Aurelio frowned, lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck. ‘There’s no need to rush.’
Amber hid her surprise. This was the man who changed direction so as to avoid her. He’d missed meals too, leaving poor Paolo at first chagrined then annoyed by his partner’s behaviour. Now, if she didn’t know better, she’d say Aurelio looked embarrassed.
She had to be imagining things.
‘Oh, I wouldn’t want tointrude. You’ve made it abundantly clear you don’t want me anywhere near you.’
Deliberately Amber turned away and took her time setting up the next shot. She fiddled and adjusted her angle but it was useless. There was a tremor in her hands that hadn’t been there before and she’d lost her train of thought. She tried to focus on her idea about capturing the vineyard at different times of the day, and about the early golden light on the vines, but couldn’t concentrate.
Repressing a sigh of frustration she scooped up her bag and slung it over her shoulder then stepped away, further up the slope.
She’d only taken one step when she realised Aurelio moved too, shadowing her.
Amber pivoted around, eyes wide. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Following you. We need to talk.’
She felt her eyes boggle. ‘I think you’ve said all you need to. I’ve got the message loud and clear that you want me gone as soon as possible.’
Again that dimple appeared in his cheek, though this time it wasn’t caused by a smile but a grimace. He rubbed his face and they were so close she heard the scrape of his hand across his unshaven chin. Amber remembered how she’d been fascinated by that soft abrasion and how Aurelio had insisted on shaving so as not to mark her skin with his bristles.
She turned away, focusing on the marching rows of vines, vibrant green with fresh growth.
A new start, that’s what she needed. She’d cure herself, somehow, of her feelings for Aurelio and—
‘I’m sorry, Amber.’ His voice, deep and rough, smashed through her thoughts.
‘Sorry?’ She swung round, frowning.
‘For what I said, how I behaved when you arrived.’
Amber stared up at him, but all she read in his troubled features was regret.
‘I was harsh.’
‘You were insulting and unreasonable.’ She squared her shoulders, watching his eyes widen. But instead of anger at her plain speaking, she saw acceptance.
‘I apologise. I behaved badly. I was wrong.’ His body language, including his rigid stance, told her he wasn’t used to apologising. Once she’d have said that was because he’d have little to apologise for. Now she wondered which was the real Aurelio – the witty, decent, charming man she’d fallen for, or the scowling, selfish ogre.
‘Can we call a truce?’
Despite the instantaneous spring of hope, Amber didn’t trust his motives. ‘Why?
He smiled and to her horror Amber registered that all too familiar melting sensation deep down inside.
One smile. Is that all it takes?
Instantly she stiffened, and the smile bled from his face. He shook his head. ‘I hurt you, I’m sorry, Amber. There’s no excuse, I know. I saw you and thought you’d come here deliberately to…’
‘Chase after you?’ The words squeezed from her tight throat. So much for her fantasy that he’d welcome her with a passionate embrace and the news he’d missed her.
‘Something like that.’ He frowned. ‘It was stupid and selfish of me. I have no…inclination for a long-term relationship and I reacted badly.’
‘That’s putting it mildly.’ Vaguely Amber was surprised at her ability to converse when inside it felt like she’d broken into tiny pieces. Just as well he didn’t know yet about the long-term relationship he’d embark on in seven or eight months’ time when their baby arrived. She didn’t have the stamina to tell him about that yet.
‘So.’ He paused, tilting his head as if to survey her better. ‘Can we work together?’
He held out his hand. It was large, callused and tanned. But Amber remembered how gently it had moved across her flesh, how tenderly it had traced her body, how easily it had brought her pleasure.
A shiver ran up her spine and she locked her knees.
‘We can work together.’ Breathing deep, she put out her hand and let his engulf hers. Tingles rippled through her, echoes of old delight, tinged with the sadness of loss.
Stoically Amber told herself it was a first step towards friendship. For her baby’s sake she’d just have to learn to accept that and not yearn for more.