Page 210 of Valentino

I glance around at the other people lying by the pool, is anyone drinking yet or am I going to be judged? Screw it, who cares. “I’ll have a glass of white please and…” I glance over the menu for something sensible, but cheese for dinner is calling my name, “…a cheese platter.”

“Of course.” He smiles.

“Thank you.”

I go back to my computer and finish typing my report,

I would suggest the Royal Suite Della Gherardesca, Florence, Italy.

The warm wind whips my hair around and I smirk as I type, how is this my job? I cannot believe that I get paid to fly all around the world to visit the most beautiful places to find locations for Vogue to shoot. Even in my wildest dreams, and trust me I’ve had many, could I have ever imagined this dream career.

With painted vaulted ceilings above with original Capodimonte maiolicha-style star ceramic floors below, and the seventeenth-century frescoes framing views of the park. As one of the nobles’ quarters a palazzo it offers an endless visual dream and will create the opulence we’re striving for with this particular campaign.

The coloring offers a cream-and-sage backdrop and exactly what I was after to set the mood for the emeralds we are showcasing.

Battery on 5%

Damn it.

I really need to get this report off tonight; I’ve been searching for this location for a while and now that I’ve finally decided, I need to send this off immediately. Time is of the essence; I’m already late with handing my recommendation in. Ugh, I don’t want to go back to the room; I’m going to have to though, I don’t have a choice, I wait for the waiter to look my way, and I wave him over again. “Yes?”

“Hi, I just have to go back to my room and grab my other computer.”

He gives me a blank look.

“I mean, just in case my drink and platter arrive while I’m gone, I wanted to let you know that I was coming back.”

“I see.” He smiles. “Of course, I’ll have it here ready and waiting for you.”

“Thank you.”

I stand, throw my white linen shirt on over my bikini and button it up, I glance around at the people scattered around the pool, I’d better take my things with me, you never know, I guess.

I throw my things into my bag and walk through the pool area to the elevator just as I feel my phone vibrate in my bag.

Damn it, that’ll be Veronica chasing this report.

I dig my phone out and swipe it open.

How was it?

I quickly text.

It’s perfect, writing it up now.

The doors of the elevator open, and while looking at my phone, I step inside.

“Anna,” a deep voice says.

I glance up and lock eyes with Valentino, I step back in surprise as the air leaves my lungs. “Val….” He’s wearing a black dinner suit, white shirt, and black bow tie. His dark brown hair has a golden hue to it. His physical presence takes over the small space, tall and broad. He’s older, his face more weathered, and damn it, as beautiful as ever.

Maybe even more so….

We stare at each other, the air swirls between us as I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears. “What…what….”

Spit it out.

“What are you doing here?” I stammer.