Later, while she was icing her next five-layer creation, Cesare’s cell phone rang. She kept working while he walked in the living room. He didn’t come back to the kitchen for at least fifteen minutes. She couldn’t read his expression.
“Is everything all right?”
He lounged against the wall with his hands in his pockets. “Ciro took a turn for the worse during the night and has ended back up in the ICU.”
“His heart?”
“Yes.”
“How sad.” She waited to hear more. “What else is wrong? I know it’s something serious.”
“I’d rather not have to tell you this, but you have the right to know.”
“What is it?” Her voice shook.
“My mother had just arrived at Bertina’s palazzo to prepare meals this morning when the police showed up without notice and took her to police headquarters for further questioning.”
Tuccia put a hand to her mouth.
“Mamma returned to the villa to phone me. The police know that Bertina is the person you’ve always turned to and that she was the one who chartered the jet for you. Naturally they believe she knows where you are hiding.”
“Of course.”
“Just remember your aunt is a strong woman who loves you very much. She says your parents have softened a great deal and went to the station with her to lend their support.”
“You’re kidding—”
“No. I really do think they are suffering over what they did to you. Mamma and I agree she’ll be able to handle an interrogation. The police don’t have evidence of any kind. Bertina doesn’t know where you are, only that you’re safe. The police won’t be able to hold her.”
“The situation is growing unbearable. I could end all the pain for Bertina by just going home.”
In the next breath Cesare walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. He looked into her eyes. “That’s not going to be necessary. Once Jean-Michel gets your letter, he’ll tell the police and the princess hunt will be over. But if you feel strongly about this, I’ll fly you to Palermo today to see your aunt.”
“I know you would, but I couldn’t let you down now.”
“Forget about me.”
“You’re too wonderful to be real.” She buried her face in her hands. “I wish I knew what to do. I don’t want my zia to suffer, but I’ve made a commitment to you. Hearing the bad news about Ciro only makes things worse.”
Cesare pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. “I have an idea that will make the most sense. Let’s wait another day until I hear from my mother. Hopefully your fiancé will have gotten your letter. Nothing may be as bad as you’re imagining.”
His tenderness was too much. Tuccia broke down sobbing quietly against his chest, unable to stop. “Forgive me for soaking your shirt. I’m a disaster and you shouldn’t have to put up with me for another second.”
“What if I want to.”
When she tried to pull away, he lowered his head and started kissing her wet face until his mouth covered hers. It all happened so naturally that her lips opened. In another second she experienced the full intensity of a kiss that thrilled her to the very depths of her being.
“Cesare—” she cried, so completely besotted she started kissing him back with a passion she didn’t know herself capable of. For this fabulous man to be loving her like this brought a rush of joy to her heart she could hardly contain.
“Forgive me if I’ve been needing this,” he whispered in a shaken voice. “You have no idea how you’ve affected me. Tuccia—” He drew her so close there was no air between them. “Tell me to stop.”
“I can’t. I want you to go on kissing me and never stop.” Once again they were devouring each other. The more she clung to him, the more she realized she’d never be able to appease this growing hunger for him. He’d come into her life and changed it forever.
She wanted him with her whole heart and soul, but if he was only kissing her in order to comfort her, then she had to do something to turn this around. All he needed now was to have to worry about being stuck with a fugitive who was desperate for love and attention and had begged him to let her remain here and work for him.
It was up to her to see this for what it was and not get carried away. Deep down she was fearful he saw her in that light. How could he not? She broke their kiss and wheeled out of his arms. It took all her strength to turn and face him head-on, knowing her cheeks were flushed and her lips swollen.
Tuccia had to prove that he could count on her. “I—I’m afraid we both got carried away,” she stammered. “You’re a very attractive man. I’m shocked you’re not married yet. Any woman could lose her head with you. I’m no exception. I’ve thought about what you said. It would be best to give the situation another twenty-four hours before I make any kind of decision that could impact both of us.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
She could believe it. The man was depending on her to keep her head at this point. Needing to stay busy, she cut a piece of torte and handed it to him on a plate with a fork. “Try this and tell me what you think.”
Please just do it, Cesare.
He did her bidding, eating half of it before putting the plate on the table. “You pass with flying colors, Tuccia.”
“It was your recipe.” Relief swamped her. “You don’t think I need to make it again right now to improve it?”
“No.” His eyes had narrowed on her mouth. Her heart felt like it was running away with her. “The torte is exquisite.”
“Then do you mind if I lie down for a little while?”
One brow lifted. “I was about to suggest it. You need sleep. I’ll come by at five with a meal and we’ll talk over what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
“Thank you for understanding.” She took a quick breath. “Thank you for everything.”
“Try not to worry too much, Tuccia.”
“That would be impossible.”
He looked like he was going to say something, then thought the better of it. The moment he walked out of the apartment, she locked the door, then ran to the bedroom and flung herself on the bed in agony. After fleeing from a man she’d despised, she’d run straight into a man she adored.
Tuccia wondered if she dared tell him exactly what she felt, that she loved him and wanted to be his wife. Maybe that was what she would do the next time they were together. No more holding back.
* * *
At ten to five, Cesare, showered, shaved, and wearing a tan summer suit, walked in the castello kitchen. He nodded to Maurice before packing a bag of fettuccini Alfredo with chicken to go. Nothing else was needed. Tuccia had cooked rolls and cake that morning. There was still a half bottle of Chardonnay waiting to be enjoyed with another snifter of her fabulous granita.
Princess Tuccianna was so full of surprises he decided there wasn’t anything she couldn’t do. One taste of her mouth and he knew he wanted to go on tasting it for the rest of his life. When she’d surrendered herself to him, he’d experienced ecstasy like nothing he’d ever known and had come close to having a heart attack.
He’d sensed he was in deep water the first night he’d caught her in his arms in his mother’s kitchen. But since then his feelings for her had escalated to such a degree his life had been irrevocably changed.
She was in his heart, in his blood, but that wasn’t enough. Cesare wanted her in his life day and night.