“I’m relieved your apartment is only a couple more steps away. I just might make it.”

  “Let’s hope there’s no reporter hanging around trying to take a picture of the famous soccer player in your sad condition.” Her comments continually amused him. “Tell you what. Once we’re inside, you can stretch out on the couch and watch the game while I cook.”

  “I thought you wanted to watch it.”

  “I do. I’ll come in and out of the kitchen.”

  “That won’t work. We’ll cook together, then eat while we watch. I want to hear your commentary.”

  “It won’t be worth much.”

  “Let me be the judge of that.”

  “The bathroom is down that hall if you’d like to freshen up.”

  “Thank you.”

  Her elegant apartment reminded him she was a woman who had the title of Princess Caracciolo and Taranto. But the way she behaved, you’d never know she came from a long line of aristocrats. She’d worked her way around the market picking out what she wanted and taking her time like any Italian housewife. Surely he’d never seen a more beautiful one.

  As he came out of the bathroom, he passed her bedroom, then backtracked in slow motion. On the wall next to the window was a poster. To his shock, it was the one of a younger Guido. She’d kept this one for herself. The sight of it gave him a heart attack.

  He checked his breathing before going back to the living room. Within a half hour delicious aromas filled the apartment. She made a place on her coffee table in front of the television. He poured the wine while she went back to the kitchen for their plates.

  Guido could see doing this for the rest of his life. Never had he been with a woman who caused his thoughts to expand as far as marriage. Since he’d taken her to the yacht, part of him was alarmed by the depth of his feelings for her because he didn’t know if he trusted everything she’d told him concerning Rini.

  He had no doubt she’d spoken the truth as much as she could admit. But he sensed there was more she was holding back from him. Since it involved his best friend, he couldn’t be satisfied with a half confession any more than he could a half loaf of bread, especially not now, when he knew what was hanging on the wall in her bedroom. The poster’s presence had to mean something vital.

  He would have to go on seeing her to learn the whole truth. Maybe that would involve digging it out of her soul. Until then he would spend as much time as possible with her because he couldn’t help himself. At this point she was on his mind day and night.

  They watched part of the game, but she fired questions at him that suggested she really wanted to understand. He was only too happy to oblige.

  “Are your players trained into the ground?”

  His lips twitched. “Maybe not into the ground. On an individual basis they train by working out hard, running a lot, eating right, practicing skills. If you have a love for it, it isn’t so hard.”

  She sat back against the cushion of the couch. “So what part do you play as the owner?”

  “I’m like one of the coaches and get right in there. When we’re not out on the field, the players work out in the gym. I work on them to focus on abs and quads. They need to increase their agility and endurance.”

  A glint of amusement entered her marvelous eyes. “Do they hate to see you coming?”

  “Always. When the other coaches are through, I usually make the team run a variety of drills and practice plays. I force them to concentrate on being as fit as possible by combining sprints with long runs.”

  “Well, it’s certainly paying off. You’ve only lost one game this year.”

  “True, but we barely won yesterday’s. That’s got me nervous. I don’t want the team to get comfortable.”

  She took another sip of wine. “Do you have a motto?”

  He nodded. “Discipline yourself so others don’t!”

  “What a great slogan! It makes perfect sense.”

  “I’m glad you approve.”

  “Are you kidding? Let’s watch the end of the game and see if your team has taken your words to heart.”

  After fifteen minutes it was over. She wanted to know how many players were on a team, their positions and tactical skills. “How did you train when you were high school age?”

  “I started soccer at seven.”

  “I should have remembered that.”

  Even if she was being polite, it flattered him that she would show this much interest in the game.

  “During the summers, when I had no guidance, I’d start by running hills with my friends. Later on I’d work on sprints and sudden bursts of speed. Then again, I always had to have a ball at my feet so I wouldn’t lose touch until soccer practice started.

  “I went to as many matches as I could attend and played every position, including defender, goalie and midfield. But my favorite position was forward.”

  “The position you excelled at until you became the epic champion.”

  His brows lifted. “Epic?”

  “That’s you. I’m truly in awe of you, Guido.”

  “It’s past history.”

  “But that excellence is living on in your team. Are you happy you left the shipping company to do this?”

  “Yes, but whether I decide to own and manage a soccer team for the rest of my life isn’t a question I can answer yet.”

  “I bet your father wants you back.”

  “Yes, but I won’t do it unless I can embrace it a hundred percent. Let me ask you a question. Are you happy your modeling career is behind you?”

  A shadow entered her eyes. “You want to know the truth?”

  “What do you think?”

  “I went to college to study fashion design, something I’d always been interested in. But by the time I was halfway through, I couldn’t seem to produce something that wasn’t mediocre. I felt like Salieri in the film Amadeus.”

  Guido would have laughed if he didn’t know how serious this was. “You’re referring to the Italian composer at the time of Mozart.”

