At The Italian's Bidding (A Hot Italian Nights Novella Book 5)

by Annie West

  It wasn’t enough, he knew. But it was the truth.

  She didn’t meet his eyes, just stared down at his hands clutching hers.

  ‘Do we have to do this?’ Her voice was cool, and if he didn’t know her so well he might have missed the tell-tale tremor. She was still hurting.

  That knowledge pierced him like a stiletto blade through the belly. Desperately he hoped he could fix this.

  ‘You know we do. I owe you—’

  ‘You don’t owe me anything! I’d rather you just left.’ Her gaze collided with his and fierce heat shot through him, knotting his belly and igniting dormant fire. His hands tightened.

  He wasn’t leaving. Not yet. He pushed aside a rising tide of fear, refusing to give in to it.

  ‘I owe you so much, Lia.’

  She swung her head from side to side, wet hair flying wide. ‘If you dare to thank me for giving you my virginity I’ll… I’ll…’

  ‘What? Slap me?’ How he preferred her volatile and furious to meek and vulnerable.

  She tried to pull her hands free of his but he wouldn’t let her. It was a bullying tactic, using his superior physical strength, but he’d use anything he could to make her listen.

  ‘The gift of your virginity is something I’m never going to forget, Lia, whether you like it or not.’ Last night was seared into his brain, burnt into his very being. He met her glare head on, refusing to back down. ‘But I was going to say I owed you for what you did, helping to make my grandmother’s weekend so special. She likes you very much, you know.’

  Lia’s tension eased just a little and her forehead wrinkled. ‘Oh.’ She lifted her shoulders. ‘I like her too. I can see why she’s so special to you.’

  He nodded. ‘And I have to thank you as well, for letting me ramble on about my future options. Most people think I should settle for what I’ve got. Build on what I’ve already achieved in racing. It’s rare to have someone actually encourage me to follow a new dream.’ Words couldn’t convey how much that had meant. How precious Lia’s support was. With her he felt he could be totally honest, and he valued her opinion.

  ‘I’m sure your grandmother is supportive too.’ Lia’s tone was tight, as if she didn’t have enough breath.

  Niccolo lifted stiff shoulders. ‘My grandmother is a rare woman.’ Lia was another.

  His heart throbbed up high in his throat as if trying to burst free. Her face was set and tense. No sign of softening. He had to lay his cards on the table, convince her of his feelings.

  ‘I want to thank you for last night, Lia.’

  He hadn’t thought it possible for her to grow more rigid but she did. The tension in her almost crackled.

  ‘You’re thanking me for the sex?’ She said it as if it was something distasteful, and part of him mourned. Last night she’d been so open and passionate. Had he completely ruined that between them? She shook her head. ‘I should be thanking you. Your expertise made all the difference. All those women you’ve had in your bed have taught you a lot.’

  Niccolo found himself so angry he almost wanted to shake her. Except this was his fault.

  Besides, Lia had been an innocent. How could she possibly know? She had nothing with which to compare last night.

  He thought of her inexperience, the fact he was the only man who’d brought her such pleasure. He alone had felt the slick, tight welcome of her delectable body, and been gifted with the sight of her coming apart in rapture. All those things, and more, made him feel proud and protective and above all, blessed.

  ‘You think it was that, Lia?’ He stroked the backs of her hands with his thumbs and watched as she couldn’t repress a shiver. Hope stirred. She wasn’t as impervious to him as she pretended. ‘You’re wrong. Last night was wonderful, magnificent.’ He watched her eyes widen. ‘But not because of any sexual expertise on my part. I was functioning on sheer desperation. I needed you, Lia. I didn’t have time for seductive techniques.’

  He stopped and let that sink in. He’d never bared himself to a woman this way before. It made him edgy, vulnerable even, yet strangely elated. ‘The reason it was so mind blowing was us, tesoro. The fact it was you and me together.’ He had to make her understand.

  ‘You’re just saying that.’

