by Noni Calbane
“His taste is slipping? Did he ever have any?” said the dark-haired man disgustedly. “She’s Americano, I’m sure. Heaven help us from the social climbing American. A more classless and tasteless group of people I’ve yet to meet.”
“But I thought the American, Whittaker, was your friend?”
The man snorted. “I do business with him Anna Maria, that’s all. A necessary evil, I assure you.”
“Have you seen the woman he’s with tonight?” she asked with venom.
“From a distance. Looks pretty enough. But I haven’t the slightest interest in one of Whittaker’s cast-offs. I’m not that desperate.”
Gaby had heard enough. Her Italian may be rusty but there was no mistaking the meaning and the insulting tone of their words. Storming onto the terrace, she silently fumed. How dare they? Of all the arrogant, conceited, superior… Who did they think they were?
Not only did the jerk insult her Nationality, which was bad enough, he’d taken one look at her and decided she was most definitely lacking in appeal. Of course, the woman had been just as rude, but catty women were nothing new; she’d known her fair share of them in the past. But for some apparent reason, the man’s cruel words had hurt her deeply. His voice had been deep, resonant, dangerous …sexy. She’d never forget it as long as she lived. Classless! Tasteless! Looks pretty enough! Damn him!
The terrace was empty and she was inordinately glad for it. As the laughter spilled out from within the reception room, Gaby frowned at the hollow sound of it. All of a sudden, the sparkle seemed to dim on the elegant surroundings. The beautiful people weren’t so beautiful, and the champagne in her hand was bitter and flat. The necklace was forgotten and escaping this party was not just an option but a necessity.
“Oh God, I’ve got to get out of this place!” she swore to herself, still trying to settle her frayed nerves.
“I couldn’t agree with you more.”
From out of the darkness, a petite, redheaded young woman emerged and came to stand beside her on the balcony. Her large, doe-like brown eyes were warm with understanding. “You took the words right out of my mouth,” she smiled, extending her hand in greeting. “Piacere. How do you do? I’m Carmina Dottri.”
“Gabriella Walker,” she replied, taking her hand, a little unsurely. “Gaby for short.”
“Very nice to meet you Gaby. From the sounds of it, it seems you’re not quite enjoying the hospitality of Villa Manetti,” she said with an arched brow.
Gaby exhaled heavily. “Let’s just say, that although the Villa is beautiful, the hospitality could use some work.”
“Brava!” Carmina clapped her hands. “An honest answer. That’s something the walls of this Villa haven’t heard in a long time!”
Gabby chuckled.
Sighing loudly Carmina continued, “I dread these affairs, but my Nonna makes me attend. Says I will meet the right people. Unfortunately I’ve found, the right people are not always the most pleasant people.”
Gaby grinned at her. She liked Carmina immediately. It was nice to know she wasn’t the only one who found the guests at this party shallow and totally self-absorbed. Not to mention rude and arrogant, such as a certain dark haired stranger and his feline co-hort. “How about we blow this popsicle stand?”
The young woman looked at her oddly, “Scusa?”
“What I mean is, let’s get out of here,” Gaby explained. “I saw a little nightclub on the way over this evening that looked kind of interesting. Want to check it out?”
Her new friend nodded enthusiastically. “Si. But first I must say my goodbyes to our Host, Luca.”
“Of course,” Gaby replied forgetting her manners in her haste to depart. “I should too.” Hopefully in meeting the current Count Manetti, she would garner another chance to enter the Villa in some way. She’d had enough of high society for one evening. The necklace would have to wait!
*****
Where was she?
Luca scanned the crowd again but came up empty. He’d seen her weaving in and out of the throng, but had lost her. Maybe she had left? No, no. Whittaker was still here. He wasn’t idiot enough to let her leave without him. But then again …the man was not the brightest bulb in the box.
Too bad she was American. He despised them with a passion. But it was a fact he could overlook. Having sex didn’t require a passport, or even a visa for re-entry. He chuckled softly to himself; his double-entendre amusing him to no end.
