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‘We both know I’ve been far from your mind since you boarded my plane in London this morning. I don’t expect to be the subject of your thoughts night and day, but I expect you to be both physically and mentally present for this to work.’ His voice was a low, hard throb so they wouldn’t be overheard, but each word held unmistakable warning.
‘Cool your jets, Draco. I haven’t suddenly taken leave of my senses,’ she whispered. Then in a pseudo Marilyn Monroe voice, she added, ‘I’m still besotted with love for you and can’t wait to tell our hosts what a lucky woman I am to have captured your elusive heart.’
They rounded another sun-dappled terrace and came face-to-face with Carla Nardozzi. Dressed in a pale yellow, clinging sundress, she stood next to an older man Rebel guessed to be her father, Olivio. Judging from their frozen expressions, it was clear her last words had carried. Before embarrassment could kick her hard, Draco strode to the middle of the terrace, where their hosts waited.
‘Olivio, good to see you again.’ He clasped the older man’s hand in a firm greeting, then turned to his daughter. ‘Carla, a pleasure, as always.’ Draco’s smile was warm as he leaned down and kissed the stunning, model-thin figure skater on both cheeks.
Rebel fought the acid-tipped spears that attacked her insides as she watched the scene.
Carla Nardozzi’s limpid green eyes stayed on Draco for a second longer than Rebel thought was necessary before both father and daughter turned to her.
Returning to her side, Draco caught her hand in his. ‘Allow me to introduce Arabella Daniels.’
Olivio was the first to greet her, eyes a shade lighter than espresso measuring her shrewdly. ‘Welcome to my home, Miss Daniels. I look forward to making your further acquaintance,’ he said in a thick accent.
‘Thanks. And I’m sorry if you overheard me just then.’
‘Nonsense. A woman should shout her love for her man from the rooftops. If it is genuine, that is,’ Olivio declared. His eyes dropped to her engagement ring, his scrutiny long and intense before he smiled at her.
Rebel forced her own smile wider. ‘Oh, I’m glad you think so. Not everyone approves of public displays of affection.’
Carla came forward, her hand outstretched. Her caramel-streaked, chocolate-brown hair was pulled up into a severe chignon, the effect showing off the sleek lines of her jaw and neck. ‘A pleasure to meet you.’
Rebel shook her cool hand, but before she could reply, Carla continued, ‘So, it’s true, then, what the papers are saying? You two are really engaged?’ Her eyes drifted briefly over Rebel before they returned to Draco. Seeing the almost imploring look in the other woman’s gaze, a boulder wedged in Rebel’s midriff.
‘Yes, it’s true. I’ve finally succumbed to my heart’s desire.’ Molten grey eyes met Rebel’s in a look designed to fool the most hardened heart.
Feeling him about to lift their linked hands and kiss hers as he had on Wednesday night, Rebel tensed her arm. Moving closer, she draped her hand on his chest and rose to kiss his cheek. His muted exhalation was the only exhibition of surprise at her move.
‘But...didn’t you two meet only recently?’ Carla pressed, her eyes darting searchingly between them.
Rebel laughed and shook her head. ‘We only chose not to make our relationship public before now since Draco is a monster when it comes to his privacy.’
Carla’s smile was a little stiff. ‘Sì, I haven’t forgotten.’
The boulder in Rebel’s chest grew. ‘Anyway, it’s all out in the open now. Which is just as well because from the moment I met Draco, I knew my life would never be the same again. Fortunately, he felt the same and now doesn’t mind shouting it to the world. In fact, he wouldn’t leave my flat earlier this week until I’d accepted his ring and everyone knew I belonged to him. Isn’t that right, darling?’ She let her gaze drift over his face, stopping to linger at his mouth before meeting his eyes.
His eyes gleamed without a trace of mockery as his head angled towards hers. ‘Only because my heart insisted you were mine, and I wasn’t about to let you get away.’
A delicate throat-clearing fractured the moment. And yet Rebel couldn’t look away from Draco, despite the astonishing evidence of his superb acting skills.
He broke the connection first. Rebel slowly sucked in a restorative breath before facing their hosts.
‘Apologies for being sceptical. We wanted to be sure the media wasn’t playing tricks on us,’ Olivio stated. ‘But now that you have confirmed this news, we must celebrate.’ He snapped his fingers and a member of his staff rolled forward a serving trolley. At Olivio’s nod, the server plucked a bottle of vintage Pol Roger champagne from a silver ice bucket and popped the cork.
