Page 23 of Secret Match
“Good afternoon, both of you,” Gio said to Anthony and Jennifer, which meant he hadn’t told either of them how she’d invited the rest of the Morgans.
“Until later,” his brother replied though he stayed sitting with Jennifer.
Without another word, Gio led her through the terrace and toward the house. “The schedule is yours to make, Kiwi.”
She thought of ways to make things right as they made their way to the villa doors and once inside she whispered, “Thank you for not telling them.”
He let out a small sigh and then led her up a staircase that would make Scarlett O’Hara proud. He flung double doors open that must overlook the vineyard. The master suite was larger than any bedroom she’d ever had. The crystal chandelier was probably a few hundred years old, though it shimmered like new from the vaulted ceiling.
How in the world did he sleep with such opulence around him?
The wall near the door had been covered with green tapestry, something she’d only seen in museums before now.
Gio, oblivious to her amazement, was accustomed to these luxurious surroundings. “I don’t want to think about any drama. I brought you here to figure “us” out.”
Right. She glanced at her purple suitcase with the orange stripes near another door that must lead to a closet. She blocked out the gorgeous surroundings and looked up at him. His brown eyes had flecks of mahogany in them. She walked toward the huge bay windows as she said, “That’s going to be hard as you’re angry with me.”
“I’m not angry.” His footsteps echoed right behind her.
Her heart beat steadily. She turned and wished, somehow, she could change everything—that she hadn’t immediately texted Victoria. Her eyes opened wider as she asked, “You’re not?”
“Disappointed,” he admitted and then motioned toward a settee like the ones she’d seen in old movies. She followed his direction and slowly sat down. The pillows were surprisingly comfortable. He sat beside her but curled one leg toward her. Her feet were firmly planted on the floor before her. He said, “You acted without consulting me and invited people to my home earlier than expected. My brother is family and I’m in an awkward position.”
She flinched. Part of her wanted to shout out a denial, but she stilled her tongue. Gio was right. She’d interfered with his family and she hadn’t thought it through.
Pushing people away was something she was good at. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and did the one thing she normally didn’t do--apologize. “I’m sorry. I honestly didn’t think about it from your point of view. I just know that my boss and my best friend are both concerned about Peter and Jennifer and Peter’s wife, Belle. And when I spoke to Jennifer I had the distinct impression that she wanted Peter to find her.”
The heat from her cheeks rushed toward her forehead and down her neck.
She’d been awful. No wonder people kept her at arm’s length. Kiwi sighed as Gio just stared at her with nothing to say.
He broke the stillness between them and placed his palm on the back of her hand. “I don’t want to talk about any of my uninvited guests anymore. We came here for us.”
She didn’t dare believe there was any hope. She was good at screwing up relationships in her life, especially when she decided for others without asking first, but her heart soared at his touch.
Kiwi rolled her shoulders to force herself to relax. “I guess I’m nervous that there is an us. It’s been a long time since I was in a relationship.”
He lifted his hand and asked, “When was it?”
He couldn’t be comfortable sitting with no back support, but he didn’t seem to care. She scooted over to give him more room. “Three years ago—and I was ahorriblegirlfriend. I was so focused on my work that I put the relationship second. It’s actually why I’m scared to be here now. In the past, I unintentionally hurt people and that’s not good. I don’t want to do anything like that again and I should have consulted you.”
His relaxed his shoulders. “I’ve noticed how loyal you are to Victoria and Caro. Is that why you texted them immediately when you saw Jennifer?”
“And Serenity, who has been my best friend for a few years now—she’s married to Damien.” And she’d almost ruined that relationship too when she’d interfered and told Damien her best friend was pregnant without consulting her. Pushing people away was practically a life skill of hers. She took a deep breath and admitted what she usually only told her diary, “I started back on that track of making decisions for other people’s lives and that scares me too. My child needs to come first.”
“Ourchild,” he corrected her.
True. Her baby needed a father and Gio Morgan was it. She swallowed and wished somehow she could fix this. She met his gaze as she said, “Our.”
He scooted closer and her body came alive. “Kiwi, I wanted you to see how much we have in common—we both love design and style—and what we could have together, sharing a life here. And we don’t need to interfere with anyone else’s lives.”
Gio’s plan was romantic and sweet and perfect, which she didn’t deserve. She whispered like somehow her words were a secret, “I think I’m slightly terrified of falling for you, for real.”
“Why?” he asked.
Good question and she didn’t have a comprehensive answer. She’d been good at being self-serving and looking out for herself. It was when others became part of the package that she ruined her own happiness in the past. She lowered her head and said, “I’ve sworn off being in a relationship as earning my own way was my number one priority. I’ve never met a man who understood that.”
Gio didn’t say anything. Her heart wondered why so she slowly looked up. He said, “I have money. I own my own business that also coincides with your interest. You must see together we can help each other.”
