Giorgio (Members From Money Season 2, #136)

Chapter 7

“Thanks for agreeing to see me.”

“I have a luncheon meeting in fifteen minutes.”

Alfredo watched as his son prowled the area from his desk to the window, hands shoved into the pockets of his tailored slacks. He had noticed his attentiveness during the meeting. At other times, he would be on his phone, indicating his boredom and resentment of being there. This time it was different. He had actually listened.

“Sales are dropping in several of the Venice locations.”

“Yes.”

“And the holidays are coming up. Might I make a suggestion?”

Alfredo hid his surprise quickly. “By all means.”

“A fund raising gala. Something to boost sales. The usual advertising gimmicks are no longer working. Shoppers have seen all of them already, several times over. Something new is needed. Allegro is in charge of the advertising department, and she is talented, but needs an infusion of something electrifying.”

“A gala?”

Giorgio nodded. “Not just an ordinary one, something spectacular. A combination of the risqué and the sobering.

Locate what is most needed in Venice – fighting cancer, an injection of more resources for Alzheimer’s diseases, things like that. Force people into awareness and at the same time get them to open their wallets and spend more money.”

Alfredo leaned forward and propped his arms on the desk, dark eyes sparkling with interest. “That’s a wonderful idea. How did you come up with it?”

“Meaning I don’t have an original thought in my head?”

“I did not mean that at all.”

He stopped and leaned against the window, his expression moody. “I apologize. She is getting inside my head.” He muttered.

Alfredo did not pursue that line of conversation because he already knew who his son was referring to. The young lady had only been in their lives for over a week and her influence was already noticeable, especially where his sone was concerned.

“Why don’t I call Allegro and set up a meeting and you can go through the idea with her?”

Giorgio nodded. “I took Juliana to the Colosseum.”

“She was able to navigate the steps?”

“No. We stayed in the vehicle. She wanted to get out of the house.”

“It’s much too cold for her to be outside or I would suggest she go out and sit in one of the gardens.”

“She wanted to see the library. I left her there.”

“She likes to read.”

Giorgio nodded. “She was an – is an editor. She lost her job when the publishing house closed down.” An idea had been forming since she told him about that. “In compensation for her accident, for what I put her through, we could buy her a publishing house.”

Alfredo’s eyebrows lifted. “Isn’t that a little extreme?”

“We are into publishing.” He pointed out.

“Magazines.”

“It doesn’t make a difference.” He argued. “We could identify somewhere and start negotiations. We would confer with the brother of course and hear what he has to say.”

“It would appear as if we were trying to buy her off.”

Giorgio’s mouth tightened. “Far from it.” He clipped. “She will be going home at some point and no job prospects in sight. I want to do this for her.”

“It seems you would like to do a lot of things for her.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Alfredo held up his hands as a sign of peace. “Ever since the accident and it was just that. Ever since that night, you are bending over backwards to make things easy for her. You set her up in a suite, she has been getting the best care.

You rush to her side whenever she calls and now you are thinking of buying her a publishing house. I could read a lot of things into what is going on.”

His eyes flashed. “There is nothing to read. I am just doing the right thing.”

“You haven’t been anywhere.”

“I went to that charity event.”

“And left early.”

“She needed me.”

“You are getting too involved.”

“I am bloody well involved.” He snapped. “What do you expect me to do? Dump her at that clinic and say arrivederci?”

“No, but I have never seen you this animated before. Mind if I make a suggestion?”

“If I say no, you are going to anyway.”

“Do not get personally involved son. Do not make the mistake of taking this further.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Like sleeping with her.”

The silence that followed was ponderous and fraught with tension. Giorgio’s fingers curled into fists, and he had to turn his back to hide his expression. That was what was bothering him and now it was out in the open. He was attracted to her. Hell, it was more than that.

He was drawn to her in ways he could not understand. She was not his usual type. He had been with incredibly beautiful women and Juliana could not compete. But there was something about her – she had lost her memory but was not whining or crying about it.

