Page 29 of Giorgio
“I am certain there are more jobs available. Do you think you were an excellent editor?”
She made a face that had him grinning. He had been hesitant about this trip that required them to be in close proximity to each other for several hours, but he was happy she had suggested it.
“I hope so. I love reading.”
“That came back to you?”
She nodded.
“There is a library on the first floor…”
“With books written in Italian?”
“As well as some English titles. Mother insisted on me knowing how to read the language, not just speak it. And she was a fan of historical romance.” He shook his head wryly. “We have a whole section of fiction writing and the library is quite large. Here we are.”
She had been so engrossed in the conversation that she missed the entire journey.
He slid into a park near enough for her to see the building and far away enough not to be recognized. He had also chosen his vehicle carefully. A nondescript gray jeep was not his usual mode of transportation, and no one would expect him to be driving something like this. “Do you know the history?”
“Some of it.” She was peering through the windshield at the towering building, where tourists were crawling around every surface. The chilly weather had not stopped them in the least and Juliana could see why. The building was breathtaking.
“It was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater, from the dynasty that ruled the empire back then.” He told her of Emperor Commodos and his ego boosting need to get in on the gladiator fights.
She listened in fascination as he recounted the history and found herself falling under the hypnotic sound of his deep voice. He looked relaxed and comfortable, like this was the only place he wanted to be.
She had looked him up after her brother hung up and was flabbergasted to realize just who he was. She had also seen hundreds of photos of him with different women, all of them incredibly beautiful. She knew he wasn’t married, but was he seeing anyone? And if so, why was he spending so much time with her?
She would be a fool to read anything in the attention he was showering on her, but she could not help the need to be with him, to hear his voice. For a little less than a week, he had become the center of her life.
“You would make a fascinating tour guide.” She told him teasingly when he lapsed into silence.
“God forbid.” He smiled at her indulgently, dark eyes wandering over her face. “Hungry?”
“I ate a very big breakfast, in fact, the food was so delicious, I practically embarrassed myself.”
“I am happy your appetite is coming back.” Turning his head, he glanced at the famous building. “Strangely enough, I have been here several times, but it’s a landmark I have taken for granted.”
“When was the last time you came?”
He tried to remember. “I think it was sometime in January of last year. A group of friends came over from Wales and wanted to take some pictures and I accompanied them.”
She wanted to ask if some of those friends were females.
“Have you decided yet if you want to be my tutor?”
Turning his head, he studied her for a few seconds.
“Come va la tua giornata?”
She repeated the question, stumbling slightly over the proper pronunciation and made him smile. “Try it again and this time try rolling your tongue,” he suggested. She did and it sounded perfect.
“What does it mean?”
“How is your day.”
She repeated it several times until she could remember it.
“Sono Americana.”