Ten Days in Tuscany (14 page)

She’d grabbed onto Nic as a way to escape this life she was stuck in. Was she reading too much into what had happened between them? A heavy feeling of pending disappointment settled in her chest, and Gia put her hand to her breast and glanced down.

Only a pale pink outline of the letters remained. The scarlet paint had worn off through the week. Gia reached for the bar of soap on the shelf behind her and slowly scrubbed the last traces of the word away. It was time to stand on her own two feet. Nic had presented her with this marvelous opportunity. He was going to help her, and he’d promised to call the man who would then help her plan her future if she sold her paintings at the exhibition.

Until Nic gave her reason not to, she would trust him.

Gia scrubbed away the last tiny speck of paint on her breast and shook her head.

Coraggio.

Not
if
she sold her paintings.
When
she did.

…

Nic and Antonio salvaged the deal, and their copy of the contracts had been signed, witnessed, and sent back to New York with a couple of hours to spare before he hit the
autostrada
and headed back to Castellina. The ball was in the Campbell’s court now, but Nic was confident they had solved the problem. But he couldn’t allow himself to get cocky until the deal was finalized. He could have handled it by phone, but in his usual way, he needed to be there and have total control, even with his father standing beside them listening to every word of the conference call to New York. Now, with that sorted out, he could focus on Gia’s show and then get back to Carrara at the end of the week.

Almost losing that contract had been a huge wake-up call for him. The traffic was quiet and a light shower of rain had wet the road and kept him alert. His mind spun as he’d admitted to himself what it would have meant to lose that deal. He had to prioritize his life. Telling Antonio to leave him alone while he was off following his mother’s dream for him had been selfish and naive. They had a billion dollar company to run. Playing around with his art was well and good, but he couldn’t put a deal like that at risk because he was chasing a gypsy’s story.

Mamma, I love you. But you were wrong. Now I can see where I need to be.

It’s time for honesty. I need to be upfront with Gia.

He arrived back at her cottage just before midnight and parked the car on the grass. A low light shone through the studio window and he smiled. It looked like she was still working. Anticipation ran though him as he stood on the front porch and tapped on the door.

“Come.” Gia’s soft voice was distracted. Nic pushed the door open. She stood in front of her easel, the tip of her tongue resting on her bottom lip as she stared at the landscape in front of her.

Nic walked over, slid his arms around her waist, and buried his face in her curls. The strawberry scent was so overpowering his mouth watered. Gia turned in his arms, and he lifted his hand to wipe away a single smudge of paint on her cheek.

“Hello,
bella.
” He dropped a light kiss on her lips and smiled down at her as her stomach grumbled. “Have you eaten?”

She shook her head. It was no wonder she was so slim. When she was engrossed in her work, Nic had noticed that she forgot to eat.

“I guessed that would be so. I brought you a baguette.” Nic was ready to explain his rush trip to Florence, but Gia didn’t ask him anything.

She crossed to the fridge and poured them both a wine before sitting on the sofa with her feet tucked beneath her. A small smile crossed her face as she tucked her hair back behind her ear and slid those ugly glasses up her nose. She unwrapped the baguette and inhaled the smell of the fresh bread with a sigh.

“My favorite, thank you.”

“Finally, I found something you like to eat.” A warm and fuzzy feeling settled somewhere between Nic’s chest and his stomach. It was as though he’d come home. He tried to push the feeling away.

“While I was waiting for you, I chose the paintings for my show.” Gia spoke with her mouth full and Nic grinned at her.

“Fantastic! Two weeks from today. It will be a spectacular success. Everyone will be proud of you as you are introduced to the art world.” That was all he wanted for Gia, to launch her successful career.

It was. Nothing more.

The happiness on her face hit Nic like a punch in the gut. The problem with the contract had pulled him back to reality. He wasn’t going to risk a relationship with her. Business was his life. It was something he had control over. It would be hard to leave her after the show, but he couldn’t risk it. He could control the business—he couldn’t control life or death. When his mother died, he had vowed he would never put himself in a position where he would end up like his father. Gia’s newfound assurance would probably take a dive if he revealed the truth now. But it had to be done.

Before I leave for good.

Maybe.

But more than that, can I risk the chance of losing her? What do I want
? He looked up as Gia scrunched up the paper from the baguette and brushed the crumbs back into the bag. “And I’ve thought of all the other things we need to do. Tomorrow, I am putting my easel and paints away, and I’m going to start getting this place cleaned up.”

She didn’t notice his preoccupation, and Nic pulled his attention back to her. “Do I get the impression that cleaning up the studio is a rare event and that being organized is not something you would usually do?”

