She felt the heat of his palm low on her hips and heat somewhere else as he pulled her hard up against him. His voice was low in her ear and made her shiver. ‘You’re sure about that?’
This wasn’t fair, Ariana thought as they danced cheek to cheek with their bodies meshed together. He wasn’t being fair after all that had passed between them.
‘They will guess...’ Ariana started.
‘Stop worrying about them,’ Gian said, and for a little while she did. Her family all danced with their various partners and she danced with a man who was always there for her. There was something so freeing about Gian’s acceptance of her, and the way he lived life on his terms. It was something she was starting to embrace herself and so she wrapped her arms around his neck and told him a little of her new world. ‘I’ve told my lazy doorman that he’s not allowed to let guests up without my permission, not even my mother, and I shall petition the other residents to have him removed if he doesn’t improve.’
‘Good for you.’
‘And I have an interview next week with your rival company. I used my mother’s maiden name, so I know I got the interview on my own merit.’
‘Very good,’ Gian said.
‘And I will never give up on love.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’ He was serious suddenly. ‘Can we go outside?’
‘It will cause too much gossip and rumour...’
‘I don’t care.’
‘Well, I do,’ Ariana said. ‘I’m not leaving Stefano’s wedding to make out with you.’
‘That is a revolting term,’ Gian told her, ‘but fair enough.’ For though he was desperate to speak with her, she was right not to leave during her brother’s wedding reception. ‘Will you come over to La Fiordelise afterwards?’ Gian asked.
‘No...’ she said slowly. Her reply was tentative, but with practice she would perfect it, Ariana decided. ‘No.’ She said it more clearly this time.
No. No. No.
Easy as pie.
‘Come to me tonight.’
They were still cheek to cheek, though the music had ended, yet they carried on dancing. She could feel herself weakening at his touch. ‘No,’ she told him as he reached into his inner pocket and slipped a cold thin card where the ruffle of her dress parted. It was all discreetly done, yet Ariana knew she should have slapped him there and then, but lust moved faster than anger where Gian De Luca was concerned. It took a moment for her to form the proper reply. ‘Leave me alone, Gian.’
‘I can’t.’
‘Ariana!’ Her mamma was laughing and calling her over. ‘Gian!’ In fact, she was calling them both, for the music had restarted and upped its tempo and the bride and groom were about to be waved off into the night.
It was loud, it was fun, and it was over.
Stefano and Eloa were officially married and it was kisses and final drinks and then they all spilled out of the venue into the square. She was so happy for Stefano and Eloa, especially now the air had been cleared between her and her twin.
And happy for Mia and Dante too, Ariana thought as she watched them walk hand in hand into the night.
If it was possible to be lonely and happy at the same time, then she was lonely and happy for herself too, for Gian had already gone.
She wanted not just to be part of a couple, but she wanted to be part of that couple with Gian.
Walking hand in hand in public, kissing without secrets, in love for all to see.
The square had never looked more beautiful. There was a carousel all lit up and the stunning fountains were gushing and spouting. It was a special place indeed, where they had eaten hot chestnuts on the night she’d said farewell to her father, and where she now stood so confused and so wanting to go into La Fiordelise if it meant another night with the man she loved.
She would always want him.
That was a given.
If, somehow, forty years from now, they were here at Stefano and Eloa’s ruby wedding celebration, there would still be a longing and an ache for what could have been. If learning the truth about her family had taught her anything, it was that regrets were such a waste of a life. She didn’t want to have any regrets when it came to Gian.
She would start saying no on Monday.
Not caring if she was found out, Ariana slipped away and found herself in the reception area of La Fiordelise, heading straight for his bed and the bliss he would temporarily give.
Life was better with Gian in it than not.
Yes, she was turning into Fiordelise, Ariana decided as she took the elevator up.
He opened the door and, before she fell into his arms, she stated her case. ‘There will be rules,’ Ariana said.
If she was to be his mistress then there would be rules and she would be the one making them.
‘We shall discuss them,’ Gian agreed.
‘If you cheat on me, you die.’
He laughed. ‘I’m saving you from prison then. I never cheat.’
‘Liar.’
‘Never. Even at your interview when I wanted to kiss you but Svetlana—’
‘Stop!’ She halted him. ‘Don’t ever try to redeem yourself with another woman’s name.’ She was way too needy to ignore it though. ‘You wanted to kiss me then?’
‘All over,’ he told her. ‘Come, there’s something I want to show you...’
Down his hallway they went and she smiled when she saw there were pictures of Gian. ‘When did you do this?’ she asked.
‘Tonight. The maintenance man has been busy.’
‘Oh, Gian.’ Her eyes were shining and happy to see his childhood finally featured on the wall, but then her smile died. ‘What the hell is this doing here?’ It was the most appalling, awkward photo of her at her first Romano Ball. She had been tempted to tear it up, but had decided it wasn’t just her memory to delete.
‘No!’ She was appalled. ‘That photo was for your eyes
