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* * *
The sunlight streaming through the window made Beth blink sleepily, and the strong smell of fresh coffee made her eyes fly open and her face pale. She sat up to see Sophie by the bed, a tray in her hands.
‘Just leave it on the bedside table, Sophie,’ she said weakly. ‘I need the bathroom and a shower first.’
‘Ah, I understand,’ Sophie said, a broad smile lighting her plump face. ‘What would you like for breakfast?’ she asked.
‘Tea and toast will be fine,’ Beth said.
She waited till Sophie had left and then slid out of bed, picked up the coffee and headed for the bathroom to tip it down the toilet. Fifteen minutes later, showered and dried, she opened a wardrobe and eyed the contents. What did one wear to shop in Milan, Italy’s capital of fashion? she wondered. Her choice of clothes was limited. She had packed a few casual clothes and not much else except for the dress she had worn last night, plus another dress, and one smart suit. After perspiring in the cashmere yesterday, and with the blazing sun this morning in mind, she opted for the linen dress.
* * *
Dante was waiting impatiently at the foot of the stairs when Beth came down. He took one look and knew he was in big trouble. She was beautiful and elegant and she took his breath away. He recognised the pale grey dress she wore immediately, and it had the same effect on him now as it had the first time he had seen her wearing it in that London street. But now it was worse. Now he knew what he was missing....
Her glorious red hair fell in natural waves to brush her shoulders. Her make-up was restrained—a touch of eyeshadow, long thick lashes
accentuated by mascara, lips glistening with a rose gloss—and her flawless skin positively glowed.
Why the hell hadn’t he taken her to bed last night when he’d had the chance? Instead he had set out the rules for their marriage and said no sex until after the wedding. He must have been out of his mind.
Reaching up, he took her arm before she got to the last step.
‘Good, you are ready. But what did you do to Sophie? She is dancing around the kitchen with a broad grin on her face, making tea and toast.’
‘Good morning to you, too,’ Beth said dryly. ‘And I didn’t do anything to Sophie. She asked me what I wanted for breakfast and I told her. So if you don’t mind I’d like to go and eat it before we leave.’
Dante saw Carlo approaching and pressed a swift kiss on her open mouth. ‘Fine, cara, but make it quick. I’ll go and check the helicopter.’
* * *
Of course Dante would pilot his own helicopter. He always had to be in control, she thought as he strapped her into the seat beside him.
‘I though cars were your secret addiction, not helicopters?’
He shot her a slanting smile. ‘They are. But anything with an engine floats my boat. Actually, I have a speedboat and a yacht down at my villa in Portofino.’
Beth grinned and shook her head. ‘Why doesn’t that surprise me?’
The helicopter landed on the top of a tall building, and Beth looked around at the sprawling city below with a growing sense of panic.
Dante urged her into the building. Beth tensed when she saw the elevator. The next minute she was inside, with him standing next to her like a jailer as he pressed the button for the ground floor and the metal doors slid shut. The elevator began to descend, and so did Beth’s stomach. She clenched her teeth, every muscle in her body locking in panic, and stared straight ahead.
Dante glanced down at Beth and saw the frozen expression on her face, the tension in her body. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked, curving an arm around her rigid shoulders.
‘Fine. I’m just a bit claustrophobic in elevators—have been ever since I got out of prison. I think it’s a light thing. I have no problem with glass ones on the outside of buildings.’
‘Why didn’t you say so? Most women I know would be shouting it from the treetops, but you barely tell me anything.’ It was true, Dante thought, frustrated by her reticence, not only today but since the moment he had met her again.
‘What would be the point? You rarely believe anything I say.’
Her eyes were fixed on the control panel and Beth didn’t see Dante wince. When the light flashed for the ground floor she was out of his protective arm and through the doors before they were fully open, and she didn’t stop until she was on the street.
She took a few deep, steadying breaths. At least she had not been sick this time, she thought with some relief as Dante once again looped an arm around her waist.
‘How are you feeling?’ he asked, and tilted her chin up with the tip of his fingers, his dark eyes studying her face.
‘Fine. I told you—it’s not a problem,’ she said, shaking her head to dislodge his fingers from her chin. ‘Now, let’s go shopping. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it? I need the distraction of some retail therapy.’
