I had just enough time to drop and roll under the massive king bed before the door opened.
Luckily, whomever owned the Yeti-sized feet only walked briefly through the room and out again.
But I was terrified to move.
The warrior has cultivated patience. The ability to watch and wait is essential to be effective in battle.
I only dared crawl out hours later when the yacht’s engine finally quieted. Peeking outside the window, I saw we were back where we started.
I watched two men go down the gangplank and waited for them to hit the dry land before I made a mad dash for the dock.
Fifteen minutes later, I was back at my hotel. I ordered a massive plate of bacon and eggs and toast and took a long bubble bath in the sunken tub with the view of the sea. When I was done, I crawled into bed and slept until dark.
After a shower, I decided I needed a drink. And I wanted to have sex. Badly. I’d had erotic dreams about Bobby all day long. In the shower, I’d thought about him and ran my soapy hands over my body until it had made me weak with desire. I knew better than to ever see him again. It was way too dangerous, but I couldn’t deny that he had cast some wicked spell on me.
Down at the hotel bar, I paused in the doorway. The bar had lots of business travelers, apparently. Large groups of boisterous men speaking English occupied most of the tables. I walked past them all. The last thing I wanted was to sleep with an American man in Italy.
A sultry Italian voice caught my ear. I turned slowly. At the end of the bar a man with perfect gray hair and an Armani suit in nearly the same color looked as if he owned the place. His black eyes met mine. He gave me a long, slow smile and raised an eyebrow. I headed his way.
When I reached the seat near his, a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne was waiting for me, sparkling in the soft light from the chandeliers hanging throughout the bar.
“Is there something to celebrate?” I asked, sliding onto the stool without taking my eyes off him.
“Most certainly.” He raised his glass to mine. “Our meeting here tonight.”
I couldn’t hide the small smile that crept onto my face as I raised my own glass to his. “Salut.”
Two glasses later, we were out by the pool.
“Tell me about yourself, Gia,” he said, his black eyes boring into mine.
Had I told him my name? His attention was intoxicating. It was as if every word I said mesmerized him and he couldn’t stop looking at me. But he was keeping his distance. When I scooted closer to him, he’d adjusted himself slightly.
I’d come down to the bar to get laid and he was making it difficult.
“Gia. Do you know how beautiful you are?”
I smiled. But a small part of me was suspicious. If he thought I was so beautiful why was he so standoffish?
“I want to know everything about you, Gia Valentina Santella.” For a second, I paused. Had his voice sounded snide when he said my last name? I looked up at him sharply and he smiled. I must have imagined it.
I instantly regretted telling him my full name. Stupid rookie mistake. I knew better. Usually with one-night stands I used a made-up name.
“Gia. You have much sadness in you.” He sighed. “I wish I could make it all go away.”
I looked away. This was definitely not going as planned. I wanted sex. Not a fucking romance. I’d give it one more shot.
“I’m cold.” I said, pretending to shiver.
He understood and within a minute was leading me by the hand to the elevator outside the bar. Once inside, he inserted a special key into the slot marked “P.” Penthouse. As the elevator door opened onto a completely glass walled suite with views of the sea in all directions, I wondered again, who was this man? Maybe he did own the hotel.
He stood at an elaborate mirrored bar, fixing us drinks. When he handed me mine, I closed my fingers around his.
He closed his eyes for a second and looked uncomfortable.
My God. What was going on?
“I thought we could talk more. You could tell me about your life in Monterey.”
For a second I froze. I didn’t remember mentioning my hometown. I was drunk, but I was always careful about revealing personal details. But then again, I thought, as my vision blurred, I’d also told him my full name, hadn’t I?”
I leaned my head back and looked at his lips. “I don’t want to talk.” I slurred the words and then pressed my lips against his neck. I pressed my body against his and could feel him respond. A guttural moan escaped from his body and then he pulled back violently.
Before I realized it, he had his arm on mine and had led me back to my own room. I didn’t remember telling him what room I was in. He reached into my bag, withdrew my key card and opened my door.
“Will you be okay?”
“Fine.” I said curtly. I was pissed. I’d never been turned down before.
“I’d like to have breakfast with you. I’ll send for you at ten, give you plenty of time to sleep this off. There is something I want to discuss with you.”
After my door closed, I drank four giant glasses of water, took four aspirin and set my alarm for eight. I had no intention of having breakfast with that man. I didn’t care what he wanted to discuss. It was then I realized he had never told me his name.
The next morning, I quickly packed and then headed downstairs to check out. My plane left from Rome in twelve hours. I had my proof. It was time to act on it.