Chapter 16

A knock sounded on her door at five minutes before six. Sarah covered her bare shoulders in the matching shrug she’d purchased that morning and sent a quick text to Meredith.

—Wish me luck. And hugs and kisses to Amber & Steven—

She turned off the volume and stashed the phone in her purse. Shoulders back, chest out. Wasn’t that what Mom always told her? Or had Anna said it? She opened the door. There he stood, her Italian pièce de résistance, her perfectly steeped cup of tea. Eduardo wore a forest-green shirt that accentuated his olive-toned skin, and his cheeks had a freshly shaved glow.

He leaned in, kissing her on each cheek. He paused by her right ear. “You’re radiant,” he whispered.

His closeness revealed his cheek was as smooth as it appeared, and warmth bubbled inside her. The greeting was an Italian tradition, but one she had yet to experience—so much the better, to experience it first with him.

He pulled back, his gaze dropping. “The slippers are a nice touch, too.”

Heat crept into her cheeks. Thank God she was wearing enough foundation to cover a zebra’s stripes. “I can’t believe I forgot…” She stepped back into her room. “Let me change them.”

“You have any in a size forty-six? I could use a pair of those slippers at home.”

Sarah slipped on Sister Maria’s flats and returned Eduardo’s banter with a playful flick of her brow.

“What? I always wanted a pair of…” He squinted and pushed up his glasses. “Porcupines?”

Sarah laughed. “They’re teddy bears, Eduardo. Hasn’t Lucia indoctrinated you in the species of stuffed animals yet?”

“I guess not.” He extended an arm. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a roast in the oven.”

“God help us if it’s a degree over medium-rare.” She looped an arm through his.

“My thoughts exactly.” He squeezed her arm and led her to his car.

After a quick ride, Sarah arrived at a high-rise apartment complex where a bellboy with a funny little red hat greeted her. As an elevator carried them up twelve stories, Sarah’s stomach stayed on the bottom floor. Did Eduardo have to be good looking and rich? One would have been quite enough. She could think of plenty of things wrong with herself but none with him. She wrapped the shawl tighter around her shoulders.

The elevator stopped at the top floor.

“The penthouse?” Sarah swooned.

“I’m a sucker for the finer things in life.”

Finer things. Sarah definitely wasn’t in that category. She hugged the wrap closer. His flat was dark except for a lone desk lamp illuminating a stack of files, several briefcases, and a laptop. A workaholic—that’s his vice. She knew a thing or two about men who valued jobs over relationships. Sarah shuddered.

“Are you cold?”

“Cold?” The temperature in the room was quite mild—probably from the heat of the oven. “No, I’m fine.”

He extended a hand.

She gave him her shrug, and the coolness of her skin prickled in the warmth of the room.

Eduardo’s gaze flitted over her neck, arms, and chest.

Sarah resisted the urge to snatch the shrug back. She took a deep breath, instead.

With his gaze steady on her chest, he widened his eyes as her breasts gently rose with her inhalation. He shifted his gaze back to hers. “I’d better check on dinner.” He disappeared into the darkness.

Was she imagining it, or had his lower lip quivered? Sarah curled her own lips. Standing straight didn’t feel like such an effort anymore. Maybe she really did pass for a C-cup. She walked over to the desk and its mess of papers. “You certainly aren’t hurting for clients.”

“I meant to clean that up.”

“I make a habit of not bringing my work home, but I suppose that’s easier when my home—if you can call it that—is fifty feet from my office.”

“That certainly helps. I don’t do work when Lucia’s here. Or…” He rejoined her, holding a small remote in his hand. “…when I have guests.” He pressed a button.

Somewhere a motor purred to life and all around the room, shades lifted from windows. Sarah immediately understood why Eduardo splurged on the penthouse. Tinted glass windows provided a panoramic view of the city—the twisting Tiber, the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square, and the Castel Sant’Angelo. But one building dominated the skyline—St. Peter’s Basilica. The dome’s golden orb and Gothic cross floated in the sky. The statues of the twelve Apostles hovered so close Sarah imagined she could reach through the glass and touch them.

“I’ve heard it said they’re closer to heaven,” Eduardo said.

Sarah shifted her head. “Who?”

“The statues.”

“Then we must be, too.”

Eduardo shifted his gaze to her, blinking his eyes rapidly. “That’s funny. That’s exactly what Sister Maria said.”

“Sister Maria? She was in your place?”

“Once. When I was investigating my options.”

“Wait—are you telling me you took Sister Maria apartment shopping with you?”

He gestured toward the room. “You can’t deny the woman has good taste. Besides, I didn’t have anyone else to go with.” He turned back to the view.

Sarah kept her gaze on his face. Faint lines framed his mouth, and beneath his glasses, darkness tinted his usually mellow eyes. How did a man as friendly and charming as Eduardo not have anyone to go home shopping with? And Sister Maria? That outing sounded almost as bad as sharing a bathroom with her mother for a week.

