Designing Hearts

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Designing Hearts R.W. Shannon Copyright © 2011 by R.W. Shannon All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright. This book is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. Published by Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC PO Box 61 Colfax, NC 27235 www.beautifultroublepublishing.com Cover Art: Shara Azod Editor: Cindy Davis, http://www.fiction-doctor.com/ Proofreader: Novellette Whyte http://authorgurunovellette.blogspot.com/ Formatter: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ E-book Conversion: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ ISBN: (e-book) 978-1-61788-198-5; (print) 978-1-61788-199-2

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This work of erotica contains adult language and sexually explicit scenes, which are smoking hot. This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made. Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.

Rhodes, Greece Stephano Guccelli sighed heavily. He ran his fingers through his shoulder length, dark blond hair and rose from his desk. Shoving his hands into the pockets of his dark denim jeans, he strolled to the window. With a scowl, he stared at the empty field that stretched behind his business, the Welcome Inn. His head pounded from crunching numbers all morning. While the inn was turning a profit, he wasn’t as far along as he’d hoped. He still wasn’t able to pay his father back for the loan to buy the bed and breakfast. The pages on the desk rustled behind him. His youngest sister, Gina, was looking at them. She had earned her degree in accounting from Duke University in America and he’d asked her to help figure out how to make the Welcome Inn better. “You need a consultant,” Gina said in Italian. Stephano looked at his baby sister. “No.” “You have to do something,” Gina stressed. “You have nothing to lose.” “Maybe—” “I read about this person in a magazine. She can help you.” 6

“She? Who?” “She’s called the restaurant whisperer.” Stephano moved away from the window and strolled to his office door. “I don’t know. She sounds expensive.” From his office door, he could look into the dining area. It was full. The patrons seemed to enjoy the food and the atmosphere of the stone inn that was built in the 1200s. The six rooms he reserved for overnight guests were booked through the week. So what was the problem? “At least talk to her.” Gina moved behind him. Taking his hand, she turned him to face her. “Stephano, you need matching furniture. And curtains. A sign on the door. She can help you with that.” Stephano stepped into the hallway. He turned right and walked into the dining area. Of course, Gina would turn this into an opportunity to marry him off. Since their brother Evander—the fourth of the seven siblings—tied the knot, everyone was looking at him to do the same. The thought of being with a woman longer than one night made Stephano cringe. At sixone with an athletic build, intense green eyes and tanned skin, Stephano had his pick of lovers. At thirtytwo, he wasn’t ready to be tied down. And he was sure no woman would make him change his mind. 7

Stephano moved through the lobby then outside. The Welcome Inn stood in a village about forty-five minutes south of Lindos, where he lived. The restaurant that was his pride and joy. He added the inn when tourists kept asking if there was a place to stay in the village. Across the street was the bar owned by his childhood rival, Mikeli Stavros. Crossing his arms, Stephano stared at the crowded sidewalk tables of the Venti Vicci bar and snorted. “If anything,” Gina said, coming to stand beside him. “You’ll bring Mikeli to his knees.” Stephano smiled. Nothing would bring him more pleasure than to drive his competitor out of business. As if on cue, Mikeli emerged from the bar. He was a tall, thin man with olive-toned skin, brown hair and an athletic frame. Women fawned over him, but Stephano couldn’t understand why. Mikeli waved at Stephano. Stephano rolled his eyes. Perhaps, the cost would be worth driving his former friend out of business. “Fine,” Stephano relented as he turned to go back inside. “Call her.”

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New York, New York Veronica Chamberlain breezed through the door of her Park Avenue office, Chamberlain Designs, with her Yorkshire terrier Guido tucked under her arm. Her assistant Tammi rose to her feet, but Veronica silenced her with a raised finger and the shake of the head. It was only 10:30 a.m.—much too early to talk business before her first—or fifth—cup of java. She settled Guido into his custom-made leopard print bed beside her glass desk. She yawned as she pulled off her three hundred dollar sunglasses. Sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling windows. Blinking at the harsh light, she took off her coat and hung the faux fur trimmed black coat on the rack behind the door. A gold framed mirror leaned against the wall to the left of the door. She paused to check her appearance. It was a blistery October day but not a strand of her long, dark brown ponytail was out of place. While her caramel cheeks were flushed with color, her bright, brown eyes sparkled and didn’t give away the fact that she hadn’t gone to bed until three that morning. 9

Veronica scowled at her outfit. Did the red belted sweater, black skirt, and black thigh-high boots suggest both her business and creative natures? She sighed. While she didn’t have any client meetings today, she wanted to be prepared in case one dropped by, and since she was the most sought after restaurant designers in the world, one often did. Strolling to the desk, Veronica dropped her purse at her feet. This office was her sanctuary. Its exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and modern industrial furnishings were the first thing she planned while a student at Columbia University’s School of Design. At first Veronica had wanted to be a residential interior designer, but those plans changed when she took her first industrial design class and immediately found her calling. This career path allowed her to combine her love of food with her love of shopping, though she couldn’t cook her way out of a paper bag, as her mother often pointed out. At twenty-seven, Veronica had to work hard to prove herself in this cynical business. When her first three restaurant makeovers turned profits in the millions, she was given the title “the restaurant whisperer” by the press. Professionally, her life was booming. Privately—well, she didn’t want to dwell on that black spot in her life.

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Tammi appeared, carrying Veronica’s favorite red mug. Steam rose from the rim and drifted toward Veronica when she took it from Tammi. Hiring the twenty-three year old New York University graduate was the best thing Veronica ever did. Now, if she could get Tammi to stop wearing those thrift-store finds. “Thank you,” Veronica muttered. “Late night?” Tammi asked. “Yes. I had a date.” “Ooh! With that lawyer?” Veronica took a sip of her coffee. She nodded. While her date was tall, handsome and rich, Veronica had found herself bored out of her mind. They went to the best restaurant in the city, one she had designed, followed by drinks at a trendy spot in Greenwich Village. It was a nice time, but there was no spark. “So, I went home right after that.” Veronica recounted the evening for Tammi. “Then, I stayed up watching movies until the wee hours.” Veronica drained her cup and handed it to Tammi for a refill. The movies were sappy love stories where the heroine goes to a foreign country to recharge and ends up falling in love. Veronica knew she shouldn’t have watched them. She pouted. Why couldn’t that happen to her? “Why don’t people fall in love anymore?” Veronica asked wistfully. 11

Shrugging, Tammi turned to leave. “They must still be,” she called over her shoulder. “Or else, how are all these people getting together?” Veronica frowned. “But, it’s not the same. People don’t meet and fall instantly in love any more.” “Jared and I did.” “Of course,” Veronica mumbled, snatching the mug from Tammi and taking a swig. “Give it time. You’ll meet your soulmate.” “Sure,” Veronica replied, rolling her eyes. While Veronica was happy for the couple, it also sickened her. Where was her knight in shining armor? All these eligible bachelors in this damn city and she had yet to meet just one. Sipping the coffee, she opened her email account. Many were junk but one caught her eye. It was from a woman named Gina Guccelli in Rhodes, Greece. The woman had read a four page article on Veronica in an international magazine. Her brother’s inn needed ‘sprucing up’ and the woman hoped Veronica could help him. Veronica raised her eyebrow. While she took on international clients, she’d never been to Greece. “The owner of Lush called,” Tammi said. “He doesn’t like the red walls you picked out.” “Tell him shove it. He’s been nothing but a pain in the ass since this job started.” 12

The Lush project should have ended months ago, but the owner of the bar has been holding up construction by vetoing every idea she threw at him. Veronica read through Gina’s email a third time. While she was flattered, Veronica wrote that she couldn’t take on the project. Her plate was full. Veronica hit Send and opened the next email. “He’s considering pulling out,” Tammi said. Veronica looked at her assistant. “You can’t be serious. After all the shit, he’s put me through?” “I know. But, I think he’s serious this time.” With her eyes closed, Veronica counted to ten and pictured her happy place—her in a black bikini, on a beach surrounded by turquoise waters and white sand with a hot guy lying next to her. In her hand was a drink with an umbrella. She realized she desperately needed a vacation. It had been a year since she’d been anywhere. Sighing, she opened her eyes. “Get him on the phone,” Veronica said. She paused to drain her mug and held it out for a refill. “Let me talk to him.”

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It was just past ten in the evening when Veronica returned home. She locked the door and then set Guido on the floor. After turning on the lights, she put her purse on the counter and yawned. Her stomach growled. Without taking off her coat, she ordered some Italian food and moved into the bedroom. The light on her house phone blinked that she had two messages. As she stripped, she pressed the Play button. The first was from her date from last night, asking for another night out. No. The second was her brother asking to borrow money. That answer was also no. Veronica changed into a pair of gray sweats, and then padded barefoot into the living room. She turned on the television. Her internet was connected to the flat-screen. While she waited for her work email to load, the door bell rang. From the kitchen, she pulled a few bills from her purse and looked through the peephole. A man, dressed in a Tshirt from the eatery and black hoodie, smiled at her. Recognizing Chip, she opened the door. “$25.09,” he said, in an all business tone.

