Read Online The Broken Angel by Monica La Porta - Free Book Online
Authors: Monica La Porta
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to ride the slow and noisy Art Nouveau elevator.
As they entered the cubicle, Martina sat on the brocade cushion upholstering the narrow bench framing the rear wall. “Love older buildings.” She caressed the gleaming brass accents that created an intricate décor of leaves and flowers covering the walls. “Whoever is in charge of managing your building is doing a great job.” Her eyes seemed to take in every detail. “The end of the nineteenth century was such an incredible time for art and architecture. You’re lucky to live here.”
For Samuel, it was as if he were looking at the place for the first time, and discovered the elevator was indeed a piece of art. They reached the attic floor, and he waited for her reaction at the small foyer outside his apartment. Fresh-cut white freesias were displayed on the mantelpiece by the left wall under a big, gilded mirror. The sweet and fresh scent of the flowers bathed them as soon as he opened the glass door covered with a wrought iron frame. He stepped toward the center of the mosaic floor and she left the elevator to join him, then he moved toward the only door opening into the foyer.
A step behind him, she abruptly stopped. “You own the whole floor?”
Without turning, Samuel nodded, then unlocked his door. One hand holding the polished knob, he stepped sideways. “Come in.” Having fantasized about having her at his place for the last six months, he was nervous.
Martina’s eyes widened as she entered his apartment, but didn’t say anything at first. Then she walked to the center of the large open-space living room and looked around. Finally, she faced him and smiled. “Your place is magnificent.”
He was relieved by her reaction. Only his closest friends came to visit him and he wasn’t used to entertaining much besides his poker nights with the guys and Ophelia, and he wasn’t sure on how to proceed. “Please.” He gestured for her to sit on the couch under the window and was about to join her when he remembered his manners. “Would you like anything to drink or eat?”
She shook her head, but at the same time her stomach growled and she blushed. “I did eat something, but it seems I’m still hungry.” Samuel walked to the kitchen that opened into the living room. He couldn’t help but keep looking at her as he reached for the fridge’s door.
She turned to face the window that occupied the entire wall. “That’s the Coliseum.” She sighed, then stood and opened one of the glass panes. “You have the most beautiful view in Rome.”
“It is a pretty view. Especially at night.” He opened the fridge and grimaced. “I apologize, but I don’t have anything to offer you.” He didn’t need sustenance per se—he only had to step outside and let his skin soak light and dew and he was good for a full day—but he enjoyed eating, and preferred to have his meals cooked by professionals. Or by Alexander. The man had lots of vices but he could put to good use that professional kitchen of his.
She waved a hand in the air, her face illuminated by the morning light and her hair tousled by a playful breeze. “That’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I can’t have you starve. I’ll fetch something at the bar. Just get comfortable.” Samuel was already at the door.
****
Martina felt lightheaded. She could barely believe she was out of Giulio’s reach and in Samuel’s heavenly apartment. From Samuel’s demeanor, she would have never guessed he could be so well off that he owned a prime piece of real estate as this. Besides her rumbling stomach, her body had other necessities she had to attend to and she wandered through his apartment looking for a bathroom.
The whole place was decorated in black and white with the odd detail in shades of gray. Wherever she looked, elegant furniture both linear in their forms and sturdy in their appearances dotted the spaces. Samuel hadn’t crowded the rooms; instead, only a few big pieces dominated the white
As they entered the cubicle, Martina sat on the brocade cushion upholstering the narrow bench framing the rear wall. “Love older buildings.” She caressed the gleaming brass accents that created an intricate décor of leaves and flowers covering the walls. “Whoever is in charge of managing your building is doing a great job.” Her eyes seemed to take in every detail. “The end of the nineteenth century was such an incredible time for art and architecture. You’re lucky to live here.”
For Samuel, it was as if he were looking at the place for the first time, and discovered the elevator was indeed a piece of art. They reached the attic floor, and he waited for her reaction at the small foyer outside his apartment. Fresh-cut white freesias were displayed on the mantelpiece by the left wall under a big, gilded mirror. The sweet and fresh scent of the flowers bathed them as soon as he opened the glass door covered with a wrought iron frame. He stepped toward the center of the mosaic floor and she left the elevator to join him, then he moved toward the only door opening into the foyer.
A step behind him, she abruptly stopped. “You own the whole floor?”
Without turning, Samuel nodded, then unlocked his door. One hand holding the polished knob, he stepped sideways. “Come in.” Having fantasized about having her at his place for the last six months, he was nervous.
Martina’s eyes widened as she entered his apartment, but didn’t say anything at first. Then she walked to the center of the large open-space living room and looked around. Finally, she faced him and smiled. “Your place is magnificent.”
He was relieved by her reaction. Only his closest friends came to visit him and he wasn’t used to entertaining much besides his poker nights with the guys and Ophelia, and he wasn’t sure on how to proceed. “Please.” He gestured for her to sit on the couch under the window and was about to join her when he remembered his manners. “Would you like anything to drink or eat?”
She shook her head, but at the same time her stomach growled and she blushed. “I did eat something, but it seems I’m still hungry.” Samuel walked to the kitchen that opened into the living room. He couldn’t help but keep looking at her as he reached for the fridge’s door.
She turned to face the window that occupied the entire wall. “That’s the Coliseum.” She sighed, then stood and opened one of the glass panes. “You have the most beautiful view in Rome.”
“It is a pretty view. Especially at night.” He opened the fridge and grimaced. “I apologize, but I don’t have anything to offer you.” He didn’t need sustenance per se—he only had to step outside and let his skin soak light and dew and he was good for a full day—but he enjoyed eating, and preferred to have his meals cooked by professionals. Or by Alexander. The man had lots of vices but he could put to good use that professional kitchen of his.
She waved a hand in the air, her face illuminated by the morning light and her hair tousled by a playful breeze. “That’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I can’t have you starve. I’ll fetch something at the bar. Just get comfortable.” Samuel was already at the door.
****
Martina felt lightheaded. She could barely believe she was out of Giulio’s reach and in Samuel’s heavenly apartment. From Samuel’s demeanor, she would have never guessed he could be so well off that he owned a prime piece of real estate as this. Besides her rumbling stomach, her body had other necessities she had to attend to and she wandered through his apartment looking for a bathroom.
The whole place was decorated in black and white with the odd detail in shades of gray. Wherever she looked, elegant furniture both linear in their forms and sturdy in their appearances dotted the spaces. Samuel hadn’t crowded the rooms; instead, only a few big pieces dominated the white
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