Riana smiled. “Thank you, Guliana.”
“Prego.” Then she sighed making Riana laugh. She held up her hand. “First, we experiment for Signore Sinclair’s reaction, yes?”
“Okay, but where is he? Shouldn’t he have come up to change by now?”
Guliana waved off her concern and moved to the living room. “He changed while I made you even more beautiful. He says he had to speak to Signore Torino again so he apologizes for leaving you behind but Von is to escort you downstairs.”
Riana followed the excited woman behind. She was so anxious to show off her masterpiece she left her behind in the room.
Guliana turned around with her hands held up. “Pronto?”
Riana chuckled. “Yes, I’m ready.”
She opened the door and announced proudly, “The Signorina is ready Von.”
Von sighed impatiently and scuttled into the suite only to stop dead when he saw Riana, his mouth hanging open. Guliana stepped forward and pushed his jaw up to shut his mouth.
“Geez, did I look that bad before?” Riana joked—well, half joked. His reaction seemed a little over the top and it also shocked Riana.
“Ah…” he started only to stop and quickly turn to the door. “Signore must be waiting.”
“Oookay.” Riana picked up her shawl and clutch bag and kissed Guliana goodbye.
They walked silently to the elevator, Von following behind her. She couldn’t shake the feeling he was staring at her ass. She turned her head to catch him jerking up his pinking face. Riana chuckled and turned back around. Yup, he was ass watching.
The journey down and to the dining room was quiet. She wasn’t used to bodyguards, but she was sure she didn’t like how silent they were. That’s probably why she hadn’t noticed them before.
She turned around to face Von and caught him staring at her ass again. “Gratzie, Von,” she said laughingly.
He turned a dark shade of pink and nodded. She turned to leave when he stopped her. “Signorina?”
“Yes, Von?”
“You are very beautiful. I understand why Signore Sinclair would need protection for you.”
Riana bit her lower lip to keep from laughing as Von’s eyes darted everywhere but at her chest. The poor man. “Gratzie Von.”
If he reacted like this, Allan was bound to react like a horny teenager as well…or a possessive Neanderthal, especially around Anthony—and she already knew how he would react.
Suddenly, the dress didn’t seem like a good idea. But she was already dressed and the stares she was receiving as she walked to where Allan and Mr. Torino stood close to the bar added a little pep to her step. The men leered and the women glared. When would she ever get such a responsive audience ever again? In a few months, she would be wadding around with a belly that might dwarf her size.
“Dio!” Mr. Torino exclaimed when she finally reached them, his eyes hanging as wide as his mouth.
The man standing next to Allan turned around. His eyebrows jumped up to his hair line as he swallowed hard, his eyes moving slowly from the tip of her exposed toe, lingering on her chest before they moved up to her face.
Oh yeah, I like this response!
She stopped, her smile growing to a grin as she waited for Allan to turn around.
“What?” Allan asked taking a sip of his drink before looking over his shoulder. His eyes bulged out and he began coughing.
Riana asked for a glass of water from the bartender. She handed it to Allan who was still looking at her like she’d walked in naked—well, she was a little exposed. But not naked.
He took a few gulps, his eyes still moving over her. “Fuck, Riana!”
She took the glass away from him and placed it on the counter. “Language, Allan.”
“Signorina Albury!” The man standing with them exclaimed like she wasn’t what he expected.
Riana almost asked ‘who else do you think I am’ instead she said, “Si, Signore, but you have me at a disadvantage. I don’t know who you are.”
He chuckled and turned to Allan. “Naïve and sweet, huh?” He shook his head and turned back to her, holding out his hand. “Dante Vittorio, Sinclair’s lawyer—here in Italy at least.”
Riana placed her hand in his and smiled at him. “I should have recognized your voice. You are always on the phone with Allan. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Mr. Vittorio winked at her with a lopsided grin. “Oh, the pleasure is all mine.”
“Dante, don’t you have a wife?” Allan spoke harshly.
He laughed. “I do. But she looks nothing like this.”