These parties were always the same. Same food, same wine, same people. In fact, he had resigned himself to the notion that once again, Anna Maria would be sharing his bed this evening. Nothing new there. Like a mediocre movie you’d seen over and over. A few good parts, but so clichéd you wished you could hit fast forward to the climax and then push the eject button.
Still, it hadn’t stopped him from hedging his bets. He’d told Anna Maria that the woman didn’t interest him in the slightest. It was best to keep her waiting in the wings in case things didn’t work out with the American. Either way, he would not be ending the night alone!
Odio. The thought of her under him in his bed was getting him worked up in ways that would be altogether too obvious, if he didn’t get himself under control. He breathed deeply to calm his body. He hadn’t had this kind of instant reaction to a woman for a long time.
Damnation! Where was she?
*****
“Luca.” Carmina tapped him on the shoulder.
He turned and came face to face with the woman who’d occupied his mind for most of the evening.
What was it he’d said? Pretty enough? What an understatement. She was stunning. He wondered at her relationship with Whittaker. Could it be serious? No. From the looks of it, she was more than happy to leave him to the blonde barracuda that had approached them earlier. Here was his chance to charm like he’d never charmed before. Americans were such suckers for an accent!
“Carmina, how are you?” he asked, his eyes not leaving Gaby’s face for a second. “And who is your lovely friend?”
Gaby instantly recognised her hosts’ identity. That voice! So it was the infamous Count Manetti who’d insulted her earlier. Gaby inwardly groaned. Of all the luck! The one person she needed to get back into the Villa thought her an unattractive, social climbing parasite.
“Luca, this is Gabriella,” Carmina politely introduced.
The Count gave Gaby a dazzling smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Yeah, right. Gaby’s eyes glittered with anger, but she had to control it. Under normal circumstances, a man as charismatic and gorgeous as Count Manetti would have her stomach in knots and completely tongue-tied. It was amazing how she could find her voice when dealing with someone who totally repelled her. She should say something. “The pleasure’s all mine Count Manetti,” she sweetly replied. Good. She was getting quite expert at controlling her gag reflex.
“Please, my friends call me Luca.”
“Of which you have many I’m sure, Count Manetti,” she smiled sarcastically. Necklace or not, she was not going ingratiate herself to this rude and arrogant man.
Luca narrowed his eyes at her. Her antagonism was clearly evident. But why? For some reason, she was not instantly enamoured, as most were, but angry with him. Mentally dismissing the reason, he decided that anger was preferable to indifference. Anger had a way of flaring to passion in a moment. He just needed more time to work on the lovely Gabriella.
Carmina looked from one to the other and tried to diffuse the unknown tension that seemed to be swirling around. “Luca, Gaby and I were thinking of calling it a night.”
“Nonsense!” he waved away her statement. “The night is young. You must stay.”
Gaby couldn’t help thinking that Luca Manetti must often demand and have everyone acquiesce to his wishes. Well, not this girl! “I really must be going. Thank you for inviting me,” she replied. Of course, she hadn’t been invited directly, but that was neither here nor there.
“What about your com
panion?” he asked, his head nodding in David’s direction.
“Oh,” Gaby wrinkled her nose. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. Well, it was, um … nice meeting you Count Manetti. Perhaps we’ll meet again sometime.”
Turning to leave, Gaby felt a strong, warm hand grab her elbow. The Count linked his arm with hers. “I’ll see you to the door.”
She looked at Carmina, who shrugged at her and tried to hide a smile. “That’s really not necessary,” Gaby replied shakily. Must be making sure she wasn’t taking off with the silver!
Winding through the crowd of guests, Luca held her arm firmly, stopping to greet friends and charm acquaintances along the way. Glancing to the side, he noticed her staring straight ahead without expression. This woman was the most maddening he had ever met. From the moment of their introduction, she seemed to want to be anywhere but near him; an occurrence which didn’t happen very often with Luca Manetti and the opposite sex. For heaven’s sake, she was as skittish as a colt. He couldn’t let her get away so easily. With that thought, an idea began to form in his mind. Yes, it was definitely worth a try!
