Suddenly his millions of Euros, his intellectual superiority, and physical strength didn’t seem like enough. Looking down at this woman who was everything, Alessandro knew he’d do anything for her, give everything for her, and be a better man for it. Dropping a kiss onto her mouth, he tucked the sheets around her nude form and went to his meditation room. Not knowing what else to do, he did the one thing, he’d previously done out of habit. He prayed.
Perry woke to the feel of something warm beside her and the smell of coffee nearby. Knowing that it was Alessandro, she kept her eyes closed and smiled. Waking up next to Alessandro was something she could get used to. Being put to sleep by his intense lovemaking was another thing she could grow accustomed to. She blushed, recalling just how wanton she was with him. However, as she recalled the sounds she’d pulled from him, her slight embarrassment gave way to feminine satisfaction. Perry had no doubt she’d made Alessandro feel good.
“How long have you been up?” she asked when she finally found the strength to open her eyes.
“Long enough to make you coffee. It’s next to you on the nightstand with breakfast…although technically, I should be feeding you lunch.”
“What time is it?” she asked as she sat up.
“Going on one in the afternoon.”
“Smirking does not become you,” she said as she reached for the coffee.
“It might not, but you do,” Alessandro said.
Since she had a mouthful of divine coffee, Perry let him think he had the last word. This coffee was like the man next to her: strong, bold, and damn near perfect. Of course, she wasn’t about to tell Alessandro that because she knew that’d go to his head. Both of them.
“I’m surprised you still have your voice considering how loudly and frequently you roared my name.”
“Ah, so the kitten has claws,” he stated.
“Indeed.”
“It was a rhetorical question being my back and arms bear proof of your claws.”
“You’re lucky you fed me coffee or…”
“Or you’d show me the error of my ways, with your body?”
Setting her coffee down, she tumbled Alessandro to his back. “Exactly,” she said before taking his mouth. He tasted like the coffee he’d served her.
“Be gentle with me,” he said when she let him up for air.
Sliding down his body, she traced the muscles and ridges of his abdomen with her tongue before taking him into her mouth. Whatever else he was going to say was lost amid his groans of appreciation and his cries of pleasure. She enjoyed pleasuring him thusly, enjoyed the way her touch made him tremble.
“Perry, per favore…per favore.”
“Please what, Alessandro?” she asked with just the tiniest bit of superiority in her voice.
“Ride me.”
“Since you asked so nicely, I will but you better remember what happens when you get smart with me.”
“I will,” he said after she’d slid down his length. “And I will make sure to get smart often.”
Savoring how good he felt within her, she emitted her own groan before responding. “Please do.” When he grabbed her hips and stroked deep into her, she repeated her request. “Please do.”
Perry didn’t know why she was surprised when Alessandro continuously topped what he’d done the day before. Still, after a glorious night, morning, and afternoon of lovemaking, good wine, and sumptuous food, she couldn’t think of any way the day could be better. But then the doorbell rang and rack upon rack of clothing in her size was delivered.
“Pick something to wear,” he said. “I want to take you out.”
She didn’t argue. She simply walked into his arms and pulled him down for a kiss. “I pick you.”
Stunned by the tears that filled his eyes, she let him pull her back against his chest and hold her. They stayed like that for many long moments. Finally, he spoke. “Thank you, Perry. Now get dressed. I have something I want to show you.”
Selecting a sleeveless, wrap dress with a flirty hem, Perry paired the outfit with sexy sandals with a delicate strap and three-inch heels. The dress looked fabulous on her but the lace bra and panty set beneath it made her feel decadent. She knew Alessandro would like it, which is why she’d modeled it for him —with the shoes of course—before slipping into the dress. It was a naughty thing to do but being he looked fine every minute of every day, she shouldn’t be the only one suffering. How did he make dress pants look so damn good?
Perry didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud until he answered. “I’m Italian. I cannot help but make everything look good, if not better.”
She just smiled and let him situate her in the car. Ironically, it matched her dress. Red was obviously her color. The trip into the city was short but every moment was filled with laughter.
Alessandro insisted on stopping and getting her a long-stemmed red rose. After that, he decided that one wasn’t enough and bought her a half dozen in all colors. Instructing the florist to tie the bouquet with ribbon, he handed it to her once it passed his inspection.
“But I have the ones from last night,” she said even as she inhaled the heady fragrance.
“And now you have the one from this day. Now come, bellissima.”
He took her hand and since she was with him, Perry didn’t even bother asking where they were headed knowing she’d like anywhere with this man. With that in mind, she was still pleased when they arrived at Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral). A structure that took her breath away, she could visit daily and never run out of things to marvel at. Content to marvel at the outside, Perry was surprised when Alessandro led her inside. Thinking he wanted to pray when he led her to the front, she took a seat on the front pew and laid the flowers on her lap. Closing her eyes, she offered up her own prayer of thanksgiving.
It wasn’t until she opened her eyes that she realized that Alessandro didn’t sit beside her. He was on his knee before her, holding out a box.
