’d like some privacy when making your call so it’s probably best that we be on our way.”
“I suppose so,” she said with uncertainty. “I was just thinking…”
“There will plenty of time for talk later,” Raffaele smiled reassuringly.
Slipping his arm around her waist, he steered Jenesa away from the mansion before she could offer any objections. He’d driven the Maybach Landaulet this evening, a purchase he’d made recently after a considerable amount of internal debate, due mostly to the cost. Approaching it now, Raffaele could only compliment himself; the Maybach was exquisite by any standards. One of the things he liked most was that the roof could be fully opened at the rear, while the chauffeur’s compartment remained closed. He doubted Jenesa would appreciate having her hair blown about during the short drive to the helipad, but it was a feature he thoroughly enjoyed.
Grady played his part beautifully, hopping out to open the door for them and then hurrying around to the driver’s side and taking off without delay. He’d put the partition up and drawn the electronic curtains to insure complete privacy, and even managed to procure a bottle of champagne and had it chilling in the mini refrigerator. Sterling silver champagne flutes glimmered invitingly, but Raffaele didn’t want to encourage Jenesa to drink when there was a possibility, however remote, that she was pregnant.
“It’s beautiful,” Jenesa said in a breathless whisper as she ran her hand along the soft leather seat. Her eyes moved from the console, where a DVD and CD player were installed, to the twin video screens. Her gaze slowly shifted from speaker to speaker, a soft smile curving her lips when a classical piece filtered through the surround sound system. “You have excellent taste in both cars and music, Mr. Vittorio.”
“You like classical?”
“Some. Bach’s Cantata à Voce Sola e Stromenti, the piece that’s playing now, is one of my favorites.”
“I’m impressed…and intrigued. I’m going to enjoy learning more about you, cara .”
Jenesa averted her eyes and stared down at the tightly clasped hands in her lap. “I want to learn more about you, too, I honestly do. But after giving it some thought, I’m not sure going to this island of yours is a very good idea. I mean…I’m still willing to spend time with you. I’d just like it to be on more…neutral ground.”
Raffaele was the epitome of patience. “I understand your reluctance. You know very little about me and it’s a private island , but that is the reason I want to take you there. Listen to me, carissima ,” he said softly, “I want to be alone with you; no distractions, no interference from other people, nothing except you and me and the time we deserve to explore this attraction we feel for one another.”
Cupping her chin, he gently tilted her head back, disturbed by the confusion of emotions swirling in her eyes. “What are you so afraid of, Jenesa? Surely, you don’t think I would try to force myself on you?”
“It’s not you I don’t trust,” she replied with trembling lips.
If she was being deceptive, Raffaele wasn’t able to read it in her wide eyes or the lines of stress on the otherwise flawless skin of her forehead. Not only did Jenesa have the ability to arouse him with the slightest of touches, it seemed she was also capable of annihilating Raffaele’s efforts to harden his heart with just a few simple words. Or perhaps that feeling of powerlessness was as alien and disconcerting to her as it was to him. She didn’t like being on an uneven playing field; all the more reason to make sure that was exactly what occurred.
“ Then it is not a problem, mio piccolo . I shall see to it that we both behave ourselves.”
***
Jenesa’s breath hitched when he leaned closer, but to her surprise and foolish
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