The Romano Brothers Series

by Leslie North

  The councilwoman nodded. “I am glad. You have done a good thing. Thank you.” Lifting a gavel, she hit the table with a loud bang, then with a lifted voice that filled the giant, spacious room, she decreed, “the property defined as the Romano del Mare shall be returned to its status as a commercial holding so long as its owners strive to show respect to the property’s structures as being of landmark value for the Sicilian people.” Her gavel slammed down again with a finality that was music to Stella’s ears.

  Stella’s flight back to the States was scheduled for the day after tomorrow. With every second that ticked past, she fought the urge to seek Leonardo out. She didn’t know whether he was in Sicily or not. She didn’t even know if his family had heard about the overturning of the ruling from late that morning. She only knew that she wanted to see Leonardo again but couldn’t allow herself that luxury. She would throw herself at him, tell him that she wanted to be with him, but that wasn’t really true. She’d fallen in love with a man who didn’t exist. She’d projected onto him her own values, those of a generous heart and a zest for life that didn’t falter just because the going got tough.

  Yet despite that, her body, mind and spirit all called to him. She had never laughed so freely with anyone but him, and when they had moved their bodies together in a dance designed to lift them to the very heights of bliss, she had felt herself become one with him—one mind, one spirit, one body. In every way, he had been the best time of her life, and she missed him. She missed his friendship and how easy it was to be near him without the need to constantly fill the silence. He made her comfortable… and oh so happy.

  But that time of her life was done, and taking a page from Leonardo’s playbook, she was putting her relationship with him behind her. She was letting it go.

  So why am I standing at the Romano del Mare? She sighed heavily, accepting the truth about herself. She was not ready to let Leonardo go no matter how much she told herself that she should. But, to soothe the ache of wanting to go to him, she would give herself the next best thing—her memories.

  It was odd to be near the monastery and for the old building to be silent. The ruling to allow the place to open once more as a resort had only come down that morning, and no work crews had yet resumed their restoration work.

  Walking around the side of the building, Stella walked up the slope toward the pool and then veered to the side to the start of the path that she and Leonardo had walked together. It was lonlier than she had imagined it would be as she walked it alone. Possibly it was the fading sun as the day’s light softened in preparation of becoming night. She would likely be caught in the dark on the walk back, but she didn’t care. For now, following the path was easy, but if she got lost on the way back she would return to the beach where Leonardo and she had first made love and she would give herself the night to remember him so that maybe, just maybe, she could burn her want of him clean from her soul with the rays of the morning sun.

  Determined to hold on to as much happiness as she could, she walked with a determined step and her head held high, but even with her quick pace, sure enough, the light was already fading when she reached the beach.

  In memory of what they had shared, she was tempted to strip off her clothes and bathe in the waters that were so welcoming as they lapped on the shore. Their distant sound eased her pain as the memories of being in Leonardo’s arms flooded her. Closing her eyes and soaking in everything the place had to give her, she was sure that she could even smell him as she took a deep breath.

  “You do know this is a topless beach, don’t you?” A smooth, deep voice rolled over her from out of nowhere, causing her to jump and her eyes to pop open. Her neck twisted and turned as she spun around in search of its owner, then she stopped when she’d spotted him.

  “Leonardo.”

  His name on her lips had only been a whisper, but it seared itself onto his heart. She was every bit as beautiful as the last time he’d seen her, and he couldn’t help but doubt his senses and think that he might be dreaming. But the sound of his name on her lips shook him to his core so deeply that he knew he was either in heaven or the love of his life was standing right in front of him, and he decided to trust the latter.

  “I shouldn’t have let you go that day. I shouldn’t have driven you away.” This wasn’t the way he’d wanted to do this. He’d heard from Luciana that Stella was back in Sicily, and he’d started plans to turn their small beach into a sea of floating lanterns. Two cello players would sit at the base of the cliff on the path side of the beach, and the petals of a thousand flowers would adorn the beach along with wine and other decadent offerings ready on hand to celebrate in the event that she said yes. He’d had it all planned, but none of it meant anything to him now. She was here, and that was all he needed. Now he hoped that she felt the same.

  “I didn’t think you’d be here. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll go,” Stella said as she turned to leave.

  “Wait!” The word came out from some primal need within himself and his voice boomed through the space between them, strong enough to make Stella stop and turn to look at him.

  “I was wrong. I can accept whatever happens to the Romano del Mare, but I was wrong to ever give up on you. I should have supported your decision to continue to fight, no matter what the outcome. I chose myself, and I have regretted it every second of every day since.” He stepped forward and took her hands in his, half expecting her to yank them away, but she didn’t. “You’re all that matters to me. All of the rest of this, it’s going to come and go and eventually fall into the sea, and that’s okay because if I know that I have you, then my life is complete.”

  He could see the pain that he’d caused her in her eyes as she stared up at him. What he didn’t see was trust, not yet, and he didn’t want to give her a chance to shut him down before he’d said all that he needed to say. If she refused him after that, he could live with it. But if he held anything back about the way he felt about her, then he had truly failed.

