The Billionaire Who Saw Her Beauty

Rini followed him, wondering what was on his friend’s mind.

* * *

After a dive with colleagues that produced no new finds, twenty-eight-year-old Alessandra Caracciolo returned home late Monday afternoon. Bruno Tozzi had left his scuba gear in the cruiser with hers and would come by for it in a day or two. Instinct told her he’d done it on purpose so he’d have an excuse to see her again.

Since their last dive, when Bruno had buddied her, he’d made it no secret that he wanted to be with her all the time, but she didn’t have romantic feelings for him. Though she dove with him and their friends for their work, that had to be the extent of their relationship. The next time they were together, she would make it clear she wasn’t interested and never could be.

She tied the boat to the dock of her family’s private pier. Garbed in flip-flops and a man’s long-sleeved shirt that she’d thrown over her blue-and-white polka-dotted bikini, she headed for the Land Rover with her duffel bag.

Once in the car, she drove on sand past the helipad and around to the front of the castle. When she reached it, she would take a shower and wash her hair. Alessandra wore it neck-length because she spent so much time in the water. It dried fast and the natural curl made it easy to take care of.

As she pulled up near the main entrance, she saw a limo parked in the courtyard, making her curious. All vehicles came across the causeway from the mainland at Metaponto, a port town of Basilicata, Italy. But after five o’clock, any visitors were escorted out by staff.

Their family’s castle on the tiny island of Posso off the Ionian coast dated back to Queen Joanna of Naples, who ruled in l343. Besides tourists from Bari and Taranto, who were allowed visits to the castle four hours a day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with a guide, dignitaries from the world over called on her father, Count Onorato Caracciolo, asking favors because of his influence in the region.

Alessandra got out of the car and hurried inside past the tapestry of the queen hanging on the wall in the huge front foyer. She headed for the grand staircase, eager to make herself scarce until she’d cleaned up.

The moment she reached the first step, a deep male voice called to her. “Signorina?”

She whirled around to see a tall, incredibly gorgeous dark-haired man in a charcoal-colored business suit walking toward her, his dark brows furrowed. Still holding the duffel bag in one hand, Alessandra clutched the railing with the other.

He stared at her so strangely. “I thought I was hallucinating, but it is you. Since Saturday night you’ve cut your hair. I don’t understand. How did you know I was coming here today? On the yacht you told me you had another show to do in Rome,” he murmured.

The way his piercing black-brown eyes played over her face and figure, she knew he had a history with her identical twin, Dea. He was the most striking male Alessandra had ever seen in her life. She found herself envying her beautiful sister for having met him first and couldn’t fault her taste. Men had never been able to resist her.

Alessandra cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, signor, but I’m not Dea.”

Embarrassed to be caught looking so messy and disheveled after her diving trip, she ran up the steps without looking back. Her sister would never allow herself to be seen like this. All the way to the next floor she felt the man’s penetrating eyes on her retreating back and bare legs, causing her to tremble.

Had her sister finally met the one she’d been looking for? Dea had always kept their family identity private. Because she was a model, she called herself Dea Loti so no one would know she was the daughter of Count Caracciolo. For her to divulge her secret to this man meant their relationship must have turned serious, otherwise he wouldn’t have known where she lived.

No doubt she’d invited him to come. Did she want the family to meet him? But his scrutiny of Alessandra led her to believe he hadn’t looked pleased to see her here. Maybe Dea hadn’t told him she had a twin. Alessandra didn’t know what to think.

If only she hadn’t arrived back from her dive trip until tomorrow, this wouldn’t have happened and she wouldn’t be haunted by that man’s image engraved on her mind. It shocked her to realize that at long last there might be an important man in her sister’s life. Alessandra knew her sister’s quest had been to find the perfect man while she made the most of her modeling career. Their parents would be overjoyed.

Six years ago she and Dea had gone through a terrible experience involving a man, one Alessandra had hoped to marry. But when he met Dea, he fell for her and followed her to Rome. Their relationship didn’t last, but the pain of betrayal had cut Alessandra like a knife and it had taken a long time to recover. Since the falling out with her sister, no man of importance had come into either of their lives.

