Isn't it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?

-Zig Ziglar

Willow Kinsella's POV

My heart was pounding in my chest as I stood from the sidelines of the progressing party in Palazzo di Fiorenza. The elites of the Sicilian society were all present at this festivity. I tried to smile and join the conversation with Oliver Spencer in my side enjoying my last day here on the beautiful island of Sicily.

He's been a perfect gentleman throughout the night, putting a secured hand around my waist to prevent me from falling with the heeled shoes I've been wearing. From what I could see he's a pro when it comes to this kind of gathering talking casually with people we just met here as if he'd known them for a long time but at the same time he's making sure that I was not left out of the discussion.

Even though I was far away as possible from the celebrant I've been always aware of his presence and right now he was standing next to his uncle ignoring the females who were clearly eager to talk to him.

It seems that Oliver was also aware of his brooding look when he lowered his head and whisper something in my ear. "Enzo Fiorenza is kinda cute when he's jealous. He hasn't stopped giving me a deathly glare since we join the party. He likes you a lot."

I couldn't help the stains that spread through my cheeks at his words. Part of me—a tiny part of me hope how those words could be true. But I just probably deluding myself here.

"Would you honor me a dance, Miss Kinsella?"

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest upon hearing his deep voice beside us. I swore he was just standing near his uncle moments ago. From the look on his face rejecting him was not an option I glance to Oliver who gave me a reassuring smile. "It's okay."

I looked at his hand that was held out in my direction, completely aware of the curious stare we're getting from other people. I slowly took the offer and he rudely snatch me to his side lightning fast.

He smiled at Oliver that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thank you very much for looking after my girl while I am busy but I'll take it from here."

I gasped at his words while the British guy merely raised an eyebrow in his direction but says nothing. He took my hand and led me to the dance floor.

"What's wrong with you?" I asked as soon as we're in the middle of the dance floor. "You've been acting weird."

His dark green eyes slit like a dagger in my direction. "I will kill him if you will not stop flirting with him, Willow. I meant it."

I gasped at his words, looking back to the poor Oliver who had been a nice companion since the party started. "What are you talking about?"

"Why the devil did you agree to be his date in the first place?" He asked irritably as he pull me closer to his body until we're probably making a scene in the middle of the dance floor. "Are you out of your mind?"

"It was your cousin's suggestion..." I mumbled as he starts to sway me to the sultry music. His hip making an aggressive move between my legs. "...she said I need a date for this party."

"Which cousin?"

"Leila."

"That woman." He muttered with a dangerous tone of voice. "I need to have word with that evil woman."

"Why are so angry?" I asked searching his face for an answer. But the anger was still visible in his face.

He looked down at me with such intensity in his eyes. "I paid for your dress and other ensembles and yet some other man will enjoy the benefit of it. I will not let that happen."

I shook my head. "You are not making any sense, Enzo." I sighed deeply looking away in his upset face. "Can we not argue about this tonight? Can we just enjoy this night together? I want my last day here on this beautiful island of Sicily filled with happy memories with you."

He tightened his grip on my waist. "You're leaving tomorrow?"

I gave him a sad smile. "Yes."

"You can't leave yet." He stated firmly, his face was taut with emotion. "I will not let you leave Sicily. I want you here."

I was wretched at the thought of leaving him but... "I don't belong here, Enzo. My home is in North Carolina and you in here with your family."

"Willow..."

We stopped dancing and just stand in the middle of the dance floor facing each other. I gave a slight force smile remembering the original reason why I want to come here in the first place. "Your family are nothing but kind to me since I arrive. I am delighted to meet your adorable cousin and your uncle."

"Extend your vacation here."

I looked at him sharply. I don't know how to answer his surprising statement. "Why?"

"Because..." He was lost for words for a moment. He swallowed hard looking at me intently. "...because whatever we have is far from over, Willow. We both know that."

I tried to put some distance between us because talking to him with this close distance I couldn't think straight. "Don't you think sooner we accept that we have no future together the less heartache for us?"

"I will not accept it." He took a step forward towards me but I took one step backward at the same time.

"Why?" I asked, with a false laugh. "Because I am novelty to the women you usually associated yourself with? That's why you are enjoying the chase."

