Stasia’s eyes grew round as her mouth slightly gaped.
He inwardly groaned. That had come out much gruffer than he’d intended. He didn’t want to hurt Stasia’s feelings. In fact, that was the furthest thing from his mind.
He just needed her to stop pulling back the scabs on his life’s traumas. One by one, she was revealing the real Roberto, and he felt exposed. It was not a situation he was used to finding himself in.
The truth was he never left the family business because he wanted to leave. He’d done it to stop the daily arguments with his grandfather. He’d never said he wouldn’t go back. It just had to be on his terms.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“No. I’m the one who’s sorry. Sometimes I forget myself and I venture into subjects that are none of my business.” She glanced off to the side. “Maybe I should leave.”
He sighed. He was single-handedly ruining this most perfect day. But it wasn’t over yet; there was still a chance to salvage it.
“Don’t go. I know I took my frustration with my grandfather out on you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Stasia hesitated. “And I pushed you more than I should have.”
“How about we start over?”
“Do you think it’s possible?”
“I could order us some dinner,” he said.
“And I could get started on those reports.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.”
He smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
DAY THIRTEEN
Sicily, Italy
THIS WAS UNBELIEVABLE.
She was standing on a volcano.
Stasia felt giddy inside. It was exciting to push herself and try new things. A year ago or even five years ago, she would have played it safe. Lukos had been a cautious man. When she’d push for them to be more adventurous, such as going on a weeklong hiking trip along the Amalfi Coast in Italy, he’d countered with a long weekend in wine country in a five-star hotel. She hadn’t argued, perhaps she should have, but she’d preferred to make him happy. And the spa at the hotel had been out of this world.
But thanks to Roberto, she was finding she was capable of so much more. He didn’t hold her back. He encouraged her to explore—to take chances.
Stasia couldn’t believe she was seriously considering Roberto’s idea of starting her own foundation. The man seemed to have a way of convincing her she was capable of doing anything she set her mind to. As this trip went on, she was learning that she was capable of far more than she’d previously given herself credit for. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Still, she worried about letting herself get closer to him. She had to learn to count on herself for her happiness. But as her gaze moved to Roberto, she had absolutely no desire to put any distance between them.
And then his gaze caught hers and her stomach dipped. He flashed her a smile, causing her to smile back at him. If it weren’t for Roberto, she wouldn’t have thought to challenge herself—to go beyond what she thought were her limits.
“What has you smiling?” Roberto’s voice cut into her thoughts.
“You. You have me smiling.”
“I do?” His voice came out as an enticing deep growl. He moved to stand in front of her. His hands wrapped around her waist as her hands came to rest on his shoulders.
She nodded. “Standing at the foot of a massive volcano is something I never thought I’d do. I’m beginning to feel like anything is possible.”
“You can do anything you set your mind to.”
As the breeze rushed past them, she leaned her head back. She stared up at the clear blue sky. She couldn’t believe this cruise was almost over. She wanted to make the most of every moment they had left.
It was then that she felt Roberto press his lips to her neck. A shiver of excitement coursed through her body. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who wanted to make the most of the time they had left.
When she straightened up, she realized their tour group was getting away from them. “We better hurry across this lava field before they leave us behind.”
“Would that be such a bad thing?”
She lightly slapped his arm. “Seriously? And miss the best part.”