Page 44 of Tour Wars
“Well, if he wants to play tour guide, so be it.” As far as TJ was concerned, the more time Luca spent with the guests, the less time he had to bother Emilia. He pulled out his phone to check the afternoon’s itinerary, but the battery was only at ten percent. “My phone’s just about dead. What’s on the schedule for this afternoon?”
“Nico’s driving us into Positano for lunch, which might be a stomach-churning ride on those twisty roads. We’ll take the group on a short walk through town, then give them a few hours to explore on their own. Dinner’s at seven, and it’s being held in that huge-ass ballroom on the main floor because we’re sharing the banquet space with a group from Roman Pathways Tours. Once we’re done tonight, I’m heading for the pool. Wanna join me?”
Did he want to indulge in a late-night dip with Emilia?Yes, please. Last summer, when they’d gone to the beach in Turkey, she’d worn a very revealing bikini. Even if they’d been enemies at the time, that hadn’t stopped him from fantasizing about her.
“TJ? Hello? What’s wrong with you?”
Fuck.He had to stop zoning out like this, especially since ninety percent of his daydreams were Emilia-related. “Sorry. Pool time sounds great.”
“Ciao, what’s up!” Cesca poked her head into Emilia’s room. “Some place, eh? The Grand Hotel La Sonrisa never disappoints.”
“You’ve been here before?” TJ asked.
“Three times. It’s a favorite with our groups because it’s so over-the-top. Did you see that pool outside?” She did a chef’s kiss. “Perfetto.”
“Want to come swimming with us?” Emilia asked. “We’re going in after dinner.”
A twinge of regret tugged at TJ as he realized he wouldn’t get Emilia to himself. Then again, maybe it would be better if Cesca served as a buffer. That way, he wouldn’t be tempted to break the rules.
“I’d love to,” Cesca said. When her phone buzzed, she glanced at it. “We’re leaving in fifteen. Do either of you have any candied ginger? Those roads are super twisty, and it helps guests with nausea. I hate it when people hurl on the bus.”
“I’ve got some.” Emilia grabbed her backpack off the floor, opened it, and tossed Cesca a bag. “Take this. TJ and I loaded up with supplies when we were in Rome. If you need sunscreen, wet wipes, or hand sanitizer, we’ve also got those covered.”
Cesca grinned. “Aren’t you two the cutest team ever? I’ve gotta go. Ciao.”
After she left, Emilia grumbled, “We’re not cute. I don’t want to be cute.” She glared at TJ. “What have you done to me? You’re softening all my rough edges.”
“Nah, you’re still a grouchy pain in the ass most of the time. You just cover it up well.”
She threw a pillow at him, but her grin implied she wasn’t mad. Not in the slightest.
Probably for the best that they wouldn’t be alone in the pool tonight.
* * *
At noon,Nico took them into Positano—a hair-raising trip, given that he was driving a giant bus along narrow roads atop five-hundred-foot-high cliffs. A few times, TJ had to close his eyes so that he wouldn’t freak out over the hairpin turns—something Emilia couldn’t resist teasing him about. Unlike him, she appeared completely at ease, even getting up a few times to check on the rest of the group.
While TJ couldn’t deny the Amalfi Coast was visually spectacular, with its sky-high cliffs, picturesque seaside towns, and sparkling turquoise waters, he wasn’t a huge fan of the area. Popular spots like Positano and Amalfi were always packed with tourists. But after spending the last five days visiting ruins, monuments, and museums, he was grateful for a leisurely afternoon where everyone could relax and take in the scenery.
At three, the guests were given leave to explore on their own and check out the local shops. Freed from their duties as guides, he and Emilia spent the next two hours at an outdoor bar, where they shared drinks and gossip with Cesca and Davis.
Dinner that night was sumptuous, held in the hotel’s ballroom, with musical entertainment by an Italian lounge singer who styled himself as “the next Frank Sinatra.” After three hours of conversing with the tour group and listening to all the B-sides from Frank’s albums, TJ grew restless. Ever since Emilia had suggested the pool outing, he’d been counting down the minutes.
Once he was off the clock, he slipped away, changed into a t-shirt and swim trunks, and headed outside. Even this late in September, the evening was warm enough for swimming. He approached the pool, inhaling the faint scent of the colorful freesia planted nearby, but stopped short at the sight of Emilia.
She stood at the edge, her figure illuminated in the moonlight. With one fluid motion, she tossed off her sheer black cover-up, revealing a skimpy bikini underneath. She looked sexy as hell, her toned figure on full display, her long black hair falling past her shoulders. Her shapely calves flexed as she poised to jump in.
A hand clapped him on the back. “Caught you looking!”
TJ startled, his heart pounding. Behind him stood Davis, bearing a smug grin.
Heat crawled up TJ’s cheeks. “I wasn’t looking…um…I was just…”
“Ogling? No need to hide it. Em looks fantastic in that swimsuit.”
TJ’s shoulders tightened. Was Davis into her? Earlier this afternoon, he’d spent a long time talking to her about their shared passion for theJohn Wickmovies. She’d also invited him to join them in the pool.
He must have been shit at hiding his jealousy because Davis laughed. “Dude.Relax. It’s not like I’d go after her. Total conflict of interest. Besides, she’s clearly into you.”
