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‘I’ve always loved rivers,’ she said slightly breathlessly. ‘And especially waterfalls.’
‘I remember,’ Lorenzo said, taking her by surprise. ‘You told me about that river with giant boulder stepping stones that you loved as a child when you went on holiday in Devon.’
‘Oh…yes,’ Chloe stammered, feeling even more shaky. She couldn’t remember telling Lorenzo that, but then they had talked about so many things since she started working for him, and especially since they started dating.
‘And you told me about your walking holidays in the Lake District, where you and your sister went in search of anything labelled force—meaning waterfall—on your map.’
‘You’ve got a good memory,’ Chloe said uncomfortably. She could have sworn she remembered every single second of their time together, remembered every single word they’d ever said to each other. It made her uneasy to realise she was mistaken.
‘You don’t recall our conversation,’ Lorenzo said. His eyes narrowed as he studied her face.
‘Of course I do.’ Chloe startled herself by lying. She didn’t like the sudden feeling that Lorenzo had her at a disadvantage.
‘No, you don’t,’ Lorenzo said emphatically. A half-smile was playing at his lips but it didn’t reach his eyes. ‘Sit down and catch your breath.’
‘I can climb up a few rocks without needing to sit down!’ Chloe exclaimed.
‘It doesn’t matter that you can’t remember.’ Lorenzo’s voice was quiet now, but his eyes still burned dangerously.
‘Even you can’t remember every single word that was said,’ Chloe said huffily.
‘Yes, I can,’ said Lorenzo lightly, lowering himself down onto a large flat rock with a deep pool in front of it. ‘Every single word. Now, sit down here with me.’
Chloe tossed her head, and looked away sideways at the rushing water of the river. She had the unnerving feeling that Lorenzo would take this as evidence that she had never paid full attention to him.
That this was the explanation behind why she had made such a terrible mistake in her expectations of their marriage.
But that was different, she told herself. Forgetting a few inconsequential conversations about family holidays, which had probably taken place during her hectic working day while she was juggling the duties of an exacting job and demanding boss, did not mean she would have forgotten something so important as whether he explained fully that he wanted a loveless marriage of convenience.
She took a deep breath and sat down on the rock next to Lorenzo. She’d been alone with him for no more that a few minutes and already her emotions were all over the place again. Things might be wonderful between them when they were making love—but this proved that there were still massive cracks in their relationship.
‘Is that where people swim?’ she asked, carefully avoiding meeting his eye. Instead she looked at the deep, inviting pool, which was in front of them, surrounded by smooth brown rocks. ‘The water certainly looks cool. Does it come down from the mountains?’
‘I valued every minute I spent with you,’ Lorenzo said, ignoring her attempted change of subject. ‘Our conversations ranged over so many topics. I was impressed by your enthusiasm for life, your honesty, the way you expressed yourself so freely and openly.’
‘Is that why you tricked me into a loveless marriage?’
The words were out before Chloe fully realised what she was saying. Lorenzo had just told her something wonderful—something that should have made her heart glad. And yet she’d thrown his gesture back in his face.
A furious change came over him and he surged to his feet. Suddenly he was stripping off his T-shirt and kicking away his canvas shoes.
‘I’m sorry—’ she started, but the look he threw at her over his shoulder quelled her apology before she had gone any further.
‘Save it!’ he snapped, before turning his back on her and diving into the deep natural pool. His long, powerful strokes bore him rapidly away across the water, and Chloe knew that her unintentionally caustic comment had angered him.
She stood and stared into the water. A couple of minutes ago it had looked inviting, but now that Lorenzo was pounding his way back in her direction she found herself trembling.
‘Come in with me!’ he commanded, tossing his wet hair out of his eyes with a fierce gesture.
Chloe hesitated, reluctant to join him. He looked completely in his element, surrounded by the majestic power and grace of the river as it carved its way through the ancient volcanic rock. But he was emanating an untamed savage energy that suddenly frightened her as much as it excited her.
‘It doesn’t look safe,’ she said, taking a step back from the edge. ‘What stops you getting washed over the waterfall?’
‘There’s hardly any current this side of those big rocks,’ Lorenzo said impatiently. ‘As long as we stay this side it is safe. You know I wouldn’t have brought you anywhere dangerous.’
Chloe drew her lower lip into her mouth, undecided. It looked like an incredible place to swim—but she was nervous both of the elemental power of the river and of Lorenzo’s intense mood.
Then she remembered her promise to Liz. She might never get an opportunity like this again and she would be foolish to let it slip by. In her heart she knew Lorenzo would never put her at real risk.
