Harlequin Romance April 2015 Box Set
Page 37
Jules shrugged and turned away. She pulled the phone from her pocket, hoping a message from Lizzie would pop up, but instead a dead battery symbol flashed on the screen and then everything went black. Jules sighed. This couldn’t be happening to her while she was all alone in a foreign country. She’d charged it before she left New York, hadn’t she?
“Scusi. Are you Ms. Lane?” A deep male voice immediately drew her attention.
She turned to find the same dark-haired man speaking to a woman a couple of people down from her. Was he looking for her? How did he know her name?
When the blonde woman wearing a pastel flowered dress shook her head, he moved on. He skipped over an older woman, not even bothering to ask her. And then his gaze skimmed over Jules’s pigtails, long-sleeved black top, purple-and-black plaid miniskirt and knee-high platform black boots. His facial expression remained neutral, but he didn’t say a word to her as he moved on down the line.
Seriously? He was that put off by her appearance that he wasn’t even going to speak to her? She turned her back to him. Then she realized he might have a message from Lizzie. Jules turned back around.
He stopped at the next young woman. “Scusi, are you Julianne—”
“Hey, mister.” When he turned to her with a raised brow, she had to fight back a laugh. “I’m Julianne Lane.”
He apologized to the young lady before backtracking and stopping directly in front of Jules. His forehead was creased. “Signorina, you are Lizzie’s sister?”
She nodded. Her pigtails bobbed. He wasn’t the first person to be surprised by her unconventional appearance. She’d given up a long time ago trying to live up to everyone’s expectations. And she’d been dressing this way so long now that it came naturally.
The same couldn’t be said about him. He looked as if he’d just walked off the cover of a men’s fashion magazine. His navy blue suit was perfectly tailored to show off his broad shoulders, and the gray dress shirt was unbuttoned just enough to show off a hint of his muscular chest.
Jules swallowed hard. Wow! No wonder Lizzie lost her heart here. They sure made them hot and sexy in Italy.
With effort, she forced her gaze upward to meet his serious stare. “Is there a problem?”
“Umm...no.” The lines on his forehead smoothed. “Lizzie is your sister, isn’t she?”
Jules’s chest tightened. “Yes. Is she all right?”
His dark brows rose as his warm brown eyes seemed to hold her captive. “Yes, she is.”
Jules breathed out a pent-up breath. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Scare me. I thought something had happened to my sister.”
“I assure you that she’s perfectly fine. But something came up and she asked me to pick you up.”
“You should have said that part first.” She glanced over at the luggage carousel, which had started to move. Before she could ask him anymore questions, the luggage appeared on the conveyor belt. “I’ll be right with you. I just need to grab my bag.”
She could feel the man’s curious gaze boring into her back. She wondered what he was thinking, but something told her she was better off not knowing.
And then her black suitcase with the large white circle pattern dropped onto the conveyer belt. She shifted her carry-on so that it was resting against her back and out of her way to grab the large piece of luggage.
As she reached for it, the man stepped between her and the belt. “Let me grab that for you. Which is it?”
“Don’t bother. I’ve got it.” She didn’t need him going out of his way for her. She wasn’t some spoiled rich girl. Not by anyone’s imagination. She’d been taking care of herself for a long time. Maybe that’s what always scared men off. She didn’t need them.
The man’s eyes widened as he backed away. “Ms. Lane, I only meant to help.”
She grabbed the suitcase and swung it around to place it on the floor beside her. “I appreciate your offer, but I’m used to taking care of myself. And, by the way, I prefer to go by Jules. Who would you be?”
“I’m Stefano DeFiore. Dante’s older brother.”
Lizzie had mentioned in passing that Dante had a brother, but she’d never mentioned how good-looking he was or that he would be meeting her at the airport. “Nice to meet you.”
She smiled and stuck out her hand. He hesitated for a moment before glancing quickly to the left and then to the right before his hand encased hers. Was he looking around to see if anyone noticed that he hadn’t gotten her luggage for her? Really? He was that worried about what everyone thought?
And then the smile slipped from her face. Her stomach plummeted. She realized the real reason for his awkwardness. He was embarrassed to be seen with her.
What kind of family was Lizzie marrying into?
* * *
Stefano DeFiore found himself utterly mesmerized—and that was something that he never let happen.
He struggled to keep his gaze anywhere but on the delicate tiny blue—or was it purple?—butterfly body art flirting with the beginning of the swell of her breasts...just above the diving neckline of her black top. He found it and her absolutely fascinating. And that was not good.
