Alessandro's Prize Page 6

  ‘Alessandro has offered the use of his apartment,’ Sophia relayed as Carlo negotiated evening traffic approaching the inner city streets of Milan.

  You’re kidding me. Lily carefully schooled her expression. ‘How kind of him.’

  ‘He doesn’t expect to be in Milan until tomorrow.’

  Please have him stay there overnight. The thought of sharing time and conducting polite conversation wasn’t high on her list of favourite pastimes when she needed a good night’s sleep.

  Perhaps her plea was heeded, for there was no sign of him as she shared an evening meal with Sophia and Carlo…or when she retired to her guest suite.

  Yet for some reason sleep appeared elusive, and despite the comfort of a luxurious bed, she tossed and turned, unable to still an active mind bent on a mental review of Giovanni’s menus, matching ingredients with her own preferred method of preparation, while pondering if her work would meet his rigid standard.

  Oh, give yourself a break, she mentally chastised as she listed her qualifications, experience, knowledge.

  You’ll be fine.

  Sure she would, if only she could get some sleep.

  Except after what seemed an endless amount of time, she threw aside the bedcovers, pulled a silk wrap over cotton sleep trousers and vest top, and made her way quietly downstairs to the kitchen.

  A hot drink, calming meditative thoughts as she viewed the nightscape had to work.

  The hot drink was fine…the meditative thoughts, not so much. As to the nightscape of twinkling street lights vying with coloured neon, the tracery of headlights from moving traffic made for minor distraction.

  ‘Unable to sleep?’

  Lily clutched her cup with both hands in an effort not to spill the remaining contents as she spared a startled glance at the man who moved to stand at her side.

  Every nerve-end in her body sprang into alert as she sought to gather a semblance of calm. ‘You’re supposed to be in London.’

  In the dim light Alessandro seemed taller, broader, somehow. He’d removed his jacket, his tie, and rolled back his shirt-sleeves. The casual look failed to detract from the masculine intensity he managed to exude without effort. ‘I chose to return home.’

  ‘To an empty bed at this late hour?’ The words escaped before she gave them thought.

  ‘Instead of a physically active night in a woman’s arms?’

  Lily’s cheeks filled with warm heat, hopefully not visible in the dim light. ‘If that’s your pleasure,’ she managed with a tinge of wry humour.

  ‘You imagine I bed women indiscriminately, Liliana?’

  His teasing use of her full name ignited something deep inside, a sensual flare that threatened to destroy her peace of mind. Even thinking about his powerful male body engaged in intimacy was enough to liquefy her bones.

  ‘No comment,’ she managed, as if it didn’t matter to her in the slightest, and refused to admit on some deep level that it did.

  His soft chuckle curled round her heart and squeezed a little. ‘Beautiful, is it not?’

  ‘The view?’

  ‘Of course.’

  So why did the unbidden thought occur that it hadn’t been the nightscape to which he’d referred?

  ‘You are nervous of the day ahead?’

  Of course he knew. If Carlo hadn’t relayed the news, then Sophia undoubtedly had.

  ‘A little,’ she said with innate honesty, and sensed him move to stand behind her.

  ‘Maybe this will help.’

  His hands clasped her shoulders and began to knead the tense muscles, working them with an expertise that reefed a soft sigh from her throat.

  It felt good. Dear heaven…so good. She closed her eyes, let her head roll forward, and simply gave in to his ministrations.

  She shouldn’t let him do this…shouldn’t enjoy it so much.

  Another minute, and I’ll move away and bid him ‘goodnight’.

  She did…although it was three minutes, not one.

  And it was she who felt bereft as he trailed light fingers down her cheek as she stood momentarily transfixed before she sought to escape.

  Alessandro watched her with narrowed eyes and reflected what her reaction might have been if he’d pulled her close and taken her mouth on his own…as he’d been strongly tempted to do.

