Sweet Christmas Kisses (114 page)

Damn
. Josh was Tony’s trusted lawyer who’d promised to protect him and his colleagues from unfair malpractice lawsuits. Taking off with the young sister might turn Josh into a ferocious prosecutor.

The flight attendants strolled along the alley, offering drinks. “Julia, would you like a drink?” Tony said, determined to change the direction of the conversation.

“I’ll have wine with dinner.” Tony ordered two glasses of Merlot and pondered how to keep Julia’s brothers from learning about their cruise.

“I can understand why you had a difficult few days with all these people hovering around you and smothering you with their concern, demands, orders, advice, you name it. It would give anyone a big headache.”

“Tony, you understand me so well. You’re so perceptive,” she said as she tasted her salad.

 
Professional experience, sweetheart
. His gaze riveted on his adorable companion. It was worth killing himself with work for a few days to enjoy this trip with her.

“I’m so sick and tired of lawyers, doctors, and businessmen.” She speared her meat with several short stabs of her knife and he almost winced as if the knife had cut into him. “But you, you’re the nicest travel agent I’ve ever met.” She offered him a bone-melting smile that would have delighted him under different circumstances.

“Only a
part-time
travel agent.” He rubbed his chin, hating his dilemma. Doctors were definitely on her shit-list at the moment.

“So what’s your other job at the Crisis Center about?”

He mentally cursed. Withholding the truth increased his stress, but acknowledging he was a doctor would ruin her trip—and his, of course. They both needed an escape from reality.

“Listen, Julia. If we want to enjoy this vacation we’d better stop talking about Clyde and your past history, about your parents and your brothers, their concern and advice. And about my job, too.”

“It makes sense. But what has your job got to do with the mess I’ve faced?”

“My job generates a lot of tension for me. So I’d rather eliminate it as a subject of conversation.”

“I understand. You had two difficult days because of me. I go through stressful time at my studio before a fashion show.”

He suppressed a snort. His shifts at the psychiatric center would top ten of her fashion shows in stress. “So we agree? We won’t talk or even think about the people we left in Boston until we return home. This trip is all about you and your fun, Julia,” Tony specified as he raised his wine glass for a new toast.

“And about you too. Cheers to our fun together.” She clanked her glass against his.

“I like your toast a lot. Cheers.”

During dinner, he questioned her about her studio and the staff who worked with her. Her voice filled with enthusiasm as she described her love for fashion and her ideas for new designs.

“Do you use any help in your studio?”

“I have a partner who is a tailor and three seamstresses who do the actual sewing.”

Once the steward cleared their dinner trays, Julia removed her boots and extended the footrest of her seat to stretch her legs. “We should lie down and try to sleep now,” she suggested.

She reclined the back of her seat as far as it could go and covered herself with a blanket. Tony did the same. Frankly he was hardly able to keep his eyes open and drifted off.

Much later, he felt a strange weight on his right side. With effort he opened one eye. A mass of blond curls tumbled over his chest. Julia’s head was snuggled against his shoulder. He grinned with delight and inhaled the refreshing fragrance. A few hairs tickled his lips. He gently caressed the top of her head. A trip to paradise wouldn’t feel any better.

Julia stirred against her hard but comfortable pillow. A faint light filtered through her half-open eyelids. Where was she? Confused pictures collided in her mind, the ride to the airport with Josh, the wait at the gate, and later the toasts and dinner with Tony. Oh yes, they were on their way to Spain, probably due to arrive soon.

She stretched her arms to work out a few kinks and connected with a hard jaw.

“Ouch,” a masculine voice barked.

Julia opened her eyes, gasped, and jerked herself back into her own seat. “Sorry.” Embarrassment writhed through her. Oh God, sleeping on his shoulder, punching him in the jaw. What a way to thank him for scrambling his schedule. She reached and patted his cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

He straightened in his seat. “No harm done. I hope you slept well.” He stroked his jaw but a smile crossed his lips. She blushed to her ears. “I slept very well,” he added as if he hadn’t noticed her mortification. “We’ll be landing in half an hour. Apparently we missed the breakfast.”

