chapter TWELVE
I plopped unceremoniously onto a barstool. “Good lord, girl, what happened to you? You’re white as a ghost,” Bryn shouted over the music.
“Vittorio happened to me,” I said, surprising myself with my bluntness.
“Ah,” she said knowingly. “I’ve seen women swoon for him before, but you look like death warmed over. Must have been some make-out session,” she grinned.
“He barely kissed me.” I lay my head down on the bar, hoping to avoid any sticky spots, but not really caring. A minute later I felt someone brushing my hair off my neck and laying a cool washcloth on it. I looked around to see Bryn behind me. “Thanks.”
“What’s going on? This isn’t a normal reaction to hormones?” Bryn asked.
It was easier to talk over the music with her right next to me. “I wish I knew. I should probably just go home and never show my face here again. It might be safer that way.”
“You won’t do that.”
“How do you know?”
“Remember? I’m a woman.” She grinned at me. “Tell me about that dress. You look fabulous!”
I blushed. “Vittorio bought it for me. I feel like a princess.”
“You look like one. I’ll say it again; you really did a number on him.” She looked up to the balcony, and I turned to look when I saw the curious expression on her face. Vittorio and Samuel appeared to be having a heated discussion. “Wonder what they’re arguing about.”
“Probably me.”
“Did Samuel put the moves on you? Man, he sure would be stupid to do that in front of Vittorio.”
“No, he did something even dumber. He insulted me. Called me Vittorio’s plaything. Then I slapped him.”
“Wow. You’ve got guts. People try to impress him almost as much as Vittorio, sometimes more.” Bryn looked at the growing number of customers at the bar. “I’ve got to get back to work. Looks like you should get back to Vittorio.” She gestured to the balcony, from where he now watched me.
I wanted to ask her what she meant by people trying to impress Samuel, but didn’t, as she was busy mixing drinks. Was he part of this mysterious coven Ms. Carmen told me about? I really hoped my hormones would shut the hell up soon so I could focus on the case.
Returning upstairs, I was relieved to find Samuel nowhere in sight, though Vittorio looked angry. He was alone on the love seat, so I sat next to him and rested my hand on his arm, subtly testing my reaction to him. I was pleased to feel only a slight tingle down my spine. “Are you okay?”
He turned to me and smiled. “I should be the one asking you that. I am fine. Samuel and I often have disagreements.”
“That looked like more than a disagreement.”
“Yes, well, I think he understands now what you mean to me. How are you my dear?”
“A little shaky,” I admitted. I was beyond the point of acting cool and aloof toward him. My episode earlier had destroyed any chance of hiding his effect on me.
“Interesting,” he murmured.
“What’s that?”
Vittorio looked into my eyes for a moment, then leaned in and kissed me gently. I panicked, but as soon as his lips touched mine, I lost all sense of time and space again. When he pulled away, I sank back into the corner of the couch, as far away from him as I could get without standing up, which wasn’t an option on my rubbery legs. I couldn’t take this. “Vittorio, I want an honest answer from you. Why do you affect me this way? Did you drug my drinks?” Had I really been that stupid?
“I would never dream of doing such a thing to anyone, especially you. You are far too important,” he said, cupping my face in his hand.
I almost believed him.
“I have a guess, but am not yet certain. Perhaps we should go someplace a little more private to discuss this. Would you return to my home with me?”
“No offense, but that sounds a little too private.” I tried to sink further away and into the couch. Maybe I could simply disappear.
“You have my word; I will not take advantage of you. I will not even touch you if you wish.”
“That’s the problem. I want you to touch me, yet I’m afraid.”
“Do you want me to kiss you?” Sweat shone on his forehead.
“Yes,” I breathed.
“Then you have my word; I shall do no more than kiss you tonight.”
“Even that might be more than I can handle.” Why did I admit that to him? I must have been more tired that I realized.
“I promise to take care of you Elena. We have just met, but already you mean the world to me.”
“Why? You don’t even know me.” He sounded sincere, and I felt guilty for not being honest with him about my profession.
“Please come home with me. I will try to explain everything there.” His eyes bored into mine, as if he could see right through to my soul.
I didn’t like any of this, but I had to know what was going on. I had to get over this strange attraction to him so I could focus on the investigation. I sighed. “All right. But first I want you to tell me why you were so determined to buy me this dress. Why was it so damned important?”
“I wanted you to arrive with me to make a sort of statement that I’m no longer available.”
“Why would me coming with you say that?”
“I always come on my own. I may leave with someone else, but I do not bring dates here. The people who matter understood what that meant. I meant it when I said I wish to have no other woman in my life.”
Vittorio’s was a world very different from mine. I still didn’t quite understand, but he seemed to be telling the truth. And I really wanted to leave, so I accepted his answer and let him help me out to the Ferrari.