She was direct and not impressed by how wealthy he was. He could talk to her and not have to watch what he said. She had a light about her that he had never seen in the women he was acquainted with and she made him want to protect her from everything, including himself.

He was worldly. He had his first sexual experience when he was thirteen and had been with so many women, he had lost count. He had never known hardship; everything was his for the taking. Women fought over him – he had been around the world several times and had seen almost everything.

But with her, he was seeing things in a different way, and it scared him. It had taken just one week for her to get under his skin, and he had no idea how to deal with it. He couldn’t touch her, but staying away from her was torture. He was out of his depth.

“I have no intention of allowing that to happen. She is not even my type.” He was lying to his father, and he had a sinking feeling the man knew.

“Good.” Alfredo said briskly. “I would hate for this situation to become more complicated. Shall I call Allegro?”

“No. I will find her.” Without another word, he left the office.

Alfredo sat back and stared at the space his son had just occupied, a frown on his brow. He had no idea what to make of the situation.

On the one hand, Giorgio was showing an interest in the company for the first time, but there was the concern that this would turn out to be a disaster. Sighing deeply, he answered the incoming call and buried the troubling thought.

*****

Aldo met him in the marble entryway, his hands folded behind his back, his face expressionless as usual.

“Where is the signorina?”

“Still in the library.”

He stopped in the middle of handing the man his jacket, a frown on his brow. “All this time?”

“She had snacks and lunch and has been reading.” Dusting off specks of lint, Aldo folded the jacket over one arm.

“Is she all, right?”

He nodded. “The maids have been checking on her at intervals.”

“Thank you.”

With a nod, the man went on his way, leaving him standing undecided in the middle of the hallway. He had spent several hours with the advertising department, doing some brainstorming, and coming up with a plan. Even though he had been involved, his mind had been on her and wondering why she hadn’t called him.

He should have gone to a game with some of his friends, but had made a beeline for home, because he wanted to check on her.

Dragging restless fingers through his already tousled hair, he strode towards the library and shoved the doors open without even knocking.

She was propped up on cushions, her broken leg elevated, and she was absorbed in a thick book opened on her chest. Her head lifted, and her eyes searched his face, no doubt to see if there were any residual anger there.

“Hi.” Her voice was soft and devoid of anger.

“Hi.” He advanced further into the room until he was sitting at the end of the sofa. “What’s that?”

“Pride and Prejudice.” She lifted the book so he could see the spine. “I think I read it before.”

“So, it is safe to say that you are into the classics.”

“I guess so. I am also a speed reader. I finished two historical romances already. Thick ones.” Her eyes were dancing with amusement and wrapping him up in their warmth.

“Interesting.” He wanted to lift her legs and propped them on his lap, but after the conversation with his father, he didn’t think it was a good idea. It was probably not wise to be sitting this close to her. Or even be in the same room. “Are you full?”

She nodded. “I am stuffed. I ate Fettuccine al Pomodoro; I hope I am pronouncing it properly.” At his nod of approval, she continued. “Then there was mixed salad with Parmesan Crisps and of course fruit and then Amaretti di Saronno. I swear your chef is trying to fatten me up.”

“Did you enjoy the meal?”

“I behaved like a pig.”

“Meaning you ate too quickly and cleaned your plate.”

“Like that.” She laughed and he laughed along with her. “How was your day?”

“I was at the corporate headquarters.”

“Oh?” She didn’t mention their fight this morning or what led to it.

“We are losing sales in some of the stores, and I had an idea that will be implemented in time for the holidays.”

She tilted her head to look at him. “Did you enjoy it?”

He smiled slightly. “I did.”

“Good.”

Ignoring the voice screaming inside his head, he lifted her feet carefully and propped them onto his lap. She had asked him to sign her cast, and he had. The nurses and doctors had also humored her, and he noticed several more squiggles.