  Lily’s initial reservations were soon dispelled as she was introduced to the kitchen staff, shown where the various cooking implements were located, the contents of the pantry, the cold storeroom…and familiarized herself with the lunch menu.

  Beneath Giovanni’s initial supervision, she prepared, diced, sliced poultry, veal, vegetables and tended to the making of fresh pasta.

  Concentration and attention to detail kept her focused, and she worked with quick diligence, enjoying the adrenalin surge as the restaurant opened its doors for lunch, and the pace increased dramatically as kitchen staff plated up orders, checked, ready to be collected by the waiters and waitresses on duty and served.

  Teamwork at a premium, Lily accorded, discovering Giovanni to be a hard, but fair, taskmaster who didn’t hold back if he declared a dish didn’t reach his standard of perfection.

  Fortunately, to her immense relief, no harsh words were directed at her.

  Once the desserts were plated, the pressure began to ease.

  As the final few clientele departed and the restaurant doors closed, there was time for the ongoing clean-up to restore the kitchen to its former state, a break for kitchen and wait-staff alike, before the need to prepare the evening dinner menu.

  Lily earned a discerning nod of approval from Giovanni, and an introduction to the wait-staff, one of whom was an attractive blonde girl in her early twenties from the UK, named Hannah, whose deep blue eyes twinkled with mischievous humour.

  The break included a light meal, coffee, then it became necessary to work the kitchen in preparation for the dinner patrons.

  Lunch was a walk in the park compared to dinner, which rated among the busiest Lily had experienced in a long time. It reminded her of her sojourn in Paris, with voluble directions uttered by tense kitchen staff when even the slightest delay arose in plating up orders.

  Yet it was familiar territory, one around which she’d structured her life and enjoyed, even if it tended to frazzle the nerves on occasion.

  However the sense of achievement and satisfaction overrode any temporary moments when things went haywire.

  It was late, almost midnight when she removed her apron and cap, and tossed them in the laundry bin.

  She checked her cell-phone and opened a text message alerting a car was waiting outside for her.

  Giovanni approached her as she collected her bag.

  ‘The position is yours. You will alternate between the lunch and dinner shifts. Beginning Monday you’ll be on lunch shift to start with. Start time the same as this morning.’ He paused a moment, then offered a faint smile. ‘You work well.’

  Her heart lifted a little. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Buona notte.’

  Most of the kitchen staff had already left, and Lily lifted a hand to the two who remained before she exited through the side door.

  The sleek car was parked close by and she breathed a sigh of relief as a tall dark figure emerged from behind the wheel and crossed to open the passenger door.

  Thank you, Lily breathed silently. A smooth ride to Alessandro’s apartment, a leisurely hot shower, then bed.

  She was so caught up with the vision she didn’t immediately notice it was Alessandro, and not Carlo, who held open the door.

  He saw the moment she realized who had driven to collect her, glimpsed the way her body stilled for a few seconds before she stepped past him and slid into the passenger seat.

  ‘Carlo was unavailable?’

  Alessandro bit back a wry smile as he crossed to take his position behind the wheel and turned towards her. ‘You would have preferred his company?’

  ‘He is easy to talk to.’

  ‘And I
am not?’

  He held her gaze as she met his own, and wondered if she knew how well he could read her.

  ‘No.’

  A slight smile curved his mouth. ‘Indeed? Perhaps you’d care to elaborate?’

  She gave him a sweet smile. ‘No.’

  He watched as she leaned her head against the headrest, and sensed her slight sigh as he ignited the engine and eased the car onto the road.

  ‘Tough day?’

  ‘Giovanni hired me.’

  But he’d put her through her paces. Doubtless she was accustomed to long days in a restaurant of her own, but in a strange kitchen with unfamiliar staff, it would have been more taxing.

  ‘This is what you want?’

  ‘Yes.’ It provided a reason for her to stay awhile, and that was a good thing, Lily rationalized as the car purred through illuminated streets.

  Oncoming traffic briefly highlighted the hard planes of Alessandro’s facial features, and she became conscious of his hands on the wheel as he handled the road.

