She told herself she shouldn’t crave his touch. But that made no difference. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t forget that magical interlude when he’d shown her a whole new world. With him she’d come alive in ways she hadn’t thought possible. As if sex were more than a physical experience.
But Angelo didn’t share her feelings. He was friendly and considerate but that was all.
No more burning glances. No more sizzling passion.
Because you’re not the woman he really wanted. He thought you were Alexa.
Ally shivered. The speed with which Angelo had left her bed that morning had confirmed it. He’d spent the night with her out of pity and guilt. Ally had read that in his eyes, and in the shadows that darkened his features when he thought she wasn’t watching. He felt sorry for her and blamed himself for what had happened between them.
As if she hadn’t been a more than willing participant!
Ally tried to tell herself she’d been carried away by anger that night. But she’d wanted Angelo from the first. She’d been attracted even when he was furious and dismissive, and when he’d been nice...he’d undone her utterly.
She pulled her borrowed gardening gloves higher up her hands and frowned at the arching rose bush before her. Instead of blush pink blooms she saw dark eyes and a haunted, handsome face in her mind’s eye.
Angelo was doing everything he could to track down her name and her past. He must be paying a fortune for the investigators but he was determined to get answers for her.
Because he wants you gone as soon as possible.
She drew herself up, searching for the strength she needed. Was it any surprise she felt as if she was living a half-life? Maybe her anguished feelings weren’t just because of Angelo. It made sense she was unsettled from not knowing who she was.
Surely it was impossible to fall for a man she’d known a bare week.
If she kept telling herself that...
‘Ally?’
Adrenaline shot through her at the sound of his voice. She spun around and felt that familiar dazzle of excitement as their eyes met. How could a man grow more scrumptious by the day?
‘Hi, Angelo.’ Did she sound breathless? Her pulse was pounding so fast she couldn’t tell.
‘Enzo’s trusted you alone with the roses?’ He nodded to the secateurs in her gloved hands. ‘He must really respect your gardening skills. He watches my mother like a hawk when she wants to get involved here.’
Ally shrugged. Angelo made too much out of something simple. Was he trying too hard to sound casual? But, taking in his relaxed features, she dismissed the notion.Shewas the one pining for things she couldn’t have.
‘I’m just deadheading. Nothing major.’
‘Even so, it’s no small thing, winning his trust, believe me.’
Angelo paused and her pulse thudded. ‘Do you have news? Have you found out anything?’
She had recurring nightmares about never recovering her past, living the rest of her life in this strange limbo. It would be fantastic finally to get a lead on who she was. Yet at the same time she felt butterflies inside at the idea of leaving and never seeing Angelo again.
‘I’m afraid not.’ He frowned. ‘But wearemaking progress. Eventually I’ll have good news for you.’
He smiled reassuringly and Ally felt that familiar warmth inside her chest. She knew that, as well as trying to trace her movements in Italy, Angelo had hired people to locate Alexa, figuring there must be a familial link between her and Ally. Surely soon there would be a breakthrough.
‘I came to see if you felt like an outing. It’s a glorious day and I thought an excursion might be welcome. You’ve been here nine days and the only place you’ve been is next door.’
Ally fought to keep her voice calm, while inside she felt like dancing a jig. An outing with Angelo, just for fun and not because he thought it was his duty. ‘What did you have in mind?’
His cheeks creased as he smiled down at her, as if reading her pleasure. ‘Capri. It’s calm enough to see the Blue Grotto. Then we could eat at a restaurant I know with the best views in southern Italy.’
‘I’d love it!’
‘More salad?’
Angelo held out the bowl so Ally could help herself. He liked her enthusiasm for good food, sampling each dish slowly, identifying the flavours, before tucking in wholeheartedly.