Page 107 of Burning Caine
My mother glided into the foyer with us, looking as elegant as ever.
“Samantha.” Papa patted her hand, which he still held. “Please meet the treasure of my life, my Valentina.”
Mamma put one graceful hand on Papa’s, and he let go of Samantha. They greeted each other with kisses at the cheeks. Mamma shared only the faintest of smiles, though. When she greeted me, I gave her a look which begged a question. What was going on? She patted me on the cheek and retreated to the sitting room. Very serious. Very unlike my mother.
The rest of the family greeted us, Sofia and her husband, Pietro, Frank and Alice, and my younger brother Lorenzo. Samantha was a model of grace and courtesy, even when my brother and brother-in-law flirted with her. She held my hand every moment she could, which I squeezed when she tensed.
“Mamma, Papa, I would like to take Samantha for a tour of the gardens while the sun is still up, before the guests arrive.”
“Yes!” Papa turned to her and shooed us away. “You will love the gardens! Just be sure to come back!”
We walked through the sitting room opposite the foyer. Tried to, at least. There were many paintings and decorations through the room, and she slowed at each.
“We can look at all of this tonight.” I ushered her out the glass-paneled door to the back patio with its large flagstones. We made our way down the brick staircases between the three levels, to the terraced gardens. The wisteria covering the pergola at the base of the stairs was still in bloom, despite it being late in the season.
We strolled the gardens, chatting and laughing. How could my world be any better? It was a miracle she had come back into my life, and I knew she would stay with me. She didn’t care about my money, we had much in common, we enjoyed spending time together, and we were almost done with the burned painting. The lie would be over soon.
She became quiet for a moment, uncomfortable. When I squeezed her hand, she blurted, “Does a conservator really make this much money?”
It surprised me, but I recovered quickly. “Bankers.”
“Bankers?”
“It’s old money. The men of my father’s family have been bankers since the days of the Medici. My brother and I are named after Cosimo’s brothers, in fact. The Medici patronized the arts, so did the Ferraro family, and many of us became artists, as well.”
“Oh.” She stared at the grass. “That’s fascinating, but I apologize; it was too personal.”
I squeezed her hand again. “There is nothing too personal, bella.”
“Then why me?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re brilliant and talented. You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever met. You’re—” She floundered, waving her free hand around us. “—wealthy. You could have any woman on the planet. Why me? I’m just a boring claims adjuster from Brenton, Michigan.”
How did this remarkable woman think so little of herself?
I stopped and took her hands, warmth spreading through my chest, unable to control my smile. “As soon as I saw you at Caruther’s, I knew you were beautiful. That part was simple. It was the moment you dropped your hand from your face that I recognized you from college, and it was like a flash of lightning to have my second chance with you.
“I enjoyed your company at Russo’s so much; you were funny and charming, and we had a great deal in common. But, when you told Alice about the St. Catherine painting, I was in awe of your intelligence and knowledge of my world. That was the moment I knew I wanted you more than I’ve ever wanted another woman. And then, the auction. Marone, it was amazing. Would you like me to continue? Because I can.”
She smiled, but it faded quickly, and she tried to withdraw her hands, likely to rub them over her face or create a barrier between us. “Maybe?”
I kissed each hand, holding tight. “I want the woman who can finish my Shakespeare, who dances like an angel, and who gives up her life when someone she loves is sick.”
She blew out a deep breath and her muscles began to relax.
I pulled her closer, placing her arms around my neck while I wrapped mine around her waist. “After my fiancée, I decided to find the right woman, not play around anymore, no matter how it looks from the outside. And I think I’ve found her.”
She stared back at me, rubbing her nervous fingers behind my neck. A warm summer breeze blew past, bringing her citrusy scent to me, and I inhaled her deeply.
“You are my dream, Samantha.”
Her hand cradled the back of my neck, and her thumb rubbed behind my ear. Words were difficult for her, but that touch said everything I needed. I was her dream, as well.
“Tonight, I intend to show you.” I leaned closer to her, my cheek against hers, whispering through the lust thickening my throat. “I will make love to you until the sun comes up and has gone back down again.”
She tensed, the hand on my neck grasping tight. Her breasts pressed against me, swelling with her deep breaths. She was so willing. “That’ll definitely mess up my hair and makeup.”