“Dante, do you like your job?”
Mr. Vittorio raised his hands up in surrender and took a step back.
Riana sighed. He was the Neanderthal. She moved to Mr. Torino and kissed his cheek then looped her arm through his. “And how are you tonight, Signore Torino?”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Amused and slightly frightened.” He tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. “Very dangerous game you are playing, bella mia.”
Riana shrugged innocently. “You should blame Guliana, the stylist Allan hired. She was very insistent on seeing her vision through.”
Mr. Torino laughed, his head tossed back. “You had no choice but to do as she asked, yes?”
She shrugged again shaking her head. “Temperamental artists—there is no reasoning with them.”
“Aren’t you an artist as well?” Allan lashed out. His jaw was so tightly clenched, she was sure it would snap soon. And that amused her—the man was so jealous he was losing his temper.
“I’m more of a passionate artist, Allan,” she purred, giving him the most seductive look she could master.
Mr. Torino shook his head. “Just like my Mariana. A very passionate artist and she also liked playing games to make my blood boil. Signore Sinclair, I envy you. What I would give to have those days back.”
Riana watched the sadness settle on Mr. Torino’s face and she felt her tears threaten. This man deserved so much, and to lose his dream just because of his children’s poor management just pissed her off!
She kissed his cheek. “How about you show me more of Mariana. You did promise.”
He smiled and patted her hand. “You said that well. She might be gone, but she is still here in her art. Come, I’ll walk you around the dining room and show you all her paintings.”
“Just a minute,” Allan said softly. He stepped closer to them and kissed her lightly on her lips. “Like I said…your beautiful heart…” he whispered in her ear before he pulled away. Her heart swelled just hearing the pride in his voice. “Mr. Torino, I leave her to you only for dinner then I’m taking her back. I can’t complete with a sweet old man and beautiful art.”
Mr. Torino shook his finger at Allan. “Sweet and old but still able to seduce a woman.”
Riana chuckled. “Let’s go, Signore Torino, before Allan changes his mind and ties me to himself.”
* * * *
Allan walked behind Riana and Mr. Torino as they took a turn around the spacious dining room that seemed to double as an art gallery. The art exclusively belonging to Mariana.
He felt for the old man, having lost the love of his life and being left alone with selfish, self-centered children.
God, Allan still couldn’t believe Anthony had actually threatened Riana. He suddenly wished he hadn’t controlled his temper and just let the little fuck have it. But he didn’t want to aggravate him and have Riana pay for his temper. He felt that for her too much to have her harmed.
Allan rubbed his chest. Damn, why do I feel like my chest just gained twenty pounds?
“Are you all right?”
Allan turned to Dante and nodded.
“Not to worry. Anthony is nothing but a harmless puppy throwing a tantrum. The contract has already been signed, the funds will be transferred in two days, and the only thing that will be left is for you to officially take over.”
Allan sighed. “I know that. I’m not w
orried about the deal.”
Allan watched as Riana laughed and the beautiful melody carried throughout the room, turning some heads. The men leered at her like she was some prized steak and the women glared at her with hate in their eyes. Allan chuckled. If they only knew how harmless she really was.
Actually, that was wrong. There was nothing harmless about Riana judging by how she made Allan feel. He was trapped in her inner and outer beauty, and the fact that she cared more about the little things, unlike everyone else he’d met, including himself, who cared about the big things and disregarded the little stuff was what made her even more attractive.
She found more beauty in the stroke of a paint brush than all the diamonds he could ever give her. For once in his life, he was stuck not knowing how to please a woman.
“She is a beauty. Where did you find her?”
Allan clucked his tongue. “You make it sound like she is a lost kitten I picked up on the side of the road.”
“More like a beautiful flower you plucked from a garden you had no business being in.”
Allan stopped walking. “What?”
Dante shrugged. “It’s very clear she isn’t from your world. Even though she’s dressed like a supermodel, she is not of our selfish, cutthroat, money hungry world. She is too gentle and her heart is still warm and not cold like most women in this room. It is clear to me she dresses up for you.”
