The Italian's Price

by Diana Hamilton

  'And you, too are tempted.' His seductive hands caressed her swollen breasts with breathtaking tenderness and her breath fluttered in her throat as she fought to control her desperate craving for him snatching at a fast receding memory of the way she used to be-the glamorous Jilly's out-of-focus boringly sensible shadow-just to get her feet back down to earth again.

  ‘I think this shouldn't be happening,' she managed, almost disintegrating as fire burned low in her pelvis modified by her almost manic need to drag his clothes off. Her face glowed scarlet at the novel wanton thought. He touched his mouth to hers, his lips brushing hers lightly as he murmured, ‘Feel with your heart ; don't think with your head .

  ' Exactly where the danger lay! She felt light-headed, her entire body aching with powerful sexual awareness, and she had to scratch around for something to bring her back to her senses and finally managed unevenly, her breath melding with his as his mouth continued to tease and torment her 'You forget. I am not my sister.'

  His head came up, his stunning eyes holding hers as he denied ‘I forget nothing, cara mia. If you were your sister I would not be here. I would not be wanting you as I have never wanted any woman.'

  His hands slid down to her narrow waist as he eased her closer to make her discover for herself exactly how much he wanted her and ignoring her gasp, he elaborated his voice thickening, ‘stop comparing yourself unfavourably to her. 'You are beautiful in a way she could never be. It comes from within you. She is base metal you are pure gold. Remember that.'

  His words filled her head until she felt dizzy. AII of her life people had rated Jilly above her. She didn't think anyone had meant to, but when her sister walked into a room, a flash of bright colour, a stream of animated chatter she dominated the space, all attention fixed on her.

  Without a jealous bone in her body, Milly had always accepted her subordinate position as a fact of life that had no hope of changing. But now-now this fantastically charismatic sexy man actually put her first! Something twisted tightly inside her. She trembled violently and coiled her arms around his neck, knowing she had fallen in love with him and not afraid now to recognise that fact. It was a glorious heady feeling and she would never regret it even though she knew he would never feel the same way.

  B0th his hands snaked up to the back of her head, his fingers deep in the soft brightness of her silken hair as he bent his mouth to hers, lightly at first, a mere brush of butterfly wings against her quivering lips, and then as those lips parted the pressure increased and his tongue sought and found hers. He felt her body go up in flames as she kissed him back with all the fervour of an addict and he was lost he who never lost himself was drowning in this perfect woman.

  He drew back closing his eyes as her body squirmed with wanton eagerness against his and said thickly, ‘I burn for you.'

  Her response was a mew of pleasure the exploration of her small hands beneath the shirt that had somehow become unbuttoned. A shudder of driven need raked through him as he lifted her in his arms and strode with her to the bedroom

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  THE ARRIVAL OF Room Service woke Milly from the scant two hours of slumber she'd managed' she had fallen asleep with the dawn in Cesare's strong arms.

  She knew instantly that she was alone in the wildly rumpled bed and she could see morning sunlight behind her closed eyelids but was reluctant to acknowledge the waiter, to face the day that would surely have Cesare making arrangements for her return to England because without doubt Filomena would not waste time in seeing the back of her.

  And much as he might have preferred her to stay on at the villa, available until he decided he wanted to hunt in pastures new he would always bow to his beloved grandmother's wishes. Much as that reminder turned her sick inside she knew a swift departure a clean break and no regrets on her part would be for the best.

  The thought of leaving him now was pretty near unendurable. How much worse would it be if she stayed on as his lover for weeks maybe even months? So she would remain in her drowsy state for just a little while longer and blissfully relive every ecstatic moment of the most wonderful night of her life with Cesare, the man who had lodged himself firmly in her heart for all time.

  She would never regret a single precious moment of their closeness she vowed as she turned over and buried her face in the pillow and she would never forget him what he meant to her.

  She'd been an obvious novice to start with but Cesare had been so patient his tenderness bringing tears to her eyes and making her love for him assume massive proportions. When he'd turned away to use protection it had given her pause as she'd wondered if he'd been that sure of making a conquest.

  But that small doubt had vanished like morning mist, blown away by her sensible thought that he was simply being careful. He wouldn't want a pregnancy, though she wouldn't mind having his child. In truth she would welcome his child with all of her being. The difficulties of being a single parent would be as nothing beside the joy of having part of him with her for always.

  Then even that thought had been blasted into orbit as he'd turned back to her, parting her thighs and trailing tiny kisses up the quivering length of them until her mind had been blown to pieces as he'd found the secret, damp heart of her femininity.

  Her entire body glowed beneath the thin covering as she recalled how, after that first shatteringly magical time she hadn't been able to get enough of him all untutored eagerness that she recalled now with a secret catlike smile, had seemed to drive him wild.

  ‘Cara. ' A kiss on her naked shoulder had her snaking round to feast her eyes on him her sleep-flushed features wreathed with a smile of loving welcome.

  His midnight hair was wet from the shower, his bronzed skin spangled with water droplets and his only covering was a towel hooked around his lean hips.

