Page 104 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

He inclined his head. It wasn’t just her explanation, but that she hadn’t tried to pump him for confidential information. At the Amalfi villa he’d ditched his suspicions, eventually relaxing fully with her. He’d put off his admission that he’d suspected her because he’d been too selfish to break their passionate interlude.

By the time the investigator’s report arrived he’d convinced himself there was some other explanation for her presence.

‘I do. I was having doubts about you as a spy when we were at my villa. Finally I decided it was time to bring everything into the open. But then you ran and it seemed like proof you’d lied. That youhadplanned to use our relationship and were scared to stay and be honest with me.’

That was the main reason for his animosity. Because he’d never had a relationship like it. It had been unique, making him feel triumphant and happy, but vulnerable too. He revelled in it even as it scared him.

It had felt like being on a roller coaster, exhilarating but beyond his control. And Gio never relinquished emotional control.

‘I left becauseyoulied tome. You dug into my private life when all you needed to do was ask. You made me feel…grubby.’ Her eyes narrowed and her breasts rose and fell with her quickened breathing. ‘You let me think you were attracted to me when all the time you were manipulating me, like a cat with a mouse.’

Gio’s throat thickened because the truth was there in her stricken face and defensive pose. He’d never before felt ashamed of his actions.

‘I’m sorry, Stella.’

Why hadn’t he trusted his instinct? Could it be because from the start he’d sensed Stella was different? He’d responded to her differently. So he’d been extra wary, falling back on distrust and suspicion.

‘But…’ he caught her eye ‘…I never lied about being attracted to you. That was real,isreal. What happened here yesterday…’ He waved towards the salon where he’d taken her on the grand piano. Despite his remorse, that memory made his groin tight.

‘That could have been revenge. A power-play.’

Horrified, Gio shot forward in his seat, elbows on his knees, hands clasped as he leaned closer. ‘No! Absolutely not. It was…necessary. I wanted you from the first. I still want you. Like you still want me.’

Her soft gasp confirmed it, as did her expression. She pressed back in her chair as if distancing herself from the truth, but Gio was having none of that. He’d worked for months to deny this truth and it was a relief to set it free. He felt some of the weight lift off his shoulders.

‘Don’t deny it, Stella. I’m not bragging, just doing what we should have done from the start, being frank.’ He watched her digest his words. ‘Between us we’ve created a difficult situation—’

‘Difficult!’ Her laughter held a stark edge. ‘It’s a nightmare!’

‘So we’ll untangle it. For ourselves and our child.’

He waited for her to snap that it wasn’t his baby but she remained silent. His heart smashed against his ribs. Was that tacit agreement, or a refusal to commit herself?

‘Tell me, Stella. What was it your father wanted you to do? What sent you running to Rome?’

Once again she looked past him, as if the view held the answer to every question. When she looked back he recognised the determined set of her features.

‘I’ve done all the explaining. It’s time to do your share. You can begin by telling me why you and my father hate each other. If it weren’t for your feud, none of this would have happened. What did he do to make you think he’d go to such lengths as spy on you?’

Astonished, Gio stared. ‘You don’t know?’

‘Would I ask if I did?’

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

‘It’s not mehe hates. It’s my family.’

‘But you have no family. Just distant cousins.’

Stella watched Gio’s grim expression lighten. ‘You remember that?’

Of course she remembered. Every detail of their time together was branded in her brain. She blinked, reading what might have been eagerness in those grey eyes.

Before today she’d have thought it impossible, but after what had just passed between them, and his apology, she wondered if he felt the way she had when he’d recalled her night-time jogging.

She’d felt a tendril of warmth unfurl inside. As if his remembering meant he cared.

It was so hard to keep her distance from Gio. Physically, mentally and emotionally. Even through her outrage at him snatching her from the wedding, her feelings for him were jumbled. And intense.