He took a deep breath, there was a troubled expression on his face. "Don't lie to yourself, sweetheart. We both know that whatever we have is far deeper than a mere fling. Stay a little longer here in Sicily." He cajoled, his eyes were hard to resist. "Let me prove it to you."

"I don't know, Enzo. The ranch..."

"Please."  He pleaded quietly.

I bit my lips torn between my brain tells me to leave as soon as possible to save the both of us from unwanted despair from the future but at the same time, my heart pleads me to stay with him for a little longer and to hell for the consequence after.

"Willow?" He demanded gently. "Will you stay a little longer with me?"

I took a deep, despite the warning in my head I stupidly listen to my heart. Because I knew deep inside me I want to stay a little longer here with him. "All right, I will extend my vacation for few more days."

"Two weeks?"

I looked at him for a moment. Two weeks? Would I dare to stay here that long? I finally gave him a short nod after he pleaded again. "All right, two weeks. But no more extensions after that."

Enzo Fiorenza's POV

I was still reeling at the thought that Willow just told me that she will leave tomorrow. She cannot leave yet. I will not allow her to leave the island even if I need to suspend all the flights tomorrow going out of Sicily.

I am a Fiorenza, after all.

Thank goodness, she agreed to stay here a little longer for a period of two weeks. In that time I need to persuade and convince her that everything about us is far from over. Our conversation was interrupted when a group of people marching in our direction. I frowned when I saw my devious cousin, her husband, and some male strangers.

"Willow!" Leila chirped happily, raising her hand for a greeting. I instantly went to Willow's side and place a protective hand in her lower back. She gave me a pleasant smile little did she know how much I want to wring her neck right this moment. "I'd you meet our friends from Rome."

What the hell...? Suddenly Rafe's warning came back to me lightning fast. So this was the group of people he warned me about coming to this party. I watched silently as she introduce everyone to Willow exchanging pleasantries while the man with dark cynical eyes fix his attention on me.

"What?" I asked defensively. Suddenly, I have a feeling that this group of people was up to no good.

"Nothing," He replied with a secretive smile on his face. From what Leila introduce him he was Marco Orsini. He came from a prominent family of winemakers. "I am very pleased to meet you, amico."

"Your family is known for making wines, right?" I asked, just making sure but curious at the same time.

"I believe so, for centuries more or less." He grinned at me with a mysterious glint in his dark eyes. "If you want I want to invite you and your lady friend to our vineyard and have a wine tasting at the famous Orsini winery. It's located just thirty minutes outside Rome."

It was on the tip of my tongue to turn down the offer but I held back myself when I saw the delight in Willow's face at the thought of visiting their family vineyard. She looked at me expectantly as if waiting for me to accept the offer. I took a deep breath as I was forced to accept the offer. "Thank you we love to do that."

"Great!" He said with too much enthusiasm on his face. "Just tell me when you plan to visit and I will prepare everything for your arrival. Leave it to me. I am sure you will enjoy your stay at the vineyard I will make sure of it."

I gave a stiff smile. There was a sly look on his face that I don't trust. "Thank you."

He gave me one last lingering smile before he excused himself with his friends. I left staring at them with this feeling inside me that I couldn't shake off.

"Are we going to their vineyard?" Willow asked with a gleam in her pretty blue eyes. "I mean, a real vineyard can you imagine that. When?"

I couldn't help but share her enthusiasm. Pretty pleased that I accept the offer last minute. "These coming days."

"I'm so excited for this."

"Me too," I replied, tucking some loose gold strand of hair that fall in her updo. For now, I will use everything to keep Willow here even if it's only temporary. But in the span of two weeks, I am sure I already think of another method of persuading her to stay here even more.

Because as far as I am concerned fate has given me another chance to be with this woman and I am not stupid enough to throw away my chance again. I might mess up with the first one but it won't happen again.

Oh yes, she will stay, all right? I will make sure of that.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw that people now giving me curious looks even my own family didn't hide the interesting expression they throw in our direction. My eyes narrowed when I saw Oliver talking to my best friend and his wife while giving me an amused look at the far end of the garden.

"Willow," I called out her name and she look at me with a quizzical smile on her pretty face. And at that moment I did something might regret later but I don't particularly care. I cradle her face in my palms and took her mouth in an ardent kiss.

You're curious about our relationship? The voice inside my head silently telling the people around us. I'll show you exactly what's going on between us.