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“Si.”
“On what?”
He frowned, the question not one he could easily answer. “We’re buying a new tanker. I’m going over the documentation from our lawyers.”
“A tanker?” She lifted a brow as she looked at him. So close, he could see the few freckles that ran across her nose. His stomach looped. “What for?”
“Shipping.”
She nodded, but looked as though she had a dozen more questions.
“We have a shipping company,” he said with a lift of his shoulder. “My grandfather acquired it.” He wasn’t sure why he added the last bit of detail.
“I don’t know much about your family.” Her tone was almost apologetic. “Just that you’re filthy rich.”
He laughed at that, the sound surprising him. How long had it been since he’d laughed spontaneously?
He reached for his beer, realised it was empty, then strolled to the fridge to remove another. “Wine?”
She was watching him carefully. “I don’t think I should.”
“No?”
Her cheeks grew even pinker and memories flashed through him. The taste of alcohol on her breath the night before, the way she’d been so unashamed in her desire for him.
“Coffee then,” he suggested with a low, gruff growl.
She nodded awkwardly. “I’ll make it.”
“It’s fine.” He pulled the milk out with his beer, nudging the fridge door closed with his elbow.
“So you work in the family business,” she prompted, one hip propped against the bench, near enough to the coffee machine that he could reach out and touch her. His fingertips tingled with a yearning to do just that.
He nodded, removing the coffee basket and filling it with fresh grinds. “We all do.”
“All?”
“I have two brothers, three cousins.” He tightened the basket in place. “Four, actually, but Samir is not – here. He lives abroad and we don’t really know him.”
“Why not?”
“Long story.”
She waited, and Gabe found himself talking about something he rarely discussed. “His mother – my aunt – was estranged from my grandparents. They didn’t approve of her marriage. She was very young. Gianfelice, my grandfather, gave her an ultimatum – her fiancé or them – and she chose her fiancé.”
Isabella’s eyes flared wide. “And then what? They never forgave her?”
“My grandfather was a stubborn man. He didn’t know how to forgive.”
“That’s terrible! Was she happy?”
“I don’t know. They stayed married, and had a son – Samir – but my aunt died before they could make peace.”
“That’s so sad.”
“It’s life.”
Something flickered in the depths of her eyes before she turned away from him, angling her face to
