Chapter Four – All about the sparks

Jeanette's mouth, once again, fell open. Her experience with men was limited, at the best, so she knew this man was lying. Was it possible that he wanted to wish her harm? But, he was willing to defend her against Anthony last night, so that didn't make much sense to her.

"Come, cara mia, close your mouth. This is a trait, I am finding, I do not like on you."

"I'm sorry. I hardly do it, really. It only happens when people, mostly men, say the most outlandish things."

"It is not outlandish, it is the truth. You are very beautiful; I hope you do not deny that fact." Jeanette looked away from the man, a frown over taking her fine features. "Do not look away," he said as her hand gently cupped her chin so she could turn back to him. "Please, I know you might find this odd, it is the same for me, but I do not lie."

"I want to believe you…"

"But? Tell me you do not. Do not be shy."

"Men don't look at me like that. I've never been told I was beautiful, pretty perhaps, but not beautiful. Of course, I usually had friends who were always prettier so I often paled in comparison."

"Sapphire?"

"Yes. She stole all three of my boyfriends." Ramon frowned, not wanting to believe an American woman over one of his best, and longest, friends.

"You have only had three?" Jeanette sighed and moved to get out of the bed but Ramon's hand on her upper arm stopped her. "I find that hard to grasp. You are smart, carefree, and beautiful. What man would want to lose such a treasure like you?"

"The same who looked at her and desire was the hold that captured them. In high school, college and just recently, it's always been the same old story; they always wanted her over me. Either she lied or connived to steal my boyfriends. Yeah, some best friend!"

Ramon gritted the back of his teeth, not knowing what to do to stop this bashing; and personally not liking it, for this was not the story he had heard; according to Sapphire, those men were never attached to Jeanette. He looked at this woman, knowing the attraction was there. Yet, he couldn't help but feel upset that she was so against Sapphire. From what he had heard, it wasn't Sapphire who stole but this woman who gave them up. He closed his eyes, praying for patience.

"And this is why you so dislike her?"

"I'm not expecting you to believe that when you, yourself, fell for her charms. Any man I've ever known has not been immune, so why would you be any different? Not that I blame them, of course, she is gorgeous, sexy and fun. But be warned, I am not her, so I'm not sure why you'd want me," she told him as she got off the bed and walked over to look out, her side profile to him.

Against the window, Ramon watched the sunlight flitter through the light nightgown she wore. It showed her body to be lean and yet rather curvy in other accepts, from her fuller breasts to her rounded hips; all of which he rather liked. In truth, she was exactly what he wanted in any female, both physically and mentally. He sighed to himself, not even listening to what she was talking about anymore.

She turned to him and raised an eyebrow. He was staring at something and she couldn't figure out what. She glanced around herself and still saw nothing, nothing that would warrant him staring so hard.

"What are you staring at?" His lips drew up into a wicked grin that told her to be cautious. His eyes twinkled and she knew that the thoughts raging through his mind had to be sexual.

"My dear cara mia, you have no idea just how enchanting your body looks through that night gown." Jeanette gasped and then glanced down, seeing what he meant.

"Let me change."

By ten, they were headed out on the main road. Jeanette, once again, glanced out her window, taking in the beautiful pictures that Rome presented. For as long as she known Sapphire, she had wanted to visit Rome, but lost herself in her work, trying to forget the heartbreak that seemed to plague her. Jeanette sighed, a serene smiled tugging at her lips.

Ramon watched her; she was breathtaking when she was off guard. Her brown hair was down and brushed to shine, the golden highlights showing. Her brown eyes were sparkling, the green flakes enhanced by the green eyeliner she had put on. Her long, curling lashes were thicker with the dab of mascara she had applied. Her full, pouty lips had a bit of lip gloss and her small frame was sensational in a pair of blue shorts and a white tank top.

Mentally, Ramon had to shake himself. It wasn't like him to act like a love sick fool; to be besotted by a pair of enchanting brown eyes and luscious legs; no this was not, by any means, normal for him. 'Damn it, Capillini, this is nothing more than desire. Fight it. For it has to be,' Ramon told himself.

"How long has the Capillini family lived in Rome?"

"For a long while. I think our family history dates back a few hundred years."

"And what is that the family does?"

"You mean a family business?" She nodded and he smiled. "Banks. Capillin's wealth stems from that. I have a few uncles who got into trading, and some cousins who own shops."

"Impressive."

"And the Washington family?"

"Oh, there's no major wealth. My family lives back in Maine, a little suburb area. A two story brick house that's very…rural. My dad is the VP of a bank, while my mom is a manager of some department store."

"Are you close with them?" Jeanette shrugged and looked away for a few moments.

"My sister and brother were what they always wanted. I was more of a mistake."

"What do you mean?" He frowned as he watched the shadow that came over her face.

"Oh, being the baby is always supposed to be the best, but for me, it wasn't. My brother is 34 and my sister is 33. They only wanted two kids, so when I came along, five years later, they weren't pleased. My dad hardly talks to me, while my mom treats me like a friendly stranger. My brother was the star quarter back, Mr. Popular in high school, which made my dad proud. As for my lovely sister, Miss Junior and Senior Prom Queen, she was the apple of my mom's eye.

"I was the book type of girl; hardly popular and it's not like they are overly proud of me now. Sapphire was the only one I really ever hung out with. We had clicked. Both coming from families that never really cared about us, at least, we thought so. And the few years we were friends, it felt like we both had someone looking out for us.

"Maybe, that's why her betrayal hurt so much more. I gave her my trust and friendship and she threw it in my face." She stopped talking, just zoning as she looked in his direction and Ramon went on staring at her. He watched as she pursed her lips and without thinking, he leaned against her seat and pressed his lips against hers, enjoying the sparks that flew down his spine.