Designing Hearts Read online

  “I hadn’t expected to hear from you so soon, Ms. Chamberlain.”

  “Veronica, please. I received an email from your sister and your inn is—”

  “Ah, my Welcome Inn. You will come to see her, yes?”

  “That’s why I’m calling. First, I’d like to know how you got my private number.”

  Stephano turned the omelet onto a plate. “My sister is resourceful. I didn’t ask questions. She just said you wanted me to call you.”

  “That’s not true. I had emailed her to say I couldn’t take on your project. I’m very busy at the moment.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “I am renovating a bar—”

  “No.” He carried his plate to the living room and sat on his sofa. “What are you doing right now?”

  Veronica paused before answering. “Well, I was having dinner.”

  Stephano cut a slice of omelet and placed it in his mouth. He groaned when the fluffy egg and cheese concoction melted against his tongue. Perfection. “This late?”

  “I work abnormal hours.”

  “I understand. And what is the whisperer having for dinner?”

  “Ziti.”

  “One of my favorites, if done right.”

  “Well, the place on the corner is pretty good, but right now it’s gone cold.”

  Stephano gasped and almost choked. Picking up his mug, he washed down the food. “Takeout?! The whisperer dares to eat takeout like a commoner?”

  Veronica giggled. “I don’t know how to cook, so…”

  “That’s even worse,” he teased. “I must teach you.”

  “That will be difficult. I’m not coming to Greece, Stephano.”

  His heart fluttered. He liked how his name sounded as it slipped from her lips. Of course, he was now imagining her saying it while she was naked in his bed. Setting his plate on his lap, he gave her his undivided attention.

  “Ms. Chamberlain—”

  “Veronica.”

  “Veronica. I understand you are busy, but I really need your help.”

  She sighed. “I’m sorry, Stephano. I can’t.”

  His heart sank. He tried again. “At least, come and look at her in person before you reject her.”

  “Isn’t there someone in Greece who can help you?”

  “Perhaps, but I am told you are the best. My inn deserves the best.”

  Veronica fell silent. Stephano speculated she was considering his words. While he did need her help, he was now curious as to what she looked like. He could spend the rest of his life listening to her talk. Just the sound of her timber was making his cock hard. Shivering, he ate the rest of his meal and waited for her answer.

  “I’ll think about it,” Veronica said. “That’s all I can promise you.”

  Stephano grinned. “That’s all I ask.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  One month later, Veronica stepped off the plane at Diagoras International Airport in Rhodes. While the sixteen hour flight from LaGuardia wasn’t bad, it was the four hour turbulence-filled flight from Athens that left her nauseous. After clearing customs, she dashed into the nearest ladies room to check her appearance.

  Her caramel hued cheeks were flush from nearly vomiting, but she still looked pretty damn good. Instead of her customary ponytail, she wore her hair loose around her shoulders. A long, black tunic, leggings and black wedges covered her slender frame. Guido was asleep in his carrier under her left arm. She balanced her tote bag on her right shoulder as she leaned close to the mirror to inspect her flawless make-up.

  With The Lush project finally over, Veronica decided to take that much-needed vacation. That one conversation with Stephano captivated her. While researching the island of Rhodes, she discovered that it was her kind of place. Not only was it filled with white sand beaches and surrounded by crystal clear water, it offered the shopping and restaurants she craved.

  Last week, she called Stephano to inform him of her visit. He offered for her to stay at his inn and he would pick her up at the airport. Butterflies swirled in her stomach. Her hands trembled as she applied lip balm. There was no reason to be nervous. She was meeting a client. A client with a sexy voice. She rolled her eyes. It was unlikely that his outer appearance matched a voice like that.

  Veronica took a deep breath. With shoulders squared and head high, she marched out of the ladies room and headed toward baggage claim. Rounding the corner, she stopped short. Standing next to the carousel was a tall, blond, Italian god with her name scribbled on a piece of white cardboard. He was dressed in an olive green T-shirt, jeans and canvas sneakers.

  Stephano? Veronica wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She moved toward him. Her legs wobbled. He smiled brightly at her. When she was less than a foot away, she noticed his intense green eyes and swallowed hard.

  “I’m Veronica.” Her voice cracked.

  “The restaurant whisperer.” He swept up her hand and kissed the back of it. “We finally meet. I am Stephano.”

  His thick, sexy accent sent a shiver down her spine. He brought her hand to his chest and held it over his heart. The rhythm of the beat danced against her fingertips. Veronica licked her lips. Her own heart slammed against her breastbone. Why has a man like this been hiding in Greece?

  “Thank you,” he said.

  Veronica smiled. “I haven’t done anything.”

  “You have lit my darkest days with your beauty. That alone, is worthy of praise.”

  Snatching her hand away, she dropped her arm to her side. If she hadn’t, she would have ripped off his shirt and had her way with him on the luggage carousel. He folded the sign in half and tossed it into a nearby trash can. She seized the opportunity to look at his firm ass. Veronica covered her heart with her hand. The way the denim caressed the muscles was a thing of beauty. He was smiling when he returned.

  “Your bags?” he asked.

  She pointed to two red pieces on the rack. “Those. That black one there. And, this black and white plaid case.”

