Despite her situation Sonia’s lips twitched.
‘Come, let me make you coffee while you consider.’
She opened her mouth to say she should be on her way. But instead of reaching for her luggage, she found herself stumbling after him. She really was on the verge of collapse. Maybe coffee would give her the energy to find a hotel as a stopgap.
She paused in the doorway to a gleaming white and stainless steel kitchen. One shoulder resting on the doorjamb, she watched Renzo busy himself at the coffee machine. His bare back was smooth yet rippled intriguingly as he reached for a cup and worked the coffee machine that was a masterpiece of modern design.
His hair tumbled forward. He pushed it off his forehead and Sonia’s eyes locked onto the bulge of impressive biceps.
Turning, he found her watching. That questioning eyebrow rose again as he handed her a tiny cup that smelled like paradise. Then he retreated to the far side of the kitchen, crossing his arms over his torso and treating her to a display of masculine beauty that did dreadful things to her flagging brain.
‘Is that why you don’t want to stay? Because of me? If you stayed I’d promise to put on clothes before leaving my room.’ His voice deepened and that frown appeared again. ‘Or is it that you don’t trust me?’
Sonia lifted the cup to her lips and sipped. The espresso really was wonderful. What would it be like staying here in this gorgeous apartment with a man who made coffee like the nectar of the gods?
A gorgeous man who maybe saw her as easy pickings.
Something inside shrivelled. Had Eric seen something about her that hinted she’d be gullible?
She opened her mouth to utter some polite lie when she realised he was speaking into a phone. A couple of minutes later he held it out to her.
‘Hello, Ms Rossi?’ The female voice sounded familiar. ‘It’s Carla here. Carla Veracini.’
‘Hello. How are you?’ A silly question when she’d left the woman just an hour ago. Marco Veracini’s sister had given her the key to the flat.
‘Fine, fine. But I gather my cousin Renzo has disturbed you. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. I’ve told him he must move out to a hotel.’
‘But isn’t it his apartment too?’ Sonia looked up to see him lounging against the counter, finishing his coffee.
‘Yes, but Marco promised it to you. Since you don’t want to share, Renzo must move out.’
Which made Sonia feel about an inch tall. ‘It’s not so much that I don’t want to, it’s just that I’m not sure...’ She turned away, uncomfortable about him overhearing.
‘Ah, I see. You wonder if he’s safe?’ The other woman chuckled. ‘He likes to think he’s irresistible but believe me he’d never pursue an unwilling woman. You’re completely safe with Renzo. As long as you want to be. Besides, he’s probably got some glamorous girlfriend keeping him busy.’ Her voice turned serious. ‘Marco offered you the place and he’d be annoyed to hear Renzo scared you away. Please, promise me you’ll accept Marco’s hospitality.’
‘I...Thank you, Carla. We’ll work it out.’
She ended the call and stood, staring out at that gorgeous view of Rome’s rooftops.
‘I can get more if you want them.’
Sonia swung round. Renzo was still lounging on the other side of the kitchen and it took all her willpower to keep her eyes on his face rather than that stunning body.
‘References. A priest perhaps? A judge. Oh, and I know a police detective. She’ll vouch for me.’
‘Why push this, Renzo?’ She paused, feeling a jarring dissonance at the intimacy of his name in her mouth. Funny how it sent a shiver across her skin. But she was too tired to worry about it. ‘Surely you’d rather have the place to yourself.’
She waited, anticipating a lie. She’d learned how readily men lied.
Eventually he spoke, his eyes locked on hers.
‘I find you attractive, Sonia. Very attractive.’ He paused and she waited for the hard word. ‘But you’ve just crossed the world to get here. You’re asleep on your feet and you were promised this place. What sort of man would I be if I let you leave now? Besides, my cousins would flay me alive. That Carla, she might be little but she’s the scariest of all my cousins.’
Sonia heard a chuckle and realised it came from her lips.
‘I promise you’re safe with me.’ The laughter was gone from his eyes. He looked utterly serious.
‘That’s what your cousin said.’
He nodded and crossed the room towards her.
‘What are you doing?’ A frisson ran up her arms as her flesh pulled tight.
‘Going to put on clothes, like a considerate housemate.’