  There was a latent strength apparent that touched a nerve deep inside…something she attempted to dismiss, and failed.

  Once she gained her independence, she’d probably hardly see him at all.

  So why did that leave her feeling vaguely bereft?

  Tomorrow she’d enlist Sophia’s help and they’d arrange to check out apartments, and shop. She’d need sheets, towels. A car, she added silently. Public transport after the lunch shift would be OK, but late at night? Although there was always a cab…

  Lily became so caught up with a to do list it came as a surprise to realize the car had slid to a halt adjacent Alessandro’s apartment building.

  The lift transported them swiftly to the designated level, where she preceded him into the softly lit apartment before turning to face him.

  ‘Thank you.’

  She was pale, her eyes darkened with a fatigue she fought hard to control. He should extend a polite acknowledgement, and let her go upstairs to her suite.

  ‘So…thank me.’ His voice was a husky drawl, and he saw her eyes dilate.

  The air grew heavy…charged, almost dangerous, and he caught the increased pulse-beat at the base of her throat. He cupped her chin and traced his thumb pad along the fullness of her lower lip, applied light pressure to its centre, then he trailed a gentle path to settle on the fast-beating pulse.

  For a moment she lost all thought, aware on some level that this shouldn’t be happening, yet caught up with the unbidden need to lift her arms around his neck and press her body close in against his own.

  Shocked dismay brought a return of sanity as she stepped back in a silent bid to put some distance between them.

  He let her go, and she stood transfixed, caught in the thrall of sensual awareness.

  It irked that he knew. Worse, that he observed her struggle for composure. Words she wanted to fling at him remained locked in her throat for a few long seconds, then she tilted her head and met his narrowed gaze.

  ‘Don’t play with me, Alessandro.’

  Alessandro remained silent, his dark eyes steady as they locked with her own.

  ‘I’m not playing.’

  He saw her eyes widen with a degree of uncertainty, and pressed home the advantage as he lowered his head and took possession of her mouth.

  Gentle at first, teasing, exploring a little as he tempted her response. The need to deepen the kiss was overwhelming, and he ached to pull her in to the cradle of his hips, shape her to his body.

  He could, easily…but at what cost?

  For two decades he’d trusted his instinct, prior to which his life had been totally dependent on a deeply ingrained gut feeling that had saved him from grievous injury, or worse.

  Too much too soon, and he might lose.

  With considerable restraint he lightened his touch, lingered a little as he traced the generous curve of her mouth with his own, then he lifted his head and brushed a soft caress to her temple before releasing his hold.

  For a heart-wrenching moment she looked lost, almost adrift, then she turned away from him, crossed the room and ascended the stairs without so much as a backward glance.

  Sleep proved elusive, as Lily tossed and turned in bed in an attempt to dispel Alessandro’s forceful image, his touch, the sweet sorcery of his kiss. And the way he made her feel.

  At odds with herself, him, and, admit it, torn between desire and the need to contain it.

  She wanted a calm, carefree lifestyle. Hadn’t she travelled to Italy to seek just that? No way did she want to be caught up in an emotional whirlpool.

  She needed to focus on the positives. A new life, new position, and within days she’d have an apartment and her own car.

  Mercifully it was the last thing she remembered as sleep claimed her.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ANOTHER email from James resided in her inbox when Lily checked her laptop early the next morning.

  Not so pleasant was his message stating if he didn’t hear from her within forty-eight hours he intended to talk to her in person.

  Her fingers flew as she keyed in a ‘don’t waste your time’ response and hit ‘Reply’.

  Did he really think she’d overlook his temporary distraction and accept him back into her life?

  It only proved he didn’t know her at all, Lily consoled as she moved downstairs and felt a sense of relief on discovering Sophia was the sole occupant of the dining room.

  Pretending normality in Alessandro’s presence after his fateful claim last night would have considerably affected her composure.

