Page 13

Chapter

Twelve

Alice was grateful Robbie had been there for her last night after she had the nightmare.

She’d longed to get lost in a mind-numbing kiss with him.

When Price interrupted their almost-kiss, the fact that Robbie hadn’t been there for fifteen years hit her.

She appreciated him being here now, but their relationship was far from the trust and love they’d once shared.

She wouldn’t let down her guard and kiss him. The beard had been an excuse. She still missed the way her Robbie looked, but she couldn’t deny the manly appeal of this new Robbie. With all his experiences and growth, he was still enticing, even if a trip to the barbershop wouldn’t be out of line.

The next morning, she slept in. When she woke, she showered and dressed in a sundress, wishing she’d remembered to ask Robbie what they were doing today. She doubted they’d have another beach day. Hopefully she hadn’t missed out on anything by sleeping in.

Only Curtis was downstairs, lounging on the couch and studying his phone. He stood and gave her a nod and a smile. “Morning.”

“Good morning. Is Robbie …?” She looked around. His bedroom door had been open.

“He went out early for an errand. Should be back shortly. ”

At that moment, there was a rap on the door. Alice turned.

“Please.” Curtis held up a hand, gesturing her back. He strode to the door and looked through the peephole. Then he punched in something on the alarm and pulled the door open.

Alice tried to peer past the bodyguard’s thick shoulders, but she couldn’t see who was there. It had to be Robbie or one of the other security guards, or Curtis would not have opened the door without some sort of interrogation.

“Nice,” Curtis said.

“Appreciate it.”

Robbie’s voice.

Curtis stepped to the side, and Alice had a clear view of the man in the doorway.

Her heart slammed against her rib cage. Old Robbie and New Robbie had collided, and the result was mind-blowing.

His dark hair was short on the sides, wavy and thick and trimmed on the top.

He was clean shaven, his handsome face on fine display.

His face wasn’t one bit boyish any longer, the manliness obvious in the chiseled lines of his cheeks and jaw.

His nicely sculpted lips gave his bright blue eyes a run for their money.

Those lips tilted into a smile as she stared at him.

Alice’s stomach dropped out and she couldn’t swallow past her dry throat. “You shaved?” she whispered.

“For you.”

Her stomach did a happy dance. How could she possibly resist him? She was an instant away from rushing across the space and throwing herself into his arms.

“I’m not letting a beard or my career get between us this time.”

Alice’s eyes widened. Did he mean that? How could she trust that he wouldn’t leave her again? How could she keep him safe if Big Buddha targeted him?

“Please…” She held up a hand defensively. “I’m not ready.”

Robbie nodded his understanding, though the light in his blue eyes dimmed. She wanted to keep that light burning bright, but she truly wasn’t ready for him to declare he wouldn’t let his career come between them. “Do you like it?” he asked, rubbing at his jaw and ducking his head slightly .

“Like it?” she repeated. She absolutely loved the way he looked. That he’d shaved and cut his hair for her made her warm clear through.

Curtis stepped farther away from the door, obviously uncomfortable being caught in their moment. “Excuse me,” he murmured.

“No, excuse us,” Alice said. “What’s the plan for today?”

Robbie’s expression reflected a keen disappointment and a longing. She’d told him last night she wouldn’t kiss him with the beard. What was her excuse now? Especially if he truly wouldn’t let his career come between them.

“I think you’re going to love it,” he said.

She imagined he meant the plan for today, but he could be referring to her loving his clean shaven and hair trimmed glory.

“All right,” she said in a trembly voice. “Surprise me.”

“You don’t like surprises.”

She looked him over again. “I like some surprises.”

He smiled.

Alice liked him. She probably even still loved him.

But she couldn’t tell him that and endanger him.

They drove an hour north to Breda di Fregona, a beautiful natural park reserve known for the Caglieron Caverns.

Robbie read to her that the caves were a unique natural and artificial landscape.

A gorge carved by the Caglieron stream had been expanded by caves where sandstone was extracted in the past.

They walked along a wooden walkway, over bridges, and were mesmerized by the gorges, caves, waterfalls, and rock formations.

Sunlight filtered through the openings, creating magical patterns.

Alice was obsessed with design and architecture, but even she could admit that nothing manmade could best God’s creations.

Nature’s architect never ceased to thrill and impress her.

There was an ancient water mill and restaurant at the end of the path. It was quiet; they only encountered a few other tourists. Price and Merrick gave them some space but stayed close enough to keep a visual on them and scope out in front of and behind them.

Neither she nor Robbie said much, but the tension between them was high.

He kept giving her meaningful glances, touching her hand or the small of her back to direct her.

She flushed with warmth at each look or touch.

She couldn’t get used to this new but old Robbie.

He looked like the love of her youth, but his face had matured in all the right ways.

The best word she could think of was mouthwatering.

She’d never seen a man who was his equal.

It was obvious by each glance and soft touch that Robbie was interested in her. He’d shaved and gotten his hair cut for her. He’d claimed he wouldn’t let his career come between them. Could she trust that declaration? Was he only hoping for a kiss, or did his feelings run as deep as hers?

His comments had sent her reeling. What was she supposed to do with these re-surging feelings?

Would he be killed by Big Buddha if she fell for him again?

Would he leave her for his important work with Aiden Porter and she’d be devastated and lonely?

Could he and her mother ever have a good relationship?

What if she had to choose? At the moment, she wanted to choose him over her mother, but could she trust him not to leave her behind again?

