“I’m thinking I might get mine cut too, after I get back to Rome.”

  “Oh, no, Dea. Your gorgeous long hair? Are you sure?”

  “It drives me insane while I’m working. I used to wonder why Juliana wore her hair short. Now I know. Hair gets in the way when you’re kneeling in front of a mannequin to work on a hem. We’re constantly bending over to examine a drawing or a cut of fabric. All you need is an irritating strand to fall at a critical moment.”

  “Well, it’s your call,” Alessandra murmured. “Now let’s hurry down to breakfast before the guys eat everything in sight.”

  “I just hope Guido’s forgiven me for tackling him. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “I do. It’s called frustration beyond bearing! They’re both so good at everything it can drive you crazy! I’m sure no one ever did such a thing to Guido before.”

  “That’s what has me worried.”

  “Rini laughed about it after we went to bed. He’s sure you’re the only woman who ever got the best of Guido.”

  “Now I’m worried he’ll pull something on me today.”

  Alessandra’s eyes sparkled. “Just don’t let your guard down.” Her warning excited Dea.

  After her sister left the bedroom, she dressed in shorts and a yellow top worn over her orange-and-white-striped bikini. Once ready, she grabbed her tote bag and flew down the stairs in sandals to the dining room. At the entrance, a pair of inky-blue eyes met hers across the room, causing her pulse to race.

  “Buongiorno, Dea.” His deep voice curled through to her insides.

  This morning Guido had put on a white T-shirt and cargo pants that couldn’t hide his powerful legs. He held a mug of coffee and looked so sensational she was taken back. A nervous smile broke out on her face. “I hope you didn’t wake up with any aches or pains.”

  “I’m managing to survive,” he mocked gently.

  Uh-oh. “Where is everyone?”

  “Alessandra grabbed a jam cornetto and went out to help Rini load the cruiser. Come and join me before we head out.”

  Since Guido was still here, maybe it meant he’d been waiting for her. Her heart flipped over again.

  “Cook makes the best cappuccino in the world.”

  “I agree,” he murmured over the rim of his cup.

  Aware of his scrutiny, she walked over to the hunt board and reached for a pastry. After pouring herself coffee, she moved to the table to eat. Once he joined her, she couldn’t resist asking, “Are you a champion water-skier too? Alessandra said Rini can’t wait to get out on the water and ski double with you.”

  He sat back in the chair, studying her through shuttered eyes. “I’ve done a little of everything.”

  “But soccer is your passion.”

  “One of them.”

  A shiver of excitement ran through her. The intimation of what his other passions might be brought heat to her cheeks. With his dark blond hair slightly disheveled, she discovered he had a potent male appeal no woman could possibly ignore. His girlfriends must be legion.

  Once they’d finished breakfast, they left the castle for the dock around the back. During their short walk she thought about him and Rini being such close friends since childhood. They were so different, except in two major ways. Their masculine charisma was lethal and they both had an air of authority that seemed to be part of their natures.

  Dea had met many men over the years, but none of them possessed those extraordinary qualities. She might have known that Rini’s best man would be someone who stood out from all the rest too. He wasn’t anything like his father. At least she didn’t think so, but what did she know?

  Maybe if she’d stayed at the table the night of the wedding reception and had gotten better acquainted with the head of Rossano Shipping Lines, she’d have seen similarities that hadn’t been apparent at first. Guido was his son after all.

  In the past Dea had had a problem with making snap judgments about people. It came from a fear that people saw her as only a superficial narcissist—an unfair label given to models in general. Her mother had pointed out that she put up a defensive shield because part of her felt insecure. Dea had had to learn to give everyone a chance.

  Since she’d gone back to school, she’d been making a conscious effort to get along with people. While she and Gina had been at the shop discussing one of the designs that wasn’t working, she’d learned the other woman loved the theater. Dea would never have guessed that—all Gina seemed to talk about was Aldo, who lived in her apartment building.

  He worked in a garage and wasn’t happy because he couldn’t make good money. The last thing he’d do was spend the little he had on going to watch a play he had no interest in. Soccer was a different story. Dea had offered to go to the theater with Gina, who was delighted. They planned to see Othello at the Silvano Toti Globe in Rome the next weekend. It would give them a chance to study the costuming while they enjoyed Shakespeare.

  “Hey, you two,” Rini called to them.

  When they reached the cabin cruiser, Dea climbed over the side first. After stowing her tote bag below deck, she came back up and slipped on the life belt Alessandra handed her.

  Rini took the wheel and signaled to Guido, who untied the ropes. Dea drew in a deep breath, filled with a sense of anticipation that was new to her. She wouldn’t lie to herself. Guido’s presence was the reason for this feeling, plus a warm sun that portended a perfect day to be out on the water.

  Except for a few freighters way off in the distance, they had the sea to themselves. Five minutes later Rini cut the engine. He shot Guido a glance. The other man had already removed his T-shirt. The sight of his hard-muscled body changed the tenor of Dea’s breathing.

  “Ready to give the girls a show?”

  Guido fastened his life belt. “Whenever you are.”

