C H A P T E R  2 0  :  T H E  T E N S I O N The chilly night air always made goosebumps rise on her arms however as she stepped outside the balcony, the cold was like a slap on the face, driving away some of the fog that the champagne had started to create around her head. She leaned on the balcony, putting the two full glasses and one empty glass on the small, wooden table beside her then looked out over the grounds. They were magnificent and seeing them like this, he could see just how well her boss took care of his home or rather, how well he had paid for it to be looked after. The flowers glittered in the fairy lights and the white stone path snaked around the garden, winding through blooming plants and circling softly glowing fountains.  It was sad that all of this was just for one person. It made her wonder how lonely she would feel if she lived in a place like this by herself. She

C H A P T E R  2 2  :  T O  C O N V I N C E  O N E S E L F  E L L A  S T A N F O R D  After Washington D.C. intermittent sunshine and rain, Trapani, Sicily looked so unreal and beautiful — just like a coloured postcard. The streets lined with palm trees whose leaves were green and lustrous, the hotels dazzling white and glinting in the sun, the layered rows of houses softly washed in pastel colours, over all of the town the brilliant azure sky making it look more like a film set than anything Ella could remember. They drove from the airport in a hired car which she had booked from Rome. Javier knew the route well from previous visits, his long hands capable on the wheel, his hard profile abstracted in thought. “Your older brother lives here, doesn’t he?” asked Ella. Oddly enough, she felt slightly irritated by his apparent u

E L L A  S T A N F O R D Javier went to get his swimming trunks, beach towel, and other stuff. Ella was waiting at the hotel’s lobby. While he was away, she was trying to rethink again her decision of spending time with him. It would be ridiculous and quite childish of her to object it on the last minutes. And before she could think of another reason to make her objection valid, he had returned. The hotel had a private section of sand and its own changing cabins. Half an hour later, she emerged from the tiny cabin to find Javier standing at the edge of the water in black trunks, staring out across the blue sea. Unlike herself, he was bronzed by the sun, the hard lean body fit and athletic, his broad shoulders and smooth-skinned back tapering to slim hips and long, muscled, thighs. Reluctantly she walked towards him, conscious of the glances she was getting from some of the young men playing beach-ball over a fixe

C H A P T E R  2 6  : K I S S  A N D  M O A N E L L A  S T A N F O R D Ella felt her body grew tensed the second she had heard his voice and Roberto must have felt it too as he let go of her hair and gave Javier a nod. “I was just chatting with your beautiful secretary,” he said. “How was your flight here?” She turned around and caught the stony look on her boss’s face. His eyes lingered on her for several seconds before they moved to Roberto’s as he replied, “It was fine.” “I am guessing it was or else your brother will probaby hear your complaints as soon as the plane lands or perhaps even before.” Roberto chuckled. Javier gave what might seem as a polite smile but Ella noticed the icy look on his blue eyes. He did not think that joke was funny. “Holden always makes sure the service for all of his customers are great and up to standards.”

C H A P T E R  2 8 :  H I S  J E A L O U S Y E L L A  S T A N F O R D Giving him a little smile, she discreetly moved his hand back to his lap. “None, unfortunately. I do not have any.” “No way, I do not believe that.” He narrowed his eyes, giving it a thought, then his lips formed a mischiveous smile. “How about modeling? Could you strike a pose?” “Not really though,” Ella giggled as she suddenly remembered what Damon had always made her do whenever they had done shopping. “My friend, Damon, he always asks me to try out the clothes we bought and pose.” “Then I am sure he sees your talent there.” His green eyes danced. “Are you free tomorrow?” Ella glanced at Javier for one split second before answering, “I am sorry but my schedule depends on my boss.” “Would you come over and pose for me