He swallowed hard and drew his focus back up to her face. His brother and his soon-to-be sister-in-law should have picked up Jules—not him. But family takes care of family.
Jules was undeniably intriguing but not in the usual manner. Her goth style was unique, to say the least. And then there was the purplish lipstick, heavy black eyeliner and the stuff on her eyelashes that set off her look. He was anxious to see the woman beneath it all.
He certainly didn’t know what to make of Julianne—erm—Jules. Lizzie hadn’t given any hints that her sister was so different from her in every way. Lizzie was tall, fair and blonde; Jules was the opposite. She was shorter in stature with dark brown hair in twin ponytails and long sweeping bangs that she brushed off to the side.
Realizing he was staring, he said, “We should get moving. Lizzie should be done with her meeting when we get there.”
“Get where?” Jules eyed him as though she wasn’t planning to budge.
She didn’t trust him. It was a new experience for him. There had been a time in his life when he didn’t have a problem putting the female persuasion at ease. But he wasn’t exactly acting like the old smooth-talking guy he used to be. Things had changed a lot in recent years.
Combine that with his concerns over his younger brother’s sudden wedding announcement and the fact that he’d been elected to play chauffeur today without so much as waiting for him to agree and he was left feeling out of sorts.
Stefano swallowed down his agitation and tried to soften his tone. “I’m dropping you off at Dante’s place, Ristorante Massimo. It’s not that far from here.”
She gave him one last hard look as though making up her mind about him. “Sounds like a plan. Let’s get moving.”
He reached for her suitcase but then hesitated, recalling how she’d expressed her desire to remain independent. He returned his hand to his side as she extended the handle on her luggage. He merely shook his head and turned away. His lack of understanding where women were concerned had cost him dearly not so long ago. Since then he’d learned to refrain from flirting with them. Relationships were a thing of the past for him.
So then why did he find Jules so intriguing? He couldn’t help casting her the occasional glance. It had to be her pigtails. Did grown women really wear those? He smiled. They did look cute on her.
But it was the butterfly that kept him distracted. He pictured it in his mind’s eye. He had to admit that he’d never been intrigued by a tattoo before. His late wife had had a fear of needles, so getting any sort of body art wasn’t even a possibility. And they’d lived out in the country where that sort of thing wasn’t
popular in the nearby village.
When his shoulder collided with someone, he glanced up. “Scusi.”
He could feel Jules’s gaze on him, but he pretended not to notice. He wasn’t about to let on that her little butterfly had him distracted to the point of not watching where he was walking. After all, he was a DeFiore. DeFiores didn’t allow themselves to be distracted.
Once they were situated in his sleek black luxury sedan, which he only used when escorting around special guests of the DeFiore Vineyard, he turned to Jules. Her body was stiff and her hands were clasped in her lap. He supposed that was to be expected. He hadn’t exactly made her feel welcome. He really needed to try harder. After all, it was important to Dante that this visit go well.
Stefano was about to say something when that darn butterfly once again snagged his attention. It rose and fell with her every breath. He was being ridiculous. It was just an inconsequential tattoo—that teased and taunted him.
He turned and stared blindly out the windshield. “Is this your first trip to Rome?”
“Yes, it is.” Jules turned to him, but he kept his gaze directly ahead. “What happened? I mean, Lizzie was supposed to pick me up.”
“She didn’t tell you?”
“No. My phone battery died, so I haven’t been able to talk to her.”
This was his chance to see what Jules thought of the impending nuptials. He was curious to see if she thought they were a bit rushed. “When Dante called, he said that the announcement of their engagement made a big splash with the paparazzi, and the studio heads wanted to figure out how to work the wedding into an upcoming show.”
“What does their wedding have to do with a cooking show?”
“My thoughts exactly. Maybe it’ll delay the wedding.”
“Why would you say that?” Suspicion laced every syllable.
This is where he had to move carefully. He sensed Jules’s defenses kicking into gear, and he didn’t blame her. He’d react the same way if he thought someone was about to jeopardize his brother’s happiness.
Again Jules’s taunting butterfly came to mind as well as her different taste in clothes. Something told him that she wasn’t a traditionalist like his family was. Maybe she was one of those live-on-a-whim types? Even if it meant letting people set themselves up to get hurt?
Like he’d done to himself.
Like he’d done to his late wife.
Copyright © 2015 by Jennifer F. Stroka
ISBN-13: 9781460379578
Expecting the Earl’s Baby
Copyright © 2015 by Jessica Gilmore
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www.Harlequin.com
Always the bridesmaid...
