Be Mine: Valentine Novellas to Warm The Heart by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Ebony McKenna
Published: 2020-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

“You’re sure this is the address?” Luca pulled up in front of the modern office building and turned to her.

She checked her phone again. “Yes, this is it.”

The sad phrase hung between them.

This was it. The moment of goodbye. There was no choice but to move on and that meant relegating Luca to a beautiful memory. She steeled herself to meet his gaze.

He tucked her hair behind an ear. Was he as reluctant as her to part company? “What does your father do?”

“He’s a designer. Of engines. If he hadn’t fallen ill, he’d have been doing this presentation.”

“Engines?” He frowned and glanced at the building behind her. A half-smile tugged up one side of his mouth.

“What is his name?”

“Gregory Mason.”

Luca’s lips twitched. “And you know all the details? Can answer all the questions?”

“Yes. I have an engineering degree. I worked with him on it.” Over months and months. Pride in their achievements helped her focus. She could make it through this farewell without tears.

He nodded as though satisfied with her answer, though why she couldn’t say.

“Well, bella. I will say ciao for now.”

Ciao.

That was for when you expected to meet again. For people who lived in the same country, who had coffee and dinner and slept together more than one night because they could.

Ciao was full of the promise of another meeting, and sweet kisses, and Luca in her arms, inside her again and again.

Ciao was not theirs to give.

“Shouldn’t it be arrivederci? It’s not like I’ll get back to Sorrento again.”

“Serena, I think we both know last night wasn’t enough. We will have more.”

“You sound sure.”

“Si. I am. Now—” He undid one more button on her shirt, ran a finger down her chest and tilted his head to the side, examining the effect. “Better. I wish you good luck. Show them who you are.”

He leaned across the centre console, touched her cheek with his fingertips, and then leaned in. His kiss was gentle, the passion of last night reined in, but simmering just below the surface.

Ciao.

Her heart ached for his words to come true. How could she give up what they’d shared? And yet, how could she afford to come back to Italy?

She pressed into the kiss, seeking to make it last a few seconds longer. Breathing in his scent—woodsy cologne, musk, Luca.

The half hour chimed from the duomo clock tower opposite and she swallowed. Nine-thirty.

It was time to go.

“Thank you—for everything.”

“Ciao, bella.”

She slipped out of the car and stepped away.

With a quick wave, Luca pulled out into traffic and disappeared around the corner.

Head high, she entered the building and was directed to the correct floor. As she approached reception, the first flutters of nerves began. She moistened her lips as the receptionist looked up.

“Ah, Signorina Bannon, welcome. I hope you are recovered from your accident, si?”

“Er, yes, thank you. I’m a few minutes early. Can I set up my presentation before the meeting?”

“Of course. Please, follow me.” Elegant and wearing four-inch heels only possible if one sat at a desk all day, the woman showed her into the boardroom.

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