Page 35

The humor in the moment drained from his face.

“I just need some air. Now, please!”

Giovanni stepped back, keeping his hands raised to show her he would oblige. She hurried away from him. The doors to the villa and terrace were open, and she marched out into the sunshine. Finally, she could breathe. She’d lost her head. Flirting with the man was one thing, but kissing him was something far more scandalous. The press was hot on her heels after the breakup with Kei and his divestment of their business. She could see the headlines now. No one believed her talent unless a man’s name was in the byline. Mira shook her head and hugged herself against a balmy breeze coming in through the thin leafy branches of the surrounding large trees. “Excuses, excuses, you know the real reason girl,” she mumbled. The truth was she enjoyed the lapse in control too much.

Soft footfalls drew her attention back over her shoulder. Giovanni hurried down the steps to join her. His hands shoved down in his pockets he looked unfazed by her rejection. That stung too. He probably thought she was some flake or maybe just a quick conquest not worthy of the trouble.

Ugh!Weak and needy is not attractive Mira.

“Don’t move. Wait right there.” He called out to her.

Mira rolled her eyes. “I asked for a minute please. I just want to be alone.” She turned left and started toward the tiny bridge that crossed into the gardens. She thought his request was a command and not a warning. Before her was a bed of lilies covering a shallow pond. Too bad she realized it too late. One step and her foot sank. Mira’s arms flapped out from either side and her eyes stretched so wide all the muscles in her brows went tight. She turned to escape the fall and went backward screaming. Water splashed upward from all sides drenching her. She landed on her butt. Giovanni stopped. He blinked at the scene. At first shock registered on his face, then laughter exploded from him further wounding her pride.

“Don’t laugh at me!” She pouted.

The shallow water of the pond reached her waist. White lilies floated around her on the rippling waves and a spray of tiny bugs flew out of their petals. She squinted and swatted them away. “Oh my God! I’m so embarrassed.”

“I’ll help you!” Giovanni surveyed the scene. He gauged his step but still his expensive loafer sank in the murky pond, drenching the hem of his pants leg. Mira smirked once his palm extended out to her. The smugness in his eyes and smile could not go unnoticed. She reached for his hand. When Giovanni aimed to pull her up, she summoned all her strength to pull him down. He anticipated her move, and with one quick jerk of her palm he lifted her and caught her up against him. His powerful free arm scooped up her soggy dress and legs, and he held her in his embrace as if she were a child. His men stood off in the distance, observing. She glanced over to see them frowning at their boss. He not only carried her but the water and lilies she had been submerged in. They were a sight.

Giovanni snarled a few curse words under his breath stomping out toward the paved walkway. She stuttered out hard laughs. “Guess the tour is over. I have to change.” She told him once he set her on her feet.

“Let’s go this way. It’s a shorter walk and you can see more of the gardens. Breakfast is ruined.” He took her by the hand, and they began to walk.

“Breakfast was fine. I enjoyed it.”

He sucked down an impatient breath and kept walking. Mira couldn’t think of anything to say in response. The smile on her face didn’t fade. Seeing him trying to remain rigid and in control with muddy pants and ruined shoes was far too cute to ignore. This time he took her hand, a bit more possessively. Of course his men remained as their shadow. When she glanced back she could swear they were suppressing the urge not to laugh.

“I embarrassed you?” she teased.

“I said never mind it.”

“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed. Your eyes stretch and your nostrils flare like a bull.”

He lost his step. He glanced down at her. She winked. He shook his head and smiled. Together they walked along a short path at a moderate pace. She blinked at the most exquisite of sculptures in the center of a stone fountain. An enchanting likeness of a woman from ancient times stood at least seven feet tall. It looked Egyptian, definitely Egyptian from the headdress and features.

“Napoleon kept the treasures he’d stolen from Egypt and brought some here. That is one of them. She’s a goddess of some sort. Not sure which.”

“She’s stunning. I wonder what her name was? Probably a Queen or—.”

“We should go.” He pulled her past the sculpture. Mira frowned. She removed her hand from his and he finally took notice of her disapproval. He stopped and stared at her.

“What’s your hurry?”

“I’m done here. I want to leave.”

“You are angry.”

“I can take a joke.” He dismissed the incident in the pond with the wave of his hand. Of course he would since she failed to pull him in.

“No. You’re angry because I kissed you and then pushed you away. Right?”

Exasperated his hand flew up in defeat. “I kissed you. You have every right to turn me away. It’s your choice.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I’m not angry. Disappointed? Yes. Angry? No.”

“Well sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t take to kissing men I don’t know.” She crossed her arms and tossed her chin upward.