As much as it hurt when Sienna pulled away, it was for the best. I had to deal with a few things myself. But I couldn’t help but be more pleased that she was here now and willing to go somewhere with me. It only took a childhood to get here, but I knew this needed baby steps.
From the first day we met, there was something about her that I found interesting. I believed it was that she wasn’t frightened of me. Most people were, and it was hard to grow up like that. Now, as an adult, it was an asset rather than something I hid from.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw she was hesitant. Poor girl was always on edge and jumpy. I wished I could have taken her from that house, but I had bigger things to deal with, and it wasn’t safe at my house either. My only saving grace was that the swimming pond was on our property, so she would be safe any time she hung out there.
“Not too much farther,” I reassured her and watched as she wrapped her arms around her midsection.
I had watched Sienna become even more beautiful as the years went by, not that I would tell her that. I believed she had enough men in her life looking to get a piece of her. Her long, dark, damp hair fell to her mid-back. Her frame was small, but she looked healthy for once, not to mention she had a few curves that I couldn’t help but admire. She was the classic sexy Italian woman, and she nearly brought me to my knees when she stepped out of the water earlier.
“This,” I forced myself back to where we were and held up a branch to let her see my home, “is where I live.”
She stepped out and came to a stop. She shook her head and looked back into the forest and back to the villa again.
“What?” She almost sounded upset. “This? This is where you live?”
“I do.”
I saw the panic that swept over her, and I felt her pull away.
“Is something wrong?”
“I feel like a bird let out of the cage for the first time.” She rubbed her eyes. “I can’t believe I didn’t know this was here. It’s beautiful.”
I didn’t want to let her talk herself out of coming with me, so I took her hand and started to walk forward.
“Come on, let me show you around.”
She came, but I could tell it took a lot of effort.
When we rounded the back yard, she gasped at the sprawling, rectangular stone pool. A few cabana huts were nestled between the white lounge chairs that lined one side of the pool. Archways outlined the five double doors leading inside, and the view took your eyes over the cliff and down to the crisp blue ocean below.
Francesco, the head of the house staff—at least that was what we led others to believe—appeared in his usual suit and tie as we stepped onto the patio.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Capri. Will you and your guest be joining us for lunch?”
I squeezed Sienna’s hand to let her know it was all right. “Yes, we will be.”
“Elio,” she whispered, but I shook my head with a smile. I wanted this to happen.
“Very well.” He nodded politely and led the way to the long table under one of the cabanas. He pulled out a chair for Sienna while I took the other. I reluctantly broke my hold on her hand, one that I had very much enjoyed.
“Elio,” she repeated, “what am I doing here?”
“We’re having lunch.” I poured her a glass of ice water. “And my family wanted to meet you.” Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head, and her face went pink.
“Now?” She looked around in a panic. “With me looking like this?”
“I think you look nice.”
“Nice,” she hissed. “I’m still wet. I must look like a half-drowned rat.”
“You could never look anything like a rat, Sienna, so I totally disagree. You look beautiful.”
“I swear, Elio, I will cut you from your navel to your hairline if you’re serious right now.”
“Ha!” I laughed out loud. I had never seen that fire in her before, and I really liked it.
“You forget the kind of men I have to live with…” She trailed off when my mother arrived with her arms stretched open for a hug.