The sight of their commitment to their new child reminded Gage of the hopes he’d once harbored for his future with Elena. There’d been a time they’d discussed their dream home, designing and decorating it over shared meals or in stolen conversations between business meetings. They’d even talked about having a family together.

They’d spoken about most everything, it seemed, except her past. Instead, she’d allowed it to blindside him, unwilling to give him any time to process it before she boarded a jet and took it right out of his life. Now, he knew better than to expect more from her. They could have a physical relationship instead. Straightforward. No strings.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the patio doors opening again. Chiara and Elena entered the great room. Chiara was showing Elena a photo on her phone. He caught the end of a conversation about dyeing techniques for silk kimonos.

Elena’s gaze flicked to his, the eye contact as tantalizing as any touch after their exchange on the deck earlier. He liked thinking he’d invaded her thoughts as surely as she dominated his.

“Gage, will you take a photo of us by the fireplace?” Chiara asked suddenly, passing him her phone. “I took some of us outside, but I need to be sure I have some images of Elena’s suit.”

“Of course.” He was surprised the woman remembered him by name from the party the other night since they hadn’t been formally introduced. But he was glad to see Chiara seemed as enthused about the meeting with Elena as Elena had been about interviewing her. “It’s a beautiful jacket,” he remarked as he adjusted the focus.

Of course he’d noticed Elena’s stunning emerald-colored skirt and jacket, even though he’d been determined to focus on his work and not her during their trip here. But that plan had fallen by the wayside, and now that he’d allowed himself to consider the possibility of being with her again, he couldn’t peel his eyes off her.

The double-breasted blazer was sewn with corset details, making the fabric hug her narrow waist. Even viewing her through the phone’s camera, Elena set him on fire. He clicked a few shots and then passed the device back to its owner.

Chiara reached for it, then pocketed it in the long white cardigan she wore with brown suede pants and silver pumps. “But did you know that Elena designed it herself? I’m so impressed with everything from the fabric choice to the clever boning sewn into the seams.”

Gage hadn’t known that. New facets of this woman kept cropping up, making him wonder how well he’d ever known her.

Something he was determined to change, if only to anticipate her next move.

Before he could respond, their hosts called them from the stairs.