“You’d be right. It drives my family crazy. I’m always late, and when I get immersed in a painting I forget to go places. You heard what they said at lunch. They treat me as though I don’t have a thought of my own.” She tipped her head to the side. “Well I do! And this exhibition will show them that. What about you, Nic? I get the impression that your life is nicely organized. Look at you, you always look perfect.”

Dangerous topic here
. He reached out, picked up Gia’s hand, and brought it up to his mouth. Her eyes were alight and vitality filled her expression. At lunch, she had been a shadow of this woman. Her family had told her she couldn’t drink because of how silly it made her. All her father could talk of was a husband and babies and dismissed her talent as unimportant.
I suppose I can agree to this little show
, he’d said.

Nic looked at Gia. There was no way he was going to burst her bubble. Okay, he was chickening out, but it was for her own good.

“Oh, yes, I’m organized. My mother—God rest her soul—was very much into astrology. According to my star sign, I’m organized and always have to be in control.” He shook his head with a laugh. “But I don’t believe in all that star sign crap. I mean, how can you generalize and say one twelfth of the population all share the same traits?” He stared across the top of Gia’s head, looking at the landscapes now stacked neatly against the wall. “She always said I was a true Cancerian…”

“And what’s that say about you?”

“Passionate, volatile, exciting…”

Nic leaned over and pulled Gia across to him so that her back was against his chest. He lowered his lips and murmured against her ear. “But I do believe in some of it… They say a Cancerian male needs pampering every minute of the day.”

Gia twisted around in his arms and laughed. “Oh, do
they
? I’ve always wondered who those mysterious experts are. Poor Mamma is always worried about what
they
will say or
they
will think, especially if I left the village.”

“Oh trust me.
They
are right in this case, because if I’m pampered I respond by being chivalrous.”

“Well, you are certainly that.” Gia crawled up so that she was now sitting on his lap, and Nic had a less than chivalrous reaction.

Gia wriggled and pressed her butt against him. “Oh, my.”

Nic leaned back as she moved slowly back and forth across his quickly growing erection.

“You look tired. How about I look after you for a change?” Her voice was soft and her eyes were fixed on his.

Nic closed his eyes and let Gia pamper him.

Chapter Eleven

“I’ll be back next weekend.” Nic pressed gentle kisses onto her neck and Gia closed her eyes. “Only seven more days until your show.”

Finally, he pulled away and climbed into the car. She held his hand through the window of his car as he held the steering wheel with the other. “I’ll miss you, but I have plenty to do if I’m going to be ready by next weekend.” She fought to keep her voice steady. How could she have become so attached to this man in only ten days?

“I’ll call tonight.”

She leaned in and kissed him one more time before he put the car into gear and backed out through the gate.

Gia brushed away the tears that spilled over her cheeks as the lights of the roadster disappeared around the last bend in the road. She listened until the motor faded to silence and the night was quiet. He had planned to leave before dark, but one thing led to another and they had ended up in her bed. He was as reluctant to leave as she was to see him go, and he’d held her close as they lay together.

She rubbed her arms as she slowly walked back inside. Goose bumps rose on her skin as a doubt flooded through her. He said she could trust him and he had given her no reason not to, but a persistent feeling that something was not right wouldn’t leave her. She shook it off; it was just that his vacation had come to an end and she had to adjust to him leaving.

She knew the week would fly by. She was going to be busy, and Nic had promised to call each night. There was one more painting she wanted to complete, and she had to work at the restaurant every night, though she had begged Papa to give her Saturday night off and, surprisingly, he had agreed.

She pushed open the door into her empty cottage and headed straight for her easel.

…

The week did fly by and Gia became more nervous as each day passed, though she hadn’t let on how she was feeling when Nic had called. On Friday morning a crew of workmen knocked at her door and waited for her to tell them where to hang her paintings. As soon as they were finished she’d called Nic.

“You didn’t have to do that. I had asked Gabriel and Papa to come and help me.”

“No, it has to be perfect.”

“But, Nic, it doesn’t really have to be. It must be so expensive. I will pay you back everything.” Guilt ran through her. She was worried about the amount of money he must have spent setting everything up. He had taken control but she had let him.

Nic laughed and a tremble ran down Gia’s legs. Even his voice from hundreds of kilometers away sent shivers to her belly.

“We’ll see. We need to get this show in place and then see where your dreams take you.”

Gia sighed. She knew where she wanted to be.
Wherever Nic was.

“The caterers will be there early on Sunday. And Gia… I’m sorry. Something has come up.” Her stomach plummeted and she waited. “I can’t make it tomorrow.”

“But you will be here Sunday?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll be there early. Don’t worry, everything is organized
.
I’m bringing my friend with me, too. The one who will help with the sales. What are you going to wear?”