Allan began walking again. He couldn’t argue with that. “I don’t make her dress like this every day. In fact, she got me out of my suit and even got me to walk around barefoot once, in a garden.”
Dante chuckled. “I’m sure she did.” They were silent for a while before he spoke again, “Von won’t let Anthony get close to her. You have my word.”
Allan rubbed his chest again. The heavy feeling was back. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I’d rather have her as far away from here as possible before Anthony finds out his father already signed over the Casa Italiano franchise to me.”
“So you’ll send her back to America?”
He nodded solemnly. “The day after tomorrow.”
Dante clapped his back. “I’m sorry, my friend.”
“Yeah, me too.”
Allan and Dante began walking toward them as Mr. Torino stopped at a large table in the exclusive corner set out for important guests. He pulled out a chair for Riana and she took it. Her slit parted to expose her leg right up to her thigh and Allan groaned loudly.
How was he supposed to sit next to her and eat with that leg taunting him?
“Dio mio!” Dante exclaimed next to him.
“What?” Riana looked from him to Dante as she pulled the dress to cover her leg. It stayed put for a while before it fluidly slipped off her leg like water against marble.
Oh damn!
Mr. Torino chuckled, and Dante groaned, his eyes riveted on her leg.
Allan cursed, quickly taking the seat next to her teasing leg and placing the napkin from the table to cover her thigh.
She looked at him with a quirked brow before she smiled that ‘oh, not so innocent’ teasing smile and said, “Oops!”
“Yeah right, little witch!”
Dante took the seat next to him laughing. “Remind me to send Guliana a thank you gift basket.”
“Remind me to send Guliana a pink slip,” Allan grumbled.
Riana giggled and cupped his cheek in her hand. “No, you won’t. She was going for a specific reaction from you, and I think she accomplished it. Her masterpiece was a success.”
Allan leaned in close and whispered, “Her master piece is about to be ravished under this table if she doesn’t quit teasing me.”
Riana’s eyes widened and she dropped her hand, quickly picking up the menu. “Let’s order!” she squeaked.
Mr. Torino laughed taking the seat at Riana’s other side. “Yes, let’s order. I don’t believe my children will come.”
Riana held his hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep you entertained.”
Just then, a waiter walked to the table with a bottle of wine, “Signorina, this is for you, our most expensive bottle. Compliments of the gentlemen’s table over there.” He pointed to their right and the entire table of five men waved at her.
Allan fumed. What right did they have to send his girlfriend a bottle of wine? He should go over there and beat them with it!
She waved back, smiling. “Gratzie, but please take it back.”
The waiter’s brows furrowed. “Signorina?”
Riana placed her hand on the inside of Allan’s diner jacket and rubbed his chest as if she were trying to calm him. It calmed him all right, but she noticed it also quickly turned him on as her soft touch teased his pec. She knew he wouldn’t make it through dinner without turning into a caveman and dragging her off if she kept this up.
“I really do appreciate it, but if I take that bottle the saying ‘don’t shoot the messenger’ will not apply to you.”
“Scusi?”
“Take the bottle back or I’m going to beat you with it!” Allan gnashed out. He kept his voice cool and low enough to deliver the threat in a way the guy would receive it loud and clear.
The waiter took a giant step back, the bottle held tightly to his chest his eyes wide with shock as he stared at Allan. Yes, he got the message.
Mr. Torino dismissed him and the waiter scampered away. “Yes, watching your man control his jealousy will be very entertaining.”
“Yes, it is.”
Allan felt his temper rise at the sound of the new voice, even more so when Riana’s hand fisted in his shirt. Her head was turned toward Allan, but her eyes were cast down as she chewed on her lower lip. Anthony made her nervous.
“So good of you to join us Anthony, Antonia,” Mr. Torino spoke in a scolding tone as the two took their seats opposite Allan and Riana.