  Dropping to one knee, he released one of her hands so that he could shove his own hand deep into his pocket. A moment later he withdrew a ring. Holding it up for her to see, he said, “Stella, you’ve shown me what it means to live after I’d thought I was already living. You make my days brighter and my nights warmer, and you make me happier and more fulfilled than I have ever been in my life. Please, give me the chance to give to you all of the gifts of love and joy that you’ve given to me. Stella, would you marry me?”

  Stella’s eyes were wide and in the setting sun he could see the sparkle of her tears. He held his breath, uncertain whether she was sad or happy, but then her smile lit her face and she nodded her head. “Yes!”

  Leonardo threw his arms wide as she launched herself into him, locking lips as they fell backward to the sand. He rolled her under him in the next moment and deepened their kiss until her frenzied energy was gone and he could feel her body turning supple beneath him. “You’re the only one for me,” he whispered, brushing her hair away from her cheek.

  She nodded her head in agreement. “Always and forever.”

  17

  Leonardo

  The sound of hammers and saws reached Leonardo’s ears as he lounged next to the now completed pool. He was watching Stella pace back and forth as she spoke animatedly into her phone. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun at the nape of her neck, and she was wearing the gauzy, thin-as-air clothes she liked that outlined with shifting precision the various curves of her body as she moved.

  She had a new client. The days of working for restoration societies were behind her. Now she worked directly with the owners of historic properties with a desire to renovate. She assisted in the development of design plans that would provide the best of both worlds—modern amenities framed by accurate restoration protecting the original designs of very old architectural structures deemed worth preserving. She helped the owners come up with designs that they loved but that also met all of the requirements of th
e complicated preservation laws, and she was loving every second of it.

  And he was loving every second with her.

  As if she’d been able to read his thoughts, Stella turned around and gave him a wink. Then, as soon as she ended the call, he patted his thigh and she joined him by sitting on his lap.

  Leonardo slid his arms around her. “I’m still amazed at how you saved this place. I thought that everything was lost.”

  She brushed his lips with her own in a soft, tender kiss before snuggling her head on his shoulder. “Not everything,” she said, lacing her fingers with his.

  “They’ll be here soon. You sure you’re ready to tell the others?” He could feel her answering smile on his neck as she brought his hand to lay over her lower abdomen.

  “I haven’t even told Luciana or Adeline. It’s been so hard to keep it to myself!”

  “And you’re sure that everything is alright… that you’re alright?”

  Stella lifted her head and he was able to look into her hazel eyes. “Everything is alright. I’m sure of it. The doctors are sure of it. Everyone’s sure of it.”

  He put the palm of his hand over the scar of her heart. “A baby.” His smile grew so big that it hurt his cheeks. Leaning forward, he kissed the flowers that decorated her chest, thankful yet again for the gift of her heart.

  “Hello!” called Gianpierre’s voice from some distance away. Leonardo looked down the hill to see his brothers strolling up, their heart’s loves walking with them.

  Stella laid her palm on Leonardo’s cheek and he gave all of his attention back to her. “I vote that we tell them about the Italian Tourism Board wanting to make a documentary based on the Romano del Mare first… then we tell them about the baby.”

  “Then you had better talk fast when they get here. All of this love you’ve created in me has to have somewhere to go,” he said, nuzzling her nose with the tip of his own.

  “Give it to me,” Stella said, leaning in for a kiss that forgot time or place or even the whisper and giggle of soon-to-be in-laws. “Always give it to me.”

  End of Italian Billionaire’s Determined Lover

  The Romano Brothers Series Book Three

  PS: Do you love hot-blooded billionaires? Then keep reading for exclusive extracts from The Billionaire’s Ex-Wife.

  Thank you!

  Thank you so much for purchasing my book. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate my readers. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review. Reviews are crucial for an author’s success and I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to review the book. I love hearing from you!

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  BLURB

  Sam Jameson always gets what he wants, and what he wants is his ex-wife.

  Sam views the world in black and white—a strong attitude that’s earned him billions in the business world and an ex-wife in the real world. Sam wants is to choose his own future, but to do this he must pass a test set out by his older brother, and CEO: onboard his wayward brother, Eddie. Sam accepts the challenge but isn’t sure what to think when he learns that the woman he’d love and left is part of the test too.

  Trinity Jameson is a fixer. It doesn’t matter if it’s ugly furniture or an ornery employee, Trinity has the touch and she’s spent most of her life helping others achieve their best potential. But when her ex-husband comes back to town to prove he’s got a heart, Trinity makes a decision: She’s not going to fix his problems for him—no matter what his smoldering blue eyes ask of her, she’s going to say “No.” She’s determined that he’ll fix his own mess this time.

  Before Sam landed in New York, his goal was to leave the city just as fast. But when Trinity saunters into the room looking better than ever, his desire begins to shift. He realizes that what he really wants is what he can no longer have: Trinity. Sam has no trouble stoking their physical fire, but hot sex isn’t going to be enough to heal the hurt he’d caused long ago. Sam isn’t going to be dissuaded by her new found emotional wall. He helped her build it, and now he’s going to knock it down.