Planning her sister’s Italian wedding only reminds Jules Lane of how far away she is from finding her own true love. And worse, she’s doing it alongside the brooding, mouthwateringly handsome best man, Stefano DeFiore.
Maybe the bride?
Having seen the destructive power of love, Stefano has no time for weddings—but Jules’s smile is captivating. Making her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world is one thing, but can he give this blushing bridesmaid a happily-ever-after of her own?
The DeFiore Brothers
A brand-new duet by Jennifer Faye!
A recipe for dating DeFiore men…
Take two Italian brothers
with a pinch of playboy charm.
Add two American sisters
with a liberal dash of feistiness.
Simmer under warm Italian skies
until perfectly combined.
Serve with lashings of love.
To start: The Playboy of Rome
Dante DeFiore is passionate about life, women and the tasty Italian food he creates. With the arrival of feisty American TV star Lizzie Addler, he finds her almost too tempting to resist! As the temperature soars in the kitchen, the passion between Lizzie and Dante simmers until they reach boiling point. Has this Italian playboy finally met his match?
The main: Best Man for the Bridesmaid
Stefano DeFiore is proud and reserved—he likes the quiet life. So planning a wedding for his celebrity chef brother is his idea of hell. But when bold and colorful Jules Lane enters his world—chief bridesmaid and sister to the bride—Stefano decides to take his best man duties seriously…including doing all he can to make Jules’s time in Italy simply heaven…
To finish: Happily-ever-after?
Dear Reader,
Sometimes being unique isn’t so much a voluntary choice but rather something that is thrust upon you—something you might not have chosen for yourself if given a choice. Sometimes you camouflage those differences and sometimes you flaunt them.
Jules Lane is a girl who marches to her own drummer—from her black platform knee-high boots to her black and purple wardrobe, her distinctive eye makeup and her pigtails. She doesn’t care what people think of her appearance. She likes it. Oh, and did I mention her little purple butterfly tattoo?
But in walks Stefano DeFiore—a tall, dark and some might say conservative man. He’s lived his whole life on his family’s sprawling vineyard and he’s shut himself off from the world since his wife’s tragic death. So when he comes face-to-face with his younger brother’s soon-to-be sister-in-law, he isn’t sure what to make of her. Oh, men. He has a lot to learn, and Jules is just the person to teach him.
With wedding bells chiming for Jules’s sister and Stefano’s brother, romance is in the air. Will Jules let down her guard and allow Stefano to see the real woman hiding behind the clothes and the makeup? And will Stefano allow his eyes to be opened to the life that’s awaiting him if he can allow himself to live again?
Join Jules and Stefano as they prepare for a festive vineyard wedding.
Happy reading!
Jennifer
Best Man for the Bridesmaid
By Jennifer Faye
Award-winning author Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming romances. Jennifer has won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, is a Top Pick author and has been nominated for numerous awards. Now living her dream, she resides with her patient husband, one amazing daughter (the other remarkable daughter is off chasing her own dreams) and two spoiled cats. She’d love to hear from you via her website, jenniferfaye.com.
Books by Jennifer Faye
HARLEQUIN ROMANCE
Rancher to the Rescue
Snowbound with the Soldier
Safe in the Tycoon’s Arms
The Return of the Rebel
A Princess by Christmas
The DeFiore Brothers
The Playboy of Rome
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles
For Linda.
To an amazing lady who has
a heart as big as Texas.
Thanks for your guidance and support over the years. This one is for you!
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
EPILOGUE
EXCERPT
CHAPTER ONE
ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID...
Jules Lane lifted her chin and smiled broadly.
Her steps grew quicker as she made her way past the other departing passengers. At last she was in Rome. Rome, Italy, to be exact. She continued to grin and resisted the urge to pinch herself just to make sure this wasn’t a dream.
On the other hand, this wasn’t exactly a vacation. She was here for an important job—to help plan her foster sister’s wedding. This wouldn’t be Jules’s first time down the aisle. She’d been a bridesmaid more times than she could count on one hand.
However, this time around she had the privilege of being the maid of honor. It was a role she eagerly anticipated. She liked to take charge—to provide order to chaos. She wasn’t a closet romantic. She didn’t dream about finding Prince Charming. She didn’t fantasize about her “big day.” But she did have a thing for pretty dresses and cake—cake was definitely her weakness.
Actually now that she thought about it, Lizzie, her foster sister, hadn’t been into romance, either...at least not until she’d flown here three months ago for a television show—a reality segment about cooking. Cupid sure seemed to have hit the mark with Lizzie and Dante.