  Her eyes limpid with adoration, Milly raised her arms to him, marvelling at the way daylight did nothing to dispel the intoxicating intimacy of the night hours as the sheet fell away to reveal breasts that were tight and swollen, aching for his touch.

  Dark colour banded his sculpted cheekbones as he sank down on the bed beside her took her hands and muttered raggedly, 'You are an invitation that's hard to resist! However ' he released her hands and reached to the night table handing her a bowl-like cup of coffee and announced prosaically, ‘I need to head back to the villa, speak with my PA and call a meeting of all heads of department in New York for next week.'

  Instead of offering her hot coffee he might just as well have doused her with icy water, Milly mourned regretful that something that had been so wonderful for her was for him obviously an interlude that could be so easily blanked out his world-spanning business empire uppermost in his mind, everything back to normal. The earth-shattering intimacies of the night were forgotten in the light of day with a single-minded masculine drive to get on with the important things of his life.

  Was that what happened after a one night stand? With her free hand she tugged the sheet up to conceal her nakedness. How was she to know? She had never played that game before and didn't know the rules. At least she had more pride than to whine and cling, and aback to normal' raised a knotty problem.

  Avoiding his stunning eyes because they always robbed her of her dwindling reserves of common sense, she asked, 'What do I tell Filomena? She'll be so upset to know she's been the victim of a con-trick. I don't want to go on deceiving her-l've felt truly bad about it.' Distress flooded her voice.

  ‘But I will, just for a week or two, if you think we should keep the truth from her until she's properly well again.' She raised her eyes at last. 'What do you think'?'

  ‘I think. . . ' he said slowly, lush ebony lashes not hiding the warm golden gleam in the eyes that could reduce her to a quivering state of absolute longing in the space of a single millisecond. A smile played now on his beautiful sensual mouth. ‘I think that we should tell her that you are to be my wife.'

  In a state of deep shock, her soft mouth fell open and her skin crawled with
hot colour. ‘Be serious ' she demanded unsteadily. As a joke it wasn't funny', it wasn't funny at aII!

  In reply Cesare took the untouched coffee from her nerveless fingers, replaced it beside his on the night table then took her hands in his. ‘I have never been more serious in my entire life amole ' he vowed softly, lifting her hands his lips grazing her knuckles. ‘I want you. Your exquisite body, your gentle heart. I want it all-the whole package. To be able to care for you, protect you, adore you, cherish you and spoil you. To be your husband to give you my children.'

  Her eyes widening, Milly shook her head slightly. Was she dreaming? How could the most wonderful man in the whole world want her to be his wife? She put out an unsteady hand to touch his face her fingers trailing over one high proud cheekbone the hollow beneath the corner of his so sexy mouth trying to convince herself that this was real and not some fantasy born of her overwhelming love for him.

  'Say yes' His voice was demanding, his accent thickening, yet there was a trace of uncertainty there and it astonished her more than anything and sent her heart racing.

  Then his mouth was on hers and his kiss ravished her until she was incandescent with need and her, 'Yes oh yes! Cesare I love you-so much so very much' brought his head up, his chin at a proud angle. He promised 'You will never regret this amole mia.' His hands on her slim shoulders he held her away from him. 'And now, much as I regret it, we have to dress. Stefano will be here in thirty minutes to drive us back to the villa.'

  Bestowing one swift slashing smile on her he stood up, dropped the towel and strode in his glorious nakedness to a chest of drawers pulling out garments at seeming random. His physique was so perfect it took her breath away and unable to move a muscle filled with such excitement that she thought she might explode from an overdose of happiness she excused his ability to snap back in an instant to the business at hand.

  Getting the job done was his modus operandi and she could live with that, she decided meltingly as he told her ‘No second thoughts cara rnia-and provided you agree-we will not tell Nonna of our marriage plans until she is perfectly well and strong again.'

  He pulled on a pair of light grey chinos and fastened the button at his lean waist imparting, ‘Knowing my stubborn grandmother and her joy to see me marrying at last she will immediately start planning the service the reception the guest list the flowers and your wardrobe.

  An earthquake wouldn't stop her. And in her present state of health it would prove to be too much. Do you understand what I mean'?' ‘of course' Milly's eyes sparkled with love at his consideration. And what did it matter if the wedding announcement was delayed for a couple of weeks? ‘Grazie-thank youl' His smile dazzled her. He fastened the buttons of a black silk shirt.

  ‘Besides, I will be overseas-a business trip that alas I cannot cancel-it will keep me away for several weeks.

  When I return we will share our news. And as for Nonna and what she will think when you tell her who you are, do not trouble yourself mi amole. She already knows.'

  'She doest' At that shattering information Milly sat bolt upright, her eyes very wide.

  ‘Indeed.' He was tying a silver-coloured silk tie. ‘I told her before we came here and about your sister's theft. She was not surprised. In fact when I explained that I was bringing you to the Saracino Palace to finally bring things out in the open she begged me not to give you a hard time! She insisted that you must have had good reason because you were too gentle and loving to have harboured a bad one . '

  Four determined strides brought him to the bedside. His dark gaze glittering, he reached for her hands and drew her to her feet. 'You have not a single thing to worry about on that score. Now-' he dealt her backside a gentle tap- 'get dressed.'

