s cheeky grin, his witty compliments, and his sensuous touch.

  The knock—or was it a thud?—sounded again.

  “Just a minute.” Sarah crawled out of bed, pulled on her robe, and opened the door.

  In the hallway Anna stood holding a cup in each hand, her lips smooshed around a croissant oozing with Choctella. “Hmm mmm hmmm?” she said around the croissant.

  At the sight, Sarah practically crossed her eyes.

  Thrusting one of the cups toward Sarah, Anna then used her free hand to dislodge the pastry from her mouth. “Would’ve used my key if I could’ve gotten to it. Here.” She reached into the collar of her shirt, dug into her bra, and pulled out a bag, which she tossed over.

  Bobbling it, Sarah caught the bag.

  Anna stepped into the room. “I figured you could use some caffeine.”

  Sarah lifted the lid on the cup. The aroma of strong black tea with a hint of bergamot wafted out. “Earl Grey, my favorite.” She took a sip—Earl Grey, indeed. Peeking inside the bag, she crinkled her nose. “A bran muffin?”

  “No sweets for you until tomorrow.” Anna ripped off a hunk of croissant, cocked back her head, and tossed it in her mouth.

  Watching the action, Sarah salivated.

  “That is…” She swallowed the bite and gave Sarah a grin. “Unless Eduardo serves some tonight.”

  Sarah widened her eyes against Anna’s mischievous grin and strained against the bulging in her eye sockets. “How do you—”

  “I’ll coach you on Italian meal courses later. First things first.” She tossed the half-eaten croissant on the desk and rummaged through the clothes in Sarah’s closet.

  Sarah took another sip of divinity before setting her cup on the desk and planting her hands on her hips. “Anna Franklin, could you please enlighten me as to how you know all the details of my personal life?”

  “You know I’m a genius.” Anna continued her rummaging.

  “That doesn’t make you clairvoyant.”

  Anna turned to Sarah and rubbed the wall with her hand. “I told you the walls in this place are thin.”

  “You were here? I thought you’d be out with—” She pointed a finger. “Wait a minute…Anna! You eavesdropped.”

  Anna wagged a finger. “Hey, I’m not the one sneaking men into the dorm.”

  “I didn’t sneak him in. He came in by himself.”

  “Technicality.” Anna returned to the closet, whisking hangers left and right. “But, to the point—why didn’t you tell me he asked you out?”

  “It happened less than twelve hours—”r />
  “Eleven.” Anna flicked a brow.

  “All right, math nerd, eleven hours ago.” She tapped a toe. “As I said, I assumed you’d be out with Juan.”

  “Eh, the doctor thing is losing its appeal.”

  “So soon? You haven’t even been with him a month.”

  Anna shrugged. “I said six weeks was my max, not my min. But that’s not important. What is important is you don’t have a single outfit here that’s respectable for a date.”

  “What about my black skirt and—”

  “Nope.” Anna grabbed her croissant and coffee on her way to the door. “Get dressed.” She popped another bite. “We’re going shopping.”

  After a forty-five-minute metro ride to northeast Rome, Anna led her into a six-story, New York Macy’s-style, eat-your-heart-out department store, La Rinascente, Rome’s one-stop shop for high-end fashion, décor, and accessories extraordinaire. Gleaming white travertine tile graced the floors. Bright lights streamed from cosmetic counters. If Sarah couldn’t find something that fit her here, she really was a lost cause.

  Grinning, Anna hopped on an escalator. “Shall we hit lingerie first?”

  Sarah pinched a corner of her mouth. “That’s not what I had in mind for a first date.”

  Anna shrugged. “I’m sure Marco’s not complaining.”

  Gasping, Sarah scanned the store for any eavesdroppers. “Could everyone please stop bringing him up?” she whispered.

  “Fine. We’ll save lingerie for later.”

  At the top of the escalator, row upon row of racks boasted an assortment of dresses so diverse, both Anna and Sister Maria could find something here.

  From the racks of dresses, Anna selected a chiffon gown and held it up.