Had she been so deeply asleep on his shoulder? She raked her fingers through her hair. She must look a mess. After readjusting her seat, she slipped on her boots and stood. “I’m going to the restroom.”

She took the time to brush her hair and refresh her makeup. On the way back to her seat, she threw a few sideways glances at Tony. What was he thinking? He didn’t say much during the descent of the plane. Maybe she should try to forget the incident.

As soon as they landed he fetched her carry-on from the overhead compartment and helped her with her coat. Her ex had never showered her with attention and she’d learned early in life to hold her own with her brothers rather than act the pampered princess. Where was the mold used to create gentlemen like Tony? Julia didn’t think too many replicas existed around the world. At least, she hadn’t met any, apart from him.

Quietly, he put on his jacket and coat, and collected his backpack and carry-on. After they exited the plane, they crossed passport control and he hauled her luggage off the conveyer belt. Tony didn’t have any beside his two pieces and he insisted on dragging her big suitcase.

“Are we taking a taxi or a shuttle bus?” She chastised herself for not thinking earlier about these necessary details.

Tony signaled to a man waving a sign with his name. “Our limousine driver is here.”

An hour later, Julia examined the elegant room assigned to her in the five-star hotel recommended by the cruise line. Their arrival in Spain and the check-in at the hotel in the heart of Barcelona had gone so smoothly. She couldn’t believe how Tony had found the time to organize their travel when he’d been so busy at his second job. He had two adjacent rooms reserved for them.

A perfect gentleman
. Her brothers, even Josh, would approve of her companion. She forgot about her previous embarrassment on the plane and congratulated herself for inviting Tony to come along.

Julia showered and changed into a blue and green knitted tank dress from the trousseau she’d designed herself. With its elbow-length sleeves and turtleneck, it was quite appropriate for the mild, sunny day announced by the TV forecast.

Wearing her new dress to spend the day with Tony made up for any last shred of regret about the canceled wedding and honeymoon. She applied her make-up, sprayed a mist of perfume on her neck and wrist, and finished getting ready with her suede car coat and knee-high heeled boots. Her handbag strap over her shoulder, she strolled out of her room and climbed down the stairs to wait for Tony in the lobby.

He was already there, wearing a pair of navy corduroy trousers and a light blue polo shirt. A map in hands, he discussed directions with the clerk at the reception desk. How could he look so handsome after the long flight? Her nerves twanged at the sight of his chiseled profile, his clean-shaven cheeks, and his wet hair curled to the back and skimming his collar.

Don’t go there, Julia. You just emerged from a humongous mess
.

She paused next to the elaborate flower arrangement of yellow, red and pink roses adorning an antique round table. The strong fragrance left her in a daze. Or was it the sight of the striking man who’d be her companion for more than a week?

He raised his head and strode toward her. Extending his hand, he pulled her next to him. “Not too tired after the flight?”

“On the contrary, I’m relaxed and ready to discover Barcelona after—” She almost blurted
after the wonderful nap on the plane
, and bit her tongue in time. There was no need to remind him of her awkward relaxation on his shoulder.

Tony showed her various points on the map. “We’ll take a double-decker bus for a general tour of the city.” He stepped back and pointed to her high-heels. “You sure you can walk with these? You already broke a pair.”

She laughed. “This is a new pair and it’s quite comfortable.”

“If you say so. Anyway, I won’t give you any reasons to run away from me.” He winked at her. Her face heated and he chuckled. His gaze trailed over her short dress, and slowly traveled upward to settle on her blushed cheeks.

“You like my dress?” To break her nervousness, she held the lapels of her coat open and spun right and left. “I designed it myself.”

A wolfish grin played on his lips. “Charming dress and gorgeous model. You’re very pretty, Julia. Too pretty.” His smile faded but green sparkles danced in his hazel eyes and singed her with their intensity. Her breath whooshed, her lips parted and she stepped closer to him, unable to resist the electricity arcing between them. Was he feeling the pull too?

He grabbed her arm and she wondered if he was going to kiss her. His fresh scent of lemon and soap scattered her senses. “Yes?” she whispered not sure that she wanted to dispel the magical moment.

