Secrets and Seduction Las Vegas (Sexy Italian Imports Book 1)
Page 36
They walked past a string quartet playing Bach. “Are you telling me you're not available?” His words sounded casual. “Or are you saying you're not interested in me?”
He'd cornered her. She was both available and very interested in him, but she knew better than to admit either. She kept her tone light. “Or perhaps I'm afraid of photographers, and you live in the spotlight.”
He stopped, his face serious. “If that's all you know about me, I can understand your reluctance.”
She fought down the urge to question that statement. No doubt he had a well-crafted line to explain his lifestyle. One he successfully used to lure all those women into his arms. And she did not care to hear it. She tugged gently on his arm to get him moving. The sooner this stroll ended, the quicker she'd be able to get away from him.
They passed through a gallery of antiquities on loan from another museum. She avoided conversation by admiring the ancient paintings hanging in gilt frames, the faces in the artwork so real she could almost feel them looking at her. But it wasn't the paintings. It was his eyes that gave her the sensation of being watched.
She made the mistake of glancing at him.
He studied her, his eyebrows drawn together as if he were trying to read her thoughts.
She had to be sending him mixed signals, first staring at him and then making jokes and pushing him away when he started flirting. And that's exactly how she felt—mixed. Looking into his inquisitive eyes, she was torn between being flattered by his attention and being so intimidated by his notoriety that she wanted to take out her cell phone and call her mother to come and find her.
But she'd been in tense situations before, and she could handle this one by herself. Keeping her tone casual, she chose a new subject. “I understand you're in this country teaching and studying. What types of art interest you?”
His expression softened. “I love the female form.”
She closed her eyes for a second. Of course he did.
He chuckled. “I didn't mean that sexually. I endeavor to find the soul captured in a painting or sculpture. Every woman is beautiful on the outside, it's the inner light that interests me.”
She hadn't expected that level of insight.
As another group stopped them, Lindsey paid attention to Dante's flawless conversation style. Always asking, with interest, what they did for a living, offering a compliment to the ladies, and smoothly drawing Lindsey into the conversation. She was in the presence of a world-class charmer, and she needed to fortify her defenses.
Breaking away from the admirers, they arrived at the large, modern room displaying Dante's artwork. A few stragglers meandered on the quiet hardwood floors, speaking in hushed tones.
Lindsey was nearly speechless as she took in the superb paintings and statues. She slipped her hand from his arm and slowly spun, looking around the room. “All this is yours?” she whispered.
“Sì.”
It seemed natural to switch to Italian. “Bellissimo! Sei un privilegiato.”
“Grazie.”
As she moved through the exhibit, the warmth of his gaze followed her, setting the tiny hairs at the nape of her neck tingling. Each painting stood out as a masterpiece and looked as comfortable in this museum as any Monet or Renoir. She caught the distinctive smell of oil paint, and smiled as the scent brought back memories of middle school art class.
“Your Italian is excellent.” He was suddenly behind her.
“College classes.” She continued to amble, admiring his work. “And I spent a month in Italy with my parents.”
“Ti piace l'Italia?”
“Yes, I love Italy, it's a beautiful country.” She looked at him. “Di dov' è Lei?”
“I'm from Tuscany. From a small town on the sea.”
“How nice.” She turned to a painting of a secluded beach and imagined him walking along it, the golden sun warming his olive skin, wearing nothing but a sexy… Enough! She sucked in a breath. How did this man make her lose all control?
She stopped at a life-size marble statue of a woman au natural. “She is breathtaking.”
He approached her and lifted his champagne glass. “Very beautiful,” but he wasn't looking at the sculpture.
Choosing to ignore his implication, she focused on the exquisite statue, walking around it and away from him.
“How long did it take you to create her?”
“About six months.”
“Who was your model?”
“I worked through an agency.”
“Is this one of the pieces the museum is selling?”
“Not anymore. It's yours.”
A surprised laughed escaped her lips as she stopped and looked up at him. Was he teasing?
His gaze burned intensely into hers.
“I know you're not serious,” she whispered. “This statue is worth a small fortune.”
“It would please me.” He gave the slightest bow.
Oh, heavens, he actually wanted to give her the statue. “Really, I—”
“I'll donate another to the museum. Accept it. Please.”
She walked toward him, shaking her head in refusal, but breathlessly delighted at his offer. “You are very generous, Signore Daniato. But I can't accept anything this valuable in my position…” A horrible thought crossed her mind. He must have heard about the ultimatum. Her stomach lurched as the dreamy mood he'd evoked quickly turned to bitter suspicion.