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Veronica handed him the money, plus tip, and took the bag. “I order from you guys every week, Chip. You could at least give me a discount.” Pocketing the money, he shrugged. “Dad doesn’t do discounts.” When Chip left, Veronica shut the door. Maybe she should learn how to cook. It would be better than wasting her money on takeout. Finally, she settled onto the sofa to check her email. The woman from Greece had replied to Veronica’s email. Inside was a note asking Veronica to reconsider. Gina included pictures of the place. Veronica picked at her ziti dinner and frowned. If rustic charm was what the owner was going for, it was all wrong. Leaning forward, she set her takeout container on the table and strolled to the television to get a closer look. Veronica loved the exposed beams on the ceiling. The dark wood trim around the door. Mismatched chairs were distracting from the ambiance of the dining space. Picking up the remote, she clicked to the next picture—one of the guest rooms. Ordinary linens adorned a much too small bed. The only good feature was natural light streaming through the window. She shook her head. Was she crazy to consider taking on this project? It would be a big job and renovations moved slowly in Europe. Plus, she’d have 15

to get permits. Find contractors. Lost in thought, Veronica nibbled a thumbnail. It was too much work to do long distance. And, she still had to deal with her other projects. No. She couldn’t do it. There had to be a designer in Greece who could take on the challenge at a fraction of her cost. Moving back to the sofa, she brought up the onscreen keyboard to type a reply. Her Smartphone rang. Veronica didn’t recognize the number that flashed but noticed it was an international exchange. She ignored it and typed an email saying she was sorry but couldn’t help them, then hit Send. Her phone chimed. The tinkerbell tone announced that she had a voicemail. Curious, she pressed the Play button. Picking up her cold food, she stood and headed for the microwave. “Hello.” The male voice on the message was a rich baritone with a thick Italian accent. Veronica stopped. “My name is Stephano Guccelli. My sister Gina contacted you about my inn. She said you wanted me to call you.” She frowned. No, she didn’t and how did they get her personal number? There was something about his voice that kept her rooted in place. “Please call me back at this number.” Stephano recited the number, but Veronica didn’t write it down. “Thank you.” There was a pause, and then, he said. “I love your greeting. That’s my favorite Jay-Z song.” Rapping a few lyrics to 16

‘Empire State of Mind’, Stephano laughed and hung up. Veronica’s heart fluttered. She made her way back to the sofa. A Greek man that could rap and owned an inn? Intrigued, she picked up her phone and played the message again. This time she wrote the number down. Quickly, she dialed before nerves got the better of her. She wasn’t taking him on as a client. But, she was simply calling him to— Why was she calling him? To hear his sexy voice again. Stiffening, her hand shook as she waited for the call to connect.

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Still rapping the lyrics to “Empire State of Mind,” Stephano set his phone on the kitchen counter of his two-bedroom condo in Lindos. Bobbing along to the melody that played in his head, he turned to gather ingredients to make an omelet for breakfast. It was still very early and he had time to indulge in at least one of his passions before work. Since he was alone at the moment, his other ‘hobby’ would have to wait. His place could also use some sprucing up, but he simply didn’t have time. While he loved his condo, he wished that he lived closer to the inn. There were times when he didn’t stop working until three or four in the morning and just crashed in his office instead of driving the half hour to Lindos. Stephano sliced mushrooms, peppers and onions for the filling. Fresh from the shower, he wore only a beige towel wrapped around his slender hips. Strands of wet hair stuck to his forehead. He swiped them out of the way, and then, expertly cracked eggs into a bowl. It was strange this ‘restaurant whisperer’ would want him to call so late in the evening. It would be about eleven thirty her time. In Rhodes, it was five thirty in the morning. But if this woman could help 18

him generate enough of a profit to pay his father back, he would be grateful. While he grated the cheese, the phone rang. The sound of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony filled the air. Abandoning the block of white cheddar on the cutting board, he answered in Italian without looking at the screen. Stephano assumed it was one of his siblings. There was a long pause. While, he waited for the person on the other line to speak, he added the vegetables to the hot skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. The thinly sliced veggies sizzled. He smiled. There wasn’t a sweeter sound in the world. Except, maybe, that of a woman climaxing. “I’m looking for Stephano Guccelli,” a woman’s voice finally said. Stephano didn’t recognize the voice. But the number that flashed on the screen was the one he’d just dialed. Was this the whisperer? In any case, she had a sexy voice. “I am Stephano,” he said in English. “Am I speaking with the amazing restaurant whisperer?” The woman laughed. “My name is Veronica Chamberlain.” “I like that name better.” Her pause led him to believe that she was smiling. Adding the eggs, he jiggled the pan and waited for them to set. When they did, he tossed in the 19

cheese. While it all melted together, he fixed his coffee. His machine was broken, so it would have to be instant until he got to the inn. He carried the mug into the living room. Because he didn’t have a table, he set it on the floor. Stephano went back into the kitchen area. “I hadn’t expected to hear from you so soon, Ms. Chamberlain.” “Veronica, please. I received an email from your sister and your inn is—” “Ah, my Welcome Inn. You will come to see her, yes?” “That’s why I’m calling. First, I’d like to know how you got my private number.” Stephano turned the omelet onto a plate. “My sister is resourceful. I didn’t ask questions. She just said you wanted me to call you.” “That’s not true. I had emailed her to say I couldn’t take on your project. I’m very busy at the moment.” “What are you doing?” “I am renovating a bar—” “No.” He carried his plate to the living room and sat on his sofa. “What are you doing right now?” Veronica paused before answering. “Well, I was having dinner.”

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Stephano cut a slice of omelet and placed it in his mouth. He groaned when the fluffy egg and cheese concoction melted against his tongue. Perfection. “This late?” “I work abnormal hours.” “I understand. And what is the whisperer having for dinner?” “Ziti.” “One of my favorites, if done right.” “Well, the place on the corner is pretty good, but right now it’s gone cold.” Stephano gasped and almost choked. Picking up his mug, he washed down the food. “Takeout?! The whisperer dares to eat takeout like a commoner?” Veronica giggled. “I don’t know how to cook, so…” “That’s even worse,” he teased. “I must teach you.” “That will be difficult. I’m not coming to Greece, Stephano.” His heart fluttered. He liked how his name sounded as it slipped from her lips. Of course, he was now imagining her saying it while she was naked in his bed. Setting his plate on his lap, he gave her his undivided attention. “Ms. Chamberlain—” “Veronica.” 21

“Veronica. I understand you are busy, but I really need your help.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, Stephano. I can’t.” His heart sank. He tried again. “At least, come and look at her in person before you reject her.” “Isn’t there someone in Greece who can help you?” “Perhaps, but I am told you are the best. My inn deserves the best.” Veronica fell silent. Stephano speculated she was considering his words. While he did need her help, he was now curious as to what she looked like. He could spend the rest of his life listening to her talk. Just the sound of her timber was making his cock hard. Shivering, he ate the rest of his meal and waited for her answer. “I’ll think about it,” Veronica said. “That’s all I can promise you.” Stephano grinned. “That’s all I ask.”

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One month later, Veronica stepped off the plane at Diagoras International Airport in Rhodes. While the sixteen hour flight from LaGuardia wasn’t bad, it was the four hour turbulence-filled flight from Athens that left her nauseous. After clearing customs, she dashed into the nearest ladies room to check her appearance. Her caramel hued cheeks were flush from nearly vomiting, but she still looked pretty damn good. Instead of her customary ponytail, she wore her hair loose around her shoulders. A long, black tunic, leggings and black wedges covered her slender frame. Guido was asleep in his carrier under her left arm. She balanced her tote bag on her right shoulder as she leaned close to the mirror to inspect her flawless make-up. With The Lush project finally over, Veronica decided to take that much-needed vacation. That one conversation with Stephano captivated her. While researching the island of Rhodes, she discovered that it was her kind of place. Not only was it filled with white sand beaches and surrounded by crystal clear water, it offered the shopping and restaurants she craved.

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Last week, she called Stephano to inform him of her visit. He offered for her to stay at his inn and he would pick her up at the airport. Butterflies swirled in her stomach. Her hands trembled as she applied lip balm. There was no reason to be nervous. She was meeting a client. A client with a sexy voice. She rolled her eyes. It was unlikely that his outer appearance matched a voice like that. Veronica took a deep breath. With shoulders squared and head high, she marched out of the ladies room and headed toward baggage claim. Rounding the corner, she stopped short. Standing next to the carousel was a tall, blond, Italian god with her name scribbled on a piece of white cardboard. He was dressed in an olive green T-shirt, jeans and canvas sneakers. Stephano? Veronica wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She moved toward him. Her legs wobbled. He smiled brightly at her. When she was less than a foot away, she noticed his intense green eyes and swallowed hard. “I’m Veronica.” Her voice cracked. “The restaurant whisperer.” He swept up her hand and kissed the back of it. “We finally meet. I am Stephano.” His thick, sexy accent sent a shiver down her spine. He brought her hand to his chest and held it 24

over his heart. The rhythm of the beat danced against her fingertips. Veronica licked her lips. Her own heart slammed against her breastbone. Why has a man like this been hiding in Greece? “Thank you,” he said. Veronica smiled. “I haven’t done anything.” “You have lit my darkest days with your beauty. That alone, is worthy of praise.” Snatching her hand away, she dropped her arm to her side. If she hadn’t, she would have ripped off his shirt and had her way with him on the luggage carousel. He folded the sign in half and tossed it into a nearby trash can. She seized the opportunity to look at his firm ass. Veronica covered her heart with her hand. The way the denim caressed the muscles was a thing of beauty. He was smiling when he returned. “Your bags?” he asked. She pointed to two red pieces on the rack. “Those. That black one there. And, this black and white plaid case.” Stephano frowned as he lined up the four suitcases. “How long are you staying?” “Three days. A woman can’t be too prepared.” “We have a mall,” he grumbled. When Stephano struggled to pick up the luggage, she moved to help him. He stopped her by holding up his hand. 25

