by Alexx Andria
“You’ve crashed my party for a reason. You’re seeking some kind of leverage to use because you think our negotiations are ongoing, which they are not.”
I shrugged. “Maybe I’ve lost interest in the winery entirely and I’m simply looking to enjoy a nice evening.”
“I find that highly unlikely.”
“And why is that?”
She lifted her chin, assessing me without apology. “Because you’re the kind of man who doesn’t take no for an answer. Defeat isn’t in your vocabulary. Your arrogance—”
“Confidence,” I corrected.
Alessandra narrowed her gaze. “Arrogance clings to you like that tuxedo. You couldn’t hide or disguise it if you tried. It’s part of your DNA. Even if I told you a million times that you were wasting your time, that we would never sell, you’d still try to win.”
Astute observation. I smiled, pausing to accept two flutes of champagne from a passing attendant, handing her a glass before saying, “The invitation was a bonus. Mia took pity on me for being new to Italy and gave me her invitation. Perhaps she thought I’d make a new friend or two.” Knowing this would hit a chord, I made a point to gesture discreetly to the redheaded woman Alessandra had been standing with. “Perhaps with your friend...she’s quite beautiful.”
I wasn’t disappointed. Alessandra’s eyes flashed and she stiffened as she retorted, “She’s not your type.”
“How would you know my type?” I chided, amused. “You don’t know me.”
“You cannot kiss me and then make eyes at my best friend. Even for an American, that’s low.” Alessandra was quickly becoming my type but the game was afoot and it wouldn’t work to show my hand too early. “Your purchase offer isn’t welcome at Castello di Baroni and your attention isn’t welcome with my friend Sophia. Please don’t make things awkward by making me throw you out.”
That hot-blooded protectiveness was alluring as fuck. My breath quickened as a slow smile followed. “Are you always this delightful to guests?”
“You are not my guest,” she pointed out, sipping her champagne, smiling gracefully to a passerby as we moved through the courtyard to end in a slightly darker section where there were less people. “You are an interloper trying to poach on my property for your own gain.”
I wasn’t going to gain any ground this way. If Alessandra had her guard up every time I was around, I’d certainly lose. I needed a new tactic. “I think we got off on the wrong foot. May we start over?” I asked.
She hesitated, wary. “You assume that I am interested in starting over.”
“I respect your position as the head of a historic winery in an industry that is predominantly male-dominated. If I’m being honest, I’m a little in awe of how well you’ve managed to carve a place for yourself in this business. I came with an offer from my father, but to be honest, I really could not care less about purchasing your winery. My father is old and bored. Purchasing wineries is his new pastime. I agreed to make the offer but I find you far more intriguing than a bunch of grapes.”
Alessandra opened her mouth as if to fire back a retort but thought better of it. “So you’re not going to press me for more negotiations?” she asked.
“You gave me your answer.”
“And you accept it?” she asked, openly disbelieving me. “Just like that. You give up.”
“You want me to keep trying? I’m getting a mixed message,” I said, biting back a smile. “There are easier ways to get me to call than to lead me on a wild-goose chase. I’d be happy to take you to dinner.”
She blinked, her adorable mouth popping open again before she snapped it shut and narrowed her gaze. “Good. Then I won’t expect to see you again, crashing my parties or skulking around my winery.”
“I’ve never skulked in my life,” I said, affronted. “I’m not even sure I’m capable of skulking.”
That cracked a tiny smile from her. I wasn’t used to being the jokester—I left that to Nico—but I enjoyed sparring with Alessandra. There was something satisfying about matching wits and finding myself challenged. “Perhaps not but the meaning remains the same. I’m not selling.”
“You’ve said that, and I’ve heard you.” I waited a moment before asking, “Out of curiosity...what drives your passion to hold on to the winery? Surely, there are less stressful careers out there. From what I’ve seen, Italy is still staunchly patriarchal when it comes to the wine business.”
I expected her to shut me down but she surprised me with an answer. “It was my twin brother’s passion. I honor him by keeping Castello di Baroni alive. In some small way, it’s like having him here still.”
The genuine emotion in her statement left no room for quips or jokes. Mia had given me accurate information but hearing it from Alessandra’s lips further validated my gut instinct. Sentiment was difficult to negotiate around. Not impossible but it definitely raised the stakes.
I digested her answer, giving it the weight it deserved, then said, “So, now that we have settled our business disagreement, what do you say about dinner?”
It was a bold move but I was ready to put the chess pieces in play. All I needed was the queen to make her move.
Alessandra regarded me with interest, something in her beautiful eyes flickering in a way that made my groin tighten. I wanted her to say yes so badly that I felt myself holding my breath in anticipation.
“Dinner...”
The fact that she was considering it gave me a sudden thrill. “You know the best places in town, I’m assuming, and basically I’m a tourist in your country. Seems smartest to have a well-connected local to show me the hot spots.”
She laughed. “You want me to play tour guide? I don’t have time for that.”
“I could make it worth your while. What if I paid you for your time?”
Alessandra’s brow furrowed as she pursed her lips. “There you go throwing money around again. If I choose to show you around, it won’t be because you’ve paid me.”
