Free The Italian Affair by Loren Teague

under the glass was unbelievable.’
    Rick walked beside her, trying to dissipate a different kind of heat, one that was generated by the sultry essence of her skin. Another glance at her made him break out in a hot sweat. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. ‘My father’s had a lifetime to get used to it. I’m glad I didn’t follow him into horticulture. Tomatoes aren’t my forte,’ he replied. ‘But I’m not knocking it: it’s a good living and a healthy one. It’s just not for me, that’s all.’
    Gina stopped dead. ‘And what exactly is your style, Rick Caruso? Looking after rich girls in case they get into mischief?’
    He gave her a long, level look, trying to keep his temper in control. He didn’t know why he felt so annoyed. But one thing he did know, she hadn’t been as immune to the incident in the greenhouse as he had first thought. Dangerous, he thought. Very dangerous. All the same, he knew when he answered, his words would irk her. ‘Maybe you’ll find out someday, Gina Rosselini.’
     
    Gina took in the kitchen with one look. Gleaming copper pans hung on the walls and tall bottles of green, red and cream-coloured pasta sat side by side on the tiled bench. The walls, colour-washed in blue-green , resembled shades of the ocean. Stacked high in a wicker basket on the scrubbed wooden floor were fresh vegetables, juicy red peppers, strings of garlic and bunches of onions, all adding piquant colour. And all cultivated and harvested by Mr Caruso.
    Gina couldn’t help but compare her own kitchen against this one. She’d tried to make her apartment as cosy as possible. However, this was a real family home, she decided.
    ‘Take a seat,’ said Rick. He set down two long glasses. From the fridge, he took out a jug. ‘Fresh lemonade. My mother makes it first thing.’ He placed it in the middle of the table. ‘There you go.’
    ‘Thanks. I’m parched,’ she remarked.
    ‘Ice?’
    ‘Yes, please.’
    ‘Still hungry?’
    ‘Ravenous,’ she replied honestly.
    ‘I’ll see if I can rustle up some food.’
    ‘Thanks. Do you cook?’
    He flashed her a grin. ‘Not if there’s a woman around.’
    If she had something in her hand she would have thrown it at him. Instead she made a face.
    Rick moved efficiently around the kitchen taking out some sliced ham, mozzarella cheese and pickle. He found a loaf of baked bread in the pantry. ‘It’s nothing fancy, but it’s fresh and it’s wholesome.’
    He placed the plates and cutlery on the table.
    ‘Can I help?’ she asked.
    ‘Nope … you just stay put. I know where everything is. And I’ll be quicker.’
    It was then she noticed a photo sitting on a shelf nearby. Rick had his arms around a young dark-haired woman who looked to be in her middle twenties. The woman looked familiar somehow. Was it his girlfriend, she wondered? The thought didn’t please her and she didn’t know why.
    Rick noticed her interest. He picked up the photo and handed it to her. ‘Here, take a look. That’s my sister, Elena. She’s a nurse.’ He grinned. ‘Actually, you met her the other day.’
    ‘I did?’
    ‘Yeah. She was the nurse I was busy talking to in the hospital corridor.’
    Stunned, she could only stare at him. ‘Oh….’ That nurse. The one she had practically accused him of flirting with. ‘I … er … hadn’t realized.’ Her face flushed. She took a sip of lemonade, then placed the glass back on the table. ‘I guess I thought—’
    He interrupted her. ‘Yeah, I know exactly what you thought. Just shows, doesn’t it? You can’t jump to conclusions. Because nine times out of ten it will be wrong. Being a cop taught me that.’
    He had a point. ‘OK. I made a mistake, I admit it.’ Gina took in the photo again. ‘She’s pretty. Is she married?’
    ‘She was. Her husband died a couple of years ago. A work accident. He was a construction worker.’
    Gina’s heart went out to the woman. ‘I’m really sorry.’ Now she felt even worse.
    Rick