THIS WAS UNBELIEVABLE.
She was standing on a volcano.
Stasia felt giddy inside. It was exciting to push herself and try new things. A year ago or even five years ago, she would have played it safe. Lukos had been a cautious man. When she’d push for them to be more adventurous, such as going on a weeklong hiking trip along the Amalfi Coast in Italy, he’d countered with a long weekend in wine country in a five-star hotel. She hadn’t argued, perhaps she should have, but she’d preferred to make him happy. And the spa at the hotel had been out of this world.
But thanks to Roberto, she was finding she was capable of so much more. He didn’t hold her back. He encouraged her to explore—to take chances.
Stasia couldn’t believe she was seriously considering Roberto’s idea of starting her own foundation. The man seemed to have a way of convincing her she was capable of doing anything she set her mind to. As this trip went on, she was learning that she was capable of far more than she’d previously given herself credit for. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Still, she worried about letting herself get closer to him. She had to learn to count on herself for her happiness. But as her gaze moved to Roberto, she had absolutely no desire to put any distance between them.
And then his gaze caught hers and her stomach dipped. He flashed her a smile, causing her to smile back at him. If it weren’t for Roberto, she wouldn’t have thought to challenge herself—to go beyond what she thought were her limits.
“What has you smiling?” Roberto’s voice cut into her thoughts.
“You. You have me smiling.”
“I do?” His voice came out as an enticing deep growl. He moved to stand in front of her. His hands wrapped around her waist as her hands came to rest on his shoulders.
She nodded. “Standing at the foot of a massive volcano is something I never thought I’d do. I’m beginning to feel like anything is possible.”
“You can do anything you set your mind to.”
As the breeze rushed past them, she leaned her head back. She stared up at the clear blue sky. She couldn’t believe this cruise was almost over. She wanted to make the most of every moment they had left.
It was then that she felt Roberto press his lips to her neck. A shiver of excitement coursed through her body. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who wanted to make the most of the time they had left.
When she straightened up, she realized their tour group was getting away from them. “We better hurry across this lava field before they leave us behind.”
“Would that be such a bad thing?”
She lightly slapped his arm. “Seriously? And miss the best part.”
“The best part?”
She started walking. Roberto fell in step next to her. She moved as quickly as she could, considering they were in a lava field.
“Don’t you want to wear a helmet and take a flashlight to explore a lava cave?” She glanced over at Roberto, who was smiling and shaking his head. “What? It sounds exciting.”
“Until something creepy and crawly comes out and attacks you.”
She visibly shuddered. “It doesn’t matter what you say—it’s not going to stop me.”
“Are you sure? I hear the spiders down there are big. Really, really big. With long, hairy legs and googly eyes—”
“Stop!” She frowned at him. “How did you know?”
“That you’re afraid of spiders?” When she nodded, he said, “It was a calculated guess.”
“Calculated? Are you saying I’m predictable?”
“I’d never say that. Because I never would have predicted you’d become my fiancée.”
She smiled. For just that moment, she wanted to give in to the fantasy, imagine what it’d be like to really be Roberto’s true love—his destiny. Her gaze moved to the heirloom diamond on her hand. It was meant for Roberto’s wife—the woman he was meant to spend the rest of his life with.
In that moment, she realized that she never wanted to give up the ring. Because to surrender the ring would be to surrender the blissful fantasy. And she didn’t want this to end.
The breath stilled in her chest. Her heartbeat slowed. What was she saying? Did she really want this engagement to continue?
And then she knew the answer. It wasn’t some mysterious answer that she had to wrestle with. The answer came to her so quickly, so easily that it was startling. No matter how much she wanted to fight it—deny it—she was falling in love with Roberto.
She glanced at the ring again. Ever since he’d put it on her finger, it was like it had pulled the blinders from her eyes. And now she was able to see what was clearly in front of her—Roberto.
He took her hand in his. “What are you thinking about?”
“Um, nothing.”
“That look on your face says otherwise. Must be something good.”
She glanced at him. “I was just thinking this is such a lovely day.”
“It is a really nice day. But I think there’s more going on in that mind of yours than that.”
She shrugged but didn’t elaborate. Some thoughts were best to keep to herself until she decided how to tell him. She didn’t know what he’d say. Would he be happy?
What was she saying? They’d just made love. He must feel the same way or he wouldn’t be here with her in a lava field about to descend into a cave.
Roberto played his emotions so close to his chest that sometimes it was so hard to read him. But with them reaching the mouth of the cave, it was best to leave the subject alone until they returned to the chalet.
What was going on?
