The Italian Next Door... by Anna Cleary

Author:Anna Cleary
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-05-31T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

PIA brooded.

How ungrateful was she anyway, to care that a man she felt madly attracted to could take her or leave her? Take her and leave her, that was. She hadn’t even been sure until that fantastic hour in his arms whether or not she was completely back to normal.

Now she knew she was, she should be looking on the bright side. Should be. Instead, she was yearning. Yearning, regretting and reliving the moments. Going over in her mind every single thing he’d said to her. Speculating about the hostility that existed between him and Lola. Something had happened there. As for Lola’s warning…

When had a warning ever worked?

And who ever made such a warning anyway, except a woman with an agenda? She wished she’d had an opportunity to ask him to explain his extraordinary behaviour towards Lola. The only thing she could think of—well, it stood to reason, didn’t it?—was that they had once been lovers and had had a bitter parting.

But Lola was married now. Surely old loves didn’t remain explosive for years. Take her own case. She might have become disillusioned with Euan and been in pain for some time after he walked out, but anger required too much energy to maintain for very long.

Sure, Valentino seemed too hostile to the woman for comfort, but from Pia’s point of view Lola should stop fluttering her lashes at him. In fact, it struck her that if she hadn’t been a peace-loving animal she’d have quite liked to remove Lola’s lashes. One by one and with physical force, if necessary.

She spent a day or two on her balcony creating a wistful little watercolour when it was obvious Positano demanded the bold sensuousness of oils, then realised she was sliding back into her old habit of avoidance. Trying to avoid life in all its miserable glory.

Avoiding Valentino.

The sad thing was it was hurting more not to see him than it would have been to see him and not be able to have him. At least, she thought so.

But… Her glass was half full. He had at least fancied her for a few moments, even if he didn’t consider her a keeper. She might not be someone he’d choose to take to a desert island with him, but she was at least good enough for a quick toss before dinner. How many women could claim that?

She pushed that disquieting door firmly shut.

She made a strong and definite resolution to get over Valentino Silvestri and embrace life fully, starting the very next day.

Looking on the bright side, taken all in all, murk notwithstanding, she wasn’t doing so badly in the recovery stakes.

Desire was back with a vengeance, painting on its way. There were other menaces she could stare down as well to fully seal her confidence. Sailing would be conquered when she went to Capri, though she didn’t care to think too much about what other challenges lay in wait for her there. Cliffs were fairly well catered for on her daily walks.

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