Lining them up back to back, he was able to wheel two in each hand. He motioned with the tilt of his head for her to follow. The contrast of the cool air conditioned airport and the humid temperatures that raged outside, was apparent as soon as Veronica stepped through the sliding glass doors. She put on her sunglasses. Stephano led her to a red convertible Jeep in the parking lot. He loaded the luggage in the back, and then, held open her door. She rested Guido’s carrier in her lap. “How long is the drive?” she asked. “About two hours.” So she didn’t make a complete fool of herself by grabbing him and kissing him, she’d have to sit on her hands the whole ride. Veronica fastened her seatbelt, then tucked her hands under her thighs. Stephano rounded the front of the Jeep and climbed in the driver’s seat. After putting on his seatbelt, he started the engine. “Boom Boom Pow” from the Black Eyed Peas filled the cabin. She smiled and looked at him. He nodded his head to the beat as he backed out of the space. “You like the Black Eyed Peas, too?” she asked. He shrugged. “I like all music. I listen to what speaks to me.” “Me, too.” 26

Stephano drove on to the entrance ramp for a highway. Veronica took in the scenery. The road ran parallel with the harbor. Sun rays pressed down on her bare arms. Strands of her hair slapped her cheeks. Brushing them away, she inhaled the salt scented air and sighed in contentment. Why had she waited so long to visit Greece? “Your accent is Italian,” she commented. “But isn’t Rhodes a part of Greece?” He nodded. “It’s true that Rhodes is Greek, but the island was inhabited by Italians around the time of Caesar.” “I see. Tell me about the inn,” she shouted over the traffic noise and Michael Jackson’s “Butterfly.” “I opened her two years ago. She was renovated by the previous owners from a farmhouse that was built in the 1200s. I haven’t done much to her.” “I can tell by the pictures.” He flinched. “Does she look bad?” Not wanting to hurt Stephano’s feelings, Veronica chose her words carefully. “No. Well, she does need an upgrade.” Cursing in what she assumed was Italian, he draped his arm across the back of her seat. “I was afraid of that.” She glanced at him. “Why haven’t you done anything before now?” 27

“No time. The inn had swallowed up most of my capital. And I was wary about spending it on crap like tablecloths and paintings.” She flinched at his use of the word crap. “You need to spend money to make money in your business.” “Every penny I have goes to pay my father back for his loan.” “How much did you borrow?” “About fifty thousand in US dollars.” “With simple fixes, you’ll get all of that back, and more. How much did you spend on the furnishings you currently have?” He shrugged. “Nothing. A lot of it was stuff I found or my family had lying around.” Veronica burst into laughter. “That explains a lot.” As they drove, the view outside the window changed from a beach landscape to rolling green hills. Stephano pulled off at the next exit. He steered the vehicle off the road into a remote area surrounded by trees. “I thought he might like to use the bathroom.” Stephano motioned to Guido’s carrier. “Right.” Veronica unzipped the mesh case, clipped on Guido’s purple leash and helped him out. She reached 28

for the door handle, but Stephano had already taken Guido from her arms. The dog whimpered but settled into Stephano’s strong grasp. Normally, Guido snapped at all strangers who tried to handle him. She was surprised when he didn’t. “Relax,” Stephano commanded. “I got him.” “Okay. Thank you.” Veronica sat back in her seat. Stephano got out and guided Guido to a patch of grass beside her door. Stephano leaned against the door while he waited for the pup to do his business. When his gaze fell on her, she shivered. “Tell me, Ms. Whisperer, why did you change your mind about visiting my homeland?” Swallowing, she stalled for an answer. Should she admit the truth? That he was the reason she was in Rhodes? She was still firm in her decision not to take on the inn for her next project but she had to at least meet the man behind the voice that caused her to quiver. “Honestly,” she said. “I needed a vacation. It has been ages since I’ve been on one.” “I understand.” “Why did you name the inn Welcome?” “When visitors come, that’s how I want them to feel.”

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Wrinkling her nose, she shook her head. “I get it, but that’s a horrible name.” “What would you suggest, Ms. Whisperer?” Veronica rolled her eyes. “Stop calling me that. I hate that nickname.” “What shall I call you instead?” “Veronica.” Stephano shook his head. “No. That’s too ordinary for an extraordinary woman such as yourself. I’ll think of something.” Veronica’s nipples puckered. Picking up Guido, he handed the pup through the window. After Stephano settled into his seat, he pulled the Jeep on the road to continue the journey. Guido hopped over the center console to curl up in Stephano’s lap. Her heart warmed. “He likes you,” Veronica commented. Stephano glanced at her before turning his attention back to the road. “I hope he’s not the only one.”

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Veronica awoke with a start. She wondered what time it was and how long she’d been asleep. The room was dark but smelled like lemons. Rain tapped against the window. Guido slept on the pillow next to her. Shivering in the cool room, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. It took a while for it to register that she was in Greece. She scooted to the edge of the bed and turned on the lamp. Except for the bed, two nightstands, two lamps and a wicker chair that had seen better days, the room held little else. She shook her head. Clearly, Stephano had no design sense what so ever. It was shocking that he made any money at all. Swinging her feet to the floor, she stood and made her way to the bathroom. The bedroom didn’t have an on-suite bath. Veronica opened the door and stepped into the icy cold hallway. The five other rooms were empty. After finding the bathroom, she turned on the lights. She looked at the claw foot tub and pedestal sink. Did all the rooms share this one bath? While she knew the practice was commonplace in most European inns, she hadn’t expected to encounter it. While the tub filled with water, she went back to her room to retrieve her robe and toiletries. She 31

listened for signs of Stephano, but didn’t hear any. Her heart sank. He probably went home. It was just as well. She locked the door anyway. White towels were draped on a rack next to the sink. Veronica turned off the water. After stripping off her traveling outfit, she pulled her hair up and sank into the tepid bath. She sighed. All that was missing was a glass of wine. And, maybe, Stephano to scrub her back. The knock at the door caused her to jump. “Stephano?” she asked. “It is I. Did you find everything?” “I did, thank you.” “You fell asleep during the ride. I carried you to your room. I wished you had stayed awake to witness the sunset. It was spectacular. But, only half as beautiful as you.” Veronica swallowed. “ What time is it?” “Almost 10:30.” She gasped. “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. Are you hungry?” On cue, her stomach rumbled. “Yes.” “Then I shall prepare for you a feast to stimulate your taste buds.” Veronica smiled. It wasn’t her taste buds that needed stimulating. “Okay.” “Don’t take too long, Tesoro.”

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Back in her room, Veronica rooted around in her four suitcases for the perfect outfit. Veronica settled on a long white tank top and tan leggings. She threw a red sweater over it for color, and to hide her hard nipples. After sliding her feet into a pair of flip-flops, she left to find Stephano. The aroma of roasting meat surrounded her as she walked down the stairs. To the left was a lobby/foyer. A dining room that seated about twenty was to the right. It looked exactly as it did in the pictures his sister had sent. And that wasn’t good. Following her nose, and the off-key sounds of David Bowie, she found Stephano in the kitchen. He smiled when she appeared in the doorway. “The princess graces my humble kitchen with her beauty,” he said with a slight bow. “Stop it,” she laughed. “What are you making?” “Steak. Tzatziki sauce. Vegetables. A meal designed to dazzle your taste buds.” Her mouth watered. She hadn’t had a home cooked meal in a long time. Especially one cooked by a chef as fine as Stephano. A white apron was tied over his outfit. Too bad, he wasn’t naked under it. He motioned for her to sit on a stool next to the island where he worked.

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“Can I help?” she asked. Of course, she didn’t know how to cook, but she at least wanted to do something. “Tonight, you rest. Tomorrow, I will teach you how to cook.” Veronica wrinkled her nose and sat where indicated. “I’ll probably set your kitchen on fire.” “Then, we shall rebuild and make the new one as beautiful as you.” Her heart fluttered. She looked around the small space. Stephano only had one cast iron stove that looked like it was made in 1200. She noticed a woodburning oven on the left. Besides the island and the sink, the only other appliance was the refrigerator that didn’t look like it could hold more than ten items. How was he able to prepare a meal for a dining room full of people? “How many employees do you have?” she asked. “Three. Lena works the front desk and also waits tables. George is my handyman and housekeeper. And Eliza does everything in the kitchen.” “How can you serve a dining room full of people with such a small staff?” Stephano shrugged. “I get by.” He poured a glass of red wine and set it in front of her. Veronica took a sip. “This is delicious.” “It’s from my father’s vineyard.” 34

“Is he where you got your love of food?” Smiling, he flipped the steak. “No. That comes from my mother. My father wanted me to take over the business, but my heart wasn’t in it. My brother will take over.” “How many siblings do you have?” “Including me, seven.” “Wow. That’s a big family.” He looked at her. “And you?” “I have four brothers.” Chuckling, he tossed slices of flat bread on the grill. “Ah, no wonder.” Veronica raised her eyebrow. “What?” “You’re spoiled.” “I am not,” she shot back. “It’s okay,” he said with a wink. “You deserve to be.” Veronica’s mouth went dry. She wanted to know more about him—like, if he had a girlfriend—but decided not to ask. After these next three days, she would never see him again. “I know you speak Italian,” she said. “But, do you know Greek, too?” “Yes. And French. Some Portuguese.” “I take it you’ve lived all over the world.” “I have seen things that would make you blush, Tesoro.” 35

“What does Tesoro mean?” “My love.” She giggled. “You could have opened a restaurant anywhere in the world. Why didn’t you?” “That, too, wasn’t where my heart was. I missed the quiet life. Going out every night got old. I suppose I was ready to settle down.” “In Rhodes?” “I wanted to return to a simpler life. My family resides here. And I can just be anonymous.” She nodded. “I understand. There are times when I wished I could just shut everything down for a while and disappear off the face of the Earth.” While Stephano cooked, she found herself telling him things about her life—like her small town West Virginia upbringing—that she’d never told anyone else. Maybe, it was the wine, but she knew in her heart, it was him. Stephano set a plate in front of her. Veronica leaned forward and inhaled the fragrant meal. When she picked up her knife and fork, he covered her hand with his. The hair on her arm prickled. His touch caught her off guard. Instantly, the embers in her heart ignited and she felt what she hadn’t felt with any other man before—that spark of electricity that she’d been chasing.