“So you’re considering it?” I asked, grinning.
“Of course not,” she answered with a smile. “But I will consider dinner.”
Yes! Success. I kept my triumphant smile to a minimum. “I’ll put that in the win column.”
“Don’t count it yet. First, a few questions...”
“Like a job interview? I haven’t had one of those in a while.”
“Are you married or have a girlfriend at home? I don’t want to deal with a jealous woman showing up on my doorstep.”
“Over dinner?” I teased. “This better be the most amazing food ever made.”
“I’m serious. It’s happened before and I don’t have the time for drama.”
If she knew me better, she wouldn’t have had to ask. I didn’t keep entanglements. I preferred to remain unfettered by emotional attachments. My two brothers were shackled and I had no interest in following in their footsteps.
But I was happy to allay her fears. I took a bold step forward, entering her personal space. She didn’t pull back. The blood roared in my ears as she met my gaze with a boldness of her own. I hungered for another taste of her kiss on my lips. The first kiss had been a shock to us both, a reaction to the magnetism between us. This time, I was going to make it happen with all the finesse I was known for.
I knuckled her chin, noting the soft, firm skin of her jawline. “I promise you, I am very single and I am not interested in changing that status—no matter how enticing the vision before me.”
Her slow smile tickled me in private places. “Good. Then you may take me to dinner.” Yes! I took the invitation her parted lips offered, sliding my mouth across hers, tasting that exotic flavor of Italian spice I knew I’d always remember, and thrilled at the bold dart of her tongue against mine.
Heat kindled between us as if the ember had always been there, waiting for the right spark to start a fire.
Even if the kiss lasted only a moment, it left me aching for more.
She pulled away, her cheeks flushed slightly, saying with a devilish smile as she walked away, “Dinner only.”
I remained rooted to the spot she left me. My lips tingled from her touch.
My cock surged to life, nearly splitting the zipper as every primal need known to man came knocking on my door, urging me to toss her over my shoulder and carry her off like a Viking.
“Dinner it is,” I murmured, staring after her like a hungry wolf. “At least to start...”
CHAPTER SIX
Alessandra
I LEFT DANTE, my knees a little weak from our kiss, but I kept my back straight and my smile fixed. I would die before letting him know that his lips had stolen my breath.
God, how long had it been since I’d felt this wild need to sleep with a man? Too long. Castello di Baroni consumed my every moment from sunup to sundown, leaving little time for personal pursuits. I wasn’t complaining—the winery was my passion—but the touch of a man who knew what he wanted and went after it wasn’t to be ignored.
Dante said he was no longer interested in purchasing the winery. His story made a certain amount of sense—his father had been the interested party, not him. Dante had no vested interest in the winery and had been pursuing the sale only as a courtesy to his aging father. I understood familial loyalty and the urge to make something happen for their benefit.
If Dante was truly no longer interested in purchasing the winery, that made him no longer a threat.
Which made him fair game for my bed.
A quick look to my father revealed he’d missed my kiss with Dante, for which I was grateful. I didn’t want to explain why a strange man was kissing me in the courtyard. Sophia, on the other hand, had seen everything.
I rejoined her, and she met me with a curious expression. She led with, “I have questions...so many questions...”
I laughed, leaning over to whisper so my father didn’t overhear. “Would you believe he was in my office earlier today with an offer to purchase Castello di Baroni?” Sophia’s expression mirrored my own at the audacity. “I know. I turned him away.”
“And he shows up here? How did he get an invitation?”
“Mia gave him her ticket.”
“Mia?” Sophia looked surprised. “Why?”
I shrugged. “Likely, he charmed her but she did manage to sell a case of the Riserva so I can’t be too irritated with her. Besides, Mia is sweet and probably had good intentions at heart.”
“You think she was trying to play matchmaker?”
I pursed my lips in thought. “Perhaps. I think she may be sweet on Como but he hasn’t the sense God gave a goose to notice.”
“Is he still trying to pursue you?” Sophia asked. “I thought you nipped that in the bud.”
“I tried. He is stubborn.” I drew a deep breath. “But I think I finally got through to him today.”
“Let’s hope. It was embarrassingly awkward to watch him pine after you,” Sophia said with distaste. “And unprofessional. I’m surprised your father never noticed.”
“Papa rarely comes to the office these days.” For which I was also grateful. There was nothing more troublesome than my father meddling where he was woefully underqualified. Of course, there was no telling him that, so it was better for everyone if he puttered elsewhere in his retirement.
Sophia nodded but returned to Dante. “You kissed him. What’s that about?”
“It just happened. I don’t think either of us planned to. I have dinner plans with him tomorrow. The jury is out whether or not I will kiss him again.”
That was a total lie. It was surprising lightning didn’t streak from the sky and burn me to a crisp as soon as the words left my mouth. I could still taste Dante. My tongue darted along the seam of my lips and my heart kicked up a beat. “I plan to see if he truly means to drop this whole matter with the winery. I need him to feel comfortable.”
Sophia gasped. “And you think an intimate dinner is wise? You don’t even know the man.”
