The Italians: Alessandro, Luca & Dizo: Alessandro's Prize / In a Storm of Scandal / Italian Groom, Princess Bride

All that remained was the need to transfer her belongings from Sophia’s villa tomorrow.

Something that was achieved with mixed emotions the next day as Lily and her aunt shared an affectionate hug as Sophia and Carlo departed Lily’s apartment.

‘I shall miss having you stay with me,’ Sophia voiced with sincere regret. ‘But knowing you are so close is a joy, for we will see each other often.’ She brightened considerably. ‘There is the Charity Gala on Saturday evening. It will be a wonderful event.’ She brushed her lips to Lily’s cheek. ‘We will collect you at eight.’

‘Grazie, Zia. I couldn’t have achieved any of this without your help.’ She caught her aunt close in an affectionate hug. ‘Once I know my work roster, I’ll organize an evening to invite you to dinner. Carlo, too.’ Her eyes took on a humorous sparkle. ‘I’ll make something special.’

‘That will be lovely, cara. I assume the invitation will include Alessandro?’

Lily didn’t so much as blink. ‘Naturally.’

There was a brief ‘ohmygod, what have I done?’ moment as Lily watched Sophia leave with Carlo at the wheel.

When it came to entertaining, two guests or three made little difference.

Except when it included a man who sent her emotions into a panic whenever she was in his presence.

So deal with it.

With determination she turned from the window and began unpacking.

It didn’t take long, and afterwards she made a few changes, aligning a sofa to a more comfortable angle, sorting through kitchen cupboards and, importantly, making a list of food she needed to purchase.

It was late when she finally slid into bed.

Tomorrow she intended shopping for personal touches to make the apartment more her, and she fell asleep halfway through picturing various images in her mind … an ornament she’d sighted in a shop window, an alarm clock, and a large colourful cushion that would be perfect.

The next few days passed in a blur of shopping and exploring at will, adding touches to the apartment, changing a few things to her taste.

The Charity Gala meant dress-up time, and Lily viewed her gown’s sheer style in pale shades of pink, blue and lavender silk chiffon with a pleased eye, for it flattered her slender curves and fell in a soft swirl at her ankles. A delicate wrap in matching silk chiffon added a finishing touch, and lavender stilettos completed the outfit.

A timeless design she’d fallen in love with at first sight,

and, as Sophia had assured, perfect to wear to the fundraising gala scheduled for this evening.

In five minutes the in-house phone would ring heralding Sophia and Carlo’s arrival, and Lily used the time to run a last-minute check of her hair and make-up. She was good to go.

Right on cue, the phone pealed, she caught up her purse and took the lift down to the lobby. The doors slid apart to reveal Alessandro standing a few feet distant looking, she saw at a glance, far too ruggedly attractive for any woman’s peace of mind.

Especially her own.

Attired in a black evening suit that had to be tailored specifically to mould his breadth of shoulder and hard-muscled frame, white linen and black bow tie, he resembled a photographic male model.

Yet no photograph could reveal the element of arresting power he exuded, or the primitive sensuality that was his alone.

Dangerous … a hungry lover capable of driving a woman beyond reason.

Dear Lord in heaven … where had that come from?

Smile, Lily bade as she sought to control her wayward imagination. Step forward … speak!

‘Hi,’ she managed with measured politeness. ‘I expected to see Sophia and Carlo.’

Did she glimpse a faint gleam of humour in his dark eyes before it was quickly masked?

‘Carlo is delivering Sophia directly to the venue.’

‘And sent you in his stead. It’s very kind of you.’

One eyebrow lifted a little. ‘So polite, Lily?’

‘I was aiming for gracious.’

His husky laugh sent the blood coursing through her veins, and she deliberately widened her eyes.

‘I guess I failed.’

‘Miserably,’ Alessandro agreed as he indicated his car parked immediately adjacent the entrance. ‘Shall we

leave?’

It was, Lily accorded with a masked degree of awe, an incredible gathering of guests as she entered the large historic venue at Alessandro’s side.

Beautifully restored splendour lent a timeless aura to a modern event. Genuine artworks graced the expansive foyer, while the huge ballroom bore exquisite sconces, suspended chandeliers gave the illusion of light, enhanced by cleverly concealed electric bulbs to provide added illumination.

There had been several occasions when she’d attended charity fund-raiser events with her parents, but nothing on the scale of this evening’s affair.

Refined elegance seemed a perfect description, and it didn’t take much imagination to reflect on a former era of fashionable balls with members of the Italian and foreign royalty in attendance.

‘This place is really something,’ Lily said quietly, and incurred Alessandro’s musing look.

‘It appeals to you?’

‘How could it not?’

‘Alessandro. Caro.’

It wasn’t the two words so much, but the cadence in the feminine voice which uttered them. Seductive didn’t quite cover it, Lily decided as she turned slightly to see if the voice matched the woman.

Oh, my. In spades … and then some.

For even to the most jaundiced eye, the woman who moved to Alessandro’s side was a vision of perfection from her raven black wavy hair to the tips of her shoes. Beautiful facial features cleverly accented with skilfully applied cosmetics, gleaming dark, almost black, eyes, and a figure to die for clothed in what had to be a designer original. The right touch with jewellery, expensive but not ostentatious.

Definitely the wow factor.

‘Giarda.’ Alessandro’s greeting held warm affection and Lily offered a polite smile, only to freeze as he curved an arm around her waist. ‘I’d like you to meet Liliana.’

Not Lily, Sophia’s niece, just … Liliana, And why did her birth name sound so sexy as it fell from his lips?