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“It’s better to experience it with your hands,” he said. “Let me show you.” Stephano tore off a section of the flat bread and slathered it with the cucumber sauce, and then, topped it with steak, veggies and crumbles of feta cheese. Holding it to her lips, he waited for Veronica to take a bite. When she did, flavor exploded in her mouth. She moaned. Her body trembled as if she’d just climaxed. And judging by the moisture in her crotch, she may have. “Wow,” she whispered. Her voice was hoarse. “That was…” “Orgasmic?” Veronica felt her cheeks flush. “Yes.” He grinned. “That’s just the foreplay. Wait until you experience the rest of my talents.” The intense look in his crystal green eyes wasn’t lost on her. Suddenly unable to swallow, Veronica picked up her glass and drained her wine. She was very much looking forward to experiencing the rest of his talents.

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In the morning, Veronica fed Guido one of the gourmet meals she’d packed for him. While he ate, she bathed and changed into a yellow strapless sundress. She yawned while she moved about the bathroom. She and Stephano stayed up until the wee hours of the morning. They talked about everything, and nothing. When she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer, he forced her to go to bed by promising to spend the day with her. Veronica was looking forward to seeing him again. But, she reminded herself not to get attached to him. When she left the island, her schedule wouldn’t allow her to return, and she really didn’t want to be in a long distance relationship. Her smile faded as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Why was she already putting a damper on things? This was her vacation. What she needed to do was go with the flow. Returning to her room, she strapped on Guido’s leash and carried him downstairs. The sun was warm and caressed Veronica’s bare shoulders. She put on her sunglasses. Only ten buildings lined the street of the village. Veronica drank in the scenery. There wasn’t much to do here, except eat and drink. But, it was a beautiful area. Full of 38

history. She could see why Stephano loved it so much. Unlike New York, the pace was slow and steady. Could she see herself living here? After Guido relieved himself, they made their way back to the inn. A tall handsome man was waiting for them. He smiled brightly at her. While he seemed like a nice guy, she could already tell he wasn’t her type. “Hello,” he said. His accent was thick and Greek. “My name is Mikeli. I couldn’t rely on Stephano to introduce us, so I took it upon myself.” Veronica shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Veronica.” “The whisperer,” he chuckled. “Word travels fast around here.” “I can imagine.” “We need more visitors. Tourists. Any idea you have would be welcome.” “Have you known Stephano for a long time?” “We grew up together,” Mikeli revealed. “I still consider him a friend, but he doesn’t feel the same.” Veronica frowned. “Why?” “It was over a woman. But, that was fifteen years ago. And she left me, too.” Shoving his hand into his pockets, he sighed. “He can be an ass at times. Pardon my language.” She laughed. “I bet.” 39

“Well, I must go. That’s my bar over there.” He pointed across the street, to a white building with a black roof. “Stop by before you leave.” “I’ll try to do that,” she said. With a nod, Mikeli walked back to his business. Their talk had stimulated Veronica’s thoughts. She wanted to jot down ideas before she lost them. Lena, the front desk clerk, was thrilled to watch Guido while Veronica dashed up stairs to retrieve her notebook. She rounded the corner at the top of the staircase and stopped short. Stephano emerged from one of the rooms. Except for her robe, which he had fashioned around his hips, he was stark naked. Her gaze flowed over the tanned skin of his smooth, muscular chest, down his sculptured abs to the top of his waist. Veronica pressed her lips together. He smiled but made no attempt to hide his arousal. “Where did you get my robe?” Veronica asked when she found her voice. “You left it in the bathroom. I hope you don’t mind. I forgot my soap and didn’t want to get dressed again.” “It’s fine.” “Damn, sea bass,” he muttered as he stepped closer to her. “It’s delicious, but stinks up everything. I wanted to wash before our date.”

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The urge to touch his skin caused her fingers to twitch. His dark rose-hued nipples were in her line of sight. Her mouth went dry. She wanted to feel one against her tongue. Suddenly, he was leaning forward. When his lips touched her forehead, all breath left her lungs and her heart stopped beating. Stephano pulled away. Tenderly, he cupped her cheek and then moved around her to go into the bathroom. “Bring your swimsuit and a change of clothes. You won’t be returning” he called. The bathroom door slammed shut. Veronica blinked. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember why she had come up stairs. Shrugging, she went to her room and packed as Stephano instructed.

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Fifty minutes later, Stephano parked the Jeep in an area that was hidden by trees. The beach he brought Veronica to was far away from the tourist beaches. Only locals knew of the unobstructed strip of paradise and he hoped it would stay that way. It was Sunday. With the inn normally closed on this day, he was able to get away with no problems. Back at the inn, Lena was watching Guido. Stephano climbed out and walked around to the passenger side to open her door. “This is spectacular,” she said. She exited the Jeep. When she strolled a few paces away, Stephano checked out her firm ass. “Yes it is. And the beach isn’t half bad, either.” Veronica elbowed him in the stomach. Chuckling, he gathered a tote containing blankets and towels, and then, picked up the picnic basket. Stephano closed the door and turned. White sand stretched before the turquoise water. He picked a spot that was shaded from the hot sun but close to the water’s edge. Setting down the items, he spread out the blankets. “Swim or drink?” he asked.

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“Swim.” She paused to look around. “There’s nowhere for me to change.” “You can change here. There’s no one around and I promise not to look.” Stephano turned his back. He really did want to watch her change, but he was a gentlemen. Rustling sounds came from behind him. Grasping the hem of white polo shirt, he pulled it over his head. Beneath his blue and white plaid shorts, he wore black swim trunks. “Need help?” He pushed down his shorts. “No.” He kicked off his canvas shoes. “Are you sure? I’m an expert at tying a bow.” Veronica laughed. “I thought you’d be an expert at untying them.” “That, too.” “No. Thank you. I’m done.” Stephano turned around. She had changed into a black bikini. While modest, it also showed the right about of skin. His mouth watered. He longed to taste her creamy caramel thighs with his tongue. If things went according to plan, tonight he would. “I am jealous,” he confessed. “Of what?” “The material of your bikini. It gets to touch you in places that I cannot. Yet.” 43

Veronica smirked. “I thought we were swimming.” Chuckling, he reached for her hand. “Come.” She hesitated. “I’m not going in too far. I don’t want to get my hair wet.” “What is the point if you don’t let the sea caress you from head to toe?” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. Her hand trembled in his. “And I do believe, Tesoro, that you are already wet.” Veronica parted her lips but closed them. Moving toward her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. Stephano picked her up and flung her over his shoulder. Her squeal sent a shiver down his spine. He raced toward the crystal blue waves. “Put me down!” she shouted. “Okay.” He dropped her into the waist high surf. Briefly, she disappeared beneath the warm water, and then, popped up. Gasping for air, she brushed the strands of wet hair from her eyes. Her irises sparkled in the sun. Stephano suspected that it had been ages since she let loose and had fun. Grinning, he pretended to run. Veronica leapt onto his back and pushed him beneath the water. When he broke the surface, he shook the water from his face to view her. An expression of joy was etched on her face. Gripping her around her waist, he 44

pulled her to him. Stephano bent down and pressed his lips against hers. She stiffened when their lips first met, but relaxed in his arms. He mouth was sweet, moist. Parting her lips with his tongue, he explored the contours of her mouth. His erection pushed into her abdomen. What he would give to make love to her right here, right now. He caressed her wet back, following the path of her spine down, to the curve of her ass. Moaning, she laced her hands behind his neck. Stephano’s pulse raced. There could never be any more than this between them. She had a life back in the States. And he, here. Neither was willing to compromise on their careers to relocate. Plus, though he desired her, he wasn’t ready to be in a long term relationship. With mixed emotions, he tore his mouth away from hers. “Tell me,” he took her hand and led her to the blanket, “is there a prince in the Big Apple?” Veronica laughed. “No.” Picking up a towel, he dried off her back. “That is surprising.” “I’m always working,” she confessed. “And, I haven’t met anyone I have that spark with.” “Perhaps, that will change.” “What about you? What’s your story?” 45

Chuckling, Stephano dropped the wet towel on the ground. He sank to his knees and unpacked the picnic basket. “I haven’t found anyone who could tame me,” he confessed. “Thirsty?” Veronica sat beside him. He could tell she wanted to question him more, but decided to let the subject drop. Stephano pulled out a thermos and a martini glass. Shaking the container, he poured a red cocktail in the glass. He added a tiny pink umbrella before handing it to her. Veronica studied him. Stephano waited. Had he said something wrong? He reached for her free hand and held it. “What’s wrong, Tesoro?” “When I got stressed and imagined my ‘happy place’ this was it.” Her eyes glittered with tears. He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. “I am delighted to provide you with the desires of your heart.” Stephano pulled out a beer for himself. He raised his bottle to make a toast. “To new beginnings,” he said. Instead of touching her glass to his, Veronica cupped his cheeks. She tilted her face and pressed her lips against his.

