Page 47 of Giorgio

Juliana woke the next morning with a delicious lassitude wrapping her around completely and a soreness between her thighs that was not at all unpleasant. Before she could open her eyes, a smile was playing around her lips. But she knew he was gone.

Squelching the disappointment, she decided not to allow it to bother her or encroach on the memories of last night and what had happened on this very bed.

She had read some of his mother’s historical novels and nothing in the steamy love scenes could compare to what she had experienced. She had read somewhere about European men and their ability to make a woman feel special in bed.

Giorgio was not disappointing. She had no idea about whether she was vastly experienced when it came to lovemaking, something she strongly doubted! But last night was something to record. Something to cherish, something she was never going to forget as long as she lived.

She refused to contemplate the reality of what was going to happen when it was time for her to leave. She also refused to wonder if he would ask her to stay.

She knew he was attracted to her. Last night could not be faked. He had derived as much pleasure from the lovemaking as she had. His kisses had been potent, his words whispered in her ear had a romantic ring to it.

She had recognized some of the words, but the others had been lost to her. He had called her his sweetness and his told her how much he enjoyed her.

She also refused to reflect on how many women had gone before her. If she did, it would call his sincerity into question. He was gorgeous and she was…? Her mind faltered as she wondered what he saw in her.

He had left his own party to come to her. She had begged him to stay, and she knew he had not done so out of pity. He had wanted to – had stated that much.

She refused to believe that it was one-sided.

He had left to stem the gossip from the staff, that she was sure of. And tonight, he would come to her again. A smile bloomed on her face as she realized that she could not wait to see him.

She would have breakfast in the informal dining room with the hope that he would join her. With that in mind, she made her slow way to the bathroom, picking up her clothing that were strewn at the foot of the bed.

*****

Giorgio went riding. He had gone back to his suite in the early hours of the morning and had been unable to fall asleep, so he decided that he should take his horse out and clear his head.

He had been at it for almost two hours now and his horse was getting tired. Pulling on the reins, he vaulted from the saddle and wrapped the reins around some saplings. The morning was cold and clear, the wind rustling the leaves of the trees. Fall washere and along with it came the cold. All too soon it would be winter, his favorite time of the year.

And she would be gone. It had been three weeks since the accident. Edoardo had told them that her foot was healing nicely and very soon the cast would be removed. He had also told them that her memory could come back at any time. Which would leave them with no excuse for her to go back home.

There would be nothing tethering her. She would be free to go. And he was not going to stop her. He had no right. He could not offer her marriage, because he was not certain he wanted to marry anyone right now.

He was afraid of hurting her – there, he had said it. That was what was bothering him. He had hurt her enough already. He was not certain he would ever be a good husband. And she would want that, she deserved nothing less.

He had spent years doing his own thing, with little or no regards for anyone else. He had been carefree and careless. Partying, traveling the world, going anywhere when the urge took him, never having to account for anyone. He did not know how to be anything else. And the last thing he wanted was to hurt her.

It would kill him to do so.

He knew instinctively that she was falling in love with him. He felt it. He was wondering if he was falling for her too. He certainly could not keep his hands off her. She filled his mind. Every waking moment was about her. Even when he was away from the house, he would be eager to come home to her.

Home. A grim smile touched his lips. Had he just associated the word with her? And if so, what the hell did that mean?

Leaning back against the tree, he tilted his head and dragged the cold air into his lungs. She would be expecting him to join her for breakfast, but he needed to stay away from her for now. He needed time to think and whenever he was near her, that was impossible.

*****

Determined not to let the disappointment of not seeing him get to her, she graciously thanked the maid for bringing her breakfast.

She had dressed carefully, donning a stunning burnt orange sweater dress, and had applied the moisturizer to her curls to give it that extra bounce. Large hoop earrings were at her lobes, and she was wearing cherry lip gloss.

She had gained some weight and apparently, the night of lovemaking had put a glow on her face. Lucia had commented on her general appearance and said she looked very lovely. But she was eating alone, and Giorgio was not answering his phone. When she casually asked after him, she was told that he had left early this morning.

Her phone rang, just as she was having her second cup of coffee and she had to conceal her acute disappointment when she realized it was her brother, who insisted on switching to video call.

“You look well.” He scrutinized her face closely before adding. “And you are all dressed up. Going somewhere?”

“No. I am having breakfast in the library.”