Page 6 of Private Reserve
Get it together, Olivia. He broke your heart.
I push at his chest and try to break away, my pulse slamming so hard against my neck, it’s hard to keep a clear thought.
“What are you doing here?” I finally ask, hating that my voice is as shaky as my hands.
“I’m the one who should be asking you that.”
I shake my head and look around. “Is this…yours?”
He examines the vast vineyard with me, and I see the pride in his eyes. “Yes, this is my home, Olivia.”
“I can’t believe this.” He tilts his head and touches a strand of my hair, and it takes every bit of strength I possess to push his hand way.
“What are you doing here?” he asks.
“I’m on vacation. I didn’t know this was your place.” As blood rages through my body, I step farther away, but stop when my back connects with a grapevine. How can this be happening? Of all the vineyards in Italy, I end up at Gio’s? I mean, I knew his family owned a vineyard somewhere in Italy, but it’s a big country, and I figured chances of my sponsor sending me to his were slim to none. Well, apparently not, since I’m currently standing on his property, staring up at him.
“So you’re telling me this is a coincidence?” he asks.
I look down, stare at the grass beneath my feet, as I consider my dossier. I go over everything in my mind, and my stomach clenches. Slowly, I lift my head, and my heart catches when I find him still staring at me. “No,” I say, hardly able to believe one of my best friends set this up on purpose. Why would she do that? They all know how much I hate Gio. “This trip was a birthday gift, and I think I was sent here on purpose.”
“Olivia,” he says softly and takes a step toward me, his scent messing with my body and brain. “This was meant to be.”
Marry me.
Did he really ask me that, or was that just wishful thinking on my part?
“Gio?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you…” I stop speaking. If I ask and I’m wrong, I’m going to come across like an idiot.
“Did I what?”
“Nothing.”
His smile is slow, sexy, and for a guy who wanted no future with me, he sure is looking at me like he wants to devour me.
Oh how I wish.
“If you’re wondering if I just asked you to marry me, the answer is yes.”
My heart races—okay, gallops—as I try to process his words. Honest to God, I can’t believe Gio is standing in front of me, asking me to marry him. I suck in a sharp breath and struggle to fuel my brain, as his presence dominates my senses. Jesus, what I wouldn’t have done to hear those two little words on his lips two years ago.
But he didn’t just break my heart, he tore it from my chest and kicked it around all the way back to Italy.
“I can’t believe—” I begin, but he presses his finger to my lips to stop me. My heart flutters as he takes control, and I hate my body’s reaction. I briefly shut my eyes and remind myself I hate him.
“Hear me out.” He holds his finger more firmly against my lips, waiting. I nod and his hand drops. “I know you hate me, and I don’t blame you. But I need a favor.” I open my mouth to ask why I’d do him any favors, when a shake of his head stops me. “You see this?” He waves his hands around the vineyard. “Beautiful, right?” I nod. “It’s been in the family for generations, and if I don’t do something, we’re going to lose it.”
“What does that have to do with asking me to marry you?” I blurt out.
His eyes go stormy again, and he exhales sharply as he thrusts a hand through his hair. “Family tradition. The oldest son takes over the business, but he must be married first.”
As he explains, I don’t know whether I want to laugh or cry. One thing I do know is that I’m glad I didn’t scream yes at his proposal. How foolish would I have felt when I found out the real reason he wanted my hand in matrimony?
“You need a wife to save the vineyard?” I ask, still trying to wrap my brain around all this. He needs a damn wife. No way in hell is it going to be me.
