Turn Towards the Sun by Jennifer Domenico Read Free Book Online

come.
    I step out of the dressing room into the main boutique. Did he just take a deep breath?
    “You look ama zing.” His eyes linger on mine. “Here, try these on. ”
    I bend down and slip on some gold sandals, thankful they are my size. I twirl around for him once.
    “Does this meet your approval?”
    He studies me with warm eyes, and then his voice suddenly cools.
    “Yes. Anna, go ahead and ring it up.”
    His mood shifted back to all business. Oh, right. This is just an event he’s attending. It’s not a real date. I’m the unknown woman for the evening. I shuffle back and forth while Anna moves in to remove my tags.
    “Mr. Milano that will be $1,125. Shall I have it delivered to her room?”
    What? I can’t believe these two things cost that much. I know I had better not question it but seriously, he just spent this much on a girl he barely knows. Maybe he does this sort of thing all the time. He seems perfectly comfortable with it. I hurry to change back into my own clothes. When I come out, Enzo is waiting for me.
    “Well then Ava. I thought we might go to the pool for a few hours. Get a little sun.” His tone is still a little cool, but he wants to keep me around. I have no idea what to think at this point, but I know I could use a bit of sun, so I agree.
    “Sure. Already got my suit on. Do you need to change?”
    “No.”
    That’s it? I guess we’re not having a conversation.
    “Listen Enzo, I really appreciate the salon visit, and the dress is beautiful, but I feel uncomfortable that you’re spending this kind of money on me. I don’t even know you.”
    He continues walking without saying a word. A strange expression settles on his face. Sunglasses hide his eyes, so I have no clue what he’s thinking.
    “You will get to know me, no?”
    So um, what the hell does that mean?
    We enter the pool area and find a nice set of lounge chairs. Immediately , attendants swarm around us, providing towels, pillows, and plying us with cool drinks.
    “Must be nice to be the boss.” 
    “Yes, it has its benefits.” He smirks, warming up to me again.
    “Make sure you put on some sunscreen. The sun is strong here. You don’t want to burn.”
    There he goes , bossing me around again.
    “I’m not a child you know.” I shouldn’t have said that based on the fact that my poor planning has led to this series of events.
    He grins. “I’m sure I didn’t say that you were a child.”
    Just shut up Ava.
    “Aren’t you going to swim?”
    “In linen?” He laughs. “No , I just came to the pool to get some work done and get a little sun. Now relax.”
    He removes his shirt and lay s it at the foot of his lounge chair, then slips off his shoes and places them underneath the chair. I try to keep my eyes off his physique, but it ’ s damn near impossible. He rubs sunscreen across his taut arms and chest, and I wish I could do that for him.
    I remove my t-shirt and shorts revealing my swimsuit. He gazes up from his iPad.
    “That looks like a sunflower.” He muses.
    “ I t’s supposed to. I love sunflowers. They’re my favorite flower.”
    “Well then you must like the hotel name.”
    I look at him clueless.
    “Girasole. It’s the word for sunflower in Italian. It means to turn towards the sun.”
    “Oh how beautiful.” I love that meaning.
    “Yes, beautiful. I chose sunflowers for the hotel because all good things come from the warmth of sunlight. Of course, too much sun can bu rn.” He hands me the sunscreen.
      I take the bottle. “Do you like it then, my swimsuit?” I ask. I have no idea why I am seeking his approval.
    “Yes , Ava. I like it.” His tone is pure business again. His gaze lingers on me for a moment before returning to his work.
    I settle into my lounger and rub sunscreen on my front. Enzo is typing away on his iPad paying no attention to me. At least I got him to admit he likes my suit.
    The hotel pool is as lush as its rooms. The color scheme is a vibrant blue and yellow with