  Sarah frowned and picked up a black cocktail dress. “Too dressy.”

  “At least it’ll be long enough.” Anna shimmied down the rack.

  “Very funny.” Sarah examined the shimmery dress in her hand and winced. She’d be lucky if hit her mid-thigh. Groaning, she replaced it on the rack.

  Lackluster, if not outright frustrating, shopping trips weren’t unusual for Sarah because nothing ever fit. That’s probably why she owned her button-up blouse in five colors and her A-line skirt in three. If she found something cut to fit her gangly limbs, she’d scoop up several pieces.

  Sarah ran a hand over the chiffon gown—flowing green fabric, light and soft, with a sparkling crystal-embellished neckline. Philip’s voice echoed in her mind. You’re looking lovelier than lovely. She imagined his hand clutching her waist and parading her through crowds like she was his prize. The dress in front of her transformed from green to pink. The crystals shifted from the neck to the bust.

  Sarah blinked, and the dress returned to the green one—not a dress never worn to a senator’s inaugural gala nor a dress shipped off to a consignment shop because the owner’s husband stopped inviting her to his events.

  “What about this one?” Anna brought over a dark blue, cotton-knit dress and held it against Sarah. “Looks long enough. Try it on.”

  Sarah shrugged and took the dress into a changing room. The dress draped around the neck, leaving her shoulders and back exposed. The soft hemline hit just above the knee—a few inches above the intended mid-calf. The Empire waist hid her imperfect waistline then hung loosely. What bothered Philip more, her thickened waistline or the fact that her widening stomach held no child?

  “If I had my master key, I’d be using it right now,” Anna called through the dressing room door.

  Sarah heaved a sigh and opened the door.

  “Ooh la la.” Anna gave a catcall whistle.

  Scrunching her brow, she tugged at the fabric of the plunging neckline. “You don’t think the cut is too revealing?”

  “Of course not. It’s perfect.”

  Sarah twirled. The dress stretched easily under her movement. “It feels comfortable.” She checked the price tag. “And not too pricy.”

  “It also makes your boobs look bigger,” Anna added.

  “Anna!” Sarah gasped.

  “What? You know he’ll be looking.”

  Straightening, she examined her profile in the mirror. Huh, maybe she could pass for a C-cup. “Okay. I’ll get it.” Now, if only she could guarantee Eduardo thought she looked half as good as Anna claimed she did.

  Chapter 16

  A knock sounded on her door at five minutes before six. Sarah covered her bare shoulders in the matching shrug she’d purchased that morning and sent a quick text to Meredith.

  —Wish me luck. And hugs and kisses to Amber & Steven—

  She turned off the volume and stashed the phone in her purse. Shoulders back, chest out. Wasn’t that what Mom always told her? Or had Anna said it? She opened the door. There he stood, her Italian pièce de résistance, her perfectly steeped cup of tea. Eduardo wore a forest-green shirt that accentuated his olive-toned skin, and his cheeks had a freshly shaved glow.

  He leaned in, kissing her on each cheek. He paused by her right ear. “You’re radiant,” he whispered.

  His closeness revealed his cheek was as smooth as it appeared, and warmth bubbled inside her. The greeting was an Italian tradition, but one she had yet to experience—so much the better, to experience it first with him.

  He pulled back, his gaze dropping. “The slippers are a nice touch, too.”

  Heat crept into her cheeks. Thank God she was wearing enough foundation to cover a zebra’s stripes. “I can’t believe I forgot…” She stepped back into her room. “Let me change them.”

  “You have any in a size forty-six? I could use a pair of those slippers at home.”

  Sarah slipped on Sister Maria’s flats and returned Eduardo’s banter with a playful flick of her brow.

  “What? I always wanted a pair of…” He squinted and pushed up his glasses. “Porcupines?”

  Sarah laughed. “They’re teddy bears, Eduardo. Hasn’t Lucia indoctrinated you in the species of stuffed animals yet?”

  “I guess not.” He extended an arm. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a roast in the oven.”