  ‘Alessandro has already left, but not before he relayed you are to begin work in the restaurant next week. I am delighted for you.’ Sophia’s eyes sparkled with pleasure.

  Lily found it easy to smile as she poured coffee into her cup, added sugar, and savoured the aromatic liquid. ‘Thank you. I’m pleased it worked out OK.’

  ‘You will need to be settled by the weekend,’ Sophia offered with a degree of concern. ‘Today Carlo will take us to my friend’s agency and we will look at apartments, sì?’

  ‘Please,’ she accepted gratefully. ‘That would be great.’

  ‘Bene. Now tell me about yesterday while you eat, then we will leave.’

  Sophia and her friend, Julia, proved a knowledgeable pair as they selected suitable locations, rental availability and together they set out with an intent to view.

  There were a few provisos. Sophia insisted the apartment must be in a good locale, comfortably furnished with excellent security and parking facilities.

  Julia proved to be very thorough, her recommendations valid as she took them through no less than five apartments, any one of which Lily would have been happy to lease.

  ‘We shall have lunch,’ Sophia declared as they exited the fifth apartment. ‘Then we continue our viewing.’

  ‘Excellent idea,’ Julia agreed. ‘I think you will be pleased with a particular one I have in mind.’

  ‘Saving the best for last?’ Lily quizzed, and earned a light laugh in return.

  ‘It is business, sì? Besides, today provides me the opportunity to spend time with a dear friend, and enjoy the pleasure of meeting her beloved god-daughter.’

  It was Julia who chose the restaurant and insisted on playing hostess, while Lily listened to their light-hearted banter with the maître d’, deferring to each other over what to order and whether they would indulge in wine.

  Two apartments were on the afternoon’s agenda to view, and it was the second of the two that clinched the deal for Lily.

  Situated in a lovely street, the building itself had been restored and renovated while adhering to a classic style. Comfortable, extremely functional, with a medium-size lounge, an en suite adjoining the main bedroom as well as a separate bathroom for the guest bedroom. Utilities were modern, and the kitchen and dining room were warm and inviting. Fully furnished, the apartment had security and off-street parking. Added to which the lease provided flexibility and the
rental was reasonable.

  ‘This is the one,’ Lily declared with a delighted smile. ‘I’ll take it.’

  Sophia and Julia clapped their hands with pleasure.

  ‘Good. You do not require time to consider?’

  She shook her head in immediate negation. ‘No.’ Her smile said it all as she turned towards Julia. ‘You have the relevant paperwork available?’

  ‘At my office,’ Julia enlightened. ‘We will head there now.’

  There was a sense of satisfaction in signing the lease, for to achieve employment and an apartment within a few short days seemed incredible.

  The next acquisition would be the purchase of her own transport. And sheets, towels, a few items to personalize the apartment.

  ‘You are deep in thought,’ Sophia observed as Carlo returned them to her villa in Como, and Lily reached across the rear passenger seat to link her fingers within Sophia’s own.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Cara, whatever for?’

  ‘Everything,’ she said with warm simplicity, and felt the slight pressure as Sophia curled Lily’s fingers within her own.

  ‘My dear, I have a vested interest in your happiness, as well as a personal desire to have you with me for as long as possible.’

  The warmth of familial love struck a sensitive chord, and Lily swallowed the sudden lump that rose in her throat. Tears were close to the surface, and she quickly blinked to dispel them—she didn’t do the crying thing.

  The insistent burr of her cell-phone had her reaching into her bag to extract it and she felt her stomach tighten as she recognized the number displayed, despite deleting James’s name from her caller ID register.

  Without a qualm she simply closed the phone, thereby cutting the connection only to have the call repeated.

  This time she let it ring out, which incurred Sophia’s questioning look, and Lily shook her head.

  ‘I’ll deal with the call later.’

  Hopefully James would get the message she had no intention of having contact with him ever again.

  Apparently not so, for Carlo had just drawn the car to a halt adjacent the entrance to Sophia’s villa when the phone rang again.