The oven buzzed, and Eduardo stepped back. “I hope you’re hungry.”

His smiling eyes returned, and he led her to the dining table. Hungry she was, thanks to Anna’s pre-date diet. But Sarah didn’t regret it, because Anna’s description of an Italian dinner was spot on—she practically needed to be a mathematician to keep track of the courses. Apertivo, antipasti, primi. By the time she reached the secondi and contorni courses, Sarah was sure she’d gained five pounds. But that didn’t stop her from devouring the juicy osso bucco and buttery-soft risotto. Thank goodness she’d gone for the stretchy fabric dress.

After dinner, she helped Eduardo clean up. “You know, we were so busy stuffing our faces, I forgot to ask where you learned to cook like that.” She wiped some crumbs into her hand. “Don’t tell me Sister Maria helped you with your cooking skills, too.”

Eduardo’s laugh erupted from the kitchen, where he was busy packing up leftovers. He poked his head through the pass-through. “Thanks go to my Tuscan grandmother.” He brought clutched fingers to his mouth and kissed them in a flamboyant gesture.

Sarah smiled back and returned the dishrag to the sink. “It’s a miracle Lucia is so skinny.”

“I don’t think staying here two weekends a month is enough to fatten her up.” The lines around his face returned as his eyes darkened.

Sarah touched his sleeve. “She’s a wonderful child, Eduardo. You’re so lucky to have her.”

“Yes.” He turned. “She’s great. Kids are great.”

Sarah stiffened. Was he looking for a woman who can give him more children? She gave a slow nod.

Eduardo placed his hands on her arms. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable while I fix some dessert?”

“Okay.” As Sarah walked to the couch, she forced the exchange from her mind. Fun. Not a relationship. Wasn’t that what Meredith had said? She fished through her purse for her compact. She wouldn’t let her past spoil her fun now—especially when that fun might include a kiss. She touched up her lipstick and popped in a breath mint, rushing so he wouldn’t see.

Eduardo approached with a tray.

A touch of jitters hit her, and she clasped her hands in her lap to keep them from fidgeting. “Thank you again for dinner. I can’t believe you went to such trouble.”

“I enjoy cooking much more for others than I do for just myself.” He set the tray on the coffee table. “Besides, I skimped on dessert.”

The tray held two cups of coffee and a dish filled with blue, foil-wrapped candies.

He picked up a cup and offered it.

“Um, Eduardo…I don’t actually drink coffee.”

“Oh.” He pursed his lips. “No coffee. No wine. What exactly do you drink? You only took water at dinner.” He took a sip of the coffee.

Sarah gave a weak smile. “Tea. Usually tea.”

“Ah.” He placed the cup on the coffee table. “Well, I hope you have no objections to chocolate?”

“None whatsoever.”

He picked up a candy from the dish and unwrapped it. “This candy is Italian. Bacio. One of my favorites.” He lifted the candy to her mouth, and his fingers brushed her lips as he placed it inside.

Her lips tingled at his touch. Sweet milk chocolate melted in her mouth.

“And now I’d like to give you one myself,” Eduardo said.

Chewing the candy, Sarah covered her mouth with a hand. “One what?”

“Un bacio,” he said in a whispered tone. “A kiss.” He leaned in, but stopped, his lips inches from hers, his smile crinkling his eyes. “We really need to work on your Italian.”

Sarah smiled back and closed the distance between them, pressing her mouth against his. His lips were soft and warm, and a hint of coffee remained on his breath. She lost herself in the rhythm of their mouths moving together. When she released him, the only sound in the room was his breath, heavy against hers. Sarah wiped smeared lipstick from his lips. “That was your best lesson yet.”

“I’d be happy to teach you some other words.” He bent toward her.

As he did, she caught a glimpse of the changing sky. She placed a hand on his chest, lightly resisting him. “Wait,” she said in a whisper. She took in the warm halo of amber hues chasing the sun. “The sunset is so beautiful.”

Eduardo shifted on the couch, his back settling into the corner. He extended his left arm. “Watch with me.”

His embrace was as inviting as the picturesque scene, which begged to be painted. She scooted toward him and tentatively reclined.

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest. “Mmm. This feeling is good.” He squeezed her tighter.

She relaxed into him and gazed out at the slowly fading mixture of violet and ochre. The sun dipped out of sight, leaving a blanket of clouds, alight from dissipating rays. Yes, good indeed.

Finding the remote, Eduardo pressed a button.

Voices sang from some hidden source, as light as the clouds outside, blending in a familiar harmony. The Lakmé “Flower Duet.” Sarah tucked her head beneath Eduardo’s chin, letting the warmth of his body soothe her. She closed her eyes—just for a second—just long enough to bask in his tender embrace, to bottle it, and store it inside. In the same place where she held the memories of her father, of Steven and Amber, she now encapsulated this memory with Eduardo.