She squared her shoulders. “Signore Daniato, are you offering me a bribe?”
His face registered confusion. “A bribe?” His laugh was humorless. “In exchange for what?”
Lindsey raised an eyebrow. Fine, she would play along. “For continuing to fund the youth outreach program?”
His brow furrowed. “You said your family—your foundation—supported the program.”
She read only puzzlement on his face. Did he really not know, or was he trying to force her to say it? Taking a breath, she plunged in. “Our foundation will pull funding for the program, and for the museum, if The Getty allows undesirable elements to interact with the children.”
“Undesirable elements?” He seemed baffled for a moment then anger registered on his face. “Are you talking about me?”
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Connect With Laura
I hope you enjoyed Valerie and Antonio’s story, and Monica and Joe’s, too! I wrote the book after a Las Vegas bachelorette party where we went to the very club I described to see the male dancers. Someday I’ll post pictures! Watch for the second book in the Sexy Italian Imports Series, Lies and Love Los Angeles, where we’ll see Antonio’s brother, Dante, and Lindsey’s story, and another love story between two brand new characters, Jill and Nick. Connect with me on any of these networks, and you'll be the first to know when Lies and Love Los Angeles is published.
Best wishes,
Laura
~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance
LauraBreck.com
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About the Author
One of the primary goals of my writing is to give readers a world into which they can escape the stress of life. And a fun read for lounging on the beach or cuddling up with a blanket and a cup of tea. ~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance.
Another goal is to make a difference in the world. That is why each of my books will sponsor a community program, and a percentage of my proceeds will be donated to that organization.
I enjoy marketing as much as I enjoy writing. I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota with my family, and I love to travel.
Other Books by Laura Breck
Dancing in a Hurricane – Book 1 of the Hot Miami Nights Series
A Seduction as Overpowering as a Hurricane.
When her twin sister dies, Bree Prentis moves from Seattle to Miami to inherit a shadowy business, an upscale house, and her sister’s sexy Cuban business partner and housemate, Sixto Doria. She adj
usts to the vivid culture of Miami, but constantly bumping into Sixto is straining her hands-off vow. Bree is looking for a man to give her a happily ever after, and Sixto has sworn off relationships. He knows it’s wrong to want her, but she makes him forget why he’s not right for her, makes him crave her natural honesty and wholesome beauty.
When he teaches her to dance the Salsa Cubana, then suggests she spend the night in his bed, Bree is shocked—and tempted. In the midst of a hurricane, Bree surrenders to her reckless desire and makes love with Sixto. Could Bree be the one Sixto’s been waiting for? If she finds out he’s hiding a nasty truth from her—their company is a façade for a semi-legal business—she will shut it down, and Sixto will lose the income his family depends on. And more frightening for Sixto, he would lose Bree.
When she researches their company’s outrageous revenue, she sees a pattern of untruths leading back to Sixto. The word ‘love’ enters their relationship, and she prays his duplicity is all a misunderstanding, and his seduction is not merely a distraction to keep her from discovering the truth.
Bobbers N’ Bait in the Love in the Land of Lakes Anthology - The evocative marketing gimmick at the new bait store in town has the fishing outfitter all hot and bothered.
Christmas in Vegas in the Just One Wish Anthology - FREE DOWNLOAD
Wishing she was home for a snowy white Christmas instead of stuck working a catering job in dry, warm Las Vegas, Roxanne Anderson is blessed with part of her wish. She’s recruited to step in and cook for wealthy Las Vegas casino owner Finn Brayden’s Christmas Eve party high up on Mount Charleston.
A Holiday to Remember - A Progressive Story Written by The Roses of Prose - FREE DOWNLOAD
Candy Wright didn’t become a high-powered Manhattan business executive by letting men walk all over her. She watched her mother work herself to death to give her daughter a better life and is determined to make her proud. If that means not risking her heart, not letting any man get too close, then so be it.
Mitch Johnson lives a simple life in rural Georgia. Holding his secrets close. Hiding from the life he left behind. The last thing he wants—or needs—is a woman to remind him of his past.
When the two are thrown together in a freak snowstorm, sparks fly. Mitch is everything she’s worked to escape. Candy is a reminder of his painful past. But the attraction between them won’t be denied. Will love thaw their frozen hearts, or will secrets tear them apart? One thing is certain; it will be a holiday to remember.