  “Yes. As someone put it, you have to squint your ears and listen for the magic. If you can sense a supernatural beauty within, you know it’s Mozart. If it’s just music, it’s not Mozart and probably someone like Salieri.”

  “You were awfully hard on yourself.”

  “I know. Halfway through school I was approached by the agency that hired me to model for them. I thought I’d take a year off school and try it.”

  Guido was fascinated. “Did you love it?”

  “Love is a strong word. I enjoyed the first year very much, but after that I sensed a lot was lacking in my life. The problem was, I felt it was too soon to give it up. I knew I could go back to school, but what if I failed to find my true calling? The owners of the agency put a lot of pressure on me to remain with them.”

  “You made a lot of money for them.”

  “Money runs the world.” She didn’t sound happy about it. For once he’d met a woman who wasn’t impressed by the Rossano name and fortune.

  “So tell me how you came to work for Juliana Parma now.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want to bore you.”

  “You mean the way I’ve bored you for the last two hours?”

  A small laugh escaped her throat. She looked at him. “Throughout my life, my parents and aunt and uncle have taken me to the opera. I’d sit in my seat and envy the singers whose voices could bring such pleasure to people, to me. I cried through every opera. I thought if God had given me a great voice, I would go on singing forever.”

  His throat thickened with emotion. “God gave you another gift, Dea. You’ve thrilled a lot of people modeling the clothes of famous fashion designers.”

  She sat forward. “That’s the point. It was the designers who created all the haute couture fashions. I envied their brilliance. All I did was walk around to display them.”

  “But those designers needed a woman like you to carry them off to the greatest advantage.”

  “Thank you for trying to build me up. In time I realized that the only thing that could make me truly happy was to create something of my own, something that came from me. That’s probably how you feel about soccer. It comes from you, no one else.”

  Dea got that right. “When I saw you and Alessandra in that video, even at your young age your father acknowledged that you had an aptitude for design.”

  “That’s because I wasn’t good at anything else.”

  “I could argue with you, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t listen. Go on and tell me about Juliana.”

  “Many times our family went backstage to talk to her. I saw how much she loved her work and I could understand because her creations brought life to the singers on the stage. The richness of the sets and clothes makes the opera so fantastic.

  “When you watch them perform in street clothes, it’s so different from casting them into their parts with all the trappings. It’s a kind of magic she creates.

  “After I went back to finish school, I knew I wanted to do what she did.” Tears filled her eyes. “My aunt made it possible for me to work under her this semester. You’ll never know what a great honor that is.”

  “I think I do. I’ve attended many operas in my life. What you’ve admitted helps me understand why I’ve enjoyed it so much.”

  “She designs for the theater too. The other night Gina and I were engrossed in the costuming for Othello. Bringing in the Moorish elements made it very exciting. In the future I hope I can be a part of such a project.”

  “With a drive like yours, I have no doubts.” It was getting late and he knew she had work early in the morning. The last thing he wanted to do was overstay his welcome, but he needed to do this right. He sensed in his gut this woman could change his life. “Let me help with the dishes before I leave.”

  “Those are my department tonight.”

  “Your food was fabulous. I hope you know that.”

  “Thank you.” He reached for the disc and she walked him to the door. “I’m so glad you came over tonight.”

  “We’ll have to do it again. I’ll be in touch.”

  She opened the door. “I’d like that.”

  Much as he wanted to crush her in his arms and kiss the daylights out of her, he didn’t dare. He was a greedy man. The poster on her wall still wasn’t enough. He wanted to hear her bare her soul to him.

  Like Carla, who’d hovered in the recesses of his mind because she’d judged him lacking, was Rini still lurking somewhere in her psyche because he hadn’t wanted her? That’s what he needed to find out. But that kind of deeply buried secret would take time to emerge—he’d have to get the whole truth from her. He couldn’t be with her much longer and not find out.

  “Thank you for tonight.” He cupped the side of her lovely face with his hand before walking down the hall to the elevator. The warmth of her skin stayed with him all the way out to his car for the drive home.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  THURSDAY EVENING AT the close of work, Gina and her fiancé, Aldo, were waiting for Dea at the front entrance. After introductions were made, the cute auburn-haired mechanic shook her hand.

  “Thanks for the poster. Since you won’t take any money for it, let us buy you dinner.”

  “That’s very nice of you, but I have a better idea. How would you like to see the soccer game on Sunday?”

  “I can only afford seats behind the goalie.”

  “I know a better place to sit and have a friend who’ll lower the price for you.”

  He squinted at her. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. Follow me to the stadium and we’ll buy them now. You can tour the museum at the same time. It doesn’t close until seven.” Now Dea had a great excuse to see the videos of Guido without his thinking she was chasing after him.

  “That would be wonderful!” Gina hugged her.

  “I must be dreaming,” Aldo murmured. “I’ve heard this game is already a sellout.”

  “One thing I’ve learned—they always have tickets. I’ll get my car.”