They arrived at the door and Gaby opened her mouth to bid him a final farewell. This man was upsetting her equilibrium on so many different levels. He was most definitely an alluring and sexy man, when he chose to utilize those skills. But that wasn’t the real Count. She’d heard what he really thought of her. Best not get drawn in by his facade of pleasant host and keep her guard up.
“Carmina, I’m planning to visit Montepulciano this weekend. Perhaps you and your friend would care to join me?” he asked casually.
“Spending the weekend with you and your horses is not exactly my idea of fun,” Carmina teased. “But if Gaby wants to …?”
Both sets of eyes turned to Gaby and she felt a little on the spot. She’d like to get to know Carmina better, but the Count? He was a totally different kettle of fish. Yeah. Fishy. There was something definitely fishy about his motivation in asking her to join him for the weekend. According to his prior comments, he wasn’t at all interested; she was a parasite, a tourist; a crass American. Maybe he had a thing for Carmina, and was using this ruse to get her alone for the weekend?
“Do you ride, Gabriella?” he asked, taking her by surprise.
“A little,” she replied nervously. “My cousin owns a farm in Idaho, and I used to ride his horse when we’d visit as kids. I’m a little rusty, to be sure.” Why the hell did she tell him that! Stay angry and keep your guard up Gaby!
“A farm horse?” He dismissed her answer with a laugh, “Why then, you must come ride with me at my country home. I have many horses. None of which belong on a farm, I assure you.”
Gaby glared at the Count and tried once again to escape the viselike grip he had on her arm.
“Luca collects Arabians. He has some of the finest horses in the country,” Carmina explained.
Widening her eyes at him, Gaby gave him a totally unimpressed look. “Really?”
“My horses are the most beautiful and well-bred you’ll ever ride,” he stated proudly, ignoring her sardonic tone. “Please. You must come this weekend to Montepulciano.”
“I don’t think so,” Gaby replied. “But, thank you,” she smiled, trying to sound a little less rude.
Luca stiffened and looked insulted. “But why do you refuse me?” he said icily. His hand tightened on her arm.
She finally managed to pull away from his grasp and rubbed her arm where his hand had been. How dare he be angry with her for rejecting his invitation. Of all the spoilt, self-righteous…
Gaby straightened herself, looked the Count directly in the eye, and spoke. “Count Manetti, being good-looking and well-bred doesn’t always equate with kindness and gentleness.” Looking him up and down derisively she continued, “Even the most pedigreed stallion can behave like a total jackass. So I, once again, politely refuse your offer.”
Gaby wondered if he got what she meant. Luca’s mouth dropped open in surprise. Yep, he got it! Nothing lost in translation. Take that Count Manetti!
Turning on her heel, Gaby beat a hasty retreat out the front door of the Villa, pulling Carmina along with her.
When they were safely at the bottom of the stone staircase that led to the Villa, Carmina turned to Gaby. “Now, would you like to tell me what that was all about?”
“What, what was all about?” she replied innocently. Obviously the tension between her and the Count was palpable. Carmina eyed her with a look of “do you think I’m stupid?” and Gaby was compelled to answer.
“I guess, just a case of instant dislike on first sight,” she shrugged, hoping that was explanation enough. “The guy just rubbed me the wrong way.”
“Well,” Carmina sighed. “You certainly put Luca in his place.”
“Water off a duck’s back if you ask me. I just hope to avoid him from now on.” Hardly a possibility if she wanted to get back in the Villa; but she’d work out the logistics later.
Carmina laughed. “Oh Gaby,” she smiled. “If we’re to be friends, avoiding Luca is easier said than done.”
“Huh?”
“You see,” Carmina answered. “Luca is my brother.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Another sleepless night! Gaby could hear the clock on the mantel of the marble fireplace tick away the hours. After leaving the Villa, she and Carmina decided against going dancing at a nightclub and instead had gone to a local bar for an espresso.
