let it end this way. He had to tell her that their lovemaking had meant so much more than he was letting on. It had moved his world and left him wanting more of her.
His steps slowed down. He couldn’t do that. He’d be encouraging her to stay here with him. She’d sacrifice everything. And maybe not today or tomorrow but someday she’d regret it. And she’d blame him.
He stopped. His gaze followed her. He assured himself that this was best for both of them. No matter how much the sacrifice would cost him.
Because beneath it all, he loved her.
* * *
In the days that ensued, Jules resolved to hold Stefano at arm’s length.
How could she have been so foolish to think that he felt the same way about her? How many times had she been told that men and women looked at relationships two different ways? She knew better. While she was busy letting her heart fill with love for him, he was enjoying the moment. He wasn’t picturing a future with a picket fence, two-point-five kids and a cat or two or three.
She nuzzled Apricot close to her neck. “You know I’m leaving soon. The wedding is next week. And then my time here will be over.”
Apricot purred and used her tiny pin-like nails to climb up on Jules’s shoulder, where she liked to perch. The kitten’s happy meter went all the way to the top, and all Jules could hear was the sound of purring. Jules loved the sound. It was comforting and reassuring. Boy, was she going to miss Apricot, this vineyard and—
She brought her thoughts up short. She refused to miss Stefano. He was the one to turn away from her—to dismiss their lovemaking as if it meant nothing. And to think that she’d blurted out that she loved him. She blinked rapidly. No way was she going to cry. He didn’t deserve her tears.
Wedding or no wedding, she didn’t know if she’d be able to face him again. There were just some things that you couldn’t take back once they were spoken. A frustrated growl rose in her throat. Why, oh, why had she thought Stefano had been the exception to her rule about not trusting people with her heart?
Her fingers ran over Apricot’s downy-soft fur. There was something so comforting and reassuring about a fur baby’s presence. It calmed her and let her realize that she was wasting her time standing around thinking about Stefano. He was going to be Lizzie’s in-law, and that was all. She’d probably never see him again. Well, that might be stretching it a bit, but their run-ins would be few and far between.
Speaking of which, she was supposed to ride with him to Rome for the final dress fitting. Her stomach knotted up thinking of sitting next to him—alone with him—for the entire ride. That wasn’t going to happen. She’d get to Rome some other way.
A glance at the time told her that she had to get a move on. A red-and-white-striped sundress flirted just above her knees. The new white-heeled sandals perfectly complemented the dress. She had to admit that it was a big stretch from her usual black-and-purple ensembles, but she was finding that she was having fun with colors. Maybe she’d hemmed her fashion choices in too tightly. She was actually quite comfortable in the dress. Of course, she’d applied makeup to cover up her scars, but she hadn’t gone so heavy with the eye makeup. Maybe when she went back to New York, she would maintain this makeover. Or at least switch up her wardrobe now and then.
She reached up and removed Apricot from her shoulder. “You have to be good, okay?”
Those big blue eyes stared at her, looking as innocent as could be. But Jules knew what trouble this fur baby could get herself into from climbing up on furniture and being unsure how to get down to sticking her paw in a glass of water and tipping it over.
“We’ll just see if Massimo is up to keeping an eye on you. He’ll make sure you don’t get into too much trouble while I’m gone. And you can entertain him. I don’t know why, but he certainly seems to like you, little miss.”
Apricot mewed as if she knew what Jules had said to her.
With a smile, Jules headed downstairs in search of Massimo. Since his stroke, his room was on the first floor, and he spent a lot of time in the living room with the large glass wall that made the room bright and cheery. And that’s exactly where she found him. He was sitting on the couch doing a crossword puzzle. He glanced up and sent her a lopsided smile.
“I see you brought the fuzzy one to visit.”
“Yes, Apricot is feeling particularly energetic. I was wondering if you could keep an eye on her while I go to Rome. Today is our last dress fitting.”
“Ah, my grandson will be driving you.”
“I think I’ll take the train. He has work to do.”
“DeFiore men don’t put work ahead of their obligations to beautiful women.” Massimo reached out and squeezed her hand. “I know something is troubling you. Just remember that anything worth having is worth fighting for. Life isn’t easy, and the good stuff doesn’t just land in your lap. You have to work for it and never give up.”
“Are you ready to go?”
She turned to find Stefano standing in the hallway. His face was a mask of indifference. It was the first time they’d spoken to each other since their moment on the grassy hillside.
“If you’d just drop me at the train station, I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I said that I would take you, and I’m ready to go. Besides, there isn’t another train until much later.”
She sighed. The last thing she wanted to do was end up in a fight with him. “I was just asking your grandfather if he’d keep an eye on Apricot.”
“I’d love to.” Massimo reached out for the fluff ball, and she gently placed the squirming kitten in his hands.
“I should run and get her food bowl.”
“No need. I’m sure Maria won’t mind getting some food.”
Jules glanced around, spotting the litter box in the corner of the room. “And water. I forgot the water.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be fine together.”
“Are you sure?”
Massimo sent her a reassuring smile. “Go before you’re late for your appointment. Did you say this was the last fitting?”
She nodded. “We’re taking our dresses home today. Well, I guess I’m bringing both dresses here as Lizzie doesn’t want to take any chance on Dante spotting it.”
“All the more reason for me to drive you,” Stefano piped in. “The dresses would get wrinkled on the train or worse.”
He did have a good point. “Then we best get going.”
This was going to be the longest ride of her life. There was tangible tension between them, and she didn’t know how to get around it. She didn’t even know if she wanted to resolve it. After all, she hadn’t started any of this. It was Stefano. One minute he wanted her, and the next he was shoving her away and spouting out every reason why they shouldn’t be together.
If he thought she was the only one who didn’t know what she wanted, then he should take a good look in the mirror. His mouth said one thing. But his body said another.
WHAT WAS TAKING SO LONG?
Stefano sat alone in the front of the bridal boutique. The oval table in front of him was littered with every bridal magazine published. No matter how bored he was, there was no way he was picking up one of those periodicals. He’d had his fill of flowers, dresses and cakes.
He glanced at his wristwatch for the second time in five minutes. Jules and Lizzie were supposed to try on their dresses and then they’d be on their way. Not that he was