Page 67 of Giorgio

He was not entirely surprised that she was not accusing him of sending her away and not contacting her. This wonderful woman he had fallen in love with was unlike anyone he had ever known. It was no wonder he was head over heels in love with her.

“Go ahead.” He did not move aside for her to make the call, but stood holding her in his arms as if he could not bear to let her go.

Being that near to her, he heard every angry word her brother had to say.

“You are just going to go with him to a hotel? Just like that? What does he have to say for himself? He just pops back into your life and that’s it. Jules really?”

She glanced at him in apology, but he shook his head. He deserved the tongue lashing from her sibling. And would allow it for now.

“I will see you tomorrow.”

“Is he going to pop off again? Because that’s what he does best, isn’t it?”

Before she could respond, Giorgio intervened by taking the phone from her. “I appreciate your concern Signor Campbell,” He kept his tone civil and his address formal. “I owe Juliana an explanation and only her. I assure you that I have every intention of standing up to my responsibility…”

“Since damn when?” The man raged. “She has been back for the past six months, and you never had the decency to call and find out if she even arrived. Now you waltz back into her life as if nothing happened. Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I am the man who is going to be her husband.” He was trying to stay civil, but it was difficult. “I made a mistake in letting her go and now I am here to right the wrong.” His eyes stayed on hers, his lips curving slightly. “I am in love with her, and it took months and several near disasters for me to realize that I cannot live without her.”

His eyes turned lambent as he continued to stare at her. Using his free hand, he stroked her cheek where a tear had spilled down in response to his words. “And I am going to hang up now, so that I can start making up for the way I treated her.” Without waiting for a response, he did just that and handed her the phone.

“Giorgio.”

“If you continue to look at me like that, we are not going to make it out of here.” He warned her thickly.

“There is a very comfortable sofa in the common room.” She told him.

“No!” He shook his head. “I intend to do this in the correct way.”

*****

His influence even here in her country was amazing. He was greeted by the manager himself who was almost bowing obsequiously as he inquired if there was anything more, they could do for him.

Curious glances were aimed at them. At this time of the night, the lobby of the luxurious hotel was teeming with well-knownguests and even so, Giorgio’s impressive frame and handsome face drew attention.

The wide reception desk was manned by four chicly dressed blondes who looked up from their computer terminals to give her looks of envy. Giorgio kept her hand in his, making it clear that they were together.

“No, thank you.” He responded in answer to the man’s question. “See to it that we are not disturbed,” he added before shepherding her into the elevator that whizzed up to the penthouse suite. He did not say anything, but kept her hand in his, a thoughtful frown on his forehead.

She had little time to admire the sumptuous teal blue room with the pale gold lush carpeting before he guided her towards the bed. Within minutes, he had stripped off her clothing and gotten rid of hers.

To her surprise, he didn’t start making love to her, but laid on his side, eloquent dark eyes examining every inch of her face. His hand was splayed over her swollen abdomen and there was an indescribable expression on his face.

“Would you like an apology first?”

“Before what?”

“My avowal of love.”

Her heart took a deep dive. “Avowal of love.” She told him without equivocation.

“You waited for me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

She drank in the look of him, hardly daring to believe he was here with her.

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