“Sei l’amore della mia vita. Mi vuoi sposare? You are the love of my life. Will you marry me?”
Perry couldn’t breathe. She really couldn’t breathe. Her heart about to beat out of her chest, she fell into his arms and sung her acceptance into his mouth.
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Sì. Sì. Sì.”
“Grazie. I will do everything in my power to keep you happy because Lord knows that mi rendi felice. You make me happy.”
“And you make me feel so loved.”
“That is the best compliment I’ve ever received, bellissima.”
Epilogue
The wedding was everything she’d dreamed. Well, actually it surpassed her greatest expectations, but then she was becoming accustomed to that, having Alessandro as a husband. Alessandro was her marito and she was Dottore Perry Sebastian Strozzi…with a whole bunch of letters following her name as Alessandro liked to remind everyone who thought she was just a pretty face.
Alessandro had wanted to take her to the Cook Islands for a honeymoon but she’d refused. Her dream vacation was in Italy, which was voted by one travel magazine to be the number seven honeymoon destination. He’d grumbled at what he considered to be a low ranking, of course. Later, they’d visit the Cook Islands, like in the winter, since she wasn’t accustomed to cold weather being from California. This entire month they were going to make love all over Italia starting with her favorite city: Milan.
“I could’ve taken you to Hawaii or Tahiti or Greece,” Alessandro said as he woke from slumber.
She laughed. “As tired as you are, you couldn’t take me to the balcony. I told you that’s what happens when you get smart.”
“And I told you that if this is what happens when I do, that I’m going to be getting smart with you all the time.”
“Thank you for my wedding gift,” she said thinking of the ten-percent stake she now held in her favorite clothing house.
“Thank you for mine,” Alessandro said as he pulled her close and tucked her in next to him.
“Are you scared
?” she asked as she put her hand on her stomach.
“To pieces but I’m also excited, humbled and glad,” he responded as he placed his hand over hers.
She was also feeling all of those things. “If it’s a girl, let’s name her Venice or Verona. If it’s a boy let’s name him Milan or Rome.”
“How about Milan if it’s a boy or Milana if it’s a girl. After all, Milan is the most beautiful city in the world.”
“Of course, marito.”
She couldn’t resist teasing him. “But what if we have twins?”
“Then we’ll name them using the regnal numbers. Milan I, Milan II, Milan III. Milana I, Milana II, and Milana III. Now that the names of our children are sorted, let me make love to you again.”
“First, we are not numbering our children. Second, you just had me not even an hour ago.”
“We’ll see about the first point. As to the second, this is true. However, I went the first three decades of my life without you, so I have to catch up.”
Unable to deny him anything, she sighed into his mouth. “Can we make love on the balcony? I want to make love under the most beautiful sky in the most beautiful city in the most beautiful country in the entirety of the universe to the most beautiful man in my world.”
“You must remain under the blanket and under me.”
“I promise.”
“If you’d allowed me to take you away at least to my villa in the countryside, you could go naked all day. I’m still puzzled at why you insisted on remaining in Milan for the first night of our honeymoon.”
“It’s the place where I first met you. It’s only right to begin it here,” she said as she snuggled closer.
“I can deny you nothing,” Alessandro said as he gathered her in his strong arms. “Especially when your desire fuels my own.”
Lying on the oversize chaise with her husband in her arms, Perry looked out at the view of Milan. It was hard to believe that Milan was now home. As beautiful as Milan was, it paled in comparison to Alessandro. Of course, most everything paled in comparison to her marito.
Alessandro held Perry in his arms and marveled at the fact that she was his moglie. He loved this woman. Already she’d made many changes for the benefit of their marriage. Taking a sabbatical from her job, she’d begun intensive Italian lessons at his insistence. As most of his famiglia was fluent in English, the lessons weren’t so they could understand her but so she could continue her work here in Italia if she chose. She’d worked too hard in her field to set it aside. Her job was an integral part of her.
Already, he’d spoken to his father about taking a lesser role in the company. His fratelli weren’t as charismatic or handsome but they had first-rate educations and were formidable businessmen. Either of them could step into his shoes and do fantastic job. A marito and soon to be papà, Alessandro had better things to do with his time than amass more things. He wanted to nourish the gifts he had. His biggest gift was here in his arms and she carried within her, the most humbling gift a man could receive.
Loving Perry no longer scared him, but every moment it did humble him. She made him crazy inside. But he wouldn’t give it up for anything or everything. Perry Sebastian Strozzi was his everything, and he was thankful for her.
Thank you for reading. We hope that you enjoyed the adventure.
To read more about the characters connected to this book, check out the following stories.