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The sun had set and the warm air gave way to cooler temperatures when Stephano parked in front of his Lindos condo. After spending two hours at the beach, he took her to a spot near the harbor where Veronica could buy souvenirs for her family. He parked and turned off the engine. She beamed at him. “Thank you. That was a perfect day.” “The perfection is just beginning. I promised I would teach you to cook.” She stiffened. “Maybe another day…” Stephano climbed out of the Jeep. Gathering the items from the back, he motioned for her to wait while he took them inside. After unlocking the door, he flipped on the lights, set the items next to the door and went back to get Veronica. She had exited the Jeep and was leaning against the door. “I could’ve helped you with that,” she said. He brushed his lips against hers. Stephano turned around. Veronica gripped his shoulders and jumped onto his back. She wrapped her legs around his waist. Hooking his arms under her legs, he balanced her weight as he carried her up the two

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flights of stairs to his condo where, he set her down and turned to close the door. “This is nice,” Veronica said as she moved around the living room. “You’re being kind,” he snorted. “You hate it.” She laughed. “Well. It could use some paint. And some furniture.” “I’m never here. So, I didn’t take the time to make it home.” Turning to face him, she nodded. “I understand. Because, I’m always working, I hired someone to decorate my place, to make it homey, but it doesn’t feel that way.” Stephano picked up her overnight bag. “Make yourself comfortable. Then, I shall show you how to make ziti properly.” When she hesitated, Stephano became alarmed. “What is it?” “I’m afraid of making a fool of myself,” she confessed. “I’m a perfectionist. So, I’m afraid whatever I make, won’t be.” Softening, he dropped the bag at his feet and gathered her in his arms. “It seems your Achilles heel is cooking and mine is decorating. Perhaps, that’s why we should be together.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You should stop saying those things.” “Why?” 48

“I might start believing them.” He stared at her for a long time. “I want you to believe, Veronica. I speak only the truth.” Her lips quivered. “I’ll make you a deal.” Stephano raised his eyebrow. “What?” “I’ll learn to make ziti if you do it naked.” Releasing her, he stepped back and pulled his shirt over his head. Her audible gasp caused his hands to tremble. His cock was already hard. How could he cook in such a state? He unfastened the fly of his shorts but didn’t take them off. “It’s only fair,” he said. “That if I cook naked, you must decorate one of my rooms naked.” Veronica licked her lips. “Deal.” Smirking, Stephano kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his bottoms. Naked, he walked to the kitchen. He clicked on the portable radio and gathered the ingredients to prepare the meal. When he looked behind him, Veronica was still standing in the same spot. He filled a pot with water and set it on a gas burner. “Come, Tesoro.” He beckoned her to him. “Don’t be afraid.” She appeared at his side. “What do I do?” “While the water is boiling, we will cook the sausage, onions and garlic.”

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Stephano cut the twine that held the butcher paper together, and dumped the ground sausage into a hot pan. He gave her a knife. After he showed her how to peel and slice the onion, he diced the green bell peppers. “That’s good,” he said, glancing at her work. “But make them smaller. You don’t want to bite down on a piece of raw onion. It’s too bitter.” “You sound like a cooking show.” He shrugged. “When I worked in New York, I was offered one, but turned it down.” “Really? Why?” “It’s too much stress. I love to cook, just not like that.” He thought of his year spent in New York. It was the last place he worked before moving back to Rhodes. While he liked the hustle and bustle of the large city, it didn’t feel like home. His heart fluttered as he glanced at Veronica. Having her standing next to him felt natural. “How is this?” she asked. “Perfect! Toss them into the sausage and grate in the garlic.” Veronica moved around him to slide the onions into the pan. She picked up the grater but seemed unsure how to use it. Chuckling, he stood behind her. His erection pressed into her while he showed her how 50

to use the utensil. He buried his nose into her hair and inhaled. The strands smelled like wind and sand. “Use even strokes,” he whispered against her temple. “Back and forth against the holes. Soon, it will come out on the other side.” “Oh…my…” Veronica trembled against his chest. Stephano’s breathing became erratic. He kissed her bare shoulder. “Come away with me” by Norah Jones played on the radio. He gripped her waist, spun her to face him and touched his lips to hers. The grater fell to the floor as she returned his urgent kiss. Stephano untied the straps of her bikini top. He pushed it, and the top her strapless dress down to stroke her rigid nipples with his thumbs. His fingertips caressed the soft skin of her breast. With a moan, she threaded her fingers through his hair. “Burning,” she whispered. “Food.” Stephano turned off the burners. He carried her into the bedroom and laid her back on the mattress. After he took off the rest of her clothing, he ran his tongue over the smooth skin between her legs. Her taste was sweeter than any wine he’d ever sipped. Veronica flinched, and then, parted her thighs. Though he was tempted to dive in and savor her, he chose to wait. That will be his dessert. Her pussy around his cock would be his appetizer. 51

Kissing his way up her torso, he devoured her mouth as he pushed his cock into her. He groaned. The moist cavity of her pussy cushioned him. Welcomed him. She wrapped her legs around his hips. His heart raced. Veronica’s hands gripped his shoulders. Her touch ignited his soul. Made him rethink his priorities. Maybe, it wouldn’t be so bad waking up next to her every day for the rest of his life. But, how was he going to convince her that she wanted that, too? “Tesoro,” he whispered. “Your pussy is addictive.” She smiled. “I bet you say that to everyone.” “No. I haven’t felt like this with anyone else.” Moonlight streamed through the window and fell across her face. Veronica’s gaze met his. Stephano shivered. If two days was all she could give him, then he would gladly overdose on her until she left. Her warmth enveloped him. Pushing deep into her, his cock flexed with the need to release, but he was a gentleman. Ladies first. Stephano’s slow, steady thrusts became more frantic. Pressing his lips against her ear, he murmured in Italian how beautiful she was. He stroked the supple skin on her thigh. Her grip tightened on his shoulders. She tilted her hips. The slight shift added pressure to

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the base of his cock. Caused him to spasm. The legs of the bed scraped the hardwood. Surprise flashed in her haunting eyes. Then, an expression of peace spread across her face. It was a beautiful thing to make a woman climax. But, she was no ordinary woman. Her back arched. When she trembled, so did he. Warm caressed his ear. Veronica released his shoulders. Her hands flowed down his sweat-soaked back to curl around his hips. With her urging, he rushed into her as far as his cock would go. “Oh. God. Stephano,” Veronica panted. His body tensed. His sac clenched. He couldn’t hold it back any longer. With a grunt, he slammed his pelvis against her. For some reason, the only French phase that popped into his head was “have a nice day.” And that’s exactly what he shouted when he came. Instead of rolling onto his side, he collapsed on top of her. He wasn’t ready to break the connection. Veronica wrapped her hands around his waist. Her lips brushed his shoulder. They lay that way for a few minutes before her soft voice pierced the silence. “Stephano.” “Yes?” “I can’t breathe.” He rolled off of her and onto his back.Veronica curled into his side. She draped her thigh across his. Stephano took her hand and placed it on his cock. 53

Tracing the path of her spine with his fingertips, he closed his eyes. “Don’t think,” he murmured,” that your cooking lesson is over.” She giggled. “Damn.”

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The rumble of thunder woke Veronica the next morning. Dark skies hovered outside Stephano’s window. Drops of rain were sprinkled on the glass. The bedside clock read eight a.m. His arm was draped across her waist. Gingerly, she sat up and tried to maneuver around it without waking him. He stirred long enough to twist onto his other side. Soon, he was asleep again. Standing, Veronica made her way to his closet. She put on one of his white button-down shirts and left it unbuttoned, while she padded to the kitchen. Coffee was what she needed. Veronica moved to the counter and discovered his machine was broken, but found a jar of instant in the cabinet. After filling a kettle with water, she put it on a burner. Veronica wandered into the small living room. He only had a sofa and a television. No pictures. No lighting. Shaking her head, she opened the double doors that led to a small Juliet balcony. The air smelled like rain but the dark clouds were breaking up. The balcony overlooked a quiet street. The kettle whistled. Biting a nail, she went back inside. Her mind worked. Last night, he had confessed that he didn’t like living here and had hoped to be 55

closer to the inn. He also told her of his plans to have late night dinner service, but didn’t know how it would work. She added water to the brown crystals. Stirring the mixture, she walked to her tote bag and retrieved her notebook. As she scribbled notes in her journal, a naked Stephano emerged from the bedroom. Yawning, he stretched and made his way toward her. Veronica gazed at his solid torso, tattooing the memory of his perfect body into her brain for easy access when she was back in New York. Smiling, he bent and kissed her on the lips. “The whisperer is awake,” he said. “And already working.” Instead of walking around the sofa, he climbed over the back and squeezed in behind her and took the mug from her hands. “It’s black,” she warned. “I like it black.” He paused to drink half of it and then set the mug on the floor. “See, you can cook.” Veronica rolled her eyes. “It’s instant. Why haven’t you gotten a new coffeemaker?” “No time. What are you working on?” He slipped his hand inside her shirt and massaged her breast. Then, his hand snaked down her torso to stroke her clit. Closing her eyes, Veronica sighed. What was she working on? She couldn’t 56

remember. The journal slipped off her lap and fell to the floor. Oh. Right. “Ideas for your inn,” she moaned. “You can tell me about them during the drive.” She raised her eyebrow. “Drive? Where are we going?” Stephano kissed her. “It’s a surprise.” Two hours later, Veronica was loaded into the passenger side of the Jeep. When he started the engine, a classic Police song filled the cab. He still wouldn’t tell her where they were going, so she’d dressed in the only thing she brought from the inn: a white T-shirt and a pair of jean shorts. Since he was also casually dressed, in a black T-shirt and cargo shorts, she felt better about her choice. Before leaving his condo, she called to check on Guido. Lena assured her that he was having a ball. Veronica ran her hands through her hair. She again left it loose instead of styling it into a ponytail. As they zipped through the street toward a rural area, she realized this was the happiest she had been in a long time. “So, what are your ideas, whisperer?” Stephano asked. Veronica twisted in her seat to look at him. “How do you feel about separating the inn?” Stephano glanced at her. “What do you mean?” 57