  The guys tossed two slalom skis in the water and dove off the transom like porpoises. Alessandra turned to Dea. “While I drive, you get in the back. Keep an eye on the ropes while they’re uncoiling. When the guys are up, spot them. In case they get into any trouble, tell me and I’ll cut the engine.”

  With a legitimate excuse to feast her eyes on Guido, she knelt on the banquette and watched them fasten their skis. Then she heard Rini yell, “Hit it!” Alessandra increased the speed and a minute later both men were out of the water like professionals who’d been doing this for years.

  They moved in wide arcs and displayed an expertise on one ski Dea marveled over. How would it be to ski like that? “They’re fabulous!” she called to Alessandra. “Have you gotten up on one ski yet?”

  “No. It’s hard.”

  I want to learn.

  Several minutes went by before she saw Rini lift his free arm. “I think they want to stop,” she shouted.

  “Okay! Start reeling in the ropes and coil them.”

  Dea did as she asked and wound the rope. Alessandra brought the cruiser around and cut the engine in order to reach for the skis and put them on the transom. With masculine dexterity, the men heaved themselves aboard. Dea couldn’t take her eyes off Guido. The sun bathed him in light. He looked like a golden god as he reached for a towel.

  “Bravo,” she told both of them.

  Rini flicked her a glance. “Think you want to do it?”

  She finished coiling the second rope. “I’d like to try, but it won’t be on one ski. Can you do it on your feet?”

  Deep laughter came out of Guido. “I’m afraid it hurts too much.”

  “Even though you were a soccer player?”

  “Even though. Want to go now?”

  No...but she had to. That was her new rule. Don’t hang back. She’d given up before when she’d gone skiing with Alessandra, but her sister was so good at it that Dea had decided not to try anymore. Thank goodness she’d worked out in a gym close to her apartment all these years in order to stay in shape.

  “Sure.”

  “Good for you. There’s very little wind right now. It’s the best time.”

  Rini nodded. “I’ll drive and Alessandra will spot you.”

  “Okay,” she said on a jerky breath. Here goes nothing. Dea undid the belt in order to remove her clothes, then refastened it.

  Guido told her to walk over so he could fit her feet in the skis and adjust them. While he hunkered down, she put a hand on his solid shoulder to steady herself. The warmth from his skin crept into her body. Then she stepped out of the skis with his help.

  “I’ll go first.” He jumped in the water and she handed him the skis. Then it was her turn. Once her head surfaced she felt Guido’s hands steady her from behind while Rini started the cruiser and slowly pulled away from them. Alessandra let out the rope.

  “Grasp it in your hand while I put the skis on you.” Guido did everything with ease. “Now I want you to lie back in my arms and brace your legs so they’re ready to come out of the water straight. Don’t be frightened. When I call out, ‘Hit it,’ you’ll be pulled right up. Just hold on to the rope with both hands. Let the boat do the rest and don’t look down. I’ll be right here in case you fall.”

  “Thank you.” Saying a little prayer, she watched until the rope was all the way out. Suddenly she heard Guido’s voice and the cruiser leaped forward. To her shock she rose right up on top of the water and was skimming across the placid surface.

  Dea couldn’t believe she was actually water-skiing again, but she was moving fast and made the mistake of doing the one thing Guido had told her not to do. That’s when she lost her balance and let go of the rope. The boat swung around and came alongside her. In a second Guido was there and pulled her back against his chest.

  “You were terrific.”

  “No. I blew it because I looked down.”

  Her sister smiled at her from the boat. “I didn’t get up until four tries.”

  “Let’s do it again,” Guido urged her. “Your skis are still on. Throw her the rope, Alessandra, and we’ll have another go.”

  Uh-oh. But she refused to reveal weakness in front of Guido.

  Once again Rini sat at the wheel and started the engine while Guido put her in the same position as before. He tugged her braid. “Did you know you have a lethal weapon here?”

  “I’m sorry if it flipped you.”

  “I’ll live.”

  His comment brought a giggle out of her, but it was lost in a cry when she felt the cruiser take off and pull her on top of the water. More used to the sensation, she stayed up rather inelegantly for over a minute, but her legs were tired because she wasn’t used to this.

  She lifted her arm and immediately Rini cut the engine. This time when she sank in the water, she didn’t panic like before. The belt helped her stay afloat. This was fun. So much fun she couldn’t believe she’d lived twenty-eight years without knowing the thrill.

  CHAPTER THREE

  DEA HAD HEARD the others talking about planning a scuba diving trip. She didn’t know if she could ever gird up her courage to take lessons and try it, but she wouldn’t say no if she got the chance. That was because she had an excellent teacher in Guido, who was fast approaching. The glint of admiration in those dark blue eyes mesmerized her.

  “We’ll have you on one ski before the day is out.”

  “Not now. Two are all I can handle, but one day I plan to get there.”

  After Guido removed her skis, Rini helped her onto the transom and Alessandra was there to hand her a towel.

  Now it was Alessandra’s turn to ski while Guido spotted her. Dea let out the rope and watched her sister come out of the water on two skis like a champion.