  Cesare had made his excuses and headed for the room set aside for his high-tech office as soon as they returned to the villa, closely followed by the arrival of his PA, a brisk young man, bristling with the efficiency his boss demanded.

  Despite Cesare's assurances Milly had been full of trepidation as she'd taken herself to Filomena's room. Her deception had to be unforgettable, didn't it? She felt slightly nauseous at her own uncharacteristic devious behaviour.

  But the old lady's delight in seeing her, the warmth of her welcome, laid her anxieties to rest, as did Filomena's immediate and regally imperious demand to sit out on the terrace for a while so that they could enjoy the air and have the talk she'd been itching for ever since Cesare had informed her that she was Milly, her companion's twin sister.

  An operation that was treated as a military manoeuvre, everyone from Stefano to the youngest housemaid being enlisted to move the wooden table and benches from the rose-shaded arbour at one side of the terrace to make room for a cushion-piled armchair Rosa herself bringing up the rear with a tray loaded with chilled orange juice and little almond cakes.

  ‘I was a little puzzled,' Filomena admitted with her beautiful smile as she sat like a queen on her throne as her staff melted away, bas to how my companion had so changed in character! If I had had my wits about me I would have suspected something. Brittleness all gone, replaced with warmth and gentleness. More thoughtfulness.

  Your choice of reading matter too' Dickens as opposed to the sex and shopping sagas your sister was so fond of. Please-l'm not saying her company wasn't good for me. At that time it was. I had become bored with myself and being old! Cesare had become convinced I had a death wish! Jilly took me out of it with her amusing chatter, her liveliness and those flashes of charm that were most in evidence when my grandson was around. Sometimes in my room at night I could hear her laughing with him on the path outside my windows, and I thought-no matter. Yes-' she brought herself back to what she had been saying a-such charm. It could make you forgive almost anything.'

  ‘Even theft'?' Milly had to ask, feeling deep shame on her twin's behalf.

  ‘Even that. She must have been desperate and I have much wealth. But,' she added with a flash of asperity,

  ‘I wouldn't condone it as a career choice. Now-we talk of brighter things.'

  Over dinner, the first meal Filomena hadn't taken from a tray since her accident, Milly, feeling cold inside because although Cesare had finally joined them he had barely acknowledged her presence, broached the subject of her friend's wedding.

  ‘Cleo's really keen for me to be her bridesmaid. I'd hate to disappoint her. And I do need to vacate the flat.' She had given up all hope of Jilly ever bothering to try to contact home in the near future. While Cesare had been away she had phoned Cleo and her landlord and had given her contact number should her sister remember she had a family and try to get in touch.

  But so far nothing.

  Her face glowed with sudden unconcealed pleasure. She would have no need of the flat. She and Cesare were to be married! The thought had the power to rock her even though the way he'd been as good as ignoring her up until now had made her feel invisible! 'And when does this event take place'?' Cesare had joined them at the last minute and it was the first she had seen of him since he'd shut himself away in his office.

  She met the cool questioning of his eyes and a wave of intense disappointment surged through her. Last night those eyes had been filled with raw desire sending her up in flames now he was looking at her as if she were a menial asking for time off when it wasn't due to her!

  'Around six weeks ' she answered unsteadily. ‘But I'd need to go back to England a couple of weeks earlier. Dress fittings-that sort of thing. I'd come back the day after the wedding.'

  His impressively handsome profile was turned to her now. He wasn't looking at her and Milly doubted that he had heard a word she'd said. It was left to Filomena to step into the breach.

  'Then of course we must spare you. And who knows you might learn something of your sister's whereabouts. From what you told me earlier I know you worry about her complete disappearance.

  Cesare-' her voice sharpened a-you will arrange this'?'

  ‘Nonna...-' He laid down his cutlery and leant back in his chair,
an ebony brow elevated just slightly. ‘If you recall, I will not be here to arrange anything. However-' he pushed back his chair and stood up in one fluid movement the very image of cool Italian sophistication a-give Stefano the details and he will make the travel arrangements. Now if you will excuse me I still have work to do before I leave for Madrid in the morning.'

  How Milly got through the rest the meal and the ritual of helping Filomena get ready for bed while behaving as if she was perfectly happy she would never know.

  Cesare had as good as looked through her she fretted as she reached the sanctuary of her own bedroom. Had not addressed her except to ask that clipped question. It hurt quite unbearably. She was hard put to reconcile his attitude over dinner with that of the man who had made glorious love to her, had asked her to be his wife.

  Deciding to get up extra early, run him to earth and demand a few answers before he left in the morning, she had a quick shower brushed her teeth and climbed into bed wearing a baggy old T-shirt.

  She felt too emotional to creep through the silent house to his office and demand answers now. Right now. Her pride wouldn't let her show him how insecure she felt.