When Sarah opened her eyes, darkness surrounded her. The only light, a desk lamp, produced a steady flicker. A different song played now—a Verdi love duet. Pavarotti and Horne crooned. In the distance, the lights of the city illuminated the night like a swarm of fireflies. “Verdi. Your favorite,” Sarah murmured.

Eduardo’s chest rose with the quick inhalation of awakening before he exhaled.

A rush of air whisked her hair. Sitting up, Sarah scooted toward the middle of the couch. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

He pulled back his legs with a mild grimace. “Another reason to conclude a meal with coffee.” His gaze flicked to the two full cups on the coffee table.

Sarah stretched her arms above her head and smiled over her shoulder. “Tea does have caffeine,” she teased. “But I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“Don’t be.” He sat up. “I enjoyed being close to you.”

Sarah studied him for a second. Was that a line, or was he being sincere? But out of the corner of her eye, a digital clock blared bright red digits. Ten thirty. She jumped to her feet. “My God, how many songs did I sleep through?”

“I don’t know, but that’s not the first time…”

Eduardo finished his thought, but Sarah didn’t hear over her racing pulse. She was too busy envisioning Sister Maria peering out her window, catching Sarah entering the dorm after curfew. She picked up her purse and started toward the door. “I really need to get back.”

“No, please.” He stood, grabbed her wrist lightly, and pulled her back. “Stay with me.” He closed his mouth around hers, letting his tongue brush against hers.

The kiss was deeper than before, and it sent a shiver up her spine. Sarah dropped her purse and slid her hands up Eduardo’s back, pressing fingers into his muscular flesh.

He pulled away and murmured a hungry moan. Then he lowered his head and kissed the base of her ear, her chin, and her neck.

Sarah’s breath quickened, and she combed her fingers through his hair—silky and smooth, like his lips.

His mouth followed the line of her dress to the valley between her breasts.

An inkling of doubt pulled her back. This date was, technically, their first. What kind of impression would it leave if she slept with him? She loosened her grip on his curls. “Should we be doing this?”

He pulled away briefly. “I don’t see why not.” His mouth found hers again while his hands reached for the zipper. He started to pull it down.

She couldn’t stay the night…not tonight. Sarah stepped back from him.

“What’s wrong?” He dropped his hands back to her waist.

She stroked his hair. “We barely know each other.”

He pulled her left arm from his neck and kissed her wrist. “I feel like I know you better than most women in my life.”

The statement was so unexpected, so heartfelt, it couldn’t be true. Could it? “I guess I forgot to mention I have an eleven o’clock curfew.”

Furrowing his brows, Eduardo released her arm. “What? Another one of Sister Maria’s rules?”

Sarah dropped her gaze and gave a clumsy nod.

“Her age hasn’t softened her one bit.” He checked his watch. “What happens if I don’t get you home in the next twenty-five minutes? Will you be forced to stay the night somewhere else? Here, perhaps?” He grinned.

“She doesn’t like that either.”

He cocked his head. “You speak as if from experience.”

“I—” Damn. Had she said too much? She bit her lower lip. “I mean, she would rather me come home late than the next morning…I think.”

He narrowed his eyes.

Would he probe further? Hell, if he ever acted as guilty as she, she’d have questioned him.

“I see.” He whisked up her purse and extended it. “All right, I suppose I can’t keep you here any longer.”

On the walk from the car to the dormitory, Sarah rested her hand in Eduardo’s, and his sports jacket hung over her shoulders. The cool, crisp air stung Sarah’s cheeks.

“Feeling less nervous now?” he asked.

“A little.” Hopefully, the rosiness on her cheeks didn’t grow with the confession.

He squeezed her hand. “Nothing another date won’t take care of, I’m sure. How about Tuesday? I know you work the next day, but—”

“Sure.” She flushed and suppressed a giggle. He wanted to see her again…in three days!

He grinned.

As Sarah climbed the stairs to the building’s front door, Eduardo stayed by her side.

A chapel bell tolled in the distance. With each step, the bell tolled again.

Sarah’s heart thumped louder, excitement brewing at the thought of another kiss.

“I had a wonderful time tonight, Sarah.”

“Me, too.” She reached for the doorknob, and the warmth of the building breathed into the night. “Goodnight.” She stepped over the threshold.

Eduardo placed a hand on her hip and pulled her back. “Goodnight,” he whispered before kissing her softly on the lips. He drew back and smiled.

Sarah didn’t hide her smile, either. And surely her flushed cheeks were apparent. “Goodnight.”

Still beaming, Eduardo turned and hopped down the steps two at a time.

With the bounce in his step, he looked more like a sixteen-year-old than a thirty-six-year-old. Sarah stepped back into the building and closed the door. She started toward her room but stopped.

Outside, Eduardo whistled the brindisi, the waltz from La Traviata.

She listened to Eduardo’s whistle until the melody was too soft to make out. She resisted the urge to grip the sides of her skirt and dance off to her room. One date was too soon to feel so giddy. Something would go wrong…it had to.