  ‘Why would I?’

  ‘How should I know?’ Her voice rose to a wobble that sent regret spearing through his middle. ‘To get me back into bed maybe? To scratch an itch?’

  ‘Ah, Lia. I may not be good with words, but even I know it’s going to take a lot more than that to get you back in my bed.’ He released a shuddering breath. ‘And for what it’s worth you’re far more to me than an itch that needs scratching.’ He felt his throat constrict on the words. How he’d hurt her!

  But she didn’t pick up on the raw emotion cramping his belly and making it hard to breathe.

  She tossed her head. ‘I know. I’m an obligation.’ Her voice was sharp with sarcasm. ‘A responsibility. A—’

  Niccolo couldn’t take any more. He yanked her forward, wrapping his arm around her slim waist and tugging her to the edge of the chair. Her face was against his, her hand splayed wide across his heart. He lifted his other hand to capture the back of her head, his grip merciless as he held her against him. When he spoke his lips were a mere kiss from hers.

  ‘Okay. I was a prig and I deserve that. But no matter how old-fashioned it may seem, you’ll have to get used to the fact I do want to protect you.’ He groaned, feeling his control unravel. ‘Just as much as I want to make love with you again and again and again.’

  Silence. He pulled back enough to see huge eyes, solemn and golden, staring back at him.

  ‘You want sex? After what you said at the villa? You’ve got to be joking.’

  He shook his head. His emotions were so tangled. No-one had ever messed with his head the way Lia did.

  ‘Of course I want sex. But I want a whole lot more, Lia.’ He drew in a deep breath, fortifying himself for the truth.

  ‘You’ve always been special, Lia. When you were younger it was like having a little sister. No!’ He pressed a finger to her lips when she would have spoken. ‘Let me finish, please.’

  Her eyes flashed fire but she said nothing.

  ‘But for a long time now what I’ve felt for you has been…different.’ He saw her eyes widen and nodded. ‘I had no idea you felt it too and it haunted me that the girl I’d cared for like a sibling had grown into a woman I was attracted to. What I felt for you wasn’t in the least brotherly and I felt guilty about that.’

  Niccolo paused, trying to find the words. ‘Men are simple creatures, Lia. We tend to see things in black and white. For so long you were off limits sexually as far as my head was concerned. The trouble was the rest of me has been spending a lot of time lusting after you.’

  ‘You have?’ She didn’t sound angry now, but he could only read shock and curiosity in her frown. Nothing to give him hope. Niccolo’s stomach dived. But he refused to give up.

  ‘I have. But that’s not all.’ He sat back on his heels so he could see her face more clearly. This was so important he needed to see her expression. ‘I’ve been having erotic daydreams about you for ages now, but it’s not just your body I want, Lia. I’ve done a lot of thinking since this morning. Or maybe I should say, facing up to truths I’ve been avoiding. I realised that all this time when I’ve found it so hard to commit long term to any lover it’s because at the back of my mind there’s a woman with golden eyes and a smile as bright as the sun. A gorgeous, vivacious woman who’s honest and generous and all the things I’ve ever wished for.’

  ‘If you’re trying to make up for what you said this morning you’re doing a good job.’ She strove for a light tone but he couldn’t miss the way her voice wobbled, or the fine tremors shaking her body. ‘I never knew you could be so silver tongued.’

  Still she didn’t trust him completely. How could he blame her?

  Niccolo pulled her close and discovered his hands were shaking. Could she
feel that? Would she take pity on him?

  She tilted her head back so their eyes met. Hers glistened and his heart turned over. He had to get this right, for both their sakes.

  ‘I love you.’ He said it slowly, letting her read the truth in his eyes, hoping to hell it was enough. Hoping she felt something similar for him. ‘I’ve loved you a long time, Lia De Laurentis. Even when you were a teenager with pigtails. But I have a suspicion I’ve spent the last couple of years falling in love with the woman you’ve become.’