  Stephano frowned as he lined up the four suitcases. “How long are you staying?”

  “Three days. A woman can’t be too prepared.”

  “We have a mall,” he grumbled.

  When Stephano struggled to pick up the luggage, she moved to help him. He stopped her by holding up his hand.

  Lining them up back to back, he was able to wheel two in each hand. He motioned with the tilt of his head for her to follow.

  The contrast of the cool air conditioned airport and the humid temperatures that raged outside, was apparent as soon as Veronica stepped through the sliding glass doors. She put on her sunglasses. Stephano led her to a red convertible Jeep in the parking lot. He loaded the luggage in the back, and then, held open her door. She rested Guido’s carrier in her lap.

  “How long is the drive?” she asked.

  “About two hours.”

  So she didn’t make a complete fool of herself by grabbing him and kissing him, she’d have to sit on her hands the whole ride. Veronica fastened her seatbelt, then tucked her hands under her thighs. Stephano rounded the front of the Jeep and climbed in the driver’s seat. After putting on his seatbelt, he started the engine. “Boom Boom Pow” from the Black Eyed Peas filled the cabin.

  She smiled and looked at him. He nodded his head to the beat as he backed out of the space.

  “You like the Black Eyed Peas, too?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “I like all music. I listen to what speaks to me.”

  “Me, too.”

  Stephano drove on to the entrance ramp for a highway. Veronica took in the scenery. The road ran parallel with the harbor. Sun rays pressed down on her bare arms. Strands of her hair slapped her cheeks. Brushing them away, she inhaled the salt scented air and sighed in contentment. Why had she waited so long to visit Greece?

  “Your accent is Italian,” she commented. “But isn’t Rhodes a part of Greece?”

  He nodded. “It’s true that Rhodes is Greek, but the is
land was inhabited by Italians around the time of Caesar.”

  “I see. Tell me about the inn,” she shouted over the traffic noise and Michael Jackson’s “Butterfly.”

  “I opened her two years ago. She was renovated by the previous owners from a farmhouse that was built in the 1200s. I haven’t done much to her.”

  “I can tell by the pictures.”

  He flinched. “Does she look bad?”

  Not wanting to hurt Stephano’s feelings, Veronica chose her words carefully. “No. Well, she does need an upgrade.”

  Cursing in what she assumed was Italian, he draped his arm across the back of her seat. “I was afraid of that.”

  She glanced at him. “Why haven’t you done anything before now?”

  “No time. The inn had swallowed up most of my capital. And I was wary about spending it on crap like tablecloths and paintings.”

  She flinched at his use of the word crap. “You need to spend money to make money in your business.”

  “Every penny I have goes to pay my father back for his loan.”

  “How much did you borrow?”

  “About fifty thousand in US dollars.”

  “With simple fixes, you’ll get all of that back, and more. How much did you spend on the furnishings you currently have?”

  He shrugged. “Nothing. A lot of it was stuff I found or my family had lying around.”

  Veronica burst into laughter. “That explains a lot.”

  As they drove, the view outside the window changed from a beach landscape to rolling green hills. Stephano pulled off at the next exit. He steered the vehicle off the road into a remote area surrounded by trees.

  “I thought he might like to use the bathroom.” Stephano motioned to Guido’s carrier.

  “Right.”

  Veronica unzipped the mesh case, clipped on Guido’s purple leash and helped him out. She reached for the door handle, but Stephano had already taken Guido from her arms. The dog whimpered but settled into Stephano’s strong grasp. Normally, Guido snapped at all strangers who tried to handle him. She was surprised when he didn’t.

  “Relax,” Stephano commanded. “I got him.”

  “Okay. Thank you.”

  Veronica sat back in her seat. Stephano got out and guided Guido to a patch of grass beside her door. Stephano leaned against the door while he waited for the pup to do his business. When his gaze fell on her, she shivered.

  “Tell me, Ms. Whisperer, why did you change your mind about visiting my homeland?”

  Swallowing, she stalled for an answer. Should she admit the truth? That he was the reason she was in Rhodes? She was still firm in her decision not to take on the inn for her next project but she had to at least meet the man behind the voice that caused her to quiver.

  “Honestly,” she said. “I needed a vacation. It has been ages since I’ve been on one.”

  “I understand.”

  “Why did you name the inn Welcome?”

  “When visitors come, that’s how I want them to feel.”

  Wrinkling her nose, she shook her head. “I get it, but that’s a horrible name.”

  “What would you suggest, Ms. Whisperer?”

  Veronica rolled her eyes. “Stop calling me that. I hate that nickname.”

  “What shall I call you instead?”

  “Veronica.”

  Stephano shook his head. “No. That’s too ordinary for an extraordinary woman such as yourself. I’ll think of something.”

  Veronica’s nipples puckered. Picking up Guido, he handed the pup through the window. After Stephano settled into his seat, he pulled the Jeep on the road to continue the journey. Guido hopped over the center console to curl up in Stephano’s lap. Her heart warmed.

  “He likes you,” Veronica commented.

