Page 99 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

Remembering their furious coming together, she knew the heat engulfing her wasn’t solely due to shame. Once more her body betrayed her, aroused at the memory of him pinioning her with his body, slamming into her with a rough desperation that equalled her own.

Where was her self-respect?

Shaking her head, she turned her back on the million-dollar view and went inside. The bedroom was beautifully appointed and, most important, had a sturdy lock.

Not that she’d needed it. Her nemesis hadn’t followed her when she’d escaped up here yesterday. Nor had there been a knock in the night. He’d probably spent the evening laughing at how easily he’d played her and how weak she was.

Grinding her teeth, Stella strode into the dressing room. Last night, looking for something to sleep in, she’d been amazed to discover it full of clothes. Ones she’d left behind in his Amalfi villa, and more besides, hangers and drawers full of brand-new clothes, all in her size. Even a collection of shoes and gossamer-fine underwear.

She’d rocked back on her feet, disconcerted by the thoughtful gesture. Or was it a demonstration of his power? That he’d prepared for her stay. Bringing her here when she’d never imagined spending time with him again.

Automatically she reached for a familiar sundress, then stopped. The dress had thin shoulder straps and a line of buttons Gio had once taken his time undoing, driving her crazy with his slow seduction.

She scanned the racks. Each of the items she’d left behind held memories of that intense time with him. Memories she had no intention of revisiting.

Good luck with that!

Her gaze drifted to the pile of satin and lace in the corner. When she’d finally got to the room yesterday she’d been desperate to get out of the wedding gown. The gown she’d worn while she let Gio take her.

Stop lying to yourself! You did as much taking as he did. You didn’t let him, you invited him, provoked him and gloried in the consequences.

Sanity had only returned when she got up here and crippling self-disgust filled her. Shivering, she’d been unable to undo the multitude of tiny buttons down the back. In the end she’d used nail scissors from the bathroom to cut herself free.

The trouble is you’re not scared of Gio Valenti. It’s yourself you have to worry about.

With that in mind she searched the hangers, finding a maxi dress in red. The colour would give her confidence. It left her shoulders bare but the high neck suited her and didn’t lend itself to seduction.

Stella smoothed her hand protectively over her abdomen, awed by her just-developing baby bump. A familiar mix of wonder and protectiveness strengthened her resolve. She’d been weak around Gio but no more. There was too much at stake now.

Today she’d confront him, deal with whatever needed to be done and move on with her life.

She had a future to build, one that didn’t include Gio Valenti.

She was sitting under a shaded pergola, nibbling at a breakfast the housekeeper had provided, when she heard familiar footsteps. Her nape prickled and her breath snagged but she reached for her juice and took a long sip.

He sat opposite, making the table seem suddenly too small. To her horror, his tousled hair and the dark shadow on his jaw reminded her of those glorious mornings when she’d woken up naked beside him. And of what happened yesterday.

Beneath the high neck of her dress her skin tingled, courtesy of beard burn from yesterday’s encounter. It should sharpen her resolve to keep her distance, yet still she devoured the sight of him. Even the grooves of discontent around his mouth and the shadows under his eyes didn’t detract from his bone-deep good looks.

‘We need to talk.’ His voice was gravel-edged and played on her senses like fingers on a guitar string.

‘Yes.’ But she wasn’t ready to discuss the baby. First there were things she needed to understand. ‘Yesterday you accused me of lying. Why?’

He shook his head. ‘Oh, come on, Stella. Don’t play games. You know why.’

‘Because you hate my father.’

She still found it hard to believe that the urbane, thoughtful, engaging man she’d met in Rome should be so twisted by the need to best her father.

Gio frowned. ‘No one could blame me for despising your father, given his past crimes. But I don’t let that dictate my actions.’

Past crimes? Stella stiffened, a sick feeling stirring. Her father was a hard man, respected but feared too. What had he done? Or were Gio’s words designed to confuse her?

‘What made you treat me the way you did? You seduced me. Your investigators invaded my privacy. Youusedme.’

‘I usedyou? It was the other way around.’

‘Stop talking in riddles. For once just behonestwith me. Or is that beyond your capabilities?’ She gripped the edge of the table with both hands. ‘Why did you make my acquaintance? You did it deliberately.’