“I said dinner, not marriage,” I said, smiling at Sophia’s concern. “It’s been a long time since I allowed a man to treat me. I look forward to a night out with someone who isn’t connected in any way to the wine industry.”
“I can understand that,” Sophia admitted grudgingly, but she still wasn’t sold on the idea. “But an American? They’re dreadfully uncivilized. They drink lattes after ten in the morning.”
“Don’t be a snob,” I teased, nudging her with my shoulder. “We needn’t hold that against him. He’s actually quite entertaining with a quick wit.”
And a mouth that made me think of things he could do with it that had nothing to do with food.
Sophia frowned as she queried, “Why did he want to buy the winery if he’s not in the business?”
“According to his story, his family built the manor and owned the original winery. His father wanted to return the property back to the fold. I refused and he accepted.”
“He did?” Sophia’s brow rose. “Just like that? He folded that easily?”
I shrugged. “His reasons are his own. I don’t care as long as he’s not sniffing around my business.” And regardless of what happened between us, I’d make sure that didn’t happen. I cast a sly smile Sophia’s way. “He’s handsome, is he not?”
“He’s quite handsome,” she agreed with a frown. “But I’m not sure it’s a good idea to see him again. A man like him doesn’t admit defeat easily. What if he’s trying to get closer to you to get information he can use as leverage?”
“I thought of that, but his explanation makes sense. However, rest assured, I won’t let him have anything of value that he can use later.”
Even as I swore to my friend that dinner was the only option I was currently entertaining, I already knew I wanted to take him home after. Sophia wouldn’t understand—she was quite old-fashioned about sex—and I didn’t want her to stress unnecessarily over something that was simply about physical need. Sometimes I wished Sophia would just run wild and sow some oats, but that wasn’t her style. I feared my beautiful best friend would die alone surrounded by cats if she didn’t start breaking out of her comfort zone and actually meeting people.
Ah, well, that’s a problem for a different day.
I tracked Dante as he moved throughout the crowd easily, garnering attention from every female as he went. Every so often, he’d send a smoldering look my way, which I boldly met. The chemistry between us was immediate and intoxicating. Even if Sophia was right and Dante was trying to seduce information out of me, it wouldn’t work. If he thought I was some silly female who swooned and fell in love with a man of his stature, wealth and looks, he was sorely mistaken.
I ate men like him for breakfast.
Lesser men, I destroyed.
Speaking of, Alberico made his way toward me and I suppressed my urge to be rude and send him on his way. With my father standing so close, I couldn’t possibly do something so obvious.
As it was, my father thought Alberico was a fine catch—which he might be, for someone else.
“Alberico,” my father called out, pleased to see him. “You are looking fine this evening. How are you?”
“I cannot complain, signor, particularly when the view this evening is exquisite,” Alberico answered, sparing a hot glance my way. I enjoyed the heat in Dante’s gaze but seeing it on Alberico made me want to find a floor-length coat. He grasped my hand and kissed it lightly. “May I say, you look incredible tonight, Alessandra...”
Ugh. Every time Alberico was around me, he practically drooled. How could my father not see that we were a terrible match? My skin fairly crawled when he touched me.
The stark difference between how my body reacted when Dante’s fingertips grazed my skin as opposed to Alberico’s was striking, and further p
roof—not that I needed any—that a Salvadori/Baroni union was never going to happen.
I allowed a tight smile and withdrew my hand, turning brightly to Sophia as I said, “Sophia, may I introduce Alberico Salvadori? How is it that two of my dearest friends haven’t yet met one another?”
Alberico turned his polite attention to Sophia as it would’ve been rude to do otherwise, bowed and kissed Sophia’s hand, as well. “Bellisimo,” he murmured. “It is a pleasure.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Sophia returned, casting a knowing look my way as I prepared my exit.
“Please, enjoy yourselves. I must see to the caterers as they should be getting ready to serve the entrée.”
I left Sophia behind with Alberico, not the least bit guilty for serving up my best friend to the thirsty Alberico. They made a better couple than he and I, anyway.
I’d make it up to Sophia. For now, I had a party to attend and having Alberico throwing those looks my way was nothing more than a distraction and an irritant.
My father could wish our families to join but I wasn’t on board with that plan.
Not ever.
Alberico wasn’t a bad man—not in the least—but he was not for me.
That much I knew.
I didn’t need a man. I needed a way to guarantee Uva Persa was a stellar success. Everything else was unimportant.
However, if I could squeeze in a few much-needed orgasms, I wouldn’t hesitate.
Particularly, orgasms with a man who promised no strings attached.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Dante
THE PARTY HAD been enjoyable but I hadn’t learned anything of value from circulating through the crowd last night. Those who didn’t have a crush on Alessandra were jealous of her success. I wondered if Alessandra knew how many people thought of her as a threat to their way of life.
Mostly, crusty old men with old money—like my father—were highly critical of Alessandra, even as they enjoyed her hospitality, drank her wine and ate her food. Misogyny was alive and well, hiding behind the stately cypress trees and lyrical Tuscan artwork, and it teemed beneath the facade of polite conversation.
