My Italian Doctor

Chapter Seventeen

When I still hadn't heard from George at all by the next morning, I decided to just forget all about him. I didn't want to leave it unfinished with him, but I had little choice. I certainly wasn't going to be chasing him. I might have dropped my guard and opened my mouth without thinking, but it was more than obvious that it was something that came out in the moment. If he couldn't cope with that, then it was his loss.

I wanted to explain to him that it meant nothing, but I knew that would only make things worse and make me look even more pathetic. The truth was that was how I felt. I loved the feeling that I had when I was around George. It was addictive. That rush of hormones was all it was, but I still didn't want to give it up. I'd had enough friends over the years to know I wasn't alone, but that didn't make it any better.

Rylie was out organising things for her new venture, and I really didn't fancy going down to the warehouse. In the end, I decided the best way to get some peace and alone time was to go for a swim. I dumped my things on the grass with abandon and dove into the pool. Staying under the water as long as I could, as though staying under, would clean the mistakes away.

After I finally came up for air, I floated on my back. Just lying there, my ears just below the surface to avoid having to hear and remember the world outside of the pool. It was the most peaceful I had felt in years. Even with my eyes closed, I could see the glow of the sun beating down on the vines nearby.

I had no idea how long I had been floating there serenely but when I finally opened my eyes, my fingers had started to wrinkle and I noticed Mamma had been outside. She had left her calling card, food and wine. She had left it right beside the pool, saving me the hassle of even having to remove myself from the water.

I found the bottle of red already open and breathing and scoffed slightly at how seriously the Italians took their wine. I was happy with a cheap bottle from the corner shop with a screw top, but at the same time, it had been nice having a constant supply of quality vino. I headed towards the built-in hot tub, glass in hand, and took a seat. I was facing out over the back of the house and it was the best view. The slope behind the house was so steep that I could see for miles around.

"You make a habit of ignoring my calls." I jumped out of my skin at his voice. He was truly the last person I expected to hear. Whipping round to face him. I couldn't decide if I was happy to see him or annoyed, but there he was regardless of my feelings about the matter. He looked good enough to eat. Not his usual buttoned-up self, instead he looked rough and rugged. Wearing a pair of ripped jeans that were more holes than fabric and a tee so faded, I couldn't even make out the design on the front of it.

"What are you doing here?" I was struggling to process his presence. He had disappeared on me, barely spoken to me, then changed complete direction and turned up all the way out at the vineyard. The man just made no sense to me. I just couldn't work him out at all.

"You didn't answer the phone, and I wanted to talk."

"I think driving all the way out here might be a bit much."

"Not really. You're annoyed with me."

"I'm pretty annoyed with you for disappearing on me, yeah."

"It wasn't what you think. I had a family emergency and couldn't really discuss it."

"I thought you didn't have any family in Italy. You said it was just your brother and father and that they weren't over here."

"I have some extended family here. I'm sorry. Before I left, I should have told you, but I didn't have time to explain completely." It felt like he was still holding so much back from me and it was driving me crazy. Clearly, he cared enough to find me out when I didn't respond to him quickly, but then why keep things from me? I couldn't work out what he was trying to hide.

"I don't know what you want from me. Clearly, I'm complicating your life, so why not just leave it alone? You don't owe me anything." He seemed to be pondering on my words. It was meant to be a simple holiday romance. It really didn't need to be so complicated. Yet, somehow, that was where we were. It had become beyond complicated and I didn't know how to walk away any more than he did.

"Come with me for drinks this afternoon. We can talk more about it all."

"You came here to talk, so why do we now need to go for drinks to talk? George, nothing is going to change. I have no idea what is going on with you, but I do know the last thing you want to do is talk to me about it."

"That is one of the things I love about you, Emily. You are so astute that you seem to know everything and you're not afraid to speak your mind either. I find it refreshing. Alas, you are right as usual. Everything with me is so complicated. I don't even know where to start in explaining it to you."

"Then why keep trying? I'm only here for another week, George. I don't expect your life story, but I do expect not to wake up alone in the morning with no idea where or why you have disappeared."

"I am sorry. I must admit, I don't think I know another woman like you in the whole world. I'm not used to women who don't actually want anything from me except well me. I've never known a creature quite so beautiful inside and out."

"That must be the first time anyone has called me beautiful on the inside. Fiery, hot-headed, stubborn but beautiful is a new one." I couldn't help but smile at him. I should have still been annoyed with him, but it was like once he turned his charm on I stood no chance of anything but submitting to him in every way.

I watched as he walked over towards me. He held out his hand to me to help me out of the pool, but I had a moment of rebellion and tugged hard on his hand. He was clearly taken by complete surprise and fell head first into the pool with me. As he breached the surface and sprayed water everywhere, I couldn't help but laugh at him.

"That was harsh. I'm glad I left my phone in the car now." I laughed again. As he moved towards me, I couldn't stop giggling. As he pulled me into his arms, I couldn't believe how firm his grip was. I was convinced he would be leaving marks on my pale flesh.

I went to pull away, "you know I don't want everyone here knowing about us."

"You should have thought about that before you pulled me in here with you. When I am within touching distance of you, dripping wet and covered by that poor excuse of a bathing suit, what do you expect?" His grip tightened all the more, but I eased into him, regardless. The smell of him seemed stronger than the chorine surrounding us and it was enough to leave me purring with satisfaction.

"It's a bikini." I covered his mouth with mine just as his hands slid inside my bottoms and cupped my cheeks. The way he made me feel was enough to make me forget everything. I forgot that Mamma was likely lurking, that I was in someone else's house and even his crappy behaviour. I wanted to be stronger, to be able to resist him, but I was fighting a losing battle. I had no willpower where he was concerned.

"I think you need to take it off."

"We can't, not here."

"You know, for such a proper young lady, you have a filthy mind. I meant because it is hardly night-out attire." I felt my cheeks redden, but I knew he had set me up to get the wrong idea. Wondering if it was payback for pulling him into the water with me.

I reluctantly detached myself and headed into the house to get dressed, leaving him still standing in the pool. I wanted to run through the house, but with much of the downstairs being tiled floors and my wet feet, it didn't seem advisable. I had only got my foot on the bottom step when I heard her, "Having fun, dear?"

"Yes, thank you, Mamma."

"I trust not to expect you for dinner. Just be careful and have fun." I didn't respond because she wasn't asking me a question. She was telling me to go and be youthful, just like she always did. She also left me with no doubt that she had seen us in the pool. I dressed quickly, paying very little care to my choice, and descended the stairs again in less than five minutes. As I stepped back out into the sun, my hair was dripping down my pale pink simple but formal dress.

George was standing against his car, still dripping wet, when I rounded the corner. I chuckled to myself, thinking of him climbing wet into his very smart Audi. He didn't seem to be worried about the prospect at all. I really did love his carefree nature, and I really hoped it was going to be a good night.