Her mind went round and round. Robbie had all but admitted he wanted a relationship.

It was hard to make rational decisions when he looked incredible and everything he said or did reminded her of the Robbie she’d fallen in love with who was now a mature and impressive operative for one of the top security gurus in the world.

Robbie Perrine was irresistible.

After the grotto walk, they rented bikes and rode along trails through the lush and green nature park.

For lunch, they found an outdoor restaurant in the piazza or town square.

They chatted about his friends from high school, each of which she’d felt were her friends too.

It was good to catch up. She even shared some stories about Ruby and Natalie.

Doing so was healing, and she appreciated him drawing her out about them.

They shared a cannoli for dessert. She’d never liked cannoli at home, but this one was flaky and light on the outside with a rich pistachio cream swirled with chocolate shavings. Delicious.

Robbie looked at her with his lashes lowered, an almost shy look that made her heart flip flop. “You haven’t said anything about Jack. Were you …” He swallowed. “Close to marrying him?”

“No,” she admitted.

Robbie straightened in his seat, and his gaze became piercing.

“He was a great guy, but we only dated a few months before he was killed.”

“I’m sorry,” Robbie said. The words were sincere, but there was also an underlying … relief. Robbie had obviously not wanted her falling in love with anyone else. She felt the same.

“Thank you.”

She finished the dessert and moved to stand.

Robbie put a hand on her arm, heat searing her skin from his touch. “Have you been close to marrying anyone over the years?”

Alice sucked in a breath. He hadn’t asked these direct questions right away. Had he been giving her time to adjust to him?

“No,” she admitted.

His blue eyes grew impossibly warm and tender. “Waiting for me?” he asked in a husky whisper.

Alice’s own eyes widened as pain stabbed at her heart. “Absolutely not,” she shot at him, angry he’d say such a thing. As if she should’ve waited around for him when he’d ditched her and broken her trust. She stood and ignored the pain in his eyes. “What’s the plan this afternoon?”

Robbie stood slowly, as if to allow her to appreciate his glorious presence. “A castle and church and town tour.”

“Perfect.”

There was a forced pleasantry between them as they toured the elaborate church—sculptures and paintings and decorative trim crowding the space.

The charming town square, complete with clock tower, was intriguing.

It blew her mind to think of these structures being close to a thousand years old.

They toured the castle ruins of Castello del Piai.

It was in a beautiful location close to the grottos they’d explored this morning .

It was early evening when they headed back to Venice and their condo.

There was a spread of Vietnamese food waiting for them in the kitchen.

The Italian food was delicious but heavy; she was ready for a change and excited about the multitude of green, purple, and red vegetables she glimpsed in the dish.

They assembled plates and went out onto the patio. As they ate, the sun set and a quiet hush settled over the city. It was beautiful. She glanced at Robbie. He was beautiful too.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, rubbing at his jaw and drawing her attention to his clean-shaven face and those lips. Dang his lips.

“No thoughts,” she lied. “It was a great day. I loved the grottos and waterfalls.”

“I knew you would. I guess you do like some surprises.” His gaze focused on her lips before lifting to hers. Those blue eyes held her captive.

“Some,” she admitted through a dry throat. “What’s the plan tomorrow?”

He didn’t appear to like her redirection, but he pulled out his phone. “Padua. It’s a historic city with roots back to the tenth century, built on a river. I’m sure the architecture will be impressive.”

“Sounds amazing.”

He studied her and simply nodded.

They finished their dinner and cleaned up their garbage, putting the food away in the fridge.

The food always seemed to magically appear and disappear.

She didn’t know if their guards were polishing it off or a maid was coming by.

Her room was also refreshed each morning, so it might be a combination of the two.

Robbie walked her up the stairs and to her room. She whirled to face him, her heart thumping, as he rested his hand on the doorframe and leaned in.

Alice didn’t know how to defend herself from new and old Robbie crashing together. This was the man she’d longed for and dreamed of reuniting with for the past fifteen years. The only woman on earth who wouldn’t agree that he was the most enticing man on the planet was her mother .

She frowned, thinking of her mother and how she’d loathed Robbie.

“Alice?” his voice was husky and full of yearning. “Everything okay?”

“I … I’m tired.”

He nodded, but he didn’t ease away. “Last night you said you wouldn’t kiss me with the bush growing on my face.”

Her eyes widened. He’d gone there. She wanted to slide her fingertips along his firm jaw, then thread them into his thick hair and kiss him for a very long time.

“I never said I would kiss you if you did shave,” she whispered, trying to maintain some sense of rationality.

“It was implied.” He gave her a slight smile, but his eyes were too serious, too invested in her.

Her stomach lurched. She wanted him and she loved him.

“Robbie … I can’t,” she murmured, even as her hands itched to reach for him and give in to her desire for him.

“Why not?” he asked, still not moving toward her or away. If only he’d take away all the confusion, decimate her resistance, and simply lean down and kiss her.

“Fifteen years of reasons.”

His gaze cooled at that, and he straightened. “I understand. Goodnight.”

Turning, he strode to his room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Alice wilted against her own doorframe. She was proud of herself for resisting and knew her mother would be proud.

At the same time, it was devastating not to kiss and hold the man she’d always loved.

She stared at his door, willing him to stride back out and claim her mouth like the impressive man he was.

Several long moments ticked by.

Finally, she turned and pushed into her room, almost as devastated as the day he’d left her fifteen years ago.