She’d been acting strange all day.
Roberto couldn’t shake the feeling things had shifted with Stasia. He wanted to say that escalating their relationship had been a mistake, but he couldn’t dismiss such an amazing night. But it wasn’t just Stasia who was confused.
And this was why he worked rather than trying to have a relationship. For the most part, his work was straightforward. But this thing between him and Stasia was anything but straightforward. He didn’t know what to say or how to act.
At lunch at the nearby chalet, when she didn’t think he was looking, she would stare at him. She didn’t say anything, but there was a different sort of energy coursing between them. And it had nothing to do with the fresh air or bright sunshine. Nor did the change between them have to do with the delicious meat-and-cheese tray or the local wine. No, this change had to do with him letting go of his common sense and giving in to his desires. And now he didn’t know how to rewind the clock.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Stasia said as they made their way onto the ship.
“I am?” He hadn’t noticed because there were so many conflicting voices in his head.
She nodded. “What are you thinking about?”
He glanced around. A lot of people were returning to the ship at the same time as them. This wasn’t the place for a serious talk. But they had to talk. He couldn’t let things spiral further out of control.
“I was thinking that I’m almost out of time to tell my grandfather what is going on with his business.”
“And that’s all?” She arched a fine brow.
“I didn’t know you were the suspicious type.” He sent her a teasing smile.
“Suspicious, huh?”
They kept walking and he kept the conversation light, which was the exact opposite of how he was feeling at the moment. And somewhere along the way, Stasia had slipped her hand in his. It felt so natural for their fingers to be entwined that it drove home the reason they had to talk.
Stasia wanted more from this relationship than he could give her. He wasn’t the right man for her. He didn’t know how to have a long-term relationship. His parents were terrible role models. And he was a workaholic. Not exactly the criteria for a faithful, devoted companion.
When they reached Stasia’s cabin, she opened the door and stepped inside. He paused at the doorway, not sure he trusted himself to go any farther. All his good intentions were likely to go out the window if she were to turn those big brown eyes on him. He would be putty in her hands, but he couldn’t let her see his weakness because in the end, this thing between them, it wasn’t real.
“Aren’t you coming in?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I can’t stay.”
“Of course. You need to get back to work—”
“Stasia, it’s not that.” Although he did need to find the answer for his grandfather—prove that he was the rightful heir to the Carrass dynasty. But first he had to put right what he’d broken. “We need to talk.”
The smile faded from her face. “It sounds serious.”
“It is.” He wasn’t sure where to begin. “I owe you an apology.”
Her brows rose. “For what?”
“The other night.” He raked his fingers through his hair, scattering the short strands. He searched for the right words.
“The other night was what?”
There was no way to sugarcoat this. His gaze lowered because he just couldn’t stand to see the pain that would be reflected in her eyes. “It was a mistake.”
“A...a mistake?” Her voice was hollow.
When he lifted his gaze, he found she’d turned her back to him. She busied herself by taking off her shoes. Every bit of him longed to go to her—to wrap his arms around her waist—to plant a kiss on the slope of her neck—to hold her in his arms until the sun came up.
Stasia was amazing. If he ever imagined falling in love and starting a family, it would be with someone like Stasia. She was kind but insightful, beautiful but down-to-earth.
She turned to him. “You were saying why this was a mistake.”
He couldn’t read her thoughts. Her expression was blank. This was not the reaction he had been expecting. Still, she stood there staring at him, waiting for him to speak.
“I’m sorry. I acted without thinking. It shouldn’t have happened.”
She crossed her arms. “You don’t think we’re good together?”
That was the real problem. He did think they were good together, but he couldn’t tell her that. “I think I’m not the man for you. And I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I appreciate you trying to let me down gently, but it’s not necessary.”
“It’s not?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t think we were anything serious. We agreed to be a couple for the length of the cruise. It’s only natural being so close that one thing might lead to another, but I didn’t expect this—” she waved between her and him “—to last.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. This was going so much easier than he’d ever imagined. “So then we’re still on track?”
She nodded. “Don’t worry. Everything is good.”
It didn’t feel good. His gaze met hers and he still wasn’t able to get a handle on her feelings. “Then I’ll go.”
“I’ll freshen up and then I’ll meet you at your cabin.”
Really? This seemed too good to be true. “Are you sure you want to do that?”
She didn’t say anything as though considering her choices. “I said I’d help and I will.”
He pulled the door closed behind him and then started down the passageway. He’d noticed how the light in her eyes had dimmed. No matter what she said, he’d hurt her. And that was the last thing he’d meant to do.