Katrina Cudmore - Her First-Date Honeymoon

Honeymoon...with her new boss!

Emma Fox always dreamed of a honeymoon in Venice...she just never expected to experience it alone! After discovering her fiancé was a scoundrel, runaway bride Emma vows to be independent, starting by securing a job with billionaire Matteo Vieri for the week.

As they work together in his palazzo, Emma’s warmth and natural beauty capture Matteo’s guarded heart. They’ve already shared a honeymoon, but what will it take for Matteo to persuade Emma to go back down the aisle?

Romantic Getaways

Escape to Paradise!

This Valentine’s Day, escape to four of the world’s most romantic destinations with these sparkling books from Mills & Boon Romance!

From the awe-inspiring desert to vibrant Barcelona, and from the stunning coral reefs of Australia to heart-stoppingly romantic Venice—get swept away by these wonderful romances!

The Sheikh’s Convenient Princess

by Liz Fielding

The Unforgettable Spanish Tycoon

by Christy McKellen

The Billionaire of Coral Bay

by Nikki Logan

Her First-Date Honeymoon

by Katrina Cudmore

Her First-Date Honeymoon

Katrina Cudmore

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A city-loving book addict, peony obsessive KATRINA CUDMORE lives in Cork, Ireland, with her husband, four active children and a very daft dog. A psychology graduate, with a MSc in Human Resources, Katrina spent many years working in multinational companies and can’t believe she is lucky enough now to have a job that involves daydreaming about love and handsome men! You can visit Katrina at katrinacudmore.com.

For Ben

See, the middle child isn’t always forgotten!

Love, Mum

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Honeymoon...with her new boss! Emma Fox always dreamed of a honeymoon in Venice...she just never expected to experience it alone! After discovering her fiancé was a scoundrel, runaway bride Emma vows to be independent, starting by securing a job with billionaire Matteo Vieri for the week. As they work together in his palazzo, Emma’s warmth and natural beauty capture Matteo’s guarded heart. They’ve already shared a honeymoon, but what will it take for Matteo to persuade Emma to go back down the aisle?

Introduction Romantic Getaways Escape to Paradise! This Valentine’s Day, escape to four of the world’s most romantic destinations with these sparkling books from Mills & Boon Romance! From the awe-inspiring desert to vibrant Barcelona, and from the stunning coral reefs of Australia to heart-stoppingly romantic Venice—get swept away by these wonderful romances! The Sheikh’s Convenient Princess by Liz Fielding The Unforgettable Spanish Tycoon by Christy McKellen The Billionaire of Coral Bay by Nikki Logan Her First-Date Honeymoon by Katrina Cudmore

Title Page Her First-Date Honeymoon Katrina Cudmore www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author A city-loving book addict, peony obsessive KATRINA CUDMORE lives in Cork, Ireland, with her husband, four active children and a very daft dog. A psychology graduate, with a MSc in Human Resources, Katrina spent many years working in multinational companies and can’t believe she is lucky enough now to have a job that involves daydreaming about love and handsome men! You can visit Katrina at katrinacudmore.com .

Dedication For Ben See, the middle child isn’t always forgotten! Love, Mum

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

‘I ADMIRE YOUR TENACITY, cara, but I meant it when I said no.’

Matteo Vieri lay down and spread his body behind the woman already warming his bed. His hand curled around her slim waist. The only light in the room came from the corridor, and in the dark shadows, with her head tucked low into the pillow, he struggled to see her in detail. But beneath his fingers he felt her body edge towards him.

Irritation bit into his stomach and refused to let go, but he forced his voice to remain a low playful tease. ‘The last woman who crept into my bed wasn’t seen for days. Leave now, or I swear you won’t see daylight for a very long time.’

He wanted nothing but to sleep. Alone.

Earlier, when she had phoned him while he was en route to Venice, she had told him she was leaving tomorrow for her home city of New York, but she had promised him a night to remember. They had dated intermittently in the past, when their paths had crossed. It had been fun. But recently he had realised that beneath her cool sass lay fantasies of a future together, so he had good-humouredly turned down her offer. Again. But she obviously hadn’t listened and now she lay in his bed.

He stifled a curse.

It was past midnight. His bones ached for a shower and the oblivion of sleep.

‘Cara, it’s time for you to leave.’

Beneath the silk of her nightgown her ribcage jerked.

His hand stilled.

Something was wrong. Her scent was wrong. The dip of her waist was wrong. The endless curls in her hair, brushing his hand, making him itch with the desire to thread it through his fingers and pull her towards him, were wrong.

His breathing, his heart, his thoughts went on hold. The red traffic lights of confusion waited to switch to the green of clarity.

Her head inched upwards until wide eyes met his: perplexed, scared, startled.

His own disbelief left him speechless.

Caspita! Who was this stranger lying in his bed?

And then he wanted to laugh. Could this week get any worse?

His starved lungs sucked in air. He could barely make out her features, but still a lick of attraction barrelled through him. Her scent—the clean low notes of rose—the enticing warmth of her body, the mass of hair tumbling on the bed sheets made him want to draw her into him. To take solace in her softness, her femininity, from the craziness of his life.

Her mouth opened. And closed. She swallowed a cartoon gulp. Her mouth opened again. Her lips were full, the hint of a deep cupid’s bow on the upper lip. A dangerous beauty.

Her body stiffened beside him. Seconds passed. Two strangers. In the most intimate of settings.

A tiny sound of disbelief hiccupped from her throat.

Then, in a shower of rising and falling sheets and blankets, she flung off the bedclothes and darted towards the door.

In one smooth movement he followed her and yanked her back.

Long narrow bones crashed into him, along with a tumble of hair, a scent that left him wanting more.

‘Who are you? What do you want?’

Her voice was a husky rasp, heavily accented, sexy, English. A voice he had definitely never heard before.

Attraction kicked again. Strong enough to knock him out of his stupor. His earlier frustration lit up inside him. Bright and fierce.

He pulled her towards the wall and flicked on the bedroom chandelier. She winced, but then hazel eyes settled on his, anger mixing with shock.

She attempted to jerk away but he gripped her slim arm tighter.

A flare of defiance grew in her eyes. ‘If you don’t let me go I’m going to scream until the entire neighbourhood, all of Venice, is awake.’

A growl of fury leapt from his throat. ‘Scream away. My neighbours are used to hearing me entertain.’

A blush erupted on her cheeks. She dipped her head.

Satisfaction twitched on his lips. He lowered his mouth towards her ear. ‘Now, tell me, do you make a habit of breaking into homes? Sleeping in strangers’ beds?’