Under a Tuscan Sky. Karen Aldous
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was the man who had helped the woman, and retrieved her glasses, the mop of near-black hair and his thick-rimmed glasses seemed increasingly sexy as well as familiar, she thought, as she looked up and smiled.
‘Buongiorno, are you staying in Florence?’ he asked.
Olivia’s eyes once again met the Italian’s, which lit up as he smiled. She guessed his age to be less than her own.
‘Actually no. I’m heading a little way south, to a village up in the hills.’
He held out a hand. ‘Alberto Luciano.’
‘Olivia. Call me Liv.’ She took his hand and shook it. At the touch, notes of sophisticated aftershave raced up her nostrils, dispersing inside her and stirring rumblings of desire she barely recognized.
‘Ah, beautiful,’ he said placing his folded newspaper on his knees. Careful not to crease the quality fabric of his shirt, he slid the seat-belt locks together.
She gripped her Kindle, unable to control jittering, nervous hands.
‘And Olivia is also a beautiful Italian name. You should not shorten it. Do you live in the village?’
She cleared her throat. ‘No. My nonna – well, she did.’
‘Ah, that’s doesn’t sound good. So, you had family there?’
‘Yes, Nonna died. My mamma is still in Italy though.’
His brows furrowed, sincerely. ‘I’m very sorry. But it’s good that you are still part of the living masterpiece that is Chianti. I live in Florence and have got to know much of Tuscany: its villages, towns, the scenic vineyards. My mamma is also Tuscan, from north of Siena.’
‘How lovely,’ she said, meeting those luring eyes again and then clutching her hands suddenly either side of the seat as the aircraft lifted. ‘Well …’
‘You’ll be OK. We are up,’ he assured her.
‘It’s still unnerving, the take-off and landing,’ she told him, fanning her face. ‘Yes, Nonna was always urging me to go and see the region. She told me it was lovely. I just enjoyed seeing her and Mamma – Nonno too when he was alive at her villa. Their farm is so warm and welcoming, and the landscape is certainly spectacular.’
More heat rose to her head as she gazed at his succulent moist lips, which revealed a sensitive smile. She guessed although pretty confident on the outside he was levering outside his comfort zone within. She went on. ‘Oh, I believe I went to see the Duomo in Florence when I was younger with my nonna and my friend Chiara. The thing is, I only ever got to visit a few days at a time usually. I know I’ve been to the village on several occasions, and I remember the leaning tower in Pisa. We flew in to Pisa last time we came so, Wi … we walked around the town and around the cathedral, went up the tower. A rather gruelling day.’
‘Is we the husband?’ His gaze rested on her hands.
‘No, he was a boyfriend.’
‘Was. I’m sorry. You have now broken up?’
‘Yes.’
‘So, do you come to Italy to restock?’
Olivia chuckled and realizing the plane was now moving took a deep breath. ‘What – the boyfriend or the mind?’
Alberto’s lips relaxed too. ‘Yes, well either, I suppose.’
‘I’ve Nonna’s business to attend to mainly. What about you? What’s the reason for your journey today?’ she asked, not wishing to discuss too much of her private business with a total stranger.
‘I’m working with a university in London. We are teaching one another really. I’m exchanging my knowledge with theirs. They are helping me refine development of an electric autonomous car my company have designed.’
‘What is that, exactly?’
‘Have you heard of driverless cars?’
‘They’ve been in the news lately. The industry still having problems with them; well, totally controlling every potential hazardous scenario, I gather. Rather like the robots and artificial intelligence.’
‘That’s it. And the wireless charging is another issue.’
‘Totally out of my realm,’ Olivia said feeling the subject could quite easily fly over her head with no power required whatsoever. She did find his geekiness attractive though. ‘It sounds amazing and very interesting. I’d love a car to drive me. It would be nice to be chauffeured everywhere, especially in Italy. I’ve never driven there before and I’m not looking forward to it.’
‘Let me. I can give you a tour of Tuscany.’ He held his palms open and nodded as if he had resolved her problem. ‘I have time tomorrow. I’ll take you.’
She thought of her tight schedule. ‘I couldn’t possibly. I’ve so much to do before Monday. Maybe next week some time, but impossible tomorrow I’m afraid.’
‘A few hours – that’s all. I’m sure you can spare a few hours.’
Afraid he could read her as simply as she could read a diamond catalogue, she leaned on the chair arm by the window and bit her lip. She only had the next two days to clean, as tempting as it was. And, she reminded herself, it was not her intention to start any romance as stunning as he was, and cute. ‘I would love to but I have so much to do in the short time I’m here. Thank you, anyway.’
‘You know balance is key to a healthy life, right?’
‘Yes, but I’m reluctant to reward myself until I’ve actually done some work, which, as yet, I haven’t.’
She watched his playful eyes as he pondered momentarily. He seemed so caring and grounded, as though he genuinely paid attention to keep the balance in his life. And her mind catapulted back to minutes before – the way he had helped the lady in front with her children. He was so at ease and not at all intimidated by a baby. Unless of course he had his own.
She was just about to open her mouth when he said, ‘What about tomorrow afternoon then, after you do some work? You could begin an hour or two earlier. I’ll get you back home for an early night too. Why don’t you take my card?’ He whipped a card from the top pocket of his shirt and held it up. ‘When you finish your morning’s work, ring me.’ Then as if he had looked up her character traits on some hidden profile of hers on Google, added, ‘Or before, if you like to be organized.’ That was so spooky.
Hesitating before accepting the card, she licked her bottom lip. ‘Really, I’ve just …’
‘I’m single, I promise, if that’s what you’re worried about,’ he said as though reading her concerns. ‘I would very much like to see again. Please take it. I promise you, I’m never this forceful, but sometimes, you have to push yourself that bit harder for what you want. At least allow yourself the choice. I’ve learned never to close an open door until you’ve at least seen what’s behind it.’
Rubbing the smooth card, Olivia’s other hand flew to her mouth as she laughed, nervously. He was clearly on her page – as well as being physically irresistible.
‘You sound very wise; maybe I should heed your advice.’
She closed her Kindle realizing there was more entertainment to come from the man beside her, and even if she tried to read, nothing would go in. How could she absorb anything with his body at such close proximity? Her body and head were swirling with lust.
This was truly a bizarre situation to be in, and not one she could ever have imagined. This wasn’t on her agenda. Hadn’t she just convinced herself she didn’t need a man? Wasn’t that what she’d spent the whole of Friday night and weekend concluding? A loud ping sounded over the Tannoy and the lights signalled so that seat belts could be unsecured.
‘Perfect, so let me buy you a drink when the stewardesses begin serving.’
‘Thank