With a sigh, he averted his eyes and muttered, “Let’s go.” He tucked her hand in his large palm and walked her to the sidewalk. The fresh breeze restored some sense in her muddled mind.

At first, they strode at a fast pace while Julia tried to analyze the crazy urges that had possessed her a moment ago. The warmth of the fingers entwined with hers kept blocking her rational thoughts. Soon the colorful shop windows and picturesque cafés distracted her.

“Tony, wait I want to look at these shoes.”

He laughed and obliged. A moment later, he drew her away. “Listen, I promise I’ll give you a whole afternoon tomorrow to shop at your leisure.”

“I won’t find my way.”

“I’ll come with you, don’t worry.”

“Wow, are you serious? A man capable of coping with a woman’s shopping?” He wasn’t even a boyfriend. Her appreciation climbed ten notches.

“I meant it when I said I wanted you to have a wonderful vacation.”

“Thanks, Tony.” She reached and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. He glanced at her and didn’t comment.

Tony directed her to the end of the walking district. A huge Christmas tree decorated the plaza. Around it, mimes and ambling musicians entertained the passersby.

At the bus station, he bought two tickets for a double-decker tour bus. They sat in the open-top deck and plugged in the headphones to listen to the guided tour. They passed in front of
La Sagrada Familia
, a flamboyant church with amazing towers in the Rococo style. “Tomorrow, we should visit the church. It features breathtaking spires and awe-inspiring stained glass windows,” Julia explained.

Visibly impressed by her knowledge, Tony widened his eyes. “Apparently, someone did her homework.”

She shrugged. “I read a lot about the cities we’re visiting. I wanted to show Clyde that even if I’m not a doctor I had a lot of education about the world.”

Tony squeezed her hand. “Whatever his education, Clyde doesn’t deserve you. Again all doctors are not like him. Now, forget about Clyde, and share with me what you’ve learned about Barcelona.”

“Here is the Olympic Stadium. It hosted the opening ceremonies for the 1992 Olympic Games. The guide will tell you more.”

Later the bus took them to
Montjuic Hill
for a panoramic view of the city.

On their way back, they stopped in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter for a walking tour of the 600-year-old
Santa Eulalia
Cathedral
and strolled along
La Rambla
Avenue
to enjoy the open-air market and shops.

“How about having a coffee and sandwich before we continue?” She was starved and would never admit her feet were killing her.

“If you can walk ten more minutes, there’s a fabulous restaurant called,
El Rey de la Gamba
, the King of the Shrimp. The clerk at the hotel reception told me the seafood was heaven.”

She would manage ten more minutes without complaint. When they finally reached the restaurant, she wished she could kick her boots off. “Let’s take this table in the corner.”

Tony raised a puzzled eyebrow at her choice of a secluded table but didn’t question her. She dropped into the comfortable bucket chair and immediately unzipped her boots.

He chuckled. “I knew it. These fancy high heels are not made for long walks. I’ll order our food and then I’ll take care of you.”

“You’ll what?”

Without bothering to answer her, Tony called the waiter and ordered two big plates of steamed
gamba
and a bottle of their local Chablis
.

“Now, put your feet up on my lap. I’ll rub them for you.”

“Here?” She looked right and left.

“I guarantee you no one can see us in this corner. Too bad you can’t remove your pantyhose. You’d gain a better massage of your toes.”

“Are you serious?”

He bobbed his head several times.

Again she surveyed the place and its many alcoves. She could hop to the restroom that was on the lower floor—she had seen the sign while entering the restaurant. Or...

She glided to the nearest long drapery. Tony gasped. “No way.”

“Watch me. Besides, no one knows me in Spain.” She winked at him, and slid between the many folds of the curtain to slip off the annoying garment. Less than a minute later, she reappeared and fluttered her pantyhose. “Bingo.”

He burst out laughing. She sank into her chair and extended her feet on his knees. “Now you’d better be good because that blister on my little toe is killing me.”

“I’ll be as good as a pro.” He covered her legs with the side of the tablecloth and started by rubbing her sole, then he massaged her toes, and the valley between them.