Boss Meets Baby(64)

She took a step back, and for a second let her eyes run over his magnificent form. A shiver of sensual appreciation— ran through her, and she realised her ploy to regain some control was in serious danger of backfiring— on her.

Vito turned and stepped towards his wardrobe. Try as she might, she simply couldn’t tear her gaze away. She’d always loved to watch him without his shirt on—never— failing to be fascinated, and frankly turned on, by the irresistible play of his well-defined muscles beneath his golden-brown skin.

‘It’s your choice.’ He indicated the neatly folded piles of sweaters in his wardrobe—but for a moment Lily got the impression he wasn’t simply talking about clothing. He’d seen the way she was looking at him. He knew how she was reacting.

Was he letting her know that, if she was prepared to make the first move, he wanted to make love to her after all?

With an effort of will, she pushed the thought aside. He was probably playing with her again, and she certainly didn’t intend to cause herself any more humiliation.

‘This is a cheerful colour,’ she said, tossing a blue sweater at him. ‘That will brighten your grandfather’s day.’

Vito pulled it on silently. Then, without even bothering— to check his appearance in the mirror, took her hand and pulled her towards the door.





CHAPTER FIVE


CA’ SALVATORE, the beautiful palazzo that had been the home of Giovanni Salvatore for more than seventy-five years, stood in the very heart of the city on a magnificent— stretch of the Grand Canal.

It was possible to make the journey from Vito’s home by water, using the impressive canal entrances of both palazzi, but Lily was pleased when he decided they should walk. She had missed strolling through the maze of narrow streets, along canals and over bridges. Although she had lived in Venice for quite a while, she’d discovered— something new almost every outing, and had always taken pleasure from investigating unfamiliar areas.

Now she walked apprehensively beside Vito. He’d told her that his grandfather was old and frail, but she knew that for most of his life Giovanni had been a formidable— Venetian businessman. Vito had often spoken of him with a great deal of respect, but also great love.

She knew that when Vito was a child he’d come to live with his grandfather at Ca’ Salvatore after his parents had died in an accident. It was clear that Giovanni was still hugely important to him—as was this visit. For everyone’s sake, she hoped things would go smoothly.

It didn’t take long to reach the baroque palazzo, and for a moment Lily gazed in awe at the building’s amazing façade, complete with marble pillars and statues.

‘And this is just the back entrance.’ Vito paused beside her to look up at the bold ornamentation. ‘The side facing the canal is really something to behold.’

Lily smiled in surprise at his tone. He’d grown up in this grand historic palace, but he didn’t take it for granted, and was obviously very proud of his family’s heritage. She glanced sideways at him, and for a moment he looked like the Vito she used to know. He appeared relaxed and almost happy—as if coming to Ca’ Salvatore was like coming home for him. Suddenly— she had the feeling that he was genuinely looking forward to seeing his grandfather and telling him their news.

He took her hand in his. It was a gesture that could be taken equally as a sign of possession or affection, and once more she was reminded how important it was that she played her part well. He led her into the building and up to the second-floor room where the housekeeper had told them Giovanni was resting in bed.

The moment they entered the old man’s bedchamber, Lily got a sense that something wasn’t right. Vito stiffened— beside her the instant he laid eyes on his grandfather,— then he dropped her hand and crossed to the bed in two long strides.

‘Nonno?’ Vito bent down to speak close to his grandfather’s— ear. ‘Are you feeling all right?’

Lily stood beside the door, not sure what to do. The housekeeper had said Giovanni was resting, but she hadn’t implied that anything was wrong. And, from Lily’s perspective, she couldn’t identify what had made Vito react so strongly. Giovanni looked old and tired, but maybe Vito had spotted something more worrying in his appearance because he knew him so well.

‘Vito?’ The old man’s voice was weak, but he was looking at his grandson’s face with recognition. ‘I’m tired, that’s all.’

‘I’m calling the doctor,’ Vito said. ‘I don’t like the way you look.’

‘Hmph!’ Giovanni snorted. ‘You don’t have to like the way I look—I’m not one of your women.’

Lily smiled at the old man’s quick humour. His comment on Vito’s women was unsettling—but he clearly had his wits about him. And it was obvious that, even though he appeared to be bed-bound, he was still a man to be reckoned with.

Vito was leaning close, talking to his grandfather in a firm but kind voice. It was plain from his body language and tone of voice that the old man meant the world to him.

Suddenly Lily’s throat felt tight, and a foolish tear sprang to her eye as she remembered Vito talking to her in a gentle and caring way. But he wasn’t like that with her any more. She blinked and turned away, trying not to think about just how different things were between them now.