Page 74 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

‘You look very serious, Gio. Is something wrong?’

Everything.

He was accustomed to being in command, of himself and his life. He should be working instead of cosying up to Barbieri’s two-faced daughter.

‘I was thinking about that kiss.’

‘Oh.’

Something blazed in her eyes and he felt arousal stir. She looked away but not before he saw the tiniest hint of colour in her cheeks.

She couldn’t be blushing. Or was it because she too had got more than she bargained for with that kiss? The idea eased his mood. ‘I hadn’t planned it.’

‘No, it was the impulse of the moment.’

Gio studied her closely, choosing his words. ‘It was…more than I expected.’

Her head whipped around to face him so fast her ponytail flared wide before settling over her shoulder. She looked young and bright-eyed, innocent even. Though he knew she was in her mid-twenties and couldn’t believe any child of Alfredo Barbieri would stay innocent for long.

‘Yes, it was.’

Maybe Gio could use the truth to his advantage. Admitting his attraction would encourage her. If she felt sure of him perhaps she’d let down her guard. He didn’t even know if she was after commercial secrets or an opportunity for sabotage.

Whatever it was, he vowed she wouldn’t succeed.

‘Are you hungry? I know an excellent place near here for lunch,’ he suggested.

It was relatively quiet. Gio needed to dig further and discover her plans. If that didn’t work he could romance her into letting down her guard.

‘That sounds—’

Stella slammed to a halt as they turned a corner, her fingers grabbing his like a vice, nails pinching his skin.

He turned to see her milk-white, eyes huge, her mouth open on a gasp. A second later she spun around and stepped behind him.

Gio surveyed the street, eyes narrowed as he tried to pinpoint what had disturbed her. There was nothing obvious, though his gaze lingered on a heavy-set man with curly hair, a brown suit and massive gold watch that glinted in the sun. He didn’t look happy, his jaw set as he strode away. He looked vaguely familiar.

Gio turned and pulled Stella against him, his arm about her slim shoulders. ‘What can I do?’

Bruised velvet eyes met his and his blood stirred with protectiveness.

‘There’s nothing you can do. We’re nearly at the hotel, aren’t we?’

He nodded, realising the man might have come from there. Was he someone she was supposed to meet? Someone she didn’twantto meet?

Gio felt the tremors running through her and held her tight. She might be his opponent yet he hated seeing her so dismayed. She looked almost sick.

That was when he recalled where he’d seen the man. Yesterday when he’d researched Stella Barbieri there’d been photos of her with her family. The stocky man was one of her brothers, much older than her.

‘Someone scared you, didn’t they? Talk to me, Stella.’

‘It’s nothing. Just that I realised…’ She shook her head, straightening bowed shoulders, and stepped from his hold. Apart from her paleness and the darting glance over his shoulder, she looked in control of herself.

Gio was torn. Every instinct revolted at the idea of her scared, yet he hated the way she distanced herself, as much as he despised her deviousness. Could this be another ploy? An attempt to gain sympathy?

But her distress was real.

‘Tell me what’s wrong, Stella. Maybe I can help.’