Gia grinned. “Oh, I just thought one of my black skirts and a white shirt would do.”

Nic’s voice was low and husky. “
Hmm
. Well maybe I’ll have to take them off you and dress you when I get there. I’ll be early.”

She retreated to her easel and banished the disappointment by painting a new landscape.

Saturday passed slowly. Gia sighed; she would only have a short time with Nic on Sunday when everyone else was there. Who everyone else was, she didn’t have a clue. Mamma had invited most of the village, and Papa had taken to bragging about it to the patrons of the restaurant each night.

Nic didn’t call and didn’t answer when she called him, and the doubt set harder in her chest as she climbed into her lonely bed late on the night before the exhibition.

Why did I ever agree to this?

And then she tossed and turned all night wondering where he was and why he hadn’t come, and why he didn’t call. She closed her eyes and summoned her courage against all the doubts flooding her mind.

She was woken by a knock at the door just after seven on Sunday, and she pulled on her robe and hurried out. The events team that Nic had sent had arrived—and they were unloading a huge van.

Oh my God.
Gia put her hand to her mouth. This was really happening. She let out a sigh of relief as a cloudless sky met her gaze. It was a beautiful Tuscan spring day. The sky was a pale blue and a gentle breeze puffed the lavender fragrance across from the nearby fields. Her flowers had bloomed in the past week and the lawn was green and lush. A second truck arrived and parked behind the first one, and three men unloaded a row of portable toilets. She held back a giggle; this was so not Castellina. Shaking her head, she went back inside, at a loss, feeling as though events had spiraled out of her control. She wandered around her studio. Looking at her work mounted on the newly painted walls was surreal.

An hour later Gia came back out and looked around in amazement. Nic had obviously given the workers explicit instructions on how the garden was to be set up. It was a little more formal than what she would have chosen to do herself, but she should be grateful to him for all he’d done for her. The garden and studio had been transformed into a stylish and formal exhibition space. The tables were now draped with white linen cloths and urns filled with fresh flowers were now positioned around the garden. A long table with glistening crystal champagne flutes was along the shaded wall. Her legs trembled and she put her hands over her face.

Can I do this? Can I really do it?
Showing her work to her family and to a few patrons in a village restaurant was very different from having a real show.

She could not believe the organization Nic had managed from afar. He’d not even told her what to expect, except that a few people would be turning up to help. He had taken total control. Her phone rang and she hurried inside.

“How are you feeling,
bella
?” Nic’s voice grounded her.

“I’m good. And oh, Nic, I am so nervous, too.”

“We’ve just turned off the main road. We’ll be there in half an hour.”

Happiness hit her in a huge burst, and she hugged herself as she headed for the shower.

After her shower, Gia dressed. She had found a scarlet silk dress in one of the small dress stores in the village and it fit perfectly. Shoes had been a problem, and she’d called on her sister, Louisa, to borrow a pair. Louisa had taken one look at the dress and taken her straight to her leather shop in the village.

But now, as she took a final look at herself in the mirror, an unfamiliar sight met her eyes. A confident woman dressed elegantly, stared back at her. Gia smiled at her unexpected poise. No sign of nerves on her face, although her stomach was in knots. She took a deep breath and stepped out through the door as a large black SUV pulled to a stop outside the gate. An unfamiliar man stepped from the driver’s side, and Gia’s heart rate almost doubled as the other door opened and Nic stepped out. Her mouth dried as he walked across to her. Just like the first time she’d seen him, sunshades covered his eyes, but his lips were turned into a huge smile. A formal dark suit, a pale-blue shirt, and a silver tie had turned him into a creature of sartorial elegance. She hitched a breath. This man was way too elegant for her. He was a stranger and she suppressed a nervous shiver.

“Stop it.” Nic leaned forward and his breath brushed her ear. “I can read your thoughts.” His lips slid across her cheek in a soft kiss before he straightened. “Gia, this is Ben. He’s here to help with the sales.”

The tall man beside Nic took her hand and shook it. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Gia nodded nervously.
To help with the sales. “
I hope there are some.”

Nic put his arm around her shoulder. “Come, we’ll get Ben set up and then you can show me around.”

After he’d set up his laptop and some sort of wireless device beside it, Ben left them to go and look at her paintings.

Nic led Gia outside to the garden and held her hands. “You look absolutely stunning.”

She raised a shaking hand to her hair and smoothed back a stray curl that never stayed in place. “I am so nervous. What if nobody comes? What if they hate my work? What if nothing sells?”

Nic put his fingers on her lips. “
Ssh
. I know people are coming down from Florence. And I know you are going to be a sensation.”

