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

‘You are deep in thought,’ Sophia observed as Carlo returned them to her villa in Como, and Lily reached across the rear passenger seat to link her fingers within Sophia’s own.

‘Thank you.’

‘Cara, whatever for?’

‘Everything,’ she said with warm simplicity, and felt the slight pressure as Sophia curled Lily’s fingers within her own.

‘My dear, I have a vested interest in your happiness, as well as a personal desire to have you with me for as long as possible.’

The warmth of familial love struck a sensitive chord, and Lily swallowed the sudden lump that rose in her throat. Tears were close to the surface, and she quickly blinked to dispel them—she didn’t do the crying thing.

The insistent burr of her cell-phone had her reaching into her bag to extract it and she felt her stomach tighten as she recognized the number displayed, despite deleting James’s name from her caller ID register.

Without a qualm she simply closed the phone, thereby cutting the connection only to have the call repeated.

This time she let it ring out, which incurred Sophia’s questioning look, and Lily shook her head.

‘I’ll deal with the call later.’

Hopefully James would get the message she had no intention of having contact with him ever again.

Apparently not so, for Carlo had just drawn the car to a halt adjacent the entrance to Sophia’s villa when the phone rang again.

Lily stepped out from the car, extracted the phone, and felt the anger build as she viewed the familiar number.

OK, so he was being deliberately obtuse.

‘Do not email or attempt to call me,’ she voiced with chilling resolve. ‘It’s over. Finished.’

‘Lily, darling, please listen to me—’

Not in this millennium. ‘There is no point.’ She cut the connection and closed the phone.

‘Problems, cara?’ Sophia queried with concern, and Lily shook her head.

‘Nothing I can’t handle.’

Hopefully now her ex-fiancé would had finally got the

message.

A leisurely shower helped take her mind off it, so too did a light evening meal, after which she shared a glass of wine with Sophia as they discussed plans for the next day, firmed them, before mutually choosing to retire.

It was surprising what could be achieved within a short space of time, Lily reflected as Carlo stored the second, no, third assortment of packages into the trunk of Sophia’s car.

Almost every item on her list was accounted for, and there was an enormous degree of pleasure in knowing only one item remained … a car.

By far the most expensive, and fortified by a leisurely lunch Carlo despatched them to a car dealership where, after some skillful haggling of her own, she purchased a funky silver model, perfectly suitable for her needs.

‘Well done,’ Carlo accorded quietly as Sophia enfolded her in a congratulatory hug.

‘Thank you.’ Payment was organized, her international driving licence scrutinized, insurance arranged and the car was ready to be driven away.

‘Let’s get this babe on the road,’ Lily said, and laughed as she offered Carlo a high-five gesture, then she slid behind the wheel and followed his car to her apartment.

Home, for however long she chose to make it her own, Lily decided with pleasure as they transferred the day’s purchases into the second bedroom.

All that remained was the need to transfer her belongings from Sophia’s villa tomorrow.

Something that was achieved with mixed emotions the next day as Lily and her aunt shared an affectionate hug as Sophia and Carlo departed Lily’s apartment.

‘I shall miss having you stay with me,’ Sophia voiced with sincere regret. ‘But knowing you are so close is a joy, for we will see each other often.’ She brightened considerably. ‘There is the Charity Gala on Saturday evening. It will be a wonderful event.’ She brushed her lips to Lily’s cheek. ‘We will collect you at eight.’

‘Grazie, Zia. I couldn’t have achieved any of this without your help.’ She caught her aunt close in an affectionate hug. ‘Once I know my work roster, I’ll organize an evening to invite you to dinner. Carlo, too.’ Her eyes took on a humorous sparkle. ‘I’ll make something special.’

‘That will be lovely, cara. I assume the invitation will include Alessandro?’

Lily didn’t so much as blink. ‘Naturally.’

There was a brief ‘ohmygod, what have I done?’ moment as Lily watched Sophia leave with Carlo at the wheel.

When it came to entertaining, two guests or three made little difference.

Except when it included a man who sent her emotions into a panic whenever she was in his presence.

So deal with it.

With determination she turned from the window and began unpacking.

It didn’t take long, and afterwards she made a few changes, aligning a sofa to a more comfortable angle, sorting through kitchen cupboards and, importantly, making a list of food she needed to purchase.

It was late when she finally slid into bed.

Tomorrow she intended shopping for personal touches to make the apartment more her, and she fell asleep halfway through picturing various images in her mind … an ornament she’d sighted in a shop window, an alarm clock, and a large colourful cushion that would be perfect.

The next few days passed in a blur of shopping and exploring at will, adding touches to the apartment, changing a few things to her taste.

The Charity Gala meant dress-up time, and Lily viewed her gown’s sheer style in pale shades of pink, blue and lavender silk chiffon with a pleased eye, for it flattered her slender curves and fell in a soft swirl at her ankles. A delicate wrap in matching silk chiffon added a finishing touch, and lavender stilettos completed the outfit.

A timeless design she’d fallen in love with at first sight,

and, as Sophia had assured, perfect to wear to the fundraising gala scheduled for this evening.

In five minutes the in-house phone would ring heralding Sophia and Carlo’s arrival, and Lily used the time to run a last-minute check of her hair and make-up. She was good to go.

Right on cue, the phone pealed, she caught up her purse and took the lift down to the lobby. The doors slid apart to reveal Alessandro standing a few feet distant looking, she saw at a glance, far too ruggedly attractive for any woman’s peace of mind.

Especially her own.

Attired in a black evening suit that had to be tailored specifically to mould his breadth of shoulder and hard-muscled frame, white linen and black bow tie, he resembled a photographic male model.

Yet no photograph could reveal the element of arresting power he exuded, or the primitive sensuality that was his alone.

Dangerous … a hungry lover capable of driving a woman beyond reason.

Dear Lord in heaven … where had that come from?

Smile, Lily bade as she sought to control her wayward imagination. Step forward … speak!

‘Hi,’ she managed with measured politeness. ‘I expected to see Sophia and Carlo.’

Did she glimpse a faint gleam of humour in his dark eyes before it was quickly masked?

‘Carlo is delivering Sophia directly to the venue.’

‘And sent you in his stead. It’s very kind of you.’

One eyebrow lifted a little. ‘So polite, Lily?’

‘I was aiming for gracious .’

His husky laugh sent the blood coursing through her veins, and she deliberately widened her eyes.

‘I guess I failed.’

‘Miserably,’ Alessandro agreed as he indicated his car parked immediately adjacent the entrance. ‘Shall we

leave?’

It was, Lily accorded with a masked degree of awe, an incredible gathering of guests as she entered the large historic venue at Alessandro’s side.