Page 27 of The Girl from Sicily

27

JESSICA, JULY 2005

A comfortable warmth radiated through Jess as she smoothed her fingers over the ceramic trinacria. Piero was accompanying Domenico, the builder, to his car. The three of them had spent the past hour inspecting every nook and cranny of the baglio, and Jess was feeling more than encouraged by Domenico’s positive remarks.

She’d been expecting a touch of coldness from Piero after she’d pushed him away last night, but he’d been the perfect gentleman and had driven her to Villaurora earlier with the same friendliness as usual. It must have meant nothing to him, but Jess was still mortified by what had occurred.

They’d met Domenico beforehand in front of the farmhouse and, when Jess opened the rustic door, the builder had exclaimed with delight. Domenico only spoke Italian, and Jess was grateful for Piero’s translations of technical terms. The property was structurally sound, there was a septic tank for domestic sanitary wastewater, which undoubtedly needed updating, and the electrics and plumbing were also old. Domenico had suggested investing in solar panels and the installation of a rainwater collection system, which would be vital if Jess installed a swimming pool.

When she’d asked him about adding an extra floor on one side of the building, Domenico said he thought it wouldn’t present any problems. He said that, once she’d made up her mind about accepting her inheritance, he’d come back and do a full survey and a comprehensive estimate for the renovation work.

‘That went well,’ Piero said when he came back into the courtyard. ‘Domenico is an excellent builder, and trustworthy. His quote will be competitive, but you could get a second opinion?—’

‘No need.’ Jess smiled. ‘I’ll go with your recommendation. And I’ve decided I’ll make an appointment with that lawyer in Palermo to get the deeds transferred to my name.’

‘That’s excellent news. I know you won’t regret it.’ Piero jangled his car keys in his pocket. ‘Let’s go back to the tenuta. Maria has made rice salad and other cold dishes, perfect for a hot summer’s night. Would you like to join me?’

‘You’re too kind to me, Piero.’ Jess felt her cheeks heat up and thought about mentioning her overreaction to his kiss yesterday, but decided against it. Best forgotten.

They headed for Piero’s car, and he opened the door for her. She settled herself into the comfortable leather seat and enjoyed listening to the sultry tones of Mina coming from a CD while he drove them towards the winery.

She was wearing shorts and, at one point, she caught him glancing at her tanned thighs, a glance that made her insides tingle. Get a hold of yourself, Jess.

The car park was busy on account of new guests arriving, meaning that Jess would no longer be on her own by the pool, but she’d already resolved to see more of Sicily and go on some day trips for the rest of her holiday.

Upstairs in Piero’s apartment, he offered her a glass of the Nozze d’Oro white wine she’d tried at the wine and food tasting, which she gladly accepted.

‘Where’s Cappero?’ She glanced around for the dog.

‘Stefania has him. When the place is swarming with guests, we can’t give him free rein so he stays with her as not everyone likes dogs.’

Piero fetched the food from the fridge and placed it on the table – not only rice salad but also a cold pasta dish and an array of cheeses and cold cuts.

‘ Buon appetito! ’ He clinked his glass with hers.

‘ Altretanto! ’ Jess said. You too.

She helped herself to a portion of rice salad, prepared with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mozzarella.

‘So delicious,’ she said after chewing a mouthful.

‘Try this!’ Piero handed her the pasta salad, and she took a small helping.

The corkscrew-shaped fusilli were topped with bell peppers, tangy cherry tomatoes, and tuna. When Piero passed her the cold cuts and cheese dishes, she declined.

‘The salads are perfect, thanks,’ she said, trying not to gaze into his hazel-coloured eyes.

While they ate, they talked about the proposed renovations to the baglio and the costs involved.

‘I’m happy to help with the work,’ Piero said. ‘Painting wooden window shutters can be extremely therapeutic.’

That I’d like to see , Jess thought, an image forming in her mind of his toned body flexing as he wielded the paintbrush.

‘You’d do that?’

‘Of course. We’d have fun getting dirty together.’

Jess felt her chest flutter and knocked back a gulp of her wine. Was he doing this on purpose? Choosing his words? Flustered, she imagined them having hot, sweaty fun, splashing each other with paint, then showering together and…

‘Let me top you up.’ Piero broke into her thoughts.

‘Thanks.’ Jess fanned her face with her hand. Time to change the subject.

‘I’m looking forward to meeting your parents tomorrow,’ she said.

‘It’s terrible that your grandfather, Gero Bonanno, was killed in an air raid in Naples.’ Piero looked her in the eye. ‘That must have been such a shock for your grandmother.’

‘Excuse me?’ Had she heard him correctly? Jess put down her fork.

‘Oh.’ Piero put his glass down. ‘You didn’t know?’

‘No,’ she said, picking up her own glass and taking a substantial sip. She tried to blink away the tears that prickled her eyes. ‘Sorry, it’s just – poor Nonna. And poor Gero. It’s the first time I’ve heard his name.’

