Swept into the Rich Man's World(33)

"Special, yes," she replied, "but it's also very large and expensive for  one person to keep up." Especially if said person had no other source  of income. "Opening it to the public is one way to cover some of the  expenses." As well as help her stay independent. Being in charge, having  total control of her life again, seemed almost too good to be true.

Maybe she could finally put the past behind her.

No sooner did the thought form than her old friend insecurity came  rushing in to take its place. "Of course, the building needs a lot more  upgrading before I can do much of anything, and I still have to secure  financing. Who knows how long it'll take before anything happens."

"Well, I agree with Dani-I like the idea. A high-end hotel is exactly  what Monte Calanetti needs," Rafe said as he warmed both her and Dani's  coffee. "If you need anything, let us know. Nico and I will be glad to  help. Isn't that right, Nico?"

"Absolutely." The vineyard owner slid his empty cup across the table for  a refill, which Rafe immediately provided, remembering Nico preferred  espresso. There was a roguish gleam in his eyes as he smiled. "As the  two of us have proven, we make a good team, do we not?"

A good team. In a flash, Louisa's mind traveled back in time...


The Royal Wedding

"Ask and you shall receive. Your cake, signorina." Nico's exaggerated  bow as he handed her a slice of cake made Louisa laugh. The wedding had  brought out the lightheartedness in everyone, even her. It felt good,  laughing. She'd faked happiness for so long that she was afraid she'd  forgotten how to truly enjoy herself.                       
       
           



       

"Grazie," she replied with her best regal nod before noticing he'd  returned with only one plate. "No slice for you? Don't tell me there  isn't enough." She saw the cake; it was large enough to feed all of  Italy.

"Ah, but it's more fun to share, don't you think?" From his breast  pocket, he produced two forks. "To commemorate our successful  partnership. We make a good team, do we not?"

"Surprisingly, yes." If anyone had told her that one day she and the  vineyard owner would be civil to one another, let alone work together,  she would have told them they were crazy. But the two of them had  organized the massive village cleanup in preparation for today's  wedding. As a result, the palazzo and the plaza had never looked  lovelier-a pretty big achievement considering the village had started  out picture-perfect.

And now, here they were enjoying each other's company at the wedding  reception, as well. Things between them had definitely thawed since  Louisa's first day in town when he'd demanded to see her ownership  papers. Or maybe she was the one who was starting to thaw?

It certainly felt as though something inside her was shifting.

She focused her attention to the cake Nico was sliding toward her.

"If we're toasting, shouldn't we be raising a glass?" she asked, taking one of the forks.

"We've been raising our glasses all day. I thought we could use a change  of pace." He moved his chair so that they were sitting side by side,  close enough that his elbow nudged hers. Cutting off a bite of cake, he  raised it in the air like a glass. "To teamwork."

"To teamwork."

Louisa moved to cut her own piece of cake, intending to salute him back,  only to have him press the cake to her lips before she could. "The lady  should always have the first bite," he said, his low voice.

A warm tightness moved through her as the fork slid between her teeth. Chocolate and raspberry melted on her tongue.

"Good?" he asked.

"Amazing." She ran a tongue over her lower lip, chasing the hint of frosting that had been left behind. "Try some."

With what could only be called a wicked smile, he did, and when the fork  disappeared into his mouth, the tightness in her stomach intensified. A  hint of chocolate remained on her lips. Though tempted to lick the  taste away, she reached for her napkin instead. After that display,  running her tongue over her lips seemed too much like answering in kind  and the summer air already felt thick and stifling.

While she'd never let him know it, Nico was quite possibly the most  handsome man here, even more handsome than the crown prince. Months of  working outdoors had left him with a permanent tan that gave everything  else about him-his smile, his eyes, his crisp white shirt-a kind of  brilliance the other men couldn't match.

Why on earth was he sitting here eating cake with her? Giving voice to  her thoughts, she said, "I have to admit, I was surprised when you  suggested we attend together." Handsome, rich...she assumed he had a  black book of supermodels at the ready for occasions like this.

"Made sense, did it not? We're both here because our businesses are involved in the celebration.

"Why?" he asked with another grin. "Is there someone you would rather be sitting with?"

"Well, the best man is sort of attractive."

"The best man is only interested in the wedding planner. Face it, bella  mia," he said, stretching an arm across the back of her chair. "I am the  best offer you have."

Another laugh bubbled its way from her chest. She must have had too much  wine because his arrogance was sounding damn sexy at the moment.

The room grew quiet. "Signore e signori, his Royal Highness Prince  Antonio and his bride invite you to join them in this, their final dance  of the evening."

"Wow," she said, "last dance already? Time goes by fast."

"Looks like my company was good after all."

Louisa cut another bite off the cake. "Don't get too carried away."

"Come on, admit it." He nudged her shoulder. "You had a good time."                       
       
           



       

"Yeah, I did." And for the first time in years, she meant it. This had  been her first black-tie event since the divorce, and she'd feared the  memories of her old life would prove too much to deal with, but Nico had  proved a wonderfully entertaining companion. She was actually sorry to  see the evening end.

"We need to dance," Nico said, setting down his fork in a way that made  it sound more like a command. "One doesn't refuse an invitation from a  future king."

Apparently not. All around the room, couples were making their way to  the dance floor to join Antonio and his bride, Christina. A few feet  away Dani and Rafe were already wrapped in each other's arms, as were  Nico's brother, Angelo, and his fiancée. Even Nico's extremely pregnant  sister, Marianna, was swaying to the music.

She looked back at the hand Nico was holding out. Such strong capable  hands, she thought, the tightness giving way to an internal shiver. "I  haven't danced in a long time," she warned. "Your feet might want to be  prepared."

"Consider them forewarned."

She needn't have worried. As soon as Nico's arm entwined her waist, she  forgot all about being rusty. Their bodies moved together like two  synchronized pieces of a whole.

Nico's eyes swept the length of her. "I've been meaning to tell you how beautiful you look. You outshine the princess."

"Careful, talking like that could be considered treason in Halencia."  She tried to brush off the compliment with a smile. Flattery had lost  its meaning to her a long time ago. Looking good had been part of the  requirements when she was married. Looking good, behaving properly,  doing what she was told...all part of the job.

"I'll take the risk," he said as he pulled her close. Louisa's eyes  locked with his as they moved across the floor. They were darker than  she'd ever seen them, the pupils giant pools of black. While Steven  always expected her to look beautiful, he never looked at her with such  blatant appreciation. The glint in Nico's eyes made her feel like a bite  of wedding cake, waiting to be sampled. The thought should have  frightened her. Instead, hot shivers danced along her spine.

God, but it'd been a long time since she'd felt like a woman instead of a possession.

The orchestra faded away, drowned out by the sound of their breathing  and the rasp of his jacket as it brushed her sequined bodice with every  rise and fall of his chest.

She wasn't sure who leaned in first. Once his mouth closed over hers,  who had made the first move didn't matter, not when his lips were moving  against hers as if he were trying to kiss his way inside. She kissed  him back just as hungrily, too many passionless years making her  desperate. They kissed hard and deep, only stopping when the need to  breathe became too much.

Blinking, Louisa slowly remembered where they were. "I-"