“What if you ran a full service restaurant in the location you have now, and the built a separate hotel? Except for your six rooms in the village, there are no places to stay. You could expand and have more tourist traffic in the evenings. Someone else can run the inn and you can focus on the restaurant.” Veronica touched and stroked his thigh. The hair on his leg tickled her palm. When he paused to think about her proposal, she continued, “Then, you can upgrade the kitchen. Add more staff and convert the upstairs into your living space.” “Our living space,” he said. She swallowed hard. “I have ideas for the village, too. What if we add an art gallery? I know someone who would kill to open a gallery here.” “I like that idea.” “It came to me when I was talking to Mikeli.” Stephano stiffened. What had she said wrong? He pulled off the road and parked in a grass field. Cows meandered nearby. Turing off the engine, he twisted to face her. He was wearing sunglasses, but she could tell he was angry by the way his jaw muscle pulsed. “When did you talk to him?” Stephano asked. “Yesterday. When I walked Guido.” Cursing in Italian, he ran his fingers through his hair. 58

“What is it?” she asked. “I don’t like him. I want you to stay away from him.” Removing her hand from his thigh, she crossed her arms over her chest. “You need to give me a better explanation than that.” Exhaling, he threw his hand in the air. “He, Evander, and I were good friends. The three of us grew up together. In senior year, this girl moved to town with her family. Mikeli stole her from me.” Veronica frowned. “Was she your girlfriend?” “Not yet. I was courting her. But she chose to date Mikeli.” “It doesn’t sound like he stole her. It sounds like she simply chose him over you.” “The point is, he took her from me.” “No, he didn’t. Anyway, that was a long time ago.” Stephano leaned back against the door. “Maybe, but I don’t trust him.” It dawned on her that Stephano was afraid the same thing would happen with them. Softening her stance, Veronica touched his chest. Her own heart fluttered. “First, you don’t have to worry about his stealing me. He’s a nice guy, but I’m not interested in him. Second, this girl sounds kind of slutty to me.” Leaning 59

forward, she cupped his face to drive home her last point. “And third…I like you. I’m not going anywhere.” “Except to New York,” he said bitterly. Twisting in his seat, he started the engine. Veronica dropped her hand into her lap. “Don’t do this,” she said. He steered the Jeep back onto the road. “When can we do this? At the airport?” He glanced at her, and then, stepped on the gas pedal. “I don’t want you to go.” A lump formed in her throat, making it difficult to swallow. Her eyes misted. What could she do? For the first time in her life, she had to choose between her career and her heart. And she didn’t know which direction she wanted to go. They drove the rest of the way in silence. The farm landscape changed to groves of olives and grapes. Soon, he pulled into the long driveway of a modestly sized ranch. A black and white goat greeted her when she climbed out of the Jeep. Veronica stroked his soft fur. Stephano appeared beside her and did the same. “Where are we?” she asked. “My family home.” She flinched. “Am I meeting your parents?” “Of course,” he huffed. “Why would I bring you all the way out here?”

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Resting his hand on her lower back, he guided her to the front door. Her heart pounded in her chest. Gina was the first one to greet Veronica when she walked through the door. His sister was the spitting image of Stephano. Stephano excused himself to go find his parents. “How did you get my phone number?” Veronica asked her while Stephano was out of the room. “Your assistant Tammi. When I told her about Stephano, she gave it to me. I don’t mean to get her in trouble.” Veronica smiled. “You didn’t.” “He must really like you,” Gina said. “He never brings anyone home.” Before Veronica could reply, Stephano returned with their parents, Maria and Petro. Siblings Anise, Geraldo, and Lorenzo were also in tow. Stephano explained that the others lived in Athens. “You will meet them later,” he added, handing her a glass of white wine. After a tour of the ten-acre vineyard, much of the afternoon was spent sitting on the back deck of the two-story house, drinking wine and listening to stories about Stephano’s childhood. Veronica’s heart expanded to include his family. She sipped her wine, amazed at how well she fit in with his clan. That was

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also a bad thing. Her flight back to New York was rapidly approaching.

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It was just past eleven at night. Veronica’s heart was heavy when Stephano parked in the lot next to the inn. She tried not to let her darkening mood show, but judging by his silence, he was in the same place. He gathered her things from the back of the Jeep, while she waited on the sidewalk. The street was deserted. There wasn’t anyone, even at Mikeli’s bar. It looked like it was closed. “Do you need help?” she asked him. “For my breaking heart, yes. With the bags, no.” “Stephano.” Rain suddenly poured down on them. Stephano reached for her hand. They ran through the side door of the building. It was a short distance but her T-shirt was soaked. He dashed back outside, she assumed, to put the top up on the Jeep. It was dark in the dining area, but the street lamp outside the picture window provided enough light for her to move around the tables. Shivering, she stood in front of the window. Strands of her wet hair stuck to her face and neck. The lump in her throat returned. Hugging herself, she struggled to keep a lid on her emotions, but failed. One tear after another streamed down her cheeks. The 63

door slammed behind her. Veronica tried to stop crying, but couldn’t. Stephano’s rain-soaked scent washed over her. “You’d better take this off before you get sick,” he said. He tugged the hem of her T-shirt. Veronica lifted her arms so he could pull it over her head. In his reflection in the window, she watched him yank off his own. Reaching around her, he unfastened her shorts and pulled them down her hips. She stepped out of them. Turning from the window, she cupped his face and captured his mouth with hers. Dressed in only a white bra and panties, Veronica trembled. Not from the cold air that caressed her wet skin. Not from the kiss that caused her knees to buckle. It was because she knew he was the man she’d been searching her whole life for. And she had to leave him. Veronica snaked her hand between them to unfasten his shorts. Releasing his mouth, she sank to her knees and pulled them down his legs. She flicked her tongue across the velvety tip of his cock, and then, wrapped her lips around his taut muscle. Caressing his thighs, she sketched every curve of his cock with her tongue. Groaning, he curled his hands around her head. The muscles of his sturdy thighs twitched under her 64

touch. Drops of his salty essence trickled against the back of her throat. Against her tongue, his cock stiffened, lengthened. Veronica gripped his hips and pulled more of him into her mouth. Stephano bent over her. Unhooking her bra, he tugged the straps down her shoulders. She let the bra fall to the floor and shoved her panties down her thighs. His cock slipped out of her mouth. Unable to wait any longer, she climbed to her feet. Veronica sniffed back tears as she pressed her lips against the skin over his heart and flicked her tongue over his nipple. Her heart ached. Maybe, love wasn’t a crazy notion after all. Maybe, it was something that could happen to her. She felt it in his touch as he traced the sides of her torso with his fingertips. With every swipe of his lips against hers. He gripped her waist. Spinning them around, he bent her over a table and plunged deep inside of her. Veronica gasped. She spread her legs to brace herself against the force of his thrusts. The table moved. Their combined staccato breaths filled the space. Releasing her hips, he cupped her breasts. She covered one of his hands with hers. The heat of his torso scorched her back. Rocking her hips back against his, her thighs quivered. Stephano was wrong. It wasn’t her pussy that was addictive, but his cock. The

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way he fucked her with such raw passion left her wanting more. And he was still inside her. This wasn’t fair. For the universe to bring her Stephano and then snatch him away was criminal. As was the way his dick caused her to swallow her tongue. The muscle scraped the slick walls of her pussy. A shiver rippled down her spine. The shockwave of her orgasm overtook her body. Veronica climaxed again. And again. Her chant of “Oh, God” bounced off the barren walls. Stephano tensed. Grimacing, he exploded inside of her. She stayed still, bearing the weight of his thrust, until his tremors subsided. When he gathered himself, he went to sit on one of the wooden chairs and pulled her into his lap. Veronica closed her eyes. She rested her head on his sweaty shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her. “Once my vision returns, Tesoro,” he said. “I will satisfy your every need.” Giggling, Veronica ran her hand through his silky hair. “All I need is you.” “And me you shall have. But, for how long?” She opened her eyes to look at him. “Let’s not talk about that now.” “What would you rather do?” Stephano asked with a knowing grin.

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Twisting in his lap, Veronica straddled his hips and guided his cock back inside of her. “I have a few ideas.”

