“You saw that?”
She nodded. “Did you think you were being so sneaky?”
He’d had absolutely no idea that she’d been there. “If you had walked over to the table, I would have introduced you.”
Stasia shook her head. “I don’t need to be introduced to your lovers.”
That was what she thought? That he was involved with Petra? He studied Stasia’s beautiful face and the way her big brown eyes reflected her anger and pain. Was it possible their kiss at the wedding had meant something to her? Was she jealous?
“Her name is Petra. And she’s not my lover.”
Stasia’s mouth opened but nothing came out. She pressed her lips together into a firm line as though she was making sense of what he was saying. Emotions flickered through her eyes as reality started to take hold.
Stasia pressed her hands to her hips and lifted her chin until they were eye to eye. “Are you saying you aren’t interested in her?”
Roberto couldn’t help but laugh. “I think of Petra like a little sister.”
“Sister?”
He nodded in affirmation. “She grew up on the estate next to my grandparents’. When we were kids, she played with me and my friends.”
“You...you were childhood friends?”
He smiled and nodded.
“You aren’t romantically involved?”
He shook his head. “The idea never even crossed my mind. I don’t think of Petra that way and she doesn’t see me that way. My grandmother invited her on the cruise, thinking there was a chance for something more. She was wrong.”
“So if Petra isn’t interested in you, why did she agree to come on the cruise?”
“She was in need of a vacation and she is good friends with Gaia. So, basically, she was here for the wedding.”
Stasia’s eyes widened with hope. “Not you?”
“Not me.” He stepped closer to her and caressed her cheek. “The only woman I have eyes for on this cruise is you.”
“Really?”
“Really.” And he didn’t stop to think of the right or the wrong of it; he just acted.
He reached out to her, placing his hands on her slender waist and drawing her to him. And she willingly moved closer to him. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.
For so long, he’d been fighting his feelings for her. But after seeing that she cared enough about him to get so worked up—so jealous—he’d been moved. He’d never had another woman in his life stir him the way Stasia did.
His mouth moved over hers. With the heated emotions, it didn’t leave room for a soft and gentle kiss. Instead their lips moved hungrily over each other. Her hands moved to his shoulders before moving to the back of his neck. He’d never get enough of her touch.
Roberto reached behind him and pushed the door shut. He was going to show Stasia that there was no other woman in his life. All he could think about—dream about—was her.
As the kiss deepened, he scooped Stasia up in his arms. He carried her to the bed and laid her down. He leaned down, continuing to kiss her.
But before this went any further, he had to be entirely sure it was what she wanted too. It took every bit of willpower he could muster to pull away from her sweet, sweet kisses.
Stasia’s eyes fluttered open. Confusion reflected in her eyes. “What’s the matter?”
“Stasia, are you sure this is what you want?”
Her gaze met his. In its depths desire flickered. “I want you. All of you.”
And then she drew him to her, smothering his words with a kiss. A kiss that was sweeter than anything he’d ever imagined. How did he get so lucky to have Stasia in his life?
DAY TWELVE
Crotone, Italy
THE NEXT MORNING, before Stasia opened her eyes, she reached out for Roberto. Her hand landed on an empty spot in the bed. Her eyes fluttered open. Her gaze searched the cabin.
He was gone.
She closed her eyes, trying to keep her emotions under control. Why did she think it would be different? She knew about his love ’em and leave ’em reputation. Why did she allow herself to believe that he was different than people thought?
She opened her eyes and reached for the blankets. With a big yank, she pulled them up to her chin. That was when a slip of paper fluttered in the air. What in the world?