  No longer envious of her sister, she admired her. Once Alessandra had done a four-minute run, they brought her in. Dea praised her sister. As for the adoring look in Rini’s eyes, it was something to behold. To be loved like that...

  For the next hour they enjoyed an alfresco lunch and spent the rest of the day swimming around the boat and fishing with different lures. Dea had gone trolling with her parents many times in the past, so this wasn’t new to her. But the company made it an experience she didn’t want to end. Guido and Rini exchanged fishing stories and past shenanigans that had the girls roaring with laughter.

  They arrived back at the castle having caught a lot of sun and enough cod to feed everyone, including their parents. The cook grilled it for their dinner. Alessandra and Dea helped in the kitchen to speed up the process for all of them, and they sat down to a delicious meal.

  In time they retreated to the dayroom, where her father got out the family movies and turned on the TV screen. “First we’ll watch the latest videos of Brazzo.”

  Alfredo wandered in and climbed on her lap. She hugged the cat to her.

  The videos of the baby were adorable. Then her father put in another video.

  “This shows you girls playing house with your own play castle when you were six.”

  Dea had forgotten about that one. They used to set it up in the living room with all kinds of props, dolls and clothes. She and Alessandra wore long makeshift costumes and performed as if they were doing a documentary.

  “This is where Dea’s dream to become a costume designer began,” her father informed them. “She was the one to decide what they would wear.”

  “I was so bossy it’s embarrassing.”

  Her father smiled. “If you’ll notice, Alessandra was much more interested in the boat outside the castle she moved around and around.”

  Everyone laughed, but Dea was mortified. She hoped the videos would end soon. Dea’s prayers were answered when her father finally shut off the TV and her parents went to bed. Then Rini and Alessandra said good-night, leaving her alone with Guido. Her heart beat fast.

  “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you today, Dea. Since we’re both working in Rome, I’d like to spend time with you again.”

  “I had a fun time too, and would like that.”

  “Then I’ll call you later in the week. Much as I’d love to stay up and talk to you longer, I’ve got to get to bed. I have a big game tomorrow and have to be up early.”

  “Of course. Good luck. I’m counting on your team to win.”

  “Thank you. So am I.” He got to his feet. Alfredo leaped off her lap to follow him.

  “No, no, Alfredo.” She jumped up and grabbed him. “You have to go to your own bed.” Dea lifted her head to look at Guido. “Good night.”

  His eyes pierced hers. “Buonanotte.”

  Dea took the cat back to the housekeeper’s suite, then went upstairs.

  After a luxurious shower, she reached for the laptop and climbed into bed to search for the Scatto Roma website. A world of revelation met her eyes. For the next hour she was entranced and read every bit of information about the history of the team, the new owner, the players, schedules, stats, the soccer museum and the online store.

  When she typed in Guido’s name, dozens of references came up. There were galleries of his pictures from when he’d been the sensational soccer player of the day. They called him Cuor di Leone, the Lionhearted. The explanation stated that it wasn’t in honor of Richard the Lionheart but for Guido’s father, Leonides Rossano, who was known as Naples’s business lion.

  Every picture of the striking, fierce competitor took her breath. Guido had worn his hair longer then. In some pictures it resembled a lion’s coloring. She went back to the online shop and picked out two large signed posters of him to be sent to her. One was for Gina to give Aldo.

  The other poster she’d keep in the bedroom at her apartment. Dea had never been a typical teen who worshipped boys and musical groups. She’d never had posters on her bedroom walls. This would be her first one.

  Because of her insecurities, Dea had never handled boys right at school. Since becoming a model, she could never trust the men she dated to see past her looks. Therapy had taught her she hadn’t given them a chance. There’d probably been several great guys she might have fallen in love with if she’d understood herself better.

  With a deep sigh, she put the laptop on the floor and got under the covers, but she didn’t fall asleep for a long time. Her mind relived those moments in the water when Guido had cradled her in his arms. He smelled wonderful and made her feel safe and confident enough to move beyond the tight boundaries she’d drawn for herself years ago. She’d see him at breakfast before he left. Morning couldn’t come soon enough.

  At eight the next day she went down to the dining room and found her parents eating. “Buongiorno, darling.”

  She kissed their cheeks. “Where’s everyone else?”

  “Your sister and Rini drove Guido to the airport two hours ago.”

  “Two hours ago?” Dea was shocked.

  “He had to get back early for the game. The two of them will be back later.”

  With the disappointing news that he’d already gone, the bottom fell out of her day. “I have to get back to Rome too.”

  “But your flight won’t leave until three. Sit down and eat breakfast with us. We know we’re lucky you would come home with us this weekend. Have you had a good time so far?”

  “It’s been great.” That was the truth.

  She poured herself some coffee. Guido had told her he’d phone her. She hoped he meant it. There’d been moments this weekend when she’d thought he was attracted to her, but she’d learned from her sister that Guido had enjoyed his share of girlfriends.

  He was her brother-in-law’s age, thirty-two, yet still not engaged or married. Maybe he was this way around all women, making them feel special in the moment without having deeper feelings for them. He couldn’t have known she’d be coming to the castello. Was he glad to discover she’d come? Would he forget about calling her once he was back in Rome?