Page 48

Ever since my ex crushed my heart five years ago, I vowed to always do my best to tell the truth. Which was why when I told Samantha that I believed there was still hope for the hotel to work its magic, I felt bad, because I did not believe it.

Victoria and I had tried contacting Edward several times and he had not returned a single call or message.

Perhaps he was with his family, but from what I had seen of him, he did not seem like a caring person.

Samantha said she did not think that Edward was afuckboy, but that was because she did not know how disrespectful he had been towards her.

When she said that she did not feel that spark with Edward, relief washed over me because I thought she liked him and I knew she deserved better.

And when Samantha spoke about butterflies, my body immediately reacted. I had noticed that when Samantha was nearby a warm feeling flooded my stomach, which was a sensation that I had not felt in a very long time.

For the next few hours we wandered down the cobbled streets of Matera, visiting Palombaro Lungo, the city’s historic underground cistern where they used to store all the water for the city and the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, which dated back to the fourteenth century and was carved into the rock face. I loved how Samantha’s face lit up whenever I told her something about the history or she saw something interesting.

Just as we had finished grabbing lunch, my phone rang.

‘Ciao, Kim,’ I said. It was one of the guests asking if I could show them the best spot to do some hiking with great views. ‘Sì. Tell me where you are and I will find you and take you to Ponte Tibetano della Gravina.’ Kim explained where she was and sent a pin to my phone.

‘I will show Kim and her match, Timothy, a special place,’ I said to Samantha.

Disappointment washed over me. I was sad that I would no longer be alone with Samantha, but that was ridiculous. I barely knew her. And she was a guest. I should be relieved that I now had a reasonnotto be alone with her.

Once we met up with Kim and Timothy, the four of us hiked down into the ravine, crossed the suspension bridge then hiked up the other side. I was glad that they all seemed fine with the heights.

‘We just have to climb a little bit to get to the old caves with the best views,’ I said as I scaled the rock.

‘Upthere?’ Samantha’s eyes widened. ‘Looks a bit slippery.’

‘Your shoes are good and it is safe. You will be fine.’

‘Mind if we go ahead?’ Timothy asked as he lifted Kim up. ‘We’re excited to see it.’

‘Go for it!’ Samantha said. ‘We’ll catch you up.’

‘Would you like me to help you?’ I asked.

‘Please. Just to be on the safe side.’

I stretched out my hand and Samantha took it. As her palm connected with mine, a bolt of electricity shot through me.

I felt the same sensation in Alberobello yesterday in the gift shop when our fingers had brushed.

Samantha’s eyes locked with mine. Had she felt it too?

We stood there, with our hands interlocked, neither of us moving.

She had very beautiful light brown eyes.

My gaze travelled down to her full lips. I wondered how they tasted.

‘We found it!’ Kim called out, breaking the spell.

What the hell was wrong with me?

It did not matter what I thought of Edward. I was not the kind of man to take someone else’s lady. And especially not one that was a guest.

It did not matter that Edward was away. Samantha was his match, which meant she was strictly off limits.

And the sooner I understood that, the better.