The principessa is very beautiful, his mother said.
Like a jewel with icy fire.
Without power and money, Nico, titles are meaningless. She has much to recommend her.
So youve told mecountless times.
You are a prince.
A lamentable fact that overly complicates my life.
With great privilege comes responsibility. You must marry well and behave responsibly to remain a prince. You must think of your children, of future generations. Our position has never been more fragile than it is in these modern times. Love, if one is lucky, comes after marriage. You loved Simonetta, didnt you?
I was lucky. Lightning will not strike twice in the same place. Annoyed by his mother, he drew a long breath. Somehow, he resisted the impulse to snap the phone shut. Please, lets not talk about Simonetta.
My poor tesorino.
His mother believed grief and all emotions were luxuries for people like them. After World War II, the Romanos had lost ten castles and nearly a million acres to the Russians. The family had prospered since the war by marrying well and diversifying their business interests. They had vast holdings in the Americas, many of which Nico managed.
Still, Violas family had fared better in the past century and was much richer than his. His mother had begun courting Violas parents at Simonettas funeral.
I understand that the match with Viola would be an exceedingly advantageous one for the family, he said. But does everything really have to be about money?
Of course not, tesorino. But Viola is very beautiful, is she not? She is not an ogre. You will fall in love with her.
Nico frowned. As always, his mother had the worst possible timing. Because of Cara, he wished now hed been more evasive on the subject of Viola when theyd lunched today at the familys summer palazzo.
He had no taste for marriage. It was too soon. Two hellish years ago hed lost not only Simonetta but their unborn son, as well, when the brakes of her car had failed, and she and her chauffeur had plunged off the side of a cliff on the French Riviera.
His and Simonettas marriage had been arranged, also, and because Nico had resented having to marry her, he hadnt realized hed come to love her in the last months of her life.
Because of his willful stubbornness, their happiness had been too brief.
This time of year filled him with memories and regrets. Hed made her unhappy far longer than hed made her happy. If only he could go back and make it up to her. But it was too late. His mother was right, in a way. Somehow, he had to find a way to move on.
Inadvertently, his gaze shot to the tall brunette standing high above him on her belvedere.
Guarda, che bella!
She was nothing like his shy, innocent Simonetta. Still, Cara was incredibly exciting. When Grand-mère, naughty Grand-mère, had dropped him off at the beach yesterday afternoon so he could take the tender out to his yacht, Simonetta, to brood, shed pointed out the girl reading on the bench under the lemon trees. The instant Nico had seen Cara in that short sundress, shed made him forget his grief. Hed changed his mind about going straight to his yacht.
Simonetta had been small and blond. Cara was tall, dark, more mature and self-assured. Or, at least, hed thought so at first when shed set down her book and taken off her glasses to study him.
Hed liked the way Caras rich brown hair fell in glossy waves down her slim back. Hed liked the way her coffee-colored eyes burned him, even at a distance. The gardenia in her dark hair was more beautiful than a jewel.
Shed looked excited, as if she were mesmerized by him, too. Simonetta had been so shy in the beginning, so virginal in his bed that hed found her sometimes childlike. Never had she looked at him with desire as blatant as Cara had shown, even in that first moment. Something told him he wouldnt have to waste time wooing this woman, that she was already his.
Hed imagined Cara had found out he was staying aboard Simonetta and had been waiting for him. He was used to being chased by celebrity hounds and aggressive fortune hunters, who were after his title and money and a few seconds of fame. Usually he avoided such women.
But Cara had made him forget, so hed made an exception and had followed her into the bar when shed run. Hed known he was right about her because shed left her book on the bench for him to find and return, which hed done. Then, much to his surprise, after smiling at him and blushing and taking her book, shed run and vanished into thin air.
Now that hed found her again, he was in no mood to dwell on his family responsibilities regarding Viola. He wanted to forget Simonetta and Viola. At least for tonight.
Mother, Ill call you tomorrow, he said, aware that his voice lacked warmth.
You wont forget to call Viola?
Ciao, he whispered, refusing to promise. He told her he loved her and hung up, even though he knew she would not be satisfied with that response.
Before she could call him back, he turned off his cell phone, slid it into his pocket and looked up at Cara again.
Her bright eyes touched his, lingering, her visual caress making him grow hot and hard. Even in her bulky robe, she looked full bosomed and slender hipped. Her dark hair swirled about her face. Hed always preferred blondes, but her rosy cheeks and the ripe lushness of her youthful, dark beauty made her look both innocent and as alluring to him as a siren singing from the fabled rocks.
Was she his siren? After all, this part of the coast was where Homer had placed the sirens whose songs lured men and made them forget their reason.
Was Cara naked underneath the robe? He guessed that she probably was. He looked at her and then looked some more. It was time to strip her of that bulky, unflattering garment and find out.
As he loped toward the elevator, Nico felt a wild stirring of desire. It alarmed him only a little that he was more powerfully attracted to her than hed ever been to any other woman.
He was a prince. The blood of warriors whod conquered lands, seizing anything and anyone they wanted, especially women, flowed in his veins. His ancestors had a history of discarding such prizes when they tired of them.
He wanted her. He would use her to forget the past and its sorrows, to forget the future, as well.
Tomorrow he would call his mother and promise to woo and wed the beautiful Viola.
Tonight belonged to Cara.
Three
Nico had a key, but he knocked before letting himself in. Cara?
His deep voice echoed in the tall-ceilinged bedroom. Then she ran in from the belvedere.