  “God help us if it’s a degree over medium-rare.” She looped an arm through his.

  “My thoughts exactly.” He squeezed her arm and led her to his car.

  After a quick ride, Sarah arrived at a high-rise apartment complex where a bellboy with a funny little red hat greeted her. As an elevator carried them up twelve stories, Sarah’s stomach stayed on the bottom floor. Did Eduardo have to be good looking and rich? One would have been quite enough. She could think of plenty of things wrong with herself but none with him. She wrapped the shawl tighter around her shoulders.

  The elevator stopped at the top floor.

  “The penthouse?” Sarah swooned.

  “I’m a sucker for the finer things in life.”

  Finer things. Sarah definitely wasn’t in that category. She hugged the wrap closer. His flat was dark except for a lone desk lamp illuminating a stack of files, several briefcases, and a laptop. A workaholic—that’s his vice. She knew a thing or two about men who valued jobs over relationships. Sarah shuddered.

  “Are you cold?”

  “Cold?” The temperature in the room was quite mild—probably from the heat of the oven. “No, I’m fine.”

  He extended a hand.

  She gave him her shrug, and the coolness of her skin prickled in the warmth of the room.

  Eduardo’s gaze flitted over her neck, arms, and chest.

  Sarah resisted the urge to snatch the shrug back. She took a deep breath, instead.

  With his gaze steady on her chest, he widened his eyes as her breasts gently rose with her inhalation. He shifted his gaze back to hers. “I’d better check on dinner.” He disappeared into the darkness.

  Was she imagining it, or had his lower lip quivered? Sarah curled her own lips. Standing straight didn’t feel like such an effort anymore. Maybe she really did pass for a C-cup. She walked over to the desk and its mess of papers. “You certainly
aren’t hurting for clients.”

  “I meant to clean that up.”

  “I make a habit of not bringing my work home, but I suppose that’s easier when my home—if you can call it that—is fifty feet from my office.”

  “That certainly helps. I don’t do work when Lucia’s here. Or…” He rejoined her, holding a small remote in his hand. “…when I have guests.” He pressed a button.

  Somewhere a motor purred to life and all around the room, shades lifted from windows. Sarah immediately understood why Eduardo splurged on the penthouse. Tinted glass windows provided a panoramic view of the city—the twisting Tiber, the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square, and the Castel Sant’Angelo. But one building dominated the skyline—St. Peter’s Basilica. The dome’s golden orb and Gothic cross floated in the sky. The statues of the twelve Apostles hovered so close Sarah imagined she could reach through the glass and touch them.

  “I’ve heard it said they’re closer to heaven,” Eduardo said.

  Sarah shifted her head. “Who?”

  “The statues.”

  “Then we must be, too.”

  Eduardo shifted his gaze to her, blinking his eyes rapidly. “That’s funny. That’s exactly what Sister Maria said.”

  “Sister Maria? She was in your place?”

  “Once. When I was investigating my options.”

  “Wait—are you telling me you took Sister Maria apartment shopping with you?”

  He gestured toward the room. “You can’t deny the woman has good taste. Besides, I didn’t have anyone else to go with.” He turned back to the view.

  Sarah kept her gaze on his face. Faint lines framed his mouth, and beneath his glasses, darkness tinted his usually mellow eyes. How did a man as friendly and charming as Eduardo not have anyone to go home shopping with? And Sister Maria? That outing sounded almost as bad as sharing a bathroom with her mother for a week.

  The oven buzzed, and Eduardo stepped back. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  His smiling eyes returned, and he led her to the dining table. Hungry she was, thanks to Anna’s pre-date diet. But Sarah didn’t regret it, because Anna’s description of an Italian dinner was spot on—she practically needed to be a mathematician to keep track of the courses. Apertivo, antipasti, primi. By the time she reached the secondi and contorni courses, Sarah was sure she’d gained five pounds. But that didn’t stop her from devouring the juicy osso bucco and buttery-soft risotto. Thank goodness she’d gone for the stretchy fabric dress.