The American Contessa by Noni Calbane

apartment buildings.  
    The
night was warm and Gaby decided to walk back to the hotel.   Passing outdoor bars and restaurants, she was
aware of the amorous glances and catcalls from the male patrons.   The Count’s words came back to haunt her.
“Pretty enough,” he’d said.   Maybe in his
world of rail-thin supermodels and debutantes she wasn’t considered an alluring
woman.    But walking down the cobblestone
street tonight she felt like Monica Belluci and Claudia Cardinale rolled into
one.    She felt confident and sexy.   Who needed the approval of some conceited,
emotionally immature nobleman to make a girl feel fabulous?   Not her.
    She
hoped Carmina wouldn’t be too upset with her not showing up for dinner. If only
she’d brought her cell phone with her.   But she’d left her hotel room in such a panic when confronted by Count
tall, dark and arrogant, that it completely slipped her mind.   As it was, they were meeting for coffee
tomorrow morning anyway, so she’d make her apologies then.   She wondered if Luca would inform his sister
of what happened or just tell her some lie or another.  
      By nine o’clock Gaby had started to rethink
her foolish endeavour to walk back.   Luca
had certainly covered some ground when speeding through the streets.   Her feet hurt.   She was hardly wearing the appropriate shoes
for walking.   Hobbling along she waved
madly at the next taxi she saw. She bet Monica Belluci’s feet never hurt!
    The
taxi took no time at all getting back to her hotel.   She was exhausted.   Emotionally and physically.   The elevator door chimed its arrival at her
floor and Gaby sighed in relief.   A nice
long soak in her room’s humungous bath tub was definitely in order.   Digging around in her handbag for her key,
she walked down the hallway towards her room, anxiously wanting to get inside
and take off her shoes.
    A
familiar figure stood leaning against her door.   His jacket and tie were off and his hair looked like he’d spent the last
hour or so raking his hand through it.
    Gaby
stopped in her tracks midway down the corridor.   She wasn’t sure if she had the energy to go another round with the infuriating
Luca Manetti.  
    As
she cautiously approached, he smiled guiltily at her.   For some reason, it thoroughly annoyed her that
he thought he could weasel himself so easily out of any situation; with a smile
or a compliment.  
    Using
her best schoolmarm voice, Gaby admonished him. “If you don’t mind Count
Manetti, it’s late and I’ve had rather a trying night.   So I’m asking you nicely.   Leave.”
    He
didn’t move or answer her.   Gaby
continued down the hall and stood before him. Sighing, she tried again.   “You’re blocking my door.   Please.   Go.   Home.”
    His
smile fell and his dark brown eyes searched hers intently.     The look in his gaze was that of a wounded,
unloved animal and cut Gaby to the core.   It wasn’t possible to fake a look like that.   He was clearly remorseful over his behaviour
that evening.   Would he still be
regretful in the light of day?   Well, the
jury was still out on that, as far as Gaby was concerned.
    “What
do you want?” she whispered.
    Luca
raised his hand as if about to caress her cheek.   “Gaby, I want…. I want…,”
    Gaby
stepped back from his reach.   “Yeah.
Okay.   I get it.   I know what you want,” she said, rolling her
eyes.   He’d spoken with such undisguised
longing she had to put a stop to this, if only for her own sanity.   So much for keeping her guard up.   Her guard was not just sleeping on duty, but
had possibly gone AWOL.
    She
tried another tactic.   “Look Luca, I’m
only going to be in Italy for a short time, so I think its best that we spend
as little of that time in each other’s company.”
    “You’re
right,” he nodded, finally finding his voice.  
    “I’m
glad you agree,” Gaby said quietly, a little disappointed that he’d so