Unexpected Encounters Series:
Adventures are Hush: What Happens in Vegas (Vegas Knightson and Sean Lodi, also Cannon Cascade)
Dux Ducis series:
Elixir of Wife (Nerva Imperatores and Sorpresa Venetia)
Libations Series:
Vive la Revolution (Godiva Seville)
Irish Coffee (Godiva Seville)
Mid-NFW series:
In Love and Trust (Cannon Cascade)
With Love from Luxembourg series:
Hotter than the Hates of Elle (Godiva Seville)
Trademarks Acknowledgment Page
A.C. Milan Associazione Calcio Milan is a professional Italian soccer club founded by Herbert Kilpin and Alfred Edwards and others. Based in Milan, the team plays in the top flight of Italian soccer (Serie A) and is one of the most successful club in world soccer.
“At Last” (1941) A soul blues song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, produced by Phil Chess and Leonard Chess, in 1941 for the musical film “Orchestra Wives.” It was covered in 1960 by Etta James for the Argo label. The Etta James version was arranged by Riley Hampton who improvised on the melody.
Bottega Veneta is an Italian fashion house established by Vittorio and Laura Moltedo that produces luxury goods, especially leather goods.
Carrie Bradshaw is a fictional character and lead character of Sex and the City, a romantic sitcom on HBO. She is portrayed as a fashionista and pens a column “Sex and the City.”
Dolce and Gabbana is an Italian fashion house started by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
Georgia Armani S.p.A., also known as Armani, is an Italian fashion house founded by Giorgio Armani. The brand markets its products (many which are high fashion) under several sub labels.
Giacomo Conterno is an Italian wine producer located in Italy’s Piedmont region. His Monforte d’Alba winery produces Barolo and Barbera wines via traditionalist methods. Their Barolos are widely considered among the greatest. The Monfortino is their crown jewel, and is considered the greatest Barolo around.
Hugo Boss is a German fashion house founded by Hugo Boss that produces luxury fashion.
Jedi are a monastic/academic organization in the fictional Star Wars universe, which is an American epic space opera franchise created by George Lucas. Guardians of peace and justice, the Jedi use diplomacy, wisdom, and sometimes their fighting skills to serve and protect the Republic.
Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Etoile Bowling handbag is a product by the French fashion house Louis Vuitton (LV), which produces luxury brand products.
Manolo is short for Manuel “Manolo” Blahnik Rodríguez, a Spanish fashion designer and designer of a high-end shoe brand.
NASA is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This US Agency oversees the civilian space program.
Prada S.p.A. is an Italian fashion label founded by Mario Prada and known for its luxury goods.
Roll Tide is the rally of the University of Alabama, whose athletic teams are known as the Crimson Tide. Additionally, it is a dramatic, militaristic orchestra piece composed by Hans Zimmer for the Hollywood Pictures movie Crimson Tide.
Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. An Italian luxury goods company founded by Salvatore Ferragamo. Headquartered in Florence, Italy, it specializes in shoes, clothes, and leather goods.
The Spider and the Fly is a poem written by Mary Howitt and published in 1829.
These Arms of Mine (1962) is a song written by Otis Redding for the label Stax/Volt.
About the Authors:
Reid Randolph and Yazmin Taylor
Reid Randolph is an urban, modern day version of Jackie O who considers shopping to be a basic right for all womankind. Her posh fashion sense almost tricks you into forgetting that she is totally bananas. When she isn't spoiling her diva dog, Reid can be found trying to relax in front of the boob tube, chatting with friends, exercising, or indulging her favorite addiction - READING. The worlds she finds herself in while reading is a perfect place for her to hide her cape, and pretend to be the sane one in her clique of friends who cherish her words of wisdom and easy going swagger.
Yazmin Taylor is a southern-bred girl. Though she lives in a sprawling metropolis she still has a lot of country in her - just ask her friends who’re often amused with her colorful country colloquialisms. She’s a lover of books and when she has free time you’ll find her attached to her laptop reading the latest romance or erotica e-book. She has a daughter that she’d do anything for including riding a roller coaster with a headscarf on in order to protect her enhanced hair! This may be her f
irst foray into writing but it’s not her first time weaving a story. A born storyteller, she’s now sharing her talents … after a little prodding from friends.
The Jeanie and Jayha
Two pens...one-of-a-kind adventures...zero apologies.
A kickass tag-team bound together by the pen, Jeanie (the shagalicious wordslinger) and Jayha (the ninja master of h*ll no’s) are forces of nature that will either leave you begging for mercy or begging for more.
We are women who have brains we aren't afraid to use; feelings we aren't afraid to express; and, middle fingers that we aren’t afraid to extend. We pen stories that push all kinds of boundaries and we don’t apologize for it. Our heroines are feisty; our heroes are hot, and our stories are one-of-a-kind adventures. Come visit us at www.jeanieandjayha.com.
Praises, compliments, adulation, and the like for Jeanie and Jayha can be sent to:
[email protected]
Table of Contents
Title page
Glossary
Chapter Uno
Chapter Due
Chapter Tre
Chapter Quattro
Chapter Cinque
Chapter Sei
Chapter Sette
Chapter Otto
Chapter Nove
Chapter Dieci
Chapter Undici
Chapter Docici
Epilogue
Trademarks Acknowledgment Page
About the Authors:
The Girl Can't Help It (Unexpected Encounters) Page 7