Page 149 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8
Her heart was thumping as she put the pasta into the water and sliced fresh olive bread, still warm from the oven. Her lips were tense, her shoulders too, as she listened to Dante questioning Gio.
‘Where’s Mimi?’
‘At her sister’s.’
‘Why?’ Dante demanded. ‘When did this happen?’
Susie screwed her eyes closed, trying to stay out of it as Gio made some excuse about Mimi wanting a pay rise.
Dante clearly wasn’t buying it. ‘Then give her more.’
‘Don’t tell me what to do.’
‘Are you living down here?’ Dante asked. ‘Sleeping in the dining room?’
‘It’s better to keep only the one room warm,’ Gio retorted. ‘We have to think of the planet, Dante.’
‘Gio! I’m asking seriously, now. What the hell is going on? Sev told me that you were—’
And Susie could stay back no more.
‘Ouch!’ she yelped, and grabbed a tea towel and wrapped it around her hand. ‘Ow...ow...’
Dante came to the door. His coat had been removed and he wore a charcoal-grey suit. His tie was slightly loose, but apart from that he looked dressed for both a stylish office and a photo shoot. Still, as gorgeous as he looked, he was far from sympathetic, and he looked impatiently at her wrapped hand, and then over his shoulder, as if to call for someone.
Clearly he was very used to summoning staff, and she watched as it dawned on him there was no one to summon.
‘What’s wrong?’ Gio called out.
‘Nothing, Gio,’ she responded. ‘Just a little cut.’
‘Susie...?’ At least Gio was concerned.
‘It’s fine, Gio,’ she called to him. ‘Dante’s taking care of it.’
Then she met his eyes and mouthed,Don’t!
‘What?’
‘Don’t mention him being in his robe yesterday,’ she whispered.
He frowned, clearly about to turn away and leave her to bleed to death, but then with a slight hiss of frustration he put the conversation with his grandfather on hold and started opening the cupboards, eventually producing a little first-aid box.
‘He’s embarrassed,’ she said in a low tone as he rummaged in the box for a sticking plaster, though he was clearly listening. ‘He was devastated that Sev saw him in his dressing gown. I promised Gio that Sev wouldn’t have noticed.’
‘Okay.’ He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. ‘He’s dressed and shaved now though?’
‘Yes.’ She nodded, not wanting to break a confidence and choosing not to tell Dante that she’d gently suggested to Gio that he tidy himself up a bit. ‘Just don’t tell him Sev noticed.’
‘Very well.’ He nodded curtly. ‘Let’s sort out your hand.’
He took her wrapped hand and she noticed the contrast of his olive-skinned fingers against her pale forearm. His hands were cold, his fingers long, and an expensive navy watch face peeked from beneath his cuffs. She watched the sweep of the seconds ticking away, far more slowly than the beat of her heart. His touch was deft and firm, and the effect was both unexpected and unknown...
She watched tiny goosebumps appearing on her own flesh, and her nose seemed to twitch as it was treated to a gorgeous citrussy, spicy scent, as if it were trying to decipher whether it was his skin or his hair that smelt so divine.
Mute at his touch, she stood stock-still as he unwrapped the tea towel and exposed her hand.
‘Where?’ he asked, turning her hand in his own. ‘Where’s the cut?’ He peered at her blemish-free hand and the clean white tea towel, then let out a mirthless laugh as he realised her ruse. ‘Were you faking it?’