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Veronica awoke in her bed the next morning with Stephano’s body curled around her. Today was her last day in Rhodes and this was how she wanted to spend it. She snuggled against his warmth. Closing her eyes, she began to drift back to sleep, but a sharp knock at the door thwarted her plans. Ignoring the sound, she turned on her side to face Stephano and pressed her face into his chest. The knock sounded again. “Fuck,” he mumbled. Rolling out of bed, he grabbed her robe and draped it around his waist. She heard the door open. He spoke in Greek to the person on the other side. The voice of the other person was male. Stephano exhaled and closed the door. When she turned onto her back, he lifted the blanket and climbed on top of her. “My friend Evander and his new wife are here,” he said. Parting her legs, he guided himself inside her. “They have news. You will meet them, yes?” Veronica sighed as his cock stroked her hard and deep. The tip of his cock massaged the ridge of her spot. She held on to his hips for support. His green eyes flickered with mischief. He leaned down to capture her mouth with his. 68

“Of course,” she said, breaking the kiss. “But, if you keep doing that, I won’t have time to bathe.” “You will, Tesoro. I won’t be long.” Forty minutes later, Veronica had showered and changed into a khaki shirtdress. Per Stephano’s request, she wasn’t wearing anything underneath. Not even a bra. She paused at the top of the stairs to put on her wedge sandals. Butterflies swirled in her stomach. Truthfully, she was nervous about meeting his friends because she would probably never see them again. She didn’t want to like them, but had a feeling she would. Laughter surrounded her as she descended the stairs. The inviting sound warmed her heart, but she steeled herself against it. Guido greeted her at the bottom. She tucked him under her arm, and made her way to the dining room. Stephano, now freshly showered and dressed in a navy sweater and jeans, sat with the couple. The man had thick, dark hair, olive skin and piercing blue eyes. He wore a black polo shirt and jeans. His wife had flawless, mocha skin. Her dark curls were pulled back into a bun. She was dressed in a pink sundress. The couple, especially the woman, seemed to be the kind of people she’d love to hang out with. Too bad she was leaving. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Veronica pasted on a smile. They looked up

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when she approached. Stephano stood and kissed her cheek. “This is Veronica Chamberlain,” he said proudly. “Veronica. This is my best friend Evander, and his wife Grace.” “It’s nice to meet you,” Veronica said. Standing, Evander and Grace each gave her a hug. Evander grinned at her. When he spoke, his accent was thick and Greek. “He told us you are a magician with design. I hope you can turn this pumpkin into a palace. God knows, he needs help.” Laughing, Veronica sat in the vacant seat next to Stephano. She rested Guido in her lap. Stephano rolled his eyes and draped his arm around her shoulder. “My place is fine. It just needs sparkle.” “It needs a damn blowtorch,” Evander chided. “I hear congratulations are in order,” Veronica said. “You just got married, right?” “Yes. Thank you,” Grace said. “Although, if he doesn’t start picking up his wet towels, we’re not going to make it to our first anniversary.” Evander snorted. “The way I make you come, picking up after me should be a privilege.” Grace visibly blushed. “Jackass.” Veronica giggled. She loved them immediately. When she learned Grace was also from the east coast 70

of America and moved to Greece to be with Evander, Veronica was even more intrigued. She wondered how Grace made such a transition so easily. “So, what is this news?” Stephano asked. Grace and Evander exchanged glances. The way Evander’s eyes sparkled when he looked at his wife warmed Veronica’s heart. Did Stephano’s eyes dance when he looked at her? Veronica shook her head. It was too soon to think about that. And she was leaving in a few hours. “We’re moving to Rhodes,” Grace said. “We’re taking over his aunt’s cottage.” “That’s great,” Stephano said. “But why? I thought you loved Athens.” “Well,” Grace began. “We wanted to be closer to his parents. Because—” “My boys can swim!” Evander exclaimed. His arms shot into the air in victory. “I knocked her up!” Grace covered her face with her hands. Stephano rose. He rounded the table and slapped Evander on his back. “That’s awesome, my friend! This calls for a celebration. A feast for the ages.” Evander stood. He said something in Italian, to which Stephano replied in Greek. Stephano raised his hands into the air. Evander gestured toward the kitchen. Swallowing a laugh, Veronica watched the exchange. 71

“Yeah,” Grace said with a sigh. “I have no idea what they’re saying either.” Veronica laughed out loud. “Whatever it is, it sounds sexy.” “I know.” The men paused mid-conversation. Stephano leaned toward her to brush his lips against hers. Veronica inhaled his earthy cologne. Pulling away, he winked at her and then moved toward the kitchen. Evander followed, still talking in a mix of Greek and Italian. Veronica’s heart fluttered, and then sank. She had no choice but to go back to New York. Her eyes misted and she tried to blink away the tears. Grace reached across the table and covered Veronica’s hand with hers. “I know that look,” Grace said gently. “When do you leave?” Veronica flinched. Was she that transparent? “Tomorrow morning.” Grace nodded. “The only advice I can give is to follow your heart. It’s never wrong.” Veronica wiped her eyes. “I wish it was so simple.” “It is. Just ask yourself what you really want—if it’s worth leaving a man like that because you’re afraid.”

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“I’m not afraid,” Veronica said defensively. “What am I going to do about my career? My clients are in the States. I doubt many businesses in Greece need commercial designers.” Grace squeezed her hand. “It’s going to work out. You just need to have faith.” “How did you decide?” “It was a conversation I had with my mom. That, and a picture message Evander sent me that same day. I knew this was where my heart belonged. And I came back.” Veronica smiled sadly. “I’ve worked so hard to get where I am. I can’t turn my back on my career now.” “Who said you have to? Maybe, you can do it in a different way.” Veronica paused to turn Grace’s advice over in her mind. The men returned. Evander carried a platter loaded with fruit, vegetables, dips and bread while Stephano brought a bottle of wine and four glasses. “Don’t worry,” he said. “It’s sparkling juice from my father’s vineyard.” Popping the cork, he poured the liquid. Evander set the platter in the middle of the table. They each raised their glass. “I’d like to make a toast,” Stephano said. “To the new life Evander and Grace have created, and the new 73

chapter being written for my inn.” He paused to look directly into Veronica’s eyes. “And to Venus for finally blessing me with one of her angels. Thank you, Veronica Chamberlain, for showing me the meaning of life.” Unable to speak, Veronica touched her glass to his, and then, to Grace’s and Evander’s. She sipped the sweet elixir but didn’t feel like celebrating.

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It was two a.m. Grace and Evander were long gone, and Stephano couldn’t sleep. He lay in bed facing Veronica. With his index finger, he traced her jaw line. Her eyes fluttered but she didn’t wake up. A cold breeze flowed through the open window of the room. When she shivered, he pulled the blanket over her bare shoulder and tightened his arm around her. Did the universe hate him this much? Once again, it brought light to his life, only to snatch it way. This time, however, was different. Her bags were lined up by the door. What last ditch plea could he make that would convince her that Rhodes was her home? “Are you just going to stare at me all night?” Veronica asked. “I can’t think of anything more beautiful to rest my eyes on.” She opened her eyes. Turning her head, she glanced at the clock. “We only have three hours left.” “That’s why I don’t want to waste time sleeping.” “I can’t make love to you again,” she confessed. Her voice trembled. “Your touch makes my heart ache.” Stephano rested his forehead against hers. “When can you come back?” 75

“I don’t know. I’m already booked for the next six weeks. Can you come to New York?” “It will be a busy time of year. I can only try.” Veronica pressed her face into his chest and sobbed. Swallowing his own emotions, he simply held her. The sun was just breaking through the clouds when he parked in front of the airport. Every muscle in Stephano’s body ached as he climbed out of the Jeep to give her luggage to the curbside attendant. He moved to Veronica’s side of the vehicle. He held out his hand to steady her as she got out. Stephano shoved his hands into his pockets and waited beside the Jeep while she checked in with the attendant. It was up to him to be the strong one, but he didn’t want to be. When she returned, he patted Guido on the head and then pulled Veronica into his arms. “Don’t say anything,” she whispered. “It’s just too hard.” “But—” Veronica stood on her toes to lightly touch her lips to his. She turned. Without looking back at him, she went inside the terminal. Stephano cursed, slamming his fist into the side of the Jeep. He jumped in and sped out of the parking lot. Two hours later, he was back at the inn. Rage still coursed through his 76

veins, but he couldn’t be mad at anyone but himself. He should’ve put up more of a fight. Evander was waiting for him at the front door. His best friend leaned against his stucco wall. Evander held up two six packs. “I thought you might need one, or three,” Evander said in Italian. With a sad smile, Stephano went inside the inn. Evander followed. The dining room smelled like a mixture of thyme and oregano. When they reached his office, Stephano closed the door and accepted the beer Evander gave him. He sat at his desk while Evander perched on the edge. “As soon as I saw her, I knew you were in love,” Evander commented. “I know what it feels like to watch the love of your life walk away, unsure if she’s coming back.” “How did you get through it?” “Work. Beer. You saw me. You know how miserable I was while Grace was gone.” Nodding, Stephano drained his beer and reached for another. “It was different for you,” Stephano said. “Grace can work anywhere as long as she has her laptop and internet. Veronica has to be in the space to design it. It would get expensive if she had to fly back and forth from here to there. And I can’t move. I’ve invested my blood and soul in this place. This is my dream.” 77

“If you’re meant to be together, you will be.” Stephano waved off Evander’s comment. “That’s bullshit,” Stephano said bitterly. “Am I just supposed to leave it up to fate to decide?” “Yes. It’s fate that brought you together. You have to trust that it’s going to happen.” Stephano sat back in his chair. If only it was that simple. His phone buzzed, indicating he’d received a text. He set the bottle on his desk and opened the message. “Miss you already,” Veronica wrote. He raked his hands through his hair and hung his head. Evander patted Stephano on his shoulder. “It will work out,” Evander said.

