The Italians: Alessandro, Luca & Dizo: Alessandro's Prize / In a Storm of Scandal / Italian Groom, Princess Bride

It shouldn’t feel this good. To be perfectly in tune with every move, almost as if they’d danced together in a previous life. Madness, she mentally discounted.

His hold was loose, almost formal, yet instinct warned he would draw her close in against him if she attempted to put any distance between them.

Almost as if he sensed the pattern of her thoughts he pulled her in, and formal went out of the window.

Oh, my.

The breath hitched in her throat as he slid a hand down her spine to settle at its base.

This close his cologne teased her senses, meshing with freshly laundered clothing and the faint muskiness of man.

A sensual magic that swirled round her senses and stirred a longing for the impossible. It was easy to blame the haunting music and lyrics; the man who held her.

Perhaps something too complex to fully comprehend.

All she knew was the desire to capture the moment and hold onto it for as long as she could.

Inevitably the slow track concluded, the beat changed and Lily excused herself on the pretext of offering her congratulations to the newly engaged couple, before seeking to compliment the hostess on a lovely evening, and offer her thanks for the invitation.

‘You are most welcome. Sophia is a very dear friend, and it is a delight to have you join her tonight. I trust you are enjoying your visit here?’

‘Very much, thank you.’

Coffee, hot, strong and black with sugar, Lily decided as she made her way towards a table set to one side where staff were dispensing espresso. She accepted a cup, sipped the contents and had almost finished when she heard her name.

‘Lily.’

There was only one male voice whose slightly accented voice caused her pulse to accelerate, and she turned towards him.

‘Alessandro,’ she acknowledged with a smile. ‘Seeking coffee, too?’

‘You.’

Well, that’s succinct. ‘Really?’ She indulged in a deliberate pause. ‘Is there a particular reason?’

‘Several.’ He let that statement stand alone. ‘For the moment, one will suffice.’

‘And that is?’

She was something else, Alessandro acknowledged with wry humour as he curved an arm across the back of her waist.

‘Sophia is ready to leave.’

Lily attempted to put some distance between them, without success, as they stood together in the foyer while Sophia chatted with their hosts before moving out to the car.

Lily focused her attention on the faint tracery of lights as Alessandro’s car descended the winding road. It was late, and Alessandro’s attention during the evening filled her mind as she attempted to make sense of it.

Yet he fascinates you, an inner voice prompted.

So what if he does?

Maybe you should discover why.

Not any time soon, she assured silently. She’d already suffered one betrayal, why would she discard sanity and risk another?

It was a relief to reach the gates guarding her aunt’s spacious villa, and once indoors Alessandro bade them goodnight and leaned in to brush his lips to Sophia’s cheek before choosing Lily’s mouth in a light evocative caress that was over before it had really begun.

As he intended.

He caught the faint flare of helpless emotion in her eyes, then it was gone as she crossed the foyer and ascended the stairs to her suite.

It didn’t help knowing he occupied a guest suite not far from her own or that her imagination went into overdrive as she mentally pictured him discarding his clothes, one by one until nothing covered his impressive muscular frame.

And that was where mental imagery had to cease …

CHAPTER FOUR (#ulink_f35f04c6-8e85-5546-adc3-3a3e15b85149)

IT WAS something of a relief to discover Alessandro had already left when Lily joined Sophia for breakfast the following morning.

‘He is attending a conference in Paris today, another in London tomorrow,’ Sophia declared. ‘Which gives me the opportunity to show you a few of the most famed historic places in Milan—art galleries, a wonderful palazzo, the Duomo, a few of the beautiful cathedrals.’

‘Sounds like fun.’ Lily responded with a smile.

And it was.

Examining the architectural masterpieces built several centuries ago, the exquisite workmanship created without machinery, the sense of ages past and the people who existed then, their lifestyles.

Lily became fascinated with the tales retold of high society passed down from generation to generation … undoubtedly a mixture of fable and truth.

There was a strong feeling of belonging that she found difficult to ignore, and she said as much.

‘Cara, why not stay?’ Sophia encouraged with apparent delight. ‘You know how much I love having you with me.’

It would be so easy to say yes, and she caught hold of her aunt’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. ‘Let’s discuss it over lunch.’

Sophia offered a sparkling smile. ‘I know just the place.’

Indeed, Lily agreed a short while later as they entered a superbly decorated restaurant where the maître d’ greeted Sophia by name.

Introductions complete, they were escorted to a table set with fine linen, quality cutlery and stem-ware.

Nice, she noted with pleasure, lovely ambience, exclusive fittings, well-spaced tables and chairs provided an overall elegance including the pleasant staff.

So far, so good, Lily accorded in silent approval, aware of the inevitability of comparison with her own and other eating establishments. Something, as a chef and restaurant owner, she found difficult not to do.

The menu also earned her respect, so too did the wine list for its superb selection.

Together they conferred, ordered and Lily met her aunt’s interested gaze with a musing smile.