  She hurried off. Before long the three of them arrived at the stadium and parked near the suite of offices. There was a long line of people waiting to buy tickets. “Why don’t you get in line while I go in the museum. I’ll only be a minute.”

  When she went inside, she saw that another man was in charge. She went up to him. “Is there any way I can talk to Sergio if he’s here?”

  His eyes swept over her. “You’re the famous model!”

  “Past tense. Could you get in touch with him?”

  “He’s running the ticket booth. Maybe I can help.”

  “Thank you, but no. He’s the one I have to talk to.”

  “Just a minute.” He pulled out his phone and made a call. After a minute Sergio walked in the rear door. She ran over to him.

  “I’m sorry to bother you, but I need a favor. There’s a couple at the back of the ticket line. He has dark red hair. Give him the very best seats you can for Sunday’s game, but only charge him the cheapest price. I’ll make up the rest.” She opened her wallet and pulled out enough euros to cover it.

  “I’ll be happy to. Don’t go away.”

  “I won’t. After they get the tickets, we’re going to spend time in here. Maybe you can give him the royal tour. It would mean everything to him and a lot to me.”

  “Sure thing.”

  He left through the same door. Dea thanked the other man and went outside to find Gina. Fifteen minutes later they’d bought their tickets. It wasn’t until they headed for the museum that Aldo cried, “Do you know who that guy was who sold me the tickets? Sergio Colombo! He’s only the greatest soccer player in Italy next to Guido Rossano. And these are the best seats in the stadium!”

  Gina flashed Dea a smile of such gratitude it warmed her clear through.

  “Now that you’re set, let’s take a tour before it closes.”

  Some moments in life were precious. Sergio gave them a personalized visit with anecdotes about Guido she’d never forget. The videos thrilled her to the core. When they thanked him and turned to leave, the man who stole her breath every time she saw him stood in the doorway.

  “Guido...”

  He moved toward her. “Why don’t you introduce me to your friends.”

  Sergio must have told him she was here. If he’d still been in his office, then he’d had to come only a few steps. Before she could say a word, Aldo walked toward them. “I can’t believe it. Guido Rossano. I’ve idolized you for years. Gina—” he drew her along “—this is the legend.”

  “It’s an honor to meet you at last.” She shook his hand. “Thanks to Dea, this day has come.”

  “Have you been well taken care of?” No one could be more charming or dashing than Guido.

  Aldo beamed. “This is about the best day of my life!”

  Dea was touched to see a grown man so happy to meet a boyhood idol.

  “They’ll be at the match on Sunday,” Dea informed him.

  “Why don’t you two pick a poster before you leave and I’ll sign it.”

  “You mean it?” Aldo’s eyes widened. “How about the one at the national championship.”

  Sergio pulled it out of the bin and put it on the counter. He handed Guido a felt-tip pen. Gina looked at Sergio. “We’d like a signed poster of you too. I’ll pay for it.”

  “No, no. It’s on the house.”

  A minute later Dea saw two people ready to leave the store looking like they’d been given all their Christmases at once. She turned to the first man running the museum, then Sergio and Guido. “Thank you all.” But as she started to follow her friends out the door, Guido said, “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Dea looked around. “Home.”

  “Do you have to drive them?”

  “No. We came in our own cars.”

  “Good. That saves me a trip. Come to my office with me first.”

  “All right.” After taking a breath, she turned and called to Gina, “I’ll see you tomorrow.” They waved back.

  To her surprise, Guido put an arm around her shoulders in front of the other men and swept her through the back doorway, a shortcut to his inner sanctum. “I don’t want the guys thinking they have a chance with you.”

  She blushed. “They were both so nice.”

  He took her inside his office and shut the door. “If you want to know the truth, it’s not every day the ravishing Dea makes an appearance at a soccer stadium not once, but twice. One more time and their hearts might not be able to take it.”

  “You idiot.” She pushed against his chest playfully and was rewarded by being crushed against him.

  His eyes pierced hers. “You really don’t have any idea what you do to a man, do you? I’m going to kiss you so you’ll find out.” Guido’s intensity shook her before his head descended and his mouth closed over hers. Enveloped in heat, she felt his hands roam over her back and hips, urging her closer so she could feel every hard muscle and sinew in his body.

  Though Dea had been with a few men who’d wanted to kiss her passionately, she hadn’t fully reciprocated. Something had always held her back...until now.

  This was different. Guido was different.

  The feel of his mouth slowly devouring hers created such divine sensations that she felt like she’d been born for this moment and couldn’t get enough. “Guido,” she gasped in pleasure as he drew her into a wine-dark rapture. She clung to him, and they moved and breathed like they were a part of each other. Emotions greater than she could describe took over now that Guido had swept her into his arms.

  She was already crazy about the man, but the sheer physical feeling at this moment was all consuming, burning everything in its path so there was no room for anything else. Mind, body and soul were on fire for one man who answered the question of her existence.