‘You’re trembling,’ Piero said, coming around to her side of the table. He helped her to her feet and enveloped her in a hug. ‘I’m so sorry. I thought you knew?—’

‘Do you remember I told you about the rift between my gran and my mum?’ Jess sighed. ‘All I knew was that Nonna moved to New York after the war. I had no idea she was widowed beforehand?—’

‘Come, sit on the sofa and I’ll fetch you a brandy. I’m sorry for giving you such a shock.’

‘Thanks,’ Jess said, doing as he suggested.

‘Brandy cures all ails, I think,’ Piero said as he poured amber liquid into two glasses.

The liquor tasted fruity and somewhat sweet, but it warmed the coldness that had taken hold of Jess.

‘Feeling better?’ Piero asked.

‘Much better, grazie . I feel so silly not knowing about my family history. For years, it’s as if a part of me has been missing.’ She took a breath. ‘I’m hoping your dad will fill in some gaps tomorrow. But I’m also a little scared I’ll find out something awful?—’

‘I understand where you’re coming from, but try not to worry. Whatever happened, it happened a long time ago and won’t hurt you now.’

‘I hope not.’ A smile quivered on her lips. ‘Well, I suppose I should head back to my accommodation?—’

‘Before you go, I’d like to apologise for my behaviour last night.’

‘I should be apologising to you.’ Jess felt her cheeks flame. ‘I totally overreacted. I mean, what’s a kiss between friends?’

‘Is that what we are, Jess? Friends?’

‘What more can we be? You’re still in love with your ex-wife and I’m going home to Bristol soon.’

‘Ah, my slip-up in Licata. I knew that would come back to haunt me. I meant to say that I still love Eleonora, not that I’m still in love with her.’

‘What’s the difference?’ Jess glanced at him.

‘Being in love is romantic. Loving someone can be platonic. Eleonora is the mother of my children. I could never not love her. But I’m not in love with her, if you know what I mean—’ He took Jess’s hand. ‘I realise we’ve only known each other a short while, but we get on so well. Have such a lot in common. What are the chances I’d meet someone who loves Star Trek as much as me?’ He smiled into her eyes. ‘I’m developing feelings for you, Jess. Dare I hope you feel something for me too?’

‘Oh, Piero. How can I not be attracted to you? You’re the kindest man I’ve ever met.’ She squeezed his fingers. ‘And charming, good-looking, intelligent and such a good father. But we live in different countries?—’

‘Ah, yes, thanks for the compliments. I should have told you how attractive I find you as well. Your beauty, sense of humour, willingness to try new experiences, I could go on and on. You’re absolutely perfect. As for us living in separate places, I can’t help hoping that will only be temporary. Once your baglio has been restored, would you consider moving to Sicily to work as a freelance accountant, like I suggested?’

‘Hmmm. How about we take things one step at a time?’ Jess gave a sigh. ‘I don’t want to rush into anything.’

‘Fair enough.’ Piero took her brandy glass and set it down with his on the coffee table. He opened his arms and she went into them, snuggled against him.

‘Now I must head back to my accommodation,’ she said.

‘Is that what you really want?’

‘Yes. No. Maybe.’ Indecision tightened in her chest.

She closed her eyes, and he touched his mouth to hers, his tongue seeking entrance. And she couldn’t help herself, she gave in to him. Before she knew it, she was lying back on the sofa and he was covering her with his body. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears as he pressed his fingers along the tops of her shoulders and traced them down to the curve of her hips.

‘Mmm, that feels nice,’ she said.

Piero caught her eye, and she nodded. She wanted him so badly every nerve in her body was on fire, and she couldn’t stop herself from reaching for his shirt buttons as his lips found hers. Whimpering with pleasure, she arched her back.

‘You’re so beautiful,’ he said, tearing his mouth from hers.

‘So are you.’ She held his face close.

Piero kissed her again and she burnt with need as he tugged her shorts down. It felt so right, so natural, to wrap her legs around him. So natural as he eased himself into her, his eyes fixed on hers.

They rocked to the same rhythm, and she lost all sense of time and space. She forgot about Scott and his treatment of her, and her worries about what she might discover about her grandmother, even about the stresses of her job at the bank. All she knew, all she cared about, was this amazing man and his ability to make her feel so wonderful.

Afterwards, they lay in each other’s arms, kissing and cuddling.

‘Spend the night with me, please, Jess,’ Piero said.

And, so help her God, she said yes.

It was only after they’d moved to the bedroom, and made love for a second time and she was drifting off to sleep, that she thought about Lucia again.

How sad that Gero was killed. Carula must have been born in Sicily. Jess had always thought it had been in New York. What had prompted Lucia to move to America? Jess burrowed into Piero’s chest, relishing the closeness – she’d find out from his father tomorrow, no doubt.