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Three months later…New York At ten p.m., Veronica finally shut down her computer. Her neck ached from being hunched over fabric samples all day. The owners of the new project were questioning her every move. So far, they vetoed every idea she offered. Exhaling, she rested her head against the back of the chair. Tammi rose from her seat opposite Veronica’s desk and stretched. “Want me to call you a cab?” “Please. Go ahead home. I know Jared’s waiting for you downstairs.” “No. I’ll wait so we can walk out together. I’ll close down the outer office.” “Thank you.” When Tammi left, Veronica made her way to the door. She put on her black coat over her black sweater dress. The thought of going home to an empty apartment caused her heart to ache. Her fridge was also bare. Tonight, she was feeling Chinese. Veronica walked back to the desk and picked up Guido. The buzzer on the street-level door sounded. Veronica assumed it was the cab. She turned off the

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lights and walked into the reception area. Tammi was waiting for her. “Take the morning off,” Veronica told her. “Come in at eleven.” Tammi eyed Veronica. “Are you doing the same?” “Probably not. I can’t sleep anymore.” Tammi opened her mouth to comment, but Veronica stopped her by holding up her hand. “I don’t want to talk about it.” Veronica rushed out of the office. She waited in the hallway while Tammi turned off the light and locked the door. Veronica’s thoughts caught up to her. Part of the reason she stayed busy was to get her mind off of Stephano. Other than a few cryptic messages telling her not to worry, she hadn’t talked to him in over a week. Her calls to him went straight to his voicemail. At first, she thought it was because he was busy. But now, she suspected he had moved on. Tammi touched her shoulder. “He’ll call. Isn’t this his busy season? He’s probably just swamped.” “I’d accept that after a few days, but not now, Tammi. He’d damn well better have a good excuse.” Veronica walked down the stairs and outside. Both the cab and Jared were waiting. Snow was falling. White flakes covered the shoulders of Jared’s jacket. He was a handsome guy. Tall, thin, wispy 80

brown hair and glasses. Jared smiled. Moving to the waiting cab, he held the door open for her. “Would you two like to share the cab?” Veronica asked. “My treat.” “Sure,” he said. The trio climbed into the back of the taxi. When the couple kissed in greeting, Veronica turned to look out the window. Rhodes was six hours ahead. What was Stephano doing? Or, who was he doing? She shook the thought from her head. The last time they spoke, he had asked to see her vision for the restaurant. Had he received the package? A few minutes later, the cab screeched to a halt in front of her loft. Veronica handed the driver a onehundred dollar bill to cover her fare and a tip, plus taking the couple to Brooklyn. She smiled at them. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Tammi.” “Okay. Don’t worry. He’ll call.” Veronica’s lip trembled as she exited the car. While the driver waited, she paused to let Guido use the bathroom on a strip of grass next to the building. Snow was falling harder. She hoped Peking Palace hadn’t closed yet. They were only three doors down, but her feet were killing her. When she got upstairs, she would call Li for her usual. She waved as the cab pulled away from the curb and went inside her building. The elevator ride 81

seemed to take longer than normal, but that might be because every muscle in her body ached. Wearily, she got off on her floor. The scent of fresh herbs surrounded her. She wondered which of her neighbors were cooking at this time of night. Inhaling deeply, she wished she had learned how to cook. Or had a hot chef like Stephano waiting for her. Putting the key in her lock, she opened her door. It took a moment for it to register that her lights were on. And the delicious aroma was coming from her kitchen. Was that music? Closing the door, she tiptoed toward the sound. Her eyes spotted Stephano’s muscular shoulder blades. Startled, she dropped the purse and phone she was carrying. . Stephano hummed along with a Bon Jovi song. He stirred something in a large skillet, and then added a splash of wine. His hair was a few inches longer than she remembered. When she rounded the island, she saw he was naked and smiled. Turning from the stove, he looked at her. Her heart fluttered. Just like that, all of her anger and uncertainty evaporated. Guido danced around Stephano’s feet. He bent to scratch her pup behind his ears and then straightened. “The whisperer returns from her day with paupers,” he said with a bow. “I have made chicken and risotto. Would you like to take a hot bath first or have your meal?” 82

Veronica parted her lips, but nothing came out. Stephano closed the distance between them. He reached for her hand and led her into the living room. She noticed suitcases standing in the center of the room. Gripping the lapels of her coat, he freed her of it and draped it over the back of the sofa. “You have questions, yes?” She nodded. Stephano sank to his knees and unzipped her boots. Veronica balanced her weight against the arm of the sofa and lifted each leg as he pulled them off. Reaching under her skirt, he tugged her stockings down her thighs. “There was a terrible fire,” he said. “Everything is lost.” She gasped. “What happened?” “The idiot contractors forgot to turn off the gas before they moved the stove. There was an explosion. The Welcome Inn is no more.” He rose to his feet. Veronica touched his chest. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry.” Stephano reached for her belt. He unfastened it and tossed it on the floor. “I had no time to call you,” he explained. “Everything happened so fast. Mikeli offered his place as refuge until I got my bearings.” Stephano shrugged. “I guess he’s not so bad. I couldn’t call because your number was in my phone and my phone was ashes.” 83

Grasping the hem of her dress, he yanked it over her head and tossed it over his shoulder. She shivered. “And so,” he continued. “I’ve been spending my time making arrangements to rebuild. The only thing that survived the fire was your key because I was still holding it in my hand when I ran out.” Veronica blinked. Now, she remembered. It was in the box. She had sent him a package that included her drawing of the new Welcome Inn, a coffeemaker and the key. Her address was engraved on the gold, heart-shaped key ring. Stephano moved behind her. Unhooking her black bra, he pushed the straps down her arms. He pulled the barrette from her ponytail and ran his fingers through her hair. “I took it as a sign,” he whispered against her ear. “So, I wanted my moving here to be a surprise. I had to wait for my visa to go through. But, here I am. I’m all yours.” She turned to face him. “Really?” He nodded and brushed his lips against hers. “It will take some time for Ciao Bella to be resurrected.” “Ciao Bella?” “That’s her new name. Do you like?” Veronica smiled. Standing on her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes.” “And when she is finished, we can—” 84

“Move back to Rhodes.” Stephano grinned. “Yes.” She stared into his green eyes for a long time. “I love you.” “Tesoro. You make my soul dance. But, your meal is getting cold.” “Can we heat it up in the microwave?” “Of course.” Releasing him, Veronica took his hand and led him into the bedroom. “Good.”

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Eighteen months later…Rhodes, Greece “A little to the left,” Stephano commanded. Veronica rolled her eyes. She teetered in her red stilettos as she shifted the painting. A deal was a deal. While living in New York, Stephano had finally taught her how to make ziti and she was holding up her end of the deal by decorating the living room of their newly built home naked. The walls had been painted a soothing vanilla. Dark chocolate furniture accented the light walls and dark hardwood floors. Sunlight streamed through the floor to ceiling picture windows. The view outside the window panes was an abandoned field. Just beyond the field was the new Ciao Bella restaurant. “We’ve been married for seven days and you’re already bossing me around,” she said with a smirk. “Of course. That’s why I got you. Now, down.” Giggling, she glanced over her shoulder at him. Her nude husband was sitting on the floor. Guido was curled against his chest. Swallowing tears of joy, she turned back to the wall. The painting she hung was a drawing of the former Welcome Inn—a wedding gift

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from her good friend Scarlett who would be moving to Rhodes and opening an art gallery in a few months. Veronica had wanted to display the painting in Ciao Bella’s new lobby, but the restaurant wouldn’t be finished for another month. Grimacing, she heaved the twenty by twenty-four inch canvas into the air and rested it against the wall. Her arms ached. This was why she hired people to do this for her. “Stephano. This is heavy.” Two tanned arms surrounded her. The heat of Stephano’s body washed over her back as he helped her hoist the painting and together, they draped the edge over the hook. Once the artwork was hung, he brushed his lips against her shoulder. Veronica leaned back against his solid frame. Life in New York was amazing. Veronica loved coming home to Stephano, and a home cooked meal. After two months of living together, they flew to West Virginia to meet her family. It was during the return flight that Stephano asked her to marry him. He’d wanted to ask her father’s permission before proposing. She said yes. The wedding was a small, intimate affair at her friend, Scarlett’s, art space in Rhodes. Veronica handed over the reins of Chamberlain Designs to Tammi. She still acted as a consultant to the business. Mikeli asked her to help him redesign his 87

bar once she was finished with designing Ciao Bella. Once other hotels and restaurants on the island learned that she was now living in Rhodes, they also contacted her for her services. Returning to the present, Veronica sniffed back tears. She was amazed at how her life had turned out. And pleased that finally both her personal and professional lives were booming. Since they were both fish out of waters, she and Grace became fast friends. Grace had given birth to a boy, Draydean Evander Vicenti. “Thank you,” she said. “No, Tesoro. Thank you for making me the happiest man in Rhodes.” She turned. Crushing her mouth against his, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her erect nipples grazed his chest. The kiss weakened her knees. When moisture dripped down her pussy walls, the rest of the room was going to wait. Stephano lifted her into the air. Veronica wrapped her legs around his hips and sheathed his hard cock with her pussy. Without breaking the kiss, he carried her up the two flights of stairs to the large master suite. He laid her back against the queen-sized mattress. The rhythm of her heartbeat and the arch of her hips matched his. She inhaled. The room smelled like

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lemons from the reed dispenser she placed on the dresser earlier that afternoon. White curtains billowed away from the open windows. Veronica moaned. Stephano tore his mouth away from her to plant tiny kisses on her throat. She closed her eyes. This was her happy place.

RWS To read more about the characters connected to this book, check out the following stories:  Midnight Muse by R.W. Shannon (Grace and Evander)

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R.W. Shannon is a native of the East Coast but spent six years in the desert before returning to her place of birth. She became a librarian so that she can walk around with her nose in a book without ridicule and also for the free books. When she’s not belly dancing or getting another tattoo, she can be found in the kitchen of her mother’s house until she gets her own. A member of Romance Writers’ Association and Passionate Ink, she is always at work on another project. In addition to Beautiful Trouble Publishing, her books can be found at Cobblestone Press and Phaze Books. Please check out her website rwshannonbooks.net for more information or email her at [email protected].