  Stephano glanced at her before turning his attention back to the road. “I hope he’s not the only one.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Veronica awoke with a start. She wondered what time it was and how long she’d been asleep. The room was dark but smelled like lemons. Rain tapped against the window. Guido slept on the pillow next to her. Shivering in the cool room, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. It took a while for it to register that she was in Greece. She scooted to the edge of the bed and turned on the lamp.

  Except for the bed, two nightstands, two lamps and a wicker chair that had seen better days, the room held little else. She shook her head. Clearly, Stephano had no design sense what so ever. It was shocking that he made any money at all. Swinging her feet to the floor, she stood and made her way to the bathroom.

  The bedroom didn’t have an on-suite bath. Veronica opened the door and stepped into the icy cold hallway. The five other rooms were empty. After finding the bathroom, she turned on the lights. She looked at the claw foot tub and pedestal sink. Did all the rooms share this one bath? While she knew the practice was commonplace in most European inns, she hadn’t expected to encounter it.

  While the tub filled with water, she went back to her room to retrieve her robe and toiletries. She listened for signs of Stephano, but didn’t hear any. Her heart sank. He probably went home. It was just as well. She locked the door anyway.

  White towels were draped on a rack next to the sink. Veronica turned off the water. After stripping off her traveling outfit, she pulled her hair up and sank into the tepid bath. She sighed. All that was missing was a glass of wine. And, maybe, Stephano to scrub her back. The knock at the door caused her to jump.

  “Stephano?” she asked.

  “It is I. Did you find everything?”

  “I did, thank you.”

  “You fell asleep during the ride. I carried you to your room. I wished you had stayed awake to witness the sunset. It was spectacular. But, only half as beautiful as you.”

  Veronica swallowed. “ What time is it?”

  “Almost 10:30.”

  She gasped. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Are you hungry?”

  On cue, her stomach rumbled. “Yes.”

  “Then I shall prepare for you a feast to stimulate your taste buds.”

  Veronica smiled. It wasn’t her taste buds that needed stimulating. “Okay.”

  “Don’t take too long, Tesoro.”

  Back in her room, Veronica rooted around in her four suitcases for the perfect outfit. Veronica settled on a long white tank top and tan leggings. She threw a red sweater over it for color, and to hide her hard nipples. After sliding her feet into a pair of flip-flops, she left to find Stephano.

  The aroma of roasting meat surrounded her as she walked down the stairs. To the left was a lobby/foyer. A dining room that seated about twenty was to the right. It looked exactly as it did in the pictures his sister had sent. And that wasn’t good. Following her nose, and the off-key sounds of David Bowie, she found Stephano in the kitchen. He smiled when she appeared in the doorway.

  “The princess graces my humble kitchen with her beauty,” he said with a slight bow.

  “Stop it,” she laughed. “What are you making?”

  “Steak. Tzatziki sauce. Vegetables. A meal designed to dazzle your taste buds.”

  Her mouth watered. She hadn’t had a home cooked meal in a long time. Especially one cooked by a chef as fine as Stephano. A white apron was tied over his outfit. Too bad, he wasn’t naked under it. He motioned for her to sit on a stool next to the island where he worked.

  “Can I help?” she asked. Of course, she didn’t know how to cook, but she at least wanted to do something.

  “Tonight, you rest. Tomorrow, I will teach you how to cook.”

  Veronica wrinkled her nose and sat where indicated. “I’ll probably set your kitchen on fire.”

  “Then, we shall rebuild and make the new one as beautiful as you.”

  Her heart fluttered. She looked around the small space. Stephano only had one cast iron stove that looked like it was made in 1200. She noticed a wood-burning oven on the left. Besides the island and the sink, the only other appliance was the
refrigerator that didn’t look like it could hold more than ten items. How was he able to prepare a meal for a dining room full of people?

  “How many employees do you have?” she asked.

  “Three. Lena works the front desk and also waits tables. George is my handyman and housekeeper. And Eliza does everything in the kitchen.”

  “How can you serve a dining room full of people with such a small staff?”

  Stephano shrugged. “I get by.”

  He poured a glass of red wine and set it in front of her. Veronica took a sip. “This is delicious.”

  “It’s from my father’s vineyard.”

  “Is he where you got your love of food?”

  Smiling, he flipped the steak. “No. That comes from my mother. My father wanted me to take over the business, but my heart wasn’t in it. My brother will take over.”

  “How many siblings do you have?”

  “Including me, seven.”

  “Wow. That’s a big family.”

  He looked at her. “And you?”

  “I have four brothers.”

  Chuckling, he tossed slices of flat bread on the grill. “Ah, no wonder.”

  Veronica raised her eyebrow. “What?”

  “You’re spoiled.”

  “I am not,” she shot back.

  “It’s okay,” he said with a wink. “You deserve to be.”

  Veronica’s mouth went dry. She wanted to know more about him—like, if he had a girlfriend—but decided not to ask. After these next three days, she would never see him again.

  “I know you speak Italian,” she said. “But, do you know Greek, too?”

  “Yes. And French. Some Portuguese.”

  “I take it you’ve lived all over the world.”

  “I have seen things that would make you blush, Tesoro.”

  “What does Tesoro mean?”

  “My love.”