Page 23 of Destino

“Someone stole your purse?” he frowned.

“My point is, I’m tired Signore Battaglia. I only have two weeks of vacation, then I return to a life that requires all of my energy. I’d like to spend the next few days relaxing, not fighting off the advances of men like yourself.”

“Forgive me. I understand.” He nodded.

“Grazie.” She tried to step around him, but he slipped his arm around her waist so smoothly she stumbled forward and landed up against him bodily. Out of instinct her hand rose and pressed against the hard planes of his chest. He was tall. She stood in heels and had to tilt her head back to meet his intense gaze. “We’re not done. What of my request?”

“For?”

“Redemption.”

She swallowed. “How?”

“It’s really simple Bella, I’m here in Bellagio for a few days. You and your friend are guests of my cousin. Let me show you some of the beauty of the city. No strings attached.”

The firm way he held her didn’t lessen. She felt drugged by his clean-cut manliness and the firepower in his heavenly blue eyes. How did she go from escaping awkwardness to standing within his embrace and loving every inch of him?

“If I say no, will you leave without further argument?”

“Leave?” He seemed surprised by her request. “No I won’t leave. I like the idea of arguing with you. We’ll discuss it further until you see things my way. I’m a good negotiator.” His gaze traveled from hers to the opening of her shirt, which she knew revealed the swell of her breasts pressed into the hard ridges of his chest.

“I think you should let me go now.” Mira said under her breath, making no effort to pull away.

“If you insist. I wish you wouldn’t.”

“I insist.”

He released her.

Mira adjusted her blouse. “If you want to stay here, it’s your family’s villa. I can’t object. Do it. Just don’t touch me again until I give you my permission.” She walked around him and fast.

“There you go extending invitations again. Sounds to me like you’re considering it.” He called out after her. Mira stopped and looked back. He stepped to the balcony when he spoke. Not bothering to address her directly. “I’m a man of words so be careful of the ones you choose with me Bella. I may just take you up on your offer and do exactly what I want.”

Her mouth opened to say something more, but she was out of words. He finally cast his gaze back over his shoulder.

“Lorenzo said you would be able to show me to my room. Do you mind? I surely can’t find it on my own.”

Giovanni nodded. He walked out to join her. “That’s easy, your room is next to mine,” he smirked

“Of course, where else would it be?”

Together they walked side by side with his long strides matching hers. Again she admired the artwork on the walls. It was a welcome distraction from the glances he kept slipping her. And when he spoke, her heart beat so fast she nearly jumped out of her skin. The man had her on edge.

“Care to tell me more about this purse incident?”

“Huh?”

“You said your purse was stolen.”

“Oh, that. Yes. I keep trying to put it out of my mind. Fabiana and I were onvia Toledoshopping. It happened so fast. A commotion in the streets then the next thing I know some madman on a motor scooter snatched it off my shoulder. My wallet was in it with my grandparents’ picture. I also lost something irreplaceable.”

“May I ask what?”

“A bracelet. My father gave it to me when I was a baby. It’s gold with the name Mirabella engraved on it. I keep it with me always. Stupid to have it in my purse I know. But we moved here, and I’ve not really unpacked everything, so I kept it on me. I can’t replace it or the pictures of my grandparents, which are all I have of them.”

“Mirabella? Sounds like Mariabella.” Giovanni said.

“And what does Mariabella mean?”

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