“Beatrice, Lucia and Luna.” She provided, seeing his curious look. “They were delighted when I asked them to sign it.”

“How do you feel?”

“Wonderful and incredibly lazy. The doctor came by to visit and said I am good to go, except the memory loss and this.” She gestured to the cast.

“I apologize for leaving you this morning, especially in anger.”

“It’s fine. You were entitled. I was nosy.” She wrinkled her brow. “I hope that’s not how I usually am.”

“I have a feeling it is.” He teased and she poked his stomach with her uninjured foot.

“What are you going to do now?”

“I have to run out for a bit, but I will be back in time for supper.” He stared at her for a moment. “How about we have dinner together?”

“What about your dad?”

“He has a black-tie event. We could dine either in the dining room or on your balcony.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I would like to dress up, so the dining room. It’s lucky you bought me those fancy clothes. Mine leave a lot to be desired.” A frown touched her brow. “I also have a feeling that I was not much into fashion.”

“I believe you are right,” he grinned as she poked her tongue at him. He enjoyed her. The natural way she had about her, the lack of coyness, the way she treated him was a novelty to him and he was intrigued by her.

He also loved spending time with her. Thinking about her leaving was doing strange things to his insides and he dared not stop to consider why that was. All he knew was that he was looking forward to spending time with her later today. Just the two of them. “Will you be staying here for much longer?”

She nodded. “It is comfortable. I will make my way upstairs closer to the time when we have to dine.”

“Use the elevator.”

“I will.”

He sat there a few minutes longer, reluctant to leave. Then removing her legs, he rose and bid her goodbye.

*****

A spate of Italian erupted throughout the game room sending the players into gales of laughter. The atmosphere was festive, the liquor running freely. It was not quite supper yet, but the room of the Elite Club was crowded with merry makers.

It was his usual scene, and, in the past, he would have been the instigator of the bawdy jokes and the piling up of chips, indicating his winning for the evening.

But he was not in the mood. In fact, since he set foot inside the club, he had wanted to leave. His friends had insisted on seeing him. And the word – ‘friends’ was even stretching it a bit. If they noticed his lack of participation and the fact that he was nursing one glass of quality scotch.

They did not comment because saying anything negative about Giorgio Russo was not the thing to do. He was wealthier than they were and better looking. They considered it a privilege to be in his company and in the past that had been acceptable to him.

For some reason, tonight it was not. He hated the superficiality, the forced laughter, and the constant drinking. These things had often brought him a great deal of empty satisfaction, which was missing tonight.

Because of her.

The unbidden popped into his head before he could stop it. She was changing him, and he was not certain he approved. What was even more astounding was that she was not making an effort.

She was not setting out to make him see the error of his ways. Aside from the comment she had made in the car about his state of mind, she had never said anything of that sort to him.

She was just being herself, never judging him or getting angry and lashing out at accusation. She had discovered that she no longer had a job and the man she had been seeing was no longer in her life, but that had not sent her into a dizzy spin.

She had not turned around and accused him of ruining her life even more. She had enjoyed the outing, listened with keen interest as he regaled her with the history of the landmark they had visited.

And had asked about learning his language. In return, he had stormed out in anger after dumping her in the library and had not bothered to call her. What had she done? When he returned with his tail tucked between his legs, she had welcomed him with a smile that did something to his stomach.

And had happily accepted his dinner invitation on her balcony, saying with her enchanting smile that she was going to dress up. He shook his head, watching the antics of Luigi as he stood in one corner of the room and balanced a full glass of amber liquid on one hand.

In the past, he would have been egging the man on, daring him to walk or run while trying to maintain his balance. But now he looked on with mild disinterest.

*****

“This is perfect, yes?” Lucia held up a dress, the color of ripe plums for her approval. The voluptuous maid with the large bosom had been assigned to her and Juliana found that she liked the girl a lot.