  Grab your copy of The Billionaire’s Ex-Wife from www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  SNEAK PEEK

  His favorite suit was wrinkled. It didn't matter if there was only one: the wrinkle was there, leering up at him like a lopsided, mocking smile.

  Sam Jameson shook out his sleeve, but the minor imperfection remained. Minor, he thought to himself in consolation. A wrinkle that wouldn't smooth was the least of his problems today; still, it lingered in the back of his mind as much as it lingered on the otherwise crisp fabric of his suit.

  Sam distracted himself by gazing about the familiar waiting room of the New York office. He missed the East Coast more than he could express, and he wasn't an expressive man by nature—but even he could appreciate the familiar, sanitized smell of the office, the classic wooden furnishings, and the precision of the New York City skyline just outside the high window. The L.A. office always smelled like someone was secretly giving manicures in the staff kitchen, and the West Coast skyline was…quirky. Slipshod. Obscured by a permanent haze and decidedly not up to code.

  L.A. was to blame for Sam's current predicament, of that he had no doubt. Who the hell lodged a complaint about "annoying perfectionism" and took their business elsewhere? Apparently L.A. clients did. Sam blamed the strange holistic culture that had seized the West Coast—the culture of "mistakes are successes that haven't happened yet," or whatever inane philosophy Californians liked to paste on the bumpers of their hybrid cars—but his older brother William didn't see things the way he did. That was partly why William was CEO, and Sam was COO, of Jameson Advertising Agency: it wasn't just a matter of age, but perspective…or so their father had once explained it.

  If only Sam could give William a momentary demotion and make him see things from his point of view. This move to onboard Eddie was a mistake. More than that, it was far below Sam's paygrade—but even he wasn't so callous as to say as much out loud. He had learned early on that when it came to family, talking in strictly business terms wasn't exactly smiled upon.

  But surely even William could see, from his lofty vantage as CEO, that bringing Eddie any closer in the family business was a mistake. Their father had certainly thought so. The youngest Jameson simply wasn't cut out for more than wining and dining clients.

  Inviting the family screw-up back into the fold didn't seem like a wise move to Sam—but who was he to protest it? He would get in, do the job to a more than acceptable degree, and get out, the same as he always did. William wouldn't be able to argue with the results, and then Sam could get the hell back to L.A. and move onto better things.

  The door opened and Sam rose, applying one last swipe to the wrinkle. He raised his gaze, expecting to find Eddie's lopsided grin and ridiculous eyebrows waggling a greeting.

  Instead, it was his own ex-wife he found staring back at him.

  "Trinity." He hated how out of practice he suddenly sounded saying her name out loud. Not a day had passed since their separation that it didn't enter his head on a repeating loop, always in threes: Trinity. Trinity. Trinity. "What are you doing here?"

  His ex-wife blinked her gorgeous doe eyes like he had her caught in a crosshairs. Obviously his presence in the room wasn't a surprise to her, but maybe seeing an estranged spouse in the flesh shook her as much as it shook him. His eyes dropped at once to take in the form-fitting pencil skirt and matching blazer. Only Trinity could make such an uninspired shade of gray look borderline sultry. Not a wrinkle in sight. He noticed she was parting her hair differently; the line combed into her scalp was off-center, and her honey-brown hair spilled in one thick wave down the left side of her face. The asymmetry should have bothered him more than it did, but all Sam could think in that moment was how strikingly well-suited she was to the style. The elegant curl hugged her cheekbone while exposing the other one, making th
em appear even more pronounced than usual.

  "Where's Eddie?" He hadn't expected himself to be the one to break the silence. Trinity blinked again, and shook her head to dispel whatever thought it was that had frozen her in the first place.

  "Hello, Samson. Your brother asked me to meet with you. Not Eddie," she qualified. "William."

  "I see."

  "He wants me to assist you in onboarding Eddie. William, that is. But I guess you knew which of your brothers I was referring to that time."

  Sam nodded. Trinity's sudden appearance had thrown him into turmoil on the inside, but he was used to masking pressure indicators in high-stress situations. There was a reason his coworkers all called him a machine. "Where is Eddie these days?" he asked her.

  "Barbados. Last I heard." Trinity swept her clipboard toward the conference hallway, and Sam rose at her invitation. He followed behind her, despite knowing the way, and watched her graceful balancing act. If she wore silk stockings with her heels, Sam couldn't perceive them at this distance. Only running a hand up one of those elegant calves would reveal the truth to him….

  "In here." Trinity waved him on into one of the rooms. Her face looked a little flushed, and Sam wondered how loudly he had been broadcasting his thoughts…then again, maybe they were simply on the same wavelength, as they had so often been when they were married.

  In those first years, anyway.

  He would never show it, but Sam was still reeling from the divorce. It had been almost a year since he signed the papers Trinity wordlessly pushed across his desk, and he still didn't know what the hell had happened between the two of them. Hadn't they always shared ambitions? Work ethic? Not to mention great, great sex? He knew from all the divorce studies he had read that he should have at least started entertaining the idea of dating other women by now, but he couldn't even bring himself to set up a simple online dating profile…and the Millennials at the L.A. office had certainly volunteered to help.