It was nearly 9.30 p.m. when he finally let himself through the front door and jogged down the steps to the kitchen, dumping his laptop bag en route. He found her perched on a stool, reading, her hair spilling down her back, cool and sexy in a short dress of denim blue. She glanced up and smiled and he swept her up into a kiss from which they both emerged breathless. ‘That’s better,’ he murmured and brushed another kiss on her temple. ‘Long day and Graziella set Papà on me. Even with the air con I feel like I’ve been in an oven instead of a car. Wait for me while I jump in the shower?’ He deposited her back on the stool and pulled his shirt over his head without unbuttoning it, her laughter following him as he ran up the stairs.

Once in the cool stream of water he thought he should have invited Zia to join him, giving ‘jump in the shower’ a whole new meaning, but a growling stomach persuaded him to hurry back to where she was setting out a cold meal on his classically simple white plates.

Her liquid eyes smiled at him as he cannoned back into the room. ‘What happened with Graziella?’

He grabbed water from the fridge. ‘Papà asked me how long I’d feel comfortable leaving the vineyard on the market and she jumped in, whining that I was dragging my feet and—’ he rubbed his nose sheepishly ‘—I told her to buy some fucking patience along with her next Gucci handbag. Papà wasn’t happy.’

Zia sat down and helped herself to moist balls of mozzarella and focaccia sprinkled with herbs. Slowly, she said, ‘I know I said I wouldn’t offer any more unasked-for but well-meant advice about the vineyard but—’

He groaned and dropped a kiss on her shoulder, which was naked but for the strap of her dress. ‘Do you mind if we forget the vineyard tonight? I just want to enjoy your company and hear how your trip went today. Durante hasn’t called me.’

Zia’s wide smile flashed. ‘I saw Lucia! She looks wrung out but she’s very much herself.’ He ate rice salad and a cheesy pastry while she recounted every detail about Lucia’s condition, her ward and what she’d said, her eyes mirroring each emotion as she flipped through joy, worry and compassion.

When she reached the end, he took her hand. ‘I wish I could have gone with you. I miss Lucia and Durante – even if their absence has allowed us to spend so much time together.’

‘Same.’ Her smile flickered but her mind seemed to have drifted from the subject. Carefully, she laid down her fork, holding his gaze. ‘By the way, I’ve had a crazy idea about Gerardo.’

‘Oh?’ He took a bite of focaccia as he waited for more.