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‘Just the weekend.’ She smiled at him, enjoying the power she seemed to have over him. ‘But no more.’
‘Bene.’ He moved to the door of the bedroom, filling it with his oh-so-sexy body, and she could hardly think. ‘We leave in an hour.’
* * *
Alessandro revved the car along the open road, the bustle of Milan far behind them, but tension still filled him. He’d seen the panic in her eyes as she’d sat in the bed, but he’d also seen the desire. Whatever was holding her back hadn’t been quite strong enough and he sensed it was more than just her brother. That was only a smokescreen.
His body longed for the moment he could make her his again, but he questioned if he was right to do so. If he was a betting man he’d stake everything on the fact that Seb had never intended this to happen when he’d made Alessandro promise what now turned out to be impossible. How could he possibly look after Charlie when all he wanted to do was make love to her again and again?
Inwardly he cursed. The idea behind bringing her to his villa was to be somewhere the ghost of her brother’s memory couldn’t reach. Whatever had happened last night wasn’t about Seb—or the car. It was about them and the hot lust which zipped between them from just one look. After last night the temperature of that lust had risen instead of cooling, as he’d thought it would have done.
‘Benvenuti Villa Dell Angelo.’ Pushing his doubts and thoughts of Seb aside, he pulled off the road and into the driveway of his villa, perched on the hillside. Beyond it, Lake Garda glittered like a thousand jewels in the midday sun. This was his new place of sanctuary and Charlie was the first woman he’d ever brought here.
‘It’s beautiful.’ Her soft gasp of pleasure did untold things to his body and he tried to keep his mind on the here and now instead of roaming back to last night or fast forwarding to the pleasures that would await him as darkness fell once more.
‘Sì, grazie.’ He stopped the car, turned off the engine and looked across at her. ‘But not as beautiful as you.’
She blushed and dropped her gaze, amazing him that a woman who had been so bold in the bedroom just hours ago could be so shy from his compliment. That boldness did, however, salve his conscience and ease the guilt he felt at breaking his promise. Whilst it was true he had needed little invitation last night, she had instigated it, even warning him she didn’t do for ever. She’d wanted last night as much as he had, despite the innocent blushes which now coloured her cheeks.
He got out of the car before he gave in to the temptation to kiss her again. ‘I have arranged for lunch on the terrace, then we will drive down to the local town of Desenzano for the afternoon, maybe take a ferry across the lake.’ If he didn’t take her out he knew they would spend the whole afternoon in bed and, whilst the sex was amazing, he wanted to know her better. That thought shocked him and he frowned as he watched her taking in the view. She was beginning to get to him, tear down his wall of protection.
‘Sounds lovely.’ Her heels tapped out a gentle beat as she walked towards the terrace, the warm wind pressing her white sundress against her body, making him draw in a sharp breath as he fought for control. He’d never been this affected by a woman before, not even the woman he’d married, foolishly believing he loved her.
‘I’m glad you approve,’ he said with a smile as he watched her walk and pushed the memories from the past to the back of his mind where they belonged.
* * *
Charlie couldn’t help but stop as they rounded the corner of the ornate villa. A large infinity pool stretched away, blending with the views of the lake far below, becoming one with it. Under the shade of trees, a table was laid out for lunch, looking so luxurious she felt as if she’d stepped into another world. This was on another level to the glamour her career had showed her so far. It was pure indulgence.
‘If we take a ferry maybe we should do a little exploring before returning to dine in Desenzano.’ He gestured her to sit and then took his seat opposite her. Beyond him the view seduced her almost as much as the man himself and she tried hard to keep her mind focused on the here and now, instead of allowing it to drift towards thoughts of what their time together would bring.
‘And then?’ What was the matter with her? Why did she need to act the seductress still? Because that’s what you were last night and that’s what he’s expecting. The reprimand shot swiftly through her mind. She had been brazen, but they’d both agreed this was just an affair, a short dalliance. Right now she might be someone she’d never been before, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy it. Once it was over and the launch complete she would return to her life in England and try to move on.