They had talked and laughed for three straight hours and found themselves fast friends. Could she really take the necklace now? The thought of carrying out her Grandfather’s scheme was getting harder and harder to stomach now that she personally knew the individuals involved. But the reality of the financial obligations waiting for her back in the States weighed heavily on her mind.
Her thoughts wandered to the disagreeable Count Luca Manetti. How could he and Carmina be brother and sister? They were so different. Carmina was the epitome of kindness and likeability. Luca Manetti was … well, he was nothing if not a complete jackass.
Avoiding him was going to be a difficult. Firstly, he was Carmina’s brother. And secondly, her admittance into the Villa depended on her getting close to the family. The thought of getting close to the Count was unnerving, to say the least. Luckily, he disliked her intensely and the feeling was immeasurably and decidedly mutual.
What was with all the men she was meeting? First David Whittaker, and now the Count. The old adage that beauty is only skin deep came to mind when thinking of them. She didn’t expect perfection in anyone, but they were so far from it, it was disheartening.
Gaby turned over in bed and punched her pillow. She was getting in way too deep. She needed to concentrate on getting the necklace and getting the hell out of Italy as quickly as possible. Although she genuinely liked Carmina, she mustn’t lose sight of why she’d come to Florence.
CHAPTER SIX
Luca tapped his finely manicured fingers on the table. Anna Maria was droning on and on excitedly about the start of fashion week in Milano.
Perusing the menu and tuning her out, Luca thought how differently the evening before could have ended, had the American been more disposed to his charm.
Luca closed his eyes and frowned. His pants grew tight at the image of Gabriella in his bed. He imagined her voice crying his name over and over as he made her writhe in a frenzy. Her anger excited and stimulated him and she was unquestionably a challenge worth undertaking. To be sure, he had no idea why she seemed to despise him with such intensity, but the thought of all that energy and fire ignited his craving for her as no other woman had ever done.
He looked over at Anna Maria. Of course, she didn’t deserve to be treated in such a manner. She really was a spectacular looking woman who could have any man she wanted. Why on earth she wanted him, he had no idea?
Anna Maria knew damn well that she was asking for more than he could give emotionally. So he really should feel no remorse on his end. But he’d used her body the prev
ious evening without thinking how she may have misconstrued it. What she had interpreted last night as unrestrained passion on his part, was merely the result of the frustration and desire for who he had really wanted. He had pounded her soft body mercilessly to rid his mind of the American; achieving completion again and again, without any real satisfaction. It was to no avail. Gabriella was more firmly entrenched in his mind than before, and no multitude of women would change that anytime soon. Not until he’d had his fill of her.
He rolled his eyes in toleration at the incessant chatter coming from the woman beside him. Having spent the night with her; he now felt obliged to take her for lunch at Ristorante Lupo, located in the hotel Relais San Domenico. He supposed the least he could do was send her on her way with a full stomach.
“Luca, shall we go this weekend?” Anna Maria cooed.
“No, no. Not this weekend,” he replied, totally unaware of what she had asked him.
“But I thought,” she stammered, “after last night …”
Odio. Now she was making plans. He had to make sure she understood that their relationship had in no way changed from friends with benefits to something more. At least his rebuff had ended her babbling at him. She was now giving him the silent treatment.
Luca sighed loudly. He was bad at this –explaining his feelings or lack thereof, and defining relationships. He should be an old-hand at it, having done it many times before. The tears and recriminations were sure to come, but for now the awkward silence was deafening.
Suddenly, the hairs on Luca’s neck were unexpectedly standing to attention. She was here. He could feel it even before he saw her. Turning towards the doorway, he watched as Carmina and Gabriella were led to a table across the room. They sat and were promptly given their menus. Carmina leaned across and said something amusing to her. He felt a sharp twinge in his gut.
There it was. A smile. A real smile. Not what she’d given him last night -the stilted and sarcastic kind she’d plastered on her face; but one that reached her eyes. Luca wanted one of those for himself. He was suddenly and inexplicably jealous of his sister for being on the receiving end.