Gia lifted her hand and cupped Nic’s cheek. “Oh, Nic. I so hope I don’t let you down. You have gone to so much trouble and spent so much money. I
will
repay you from these sales, even though we never found time to have a written agreement. You must take my word for it.”

A strange look crossed his face, but his words reassured her. “I told you I was going to support you. And I have no doubt that you are going to be an incredible success. Just wait and see.”

…

Nic stood back and watched his shy little waitress turn into a butterfly. Everything was sold and Ben had put the twelve landscapes Nic had bought away to the side. He stood in the shade and listened to the enthusiasm of the guests as they gushed to Gia about her work.

“Fresh.”

“Exciting.”

“Emotive.”

“Incredible.”

Mauro crossed the lawn to stand beside Nic. The rest of Gia’s family had come and gone. Nic had watched the doubt in their expressions turn to surprise as they witnessed the reaction of the crowd and the sold stickers go up on each painting.

“My little Gia
is
a surprise. She has turned into a butterfly.”

Nic lifted his glass to Mauro. “That is just what I was thinking. A beautiful butterfly.”

Her father’s eyes narrowed. “So, Nic, what are your intentions with my daughter? You live a long way away. I would hate to see her heartbroken.”

“We are friends and I support her work.” Nic held the other man’s eyes steadily.

Mauro nodded and looked thoughtfully across the garden where his daughter posed for a photograph with one of the private photographers Nic had hired. “My daughter has gained a lot of poise. I thank you for that. I think.” Mauro shook his hand and turned to the gate. “She is busy and I must go to work. Would you like to come down for dinner later?”

Nic nodded. “Yes, that would be good.”

Mauro smiled and waved as he ambled across the garden. The crowd was thinning and the waiters began to pick up the empty glasses scattered around the tables in the garden. Nic waited until Gia finished with the photographer. Her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks were flushed. As she walked across to him, she smiled and nodded confidently at the people who congratulated her.

“Oh, Nic.” Gia stood beside him and clasped her hands in front of her chest. “There is not one painting left.” Her eyes were wide and her lips softly parted. “Every one of my landscapes has been sold, and I cannot believe the prices that Ben put on them.” She spun around in excitement, and her silk dress twirled high around her long legs. “People bought
my
work. Me! Gia Carelli! And they want more.”

Nic reached out and pushed her curls behind her ear. “Of course they do. I told you that would happen.”

“I am so happy. How will I ever repay you for what you’ve done for me?”

“I have something I want to tell you when everyone is gone. Your father has asked us for dinner, but I would like some time alone with you first.”

Gia’s eyes were shining. “And I have a special surprise for you, too.”

Nic turned her around and pushed her gently toward the crowd. “But first go and talk to your admirers. See that lady over there with the silver dress? Jolie is the art writer for the
La Nazione,
and she is waiting for an interview.”

Gia gasped and put her hands to her mouth. “But that is the biggest newspaper in Florence.”

“That’s right. So don’t keep her waiting.” Nic put his hands out to steady her as she grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips.

“Oh, you are so good to me.” She twirled away with a happy laugh, and Nic watched as she hurried across to the journalist and became engrossed in a deep conversation.

“You’ve found another little protégée, I see, Nic.” He turned to find Ben beside him.

“I have. Ben, don’t tell her how many I bought, okay? I want it to be a surprise.” He had already selected the walls in his apartment in Florence for each of the landscapes.

“Not a problem. I’ll just go and pack them up and put them in the car so she doesn’t see.”

“Appreciate it.” As Nic turned to look for Gia his phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out with a frown.
Antonio? What now?

“Yes?” Nic put the phone to his ear as he walked across to stand by Ben’s SUV.

“Nic, where are you?”

“I’m in Tuscany at an art show. What’s so urgent?”

“The deal has gone to shit.”

“What? What deal?

“The New York deal.”

“Again? What the fuck happened now? I thought they were signing tomorrow?”

“They were. Tad’s about to leave for the airport. Apparently there was something in a gossip magazine about you dumping old man Campbell’s daughter and he didn’t like it.”

“What the hell? I took her out for dinner once.” Nic had enjoyed her company, but it had been a business dinner, not a date. “I barely know the woman.”

“Well, Campbell didn’t like it and he’s about to pull out. Papa is livid. You need to make some very quick calls.”

Nic clenched his fist and hit the top of Ben’s car. He could not handle it when things didn’t go to plan.

“Are you there, Nic? Are you coming to the office? Tad’s here waiting for your instructions.”

“Shit, yes. I’m on my way. But Antonio? I need a favor. Can you go up to Carrara tomorrow and look after the place? Normally, I wouldn’t worry, but there was some strike action brewing on Friday.” He wouldn’t tell Gia he was coming back in case anything else came up.

“Are you going to New York with Tad?”