Page 63 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8
But not by the near collision. By the sudden, urgent longing for a past life she could never recapture? Or was it something to do with her companion?
They crossed the road together but didn’t touch and she was glad because that little prickle of sensation when he’d grabbed her was concerning. It had been like that when he’d handed her belongings to her. She couldn’t remember feeling someone’s touch in that way before.
You’ve never run away from your life before either.
Relief flooded her. Of course things seemed odd today. Her life was in uproar. No wonder she was on edge, imagining things.
‘Are you okay, Stella?’
This time she didn’t look up at him, though she registered a rush of warmth at the way his deep voice lingered on her name. ‘Yes, I’m fine.’
‘Just a little distracted.’
She did look up then, surprised that he’d quoted her words back to her. He looked relaxed, mouth curved in the hint of a smile, yet his eyes were unreadable.
Stella waited. Over the years, through hard-won experience, she’d developed an awareness of people trying to use her for their own ends. Even in her family there were undercurrents as siblings jockeyed for her father’s approval, something Alfredo Barbieri encouraged.
But there were no warning bells now. Only the natural caution of a woman meeting a stranger, though even that was muted.
She wanted, desperately, to do something uncomplicated like enjoy the simple pleasures of ice cream and sunshine. And the smile of a charming man who had no idea who she was and who had nothing to gain from her.
Her grin was wide as she met his gaze. ‘Not any more. Today I’m going to live in the moment. The question is, what flavour do I choose?’
‘Why restrict yourself to one? You could have two or three.’
She laughed out loud. For some reason it had never occurred to her to indulge herself, even on something like multiple gelato flavours. ‘I like your thinking, Gio. I like it a lot.’
CHAPTER FOUR
Gio watchedStellalean over the balustrade of the Sant’Angelo bridge, watching the antics below. Her laughter was as joyful as a peal of bells. His lips twitched and his libido grabbed his lower body as heat rolled across his flesh.
He wanted more of that laughter. More of this woman with her rare smiles and moments of odd, perplexing frowns, as if something weighed on her mind.
Of course there’s something weighing on her mind. She’s playing a part, acting the innocent to entice you into letting down your guard. She’s probably wondering if you’ve fallen for her fake identity.
Even so, Gio was drawn to her. He couldn’t explain it.
Since puberty he’d attracted female interest. He had his father’s looks and now he had a fortune as well. But no woman had used such a curious way to try getting under his skin. If he didn’t know better he’d think Stella had problems on her mind other than duping him.
She seemed totally focused on the rafters in bright helmets and lifejackets, spinning in the river’s current. The big man and his friend who’d loudly boasted about their rafting prowess had almost fallen in as they tried to retrieve the paddles they’d dropped. Meanwhile the guide and the big man’s wife expertly manoeuvred the vessel.
‘I shouldn’t laugh,’ Stella murmured. ‘I’d be no better in a raft. But he was so busy big noting himself and belittling his partner, yet she was the one who grabbed his lifejacket to stop him going overboard.’
‘Hm.’ Gio’s attention had strayed from the river to the curve of Stella’s buttocks in tight white denim. He snapped his gaze away but she hadn’t noticed, her attention on the scene below. ‘I wonder if he’ll thank her?’
‘Most likely not. She’s probably taken for granted. That’s the usual way. By the time they get home he’ll probably embroider the story to make out she was the one who dropped the paddle and he saved the day.’
Hearing the sour note in Stella’s voice, Gio shot her a penetrating look. But her expression was unreadable.
She didn’t seem to be paying attention to him. He’d had women pretend not to notice him while acutely attuned to his reactions. It was part of the game of advance and retreat that often led to intimacy. He used to enjoy such flirtatious games though lately he’d tired of them.
Stella was either more adroit or playing something more complicated. He’d never been targeted by a commercial spy before, just women who wanted him and the things he could provide.
Stella Barbieri was different.
There was a splash as a large body fell from the inflatable raft. The small crowd on the river bank roared with delight but Stella stifled her laugh, as though ashamed to laugh at another’s misfortune.
He wished she hadn’t held back. He liked the sound of her joy. Even more intriguing, whenever he heard it he saw a hint of surprise in her dark eyes, as if startled at her amusement. As if she shouldn’t be feeling happy or wasn’t used to it.