In the last two years she’d tried to put the past behind her and get back the friendship they’d once shared. Dea came and went from home according to her hectic schedule and their family had enjoyed some good times. Evidently this past summer Dea had found romance after she’d gone back to Rome. Love on a yacht, no less... If that gorgeous man owned it, then he could keep her in the lifestyle she desired.

But for some reason Alessandra had been oddly upset by the encounter in the foyer, unable to understand why. Except that she really could... These days her own love life was nonexistent.

Once inside the bedroom, Alessandra plopped the duffel bag on the floor and got out of her clothes. Her mind was still on Dea, whom she hadn’t seen for six weeks. Her sister had developed an interest in fashion and modeling at an early age and that hadn’t changed.

Alessandra led a different life altogether. She couldn’t remember when she didn’t have an interest in the archaeology of this region of Italy. The island castle itself was built on an ancient archaeological site. Since college she’d been involved in several multidisciplinary studies in the field of archaeology within a Mediterranean perspective, with particular emphasis on Southern Italy.

Without being able to scuba dive, she could never have achieved her dream to do the necessary underwater work with friends she’d made among the archaeological staff at the University of Catania. Scuba diving wasn’t for everyone. Dea couldn’t understand her passion for it, but it didn’t matter because their parents approved and supported both her and Dea in their individual endeavors.

After a shower and shampoo, she blow-dried her hair, then dressed in pleated tan pants and an ivory-colored linen blouse. With an application of coral frost lipstick, she left the room on khaki wedgies and went in search of her parents. They’d married for love and were very close. Unlike many couples, they did everything together whether it was for business or pleasure. Though Alessandra had never discussed it with Dea, their parents’ happy marriage had been the ultimate role model for both sisters.

On the way to their apartment she saw Liona, the wiry housekeeper who’d come to work for them at eighteen and had been with them ever since. She was like another member of the family and ran the large staff with precision.

“If you’re looking for your mamma, she left for Taranto two days ago to help your aunt, who fell and broke her hip.”

“Oh, no! Poor Fulvia.”

“She’ll be all right, but your mother will probably be gone for a few more days.”

“I need to call them.”

They started down the staircase together. “I’m glad you’re back. You know how your father worries.”

Liona was the one who worried about Alessandra. She thought scuba diving was dangerous. Alessandra gave her a hug. “It’s good to see you. How’s Alfredo?” Liona’s cat had been sick.

“The vet says he’s getting old and shouldn’t go up and down stairs.”

“I’ll help carry him for you.”

“Bless you. Did you have any luck on this last diving trip?”

“I wish.”

“Oh, well. Another time. Are you hungry? I’ll tell the cook.”

“Please don’t bother her. I’ll find something to eat later. Thanks, Liona.”

She hurried toward her father’s office, wondering if the male visitor was still with him, then scoffed with impatience because the man was on her mind at all.

“Ciao, Papà.”

“Alessandra!” Her grayish blond father stood up from his desk and hugged her. “You were gone too long this time.”

“It was only a week.”

“We always miss you. Did you have a good time?”

“Yes, even if we didn’t find anything of significance.” She walked around to sit in one of the leather chairs facing his desk. “I’d much rather know about you and mom. Liona told me Zia Fulvia broke her hip and Mom went to Taranto to help her.”

He nodded. “Your aunt will make a full recovery. Your mother could be back tomorrow.”

“Oh, good. So tell me what else has been happening while I’ve been away.”

His brows lifted. “Something unexpected. I’m glad you’re back so we can talk. More than anyone else I want your input because you have a fine mind.”

“I got it from you and Mamma.” Her comment produced a chuckle. So maybe her assumption had been right. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with the man I saw in the foyer earlier this evening, would it?”

He cocked his head. “Actually it would. When did you see him?”

“I’d just come in the castle when he spoke to me.”