“Sorry we got delayed. I had to buy a new dress,” Antonia answered seductively and Allan knew that tone was directed at him.
He didn’t look at her. He kept his gaze on Riana.
The woman was not going to let up. If he hadn’t met Riana, he would have taken what she was offering as a bribe and still would have taken the hotel from them. He was that much of bastard around women like her.
Allan caressed Riana’s cheek with his knuckles and she looked up at him. He pulled her lower lip free with his thumb, leaned over, kissed her lightly on the lips, and then turned to whisper in her ear, “Pretend they are not here and have fun with Mr. Torino. We’ll leave right after.”
He leaned back to catch her smile. She nodded then turned to Mr. Torino. “So, Tony, what would you recommend?”
Before he could answer, Antonia spoke. “A salad for you. Just because you are a tourist doesn’t mean you have to eat everything you see.”
Allan fisted his hand over the table. This woman was getting on his last nerve!
Riana shrugged. “Well that must mean I’m getting better. And either way, I don’t care much about weight. I have more important things in life to think about.”
“Well said,” Dante commented laughingly. “I’d take voluptuous over vain any day. Natural curves are belissimo.”
Antonia’s gaze flew to Dante, her eye blazing with contempt, but Dante just stared at her with a smile.
“Were you sick?” Mr. Torino asked as his glaring eyes settled on his daughter.
Riana chuckled, patting Allan’s cheek. “This man has many talents, cooking just isn’t one of them.”
The table erupted in laughter except for the two snakes Mr. Torino had for children. The best thing for Allan to do, if he was to control his temper, was to ignore them completely.
He shrugged. “What can I say? I was making a romantic effort.”
“Yeah, putting her in the hospital with food poisoning is as romantic as it gets!” Dante laughed.
Riana kissed Allan. “It’s the thought that counts, and I appreciate it, sweetheart.”
Anthony cleared his throat. “Tony? Papa, are we
already on friendly footing with the people who are trying to steal our business?”
Riana sighed, facing him for the first time since he walked in. “No one’s trying to steal anything. All Allan wants to do is make the business profitable again and preserve your parents’ dreams for many years to come.”
Allan pushed his hand under her hair to stroke the back of her neck. Taking the business and gifting it to Melody had been his main agenda, of course with the goal of making it profitable again. But the whole persevering Mr. and Mrs. Torino’s dream only became important after he met Riana.
He would keep the décor and all Mrs. Torino’s work as agreed, not because he was sentimental about their love, but because Riana was.
“Are you saying I’m incompetent?” Anthony demanded with a raised voice.
Riana shrugged. “No offense, but we wouldn’t be here if you were doing something right.”
Antonia leaned forward and for the first time Allan noticed her tight, red dress—only because her fake boobs looked like they were going to pop out of it.
“You are only here to—”
“If you dare say it Antonia, I will make sure you regret it!” Mr. Torino bellowed, silencing her.
“But Papa—”
“Enough! I came here to have a peaceful dinner with my guests. If you do not wish to do so, you can leave!”
Antonia slouched in her seat with a pout and Anthony glared at Allan and it reminded him of their conversation earlier. Now more than ever, he needed to keep Riana very close to him until he could get her back safely to the States.
Chapter Ten
After the tense dinner the night before, Riana was looking forward to a day of relaxing with Allan—and Von.
She still didn’t like having a bodyguard, a third wheel, but Allan was adamant about Von following them around. She only wished Von wouldn’t be so obvious and that he would blend in with the crowd like all the other bodyguards had done in the other cities.
She wanted to keep up the delusion that she and Allan were on their honeymoon, and no one went on their honeymoon with a third person.
She was glad, finally, when she got her wish. The moment they stepped out of the hotel, Von was nowhere to be seen. She looked around, searching for him, and spotted him a few feet away. He was dressed in a white linen shirt, blue jeans, and a white, woven hat—unlike the black suit he had on the night before. He looked like a tourist, completely blending in with the crowd.
Her Venice Affair (The Albury Affairs) Page 15