She was also relieved that the entire household staff had a fairly good handle on the English language, which made it easy for her to communicate with them. She had commissioned Lucia to help her with learning Italian and she was in command of a few phrases herself.

“It is…,” she searched around for the appropriate word. “Elegante.” She smiled at Lucia’s nod of approval. “That was an easy one. Semplice.” She added at the girl’s look of confusion.

“Va Bene.”

“I will fix your bath, yes?”

“Thank you, Lucia. A bath is preferable, and I can elevate my leg on the lip.”

The girl nodded and brought over the dress, putting it on the bed. Next, she went to fetch delicacies that Juliana knew without a doubt had not been included in her original clothing.

These were too fine, too expensive and the sheer, wispy lace felt as if they were made from fairy dust. She could not help but wonder if Giorgio had personally chosen them and dismissed the idea as being ridiculous.

The man owned the store. All he had to do was to call and tell them what was needed, and they would jump at it and choose the best ones. He probably did this for his many lovers. She had no inclination to examine why it bothered her so much.

Giorgio Russo was kind to her. He had almost killed her with his vehicle and was bending over backwards to make it up to her. She appreciated the effort and the fact that he was taking the time to spend with her. He could have simply handed her over to one of the many staff and be done with it.

But he was constantly there for her. This utterly gorgeous man was at her beck and call and even if this was just a fantasy, a fairytale that was going to end as soon as she returned home, then so be it. She was going to enjoy every minute of it. He was every woman’s wet dream and hope, and she was living it.

She was going to have to say goodbye to him in a matter of weeks, but she was not going to think about it. She was here now, and she was going to live each day to its fullest. From what her brother had revealed, it did not seem as if her life in the states had been all that fabulous.

She was in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with a man who was too beautiful to be real and staying in a palace. It would be something to tell her children about one day. She should record every moment of it for posterity. With the help of Lucia, she hobbled to her feet and went into the bathroom to take her bath.

*****

His bedroom was lavishly decorated. The tan and gold rooms were tasteful in décor. There was a huge fireplace that took up most of one wall. His closet was ridiculously designed to accommodate his numerous items of clothing. It was compartmentalized, with rows of shelves and revolving hangers.

He loved clothes. Being a typical European and a very wealthy one at that, he was always dressed in the height of fashion. Even his casual clothes were of the utmost quality.

His shoes gleamed from the overhead lights. Padded benches were up against one wall and there was even a liquor cabinet next to it. In case he wanted to spend the time enjoying a pre-dinner drink while he decided what he wanted to wear.

Tonight, he was in a state of confusion. He would be having supper on the balcony and yet, it felt as if he was attending a state dinner with all the bigwigs of his country. He had never been nervous. He knew what he looked like, and he always told himself that he was not vain. But the mirror did not lie. He was handsome, his physique superb.

He was standing naked inside the closet, the full-length mirror revealing every inch of his hard body. His chest was muscular, the dense dark hairs contrasted against his tanned complexion. His stomach was washboard flat, his sex full. He never had any complaints with the lovers he had taken to bed.

He was Italian and sex to people born in his country was natural and not something to be ashamed of.

But now he was standing in the middle of his closet wondering what to wear. He did not want to be too dressy in case it offended her. She had suggested they dressed up, but he had a feeling that dressing up for her was something altogether different for him. Letting out a sigh, he selected tan trousers and an emerald, green silk shirt.

He could match it with a sports jacket that complimented the two. It was just supper, he reminded himself as he went to get underwear.

Just two people having dinner. Eating a meal. There was no cause for him to be getting this excited. No reason for his heart to be beating out of tempo. There was nothing to it. They were not going to end up in her bed.

Even the thought of it had him going hard. Swearing viciously, he dragged his fingers through the damp strands of his hair and wondered if he should call and tell her he had changed his mind. But he could not disappoint her. He would keep his emotions under control, that is all there was to it.