  ‘A suspicion?’ Her voice was husky.

  He nodded, seeing the dawning brightness in those remarkable eyes. Emotion beat at his chest, rising hard in his throat.

  ‘That’s right. I’ve never been in love before, so I’m guessing that’s what this feeling is. Like there’s something huge and wonderful inside that’s making my skin too tight and my heart too big.’ He paused, his pulse racing. ‘If you let me I’d like to investigate further.’

  ‘To see if it really is love?’ Her brow wrinkled and all he could think was how he wanted to kiss it smooth.

  ‘Actually, I’m pretty sure it is.’ There, it was easier to admit than he’d imagined. A smile tugged at his lips, but he wouldn’t let it come. He still had a long way to go to convince her. ‘I’m hoping that if you let me spend time with you, take you out—’

  ‘Like a boyfriend?’

  Niccolo couldn’t read her thoughts and that scared him. She wasn’t responding. ‘Exactly like that.’ He nodded. ‘Then maybe you’ll discover you feel the same way about me.’

  Her beautiful face remained expressionless and Niccolo knew a sudden, desperate fear she was going to banish him for good. A chill engulfed him, so intense numbness threatened.

  He couldn’t imagine how he could go on without her now that he’d found her.

  Then she smiled, the corners of her mouth tilting up in a slow, glorious curve that transformed her taut face into a beacon of beauty and more…of happiness.

  ‘You must be right about men being simple creatures.’ There was a gurgle of laughter in her voice that felt like warm honey easing his frayed nerves. ‘I’ve been in love with you as long as I can remember, Niccolo. I’ve just become very good at hiding it. So, yes, I’ll go out with you and see where that leads.’

  He stared, dumbfounded. He’d hoped but this… He shook his head, barely able to believe it. ‘You mean it?’ You’ll forgive me?’

  Had she really been in love all this time? How could he not have noticed?

  Because you’ve been so busy trying not to notice anything about her, in case you broke all the rules and seduced her.

  Lia’s golden eyes danced and his pent-up breath eased out of cramped lungs. This was real.

  ‘I could be persuaded, if you work at it.’ Her lush mouth lifted at one corner in a smile that was like a glimpse of heaven after mortal fear. ‘I might even,’ she leaned in close and he felt the warm silk of her lips on his ear, ‘let you sleep with me again. Just for the sake of your research.’

  Convulsively, Niccolo tightened his arms around her, hugging her so close it was a wonder either of them could breathe.

  She was his. Would always be his, he’d make sure of it. He was going to devote the rest of his life to making her happy.

  Briefly Niccolo closed his eyes, fervently thanking whatever fates had brought them to this point.

  ‘In that case, tesoro, I suggest we go somewhere a little more comfortable to discuss our first date.’

  ‘Date? I’m not sure I can be bothered getting dressed.’ She pouted so beautifully and so ostentatiously that he laughed, hugging her to him. ‘What if I want to stay in?’

  This woman would kill him yet. But in the most glorious way.

  ‘See? Already we’re on the same wavelength. I was thinking exactly the same thing.’

  Niccolo rose to his feet, sweeping Lia high in his arms. The teasing light died from her eyes as he stared down into her expressive face, and he felt again that thump of emotion, like a sledge hammer to the solar plexus. Except instead of bringing pain, it filled him with pure joy.

  ‘Be warned, Lia. I want you in my life, always.’

  ‘Good.’ Her soft palm stroked his cheek. ‘I feel exactly the same.’

  Then there was no more talking for a long, long time.

  THANK YOU

  Thanks for reading At the Italian’s Bidding. I hope you enjoyed it!

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  If you liked this story, you may have fun with my other Hot Italian Nights Novellas:

  1. Back in the Italian’s Bed

  No woman walks away from billionaire Fabrizio Armati’s bed. No woman except Jenna MacDonald. Now he’ll stop at nothing to get her back, and keep her there.

