The Italian's Blushing Gardener by Christina Hollis Page A

lunch Kira had ever attended. As a respected professional she was used to being treated well. Stefano’s idea of entertaining was in an entirely different league. The Michelin-starred restaurant was as perfect as its extensive menu, and Kira felt entirely uncomfortable. She looked down the list of tempting dishes, studying the menu intently, but it was no good. Eventually, she had to swallow her pride. It stuck in her throat, but as a regular Stefano was the best person to ask for help. ‘I’m sorry. This is a cordon bleu restaurant and I’m a cucina povera girl at heart. All these exotic things are way out of my zone. Which do you recommend?’
    ‘Definitely the lamb. It’s a favourite of mine.’
    Her mind made up, Kira ordered and handed her menu to the waiter.
    Stefano ordered the same for himself, and a bottle of wine to accompany their meal. When they were alone again, he leaned towards her. His eyes were keen with interest.
    ‘I would have thought a woman such as yourself would be entertained in restaurants like this all the time,’ he said quietly. ‘You deserve the best.’
    Kira withdrew from the intensity of his gaze. ‘I’ve told you—I enjoy plain Italian food.’
    Stefano smiled suddenly. ‘You are very much an Englishwoman. None of them are any good at truly indulging themselves.’
    Clearly , thought Kira wryly, he’s never met my mother.
    ‘There aren’t any fish-and-chip shops in the Bella Terra valley, so I’ve learned to adapt a little!’ she said, relaxing in spite of herself as she looked around at their luxurious surroundings. ‘It makes it easier when youbring me to a wonderful place like this. Everything is so beautiful, especially that dessert trolley over there. Mmm, I do so love my puddings!’ She laughed, suddenly overcome with amazement at where she was and who she was with.
    The waiter delivered their main course, and the glorious scent helped to relax her further. She ate a forkful and almost moaned in pleasure. Stefano watched her appreciatively. There was something suspiciously predatory in his eyes, but, overwhelmed and exhausted from fighting her attraction to him, when he held her gaze Kira didn’t look away. He smiled slowly and she felt her hunger change into a more immediate desire.
    ‘I wonder if this is a good time to tell you I haven’t thought about another woman since we met,’ he murmured slowly, in a voice silken with charm.
    ‘It wasn’t the thinking I was worried about!’ Kira sighed reflexively before snapping her mouth shut and blushing bright red. Too late, she corrected herself. ‘If I was worried at all, which I’m not.’
    His voice became a caress. ‘That’s good. I wouldn’t want to worry you, Kira. The fact is, you intrigue me. I’ve spent the time since I left your side wondering about you, pure and simple.’
    ‘I’ll bet there was nothing remotely pure or simple about it,’ she retorted, although it was hard to stay angry with a man who gazed into her eyes with such intensity.
    Her tone had definitely mellowed. Stefano picked up on it. He put down his fork. For a moment his hands spoke for him. The fingers spread wide, his wrists rolled from side to side on the edge of the table.
    ‘Why block me when I’m trying to tell you something,Kira?’ His words were quiet, but intense. ‘Let me into your life a little. You won’t regret it. I can do things for you that you would never dream were possible. With your skill and my backing, there is no limit to what can be achieved. I want to start finding my pleasure much closer to home, and you are the one who can make it happen.’
    Transfixed by his expression, Kira let him slide his hand over hers as it lay on the table. Incapable of resisting him, her fingers went limp. He began to stroke the back of her hand. His movements teased her with thoughts of how he had held her willing body against his only two weeks before. From the second he swept out of her front door, he left a yawning