  It’s love at first sight for Jenna when charismatic hotelier Fabrizio Armati sweeps her off her feet in Venice. That chance encounter sparks a sizzling affair that lasts until she discovers Fabrizio sees her as no more than a convenient, expendable mistress. Then her world falls apart.

  Six months later Jenna tells herself she’s moved on. Until Fabrizio walks into a meeting to find her working for his greatest rival. She’s about to discover just how far he’ll go to get her back in his bed.

  When revenge turns to passion, will surrender be on his terms, or hers?

  Read an excerpt of Back in the Italian's Bed!

  2. Bought by the Italian

  She’s up for sale, and he’s the highest bidder.

  Gennaro De Laurentis might prefer motorcycle leathers to Armani, but when it comes to what he wants, he’s as ruthless as any corporate raider in a killer suit. And he wants Chiara, the unforgettable woman who denied the passion sizzling between them and walked away without a backward glance. Now he has the high society princess back in his power – and he’ll risk everything to make her his.

  When glamorous fashion designer Chiara Armati goes up for auction, she’s selling her company over dinner for charity. Nothing else. As bidding rises to astronomical heights, she gets nervous. Yet only when she discovers her purchaser’s identity does she realise she’s caught in a trap. She’s never stopped wanting Gennaro or forgiven his betrayal. Now she’s at his mercy – and he’s as irresistible as ever!

  3. Bound to the Italian Boss

  What the boss wants the boss gets.

  Luca De Laurentis is focused on two things, adventure and expanding his billion-dollar hotel empire. He never expects those interests to collide, until the day he sees his prim and proper assistant transform into a leather-clad beauty with a taste for excitement.

  Allegra Davis is determined never to be judged on her appearance again. Hence her frumpy work clothes and her move to Italy. Just her luck that the one person to recognise her in motorcycle leathers is her boss, the man she’s had a crush on for a year! Now Luca is watching her with heat in his eyes and his every touch promises pleasure. What happens when their relationship moves out of the boardroom and into the bedroom?

  4. The Italian’s Bold Reckoning

  He’s lured her back. Will she take the bait?

  He believed their passion could never fade. Yet it’s a year since Matteo De Laurentis lived with his gorgeous, talented, obstinate wife. Angela insists they’re mismatched, but Matteo refuses to give up the only woman he’ll ever love. Italy’s sexiest leading man is determined to get his wife back. By whatever means necessary.

  Angela is desperate to avoid working on this film with the handsome, charismatic actor-turned-director who happens to be her estranged husband. It was a mistake ever
to think she could hold her own in his glamorous world. But now she’s trapped in Venice, unable to escape the one man who turns her brain to mush and her body to a blaze of passion.

  Is Matteo taking revenge to a whole new level, taunting her with everything she’s given up? Or is this seductive torture as difficult for him as it is for her? She can only pray he never discovers her secret weakness – that she’s still desperately in love with him.

  5. At the Italian’s Bidding

  She’s out of bounds but how can he resist?

  Niccolo might risk his neck on the racing car circuit but there’s one thing he won’t risk — his friendship with the De Laurentis family. Which means he dare not give in to his feelings for his best friend’s sister, Lia De Laurentis, no matter how impossible it is to keep his distance. Yet when he needs a pretend girlfriend, just for a weekend, who else can he trust to play the part?

  Lia can’t believe she says yes to Niccolo Marchesi’s outrageous request. Her teenage crush on her brother’s daredevil friend has turned into full-scale infatuation, so how is she supposed to withstand two whole nights of temptation, pretending to be his lover? She knows every touch is a lie but it feels like the real thing. When honour and passion clash, will his scruples prove stronger than her willpower?

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  6. Falling for the Brooding Italian

  A heart of ice…

  Aurelio de Laurentis is rich, sexy and single. Determinedly so. He lost his love and his heart years ago. Now he buries himself in business. One of Italy’s most successful winemakers, he’s up to his neck in harvests and multi-million dollar expansion plans.