Sorry about the call, he said, smiling because she was so lovely.
Cara hung back in the doorway. She was holding a rectangular frame, a painting, it appeared, which she set down on a chest. Flushing, she lashed the tie around her waist so that the robe fit more snugly.
Its fine, she said. I had a couple of calls to make, too. She pushed a long strand of brown hair behind her ear.
Oh, how adorable she was.
I was out sightseeing all day and couldnt call my family earlier. I missed a christening.
When he saw the painting, his grandmothers painting, his painting, his brows shot together. Not for the first time, his grandmother had gone too far. With great effort he kept his face neutral.
When he saw the painting, his grandmothers painting, his painting, his brows shot together. Not for the first time, his grandmother had gone too far. With great effort he kept his face neutral.
Christening?
My sisters twin boys.
He forced his attention from the painting. So, how is Italy as a tourist destination?
Perfect. She swallowed. I took an entire smart card full of pictures.
Perfect. And soon to get better, he murmured, sliding a finger against the light switch, dimming the lights. Good thing you cant take any more pictures.
Oh, I have another smart card.
When she lingered by the French doors for a few more seconds, he regretted dimming the lights.
She was losing her nerve. He stepped soundlessly across the tile floor to her.
Her hesitation appealed to him. Aggressive women often annoyed him.
With the lights low, the room with its painted ceiling and gilt furniture was full of shadows. The last of the sunlight came from behind her, so he couldnt see her face clearly.
He didnt touch her at first, and neither of them spoke. But her dark eyes burned him and made him aware of the tension in his own body. He needed to take her to bed and make love to her as soon as possible.
Her eyes widened, and she scanned the room, as if seeking an avenue of escape. Afraid she might run, he gathered her into his arms.
Mistake, she whispered, struggling to pull away. This could be a huge mistake.
She was right. Especially for him.
What if she threatened to sell her story tomorrow about her night with the prince? Hed been blackmailed before. Not that the family hadnt hired people to deal with such matters.
Theres always a risk to everything, isnt there? he asked, holding her tightly.
I suppose. Im not usually one for riskswith men.
You miss a lot of good things, if you never take chances, he said, lowering his mouth to her cheek. When his lips nuzzled her hairline, she jumped as if his kiss shocked her.
Thats easy for you to say. The risk is mostly mine though. You do this all the time. With all kinds of women probably. Its what you do.
He tensed, not liking the reminder that she knew who he was and had had designs on him.
You cant believe everything you read, he said, assuming she was referring to the tabloids. My reputation has been wildly exaggerated.
She went still against him, and he was very aware of how her hips fit his, how the tips of her breasts touched his chest.
Then you advertiselike an ordinary businessman?
Advertise?
She squeezed her eyes shut and her hands were shaking. Im babbling. I do that when Im nervous.
Clearly she was starstruck. Hed dealt with that before.
He needed to put her at ease. Im not really so different from you, he said. That wasnt entirely true, of course. A centuries-old lineage of privilege had a dulling effect on the human spirit. He was not allowed to surrender to his feelings all that often.
But
He didnt want to argue. Im just man, and youre a woman. We find each other attractive. He feathered a kiss that was meant to reassure against her brow.
She jumped again.
What could be more basic or more elemental or honest than a man and a woman and a night like this? He kissed the tip of her nose, and she gasped.
You know its more complicated than that, she whispered.
He really didnt want to argue. Not when she was skittish and rigid in his arms.
He wanted to make love to her badly. Shed chased him and flirted with him for two evenings in a row. Hed thought about her last night for hours. He had to do something, so he kissed her full on the mouth.
She let out a sigh and then a harsh, uneven breath. Funny, how one taste of her was such a shock to his system.
When he deepened the kiss, she began to tremble, as if she were needy and ready, too. Good, she wasnt immune.
Still, after a kiss or two, she put her fists against his shoulders, and for a moment, he was afraid she intended to push him away. His mouth nibbled hers persuasively and she finally melted against him.
Slowly, ever so slowly, she relaxed her fingers and raised her arms around his neck. He felt wild with relief, and desire filled him when her mouth opened wider.
His tongue explored inside, teasing the tip of hers with his. When she let out another little sigh, sounding like a purr, he shuddered.
His heart sped up. She tasted sweet, and her skin was hot and soft, so hot he was mad, mad to have her. Had he ever been this mad for a woman? Still, remembering how nervous she was, he forced himself to hold her gently and to kiss her softly, lingeringly.
Her fingertips brushed the hair at his neck. Ive never done anything like this. I really dont know whats come over me. You see, Im a planner.
Me, too.
And quite traditional.
We have that in common, too, he whispered.
She smiled. Areare most of your womenregulars?
Regulars? He didnt want to talk about other women.
Women who are used to doing this sort of thing? Or are they like me? First-timers?
Why do you want to talk about other women?
Because Im afraid, she admitted.
Suddenly, she seemed almost as shy and uncertain as Simonetta.
Dont be.
Let me go, she said suddenly.
He stroked her cheek, her throat, coaxing her with his lips and touch to stay in his arms. As if I couldnow. CaraCara. Tesorina. Ciccina.
Then he kissed her again, long and slowly, until she moaned.
Reluctantly, she pulled away. So, do I get to be in charge? Do I get to tell you exactly what I wantif I decide to really do this?
What?
What was going on here? One moment, she was as shy as a young doe. The next, she was the aggressor.
American women. They were taught to be so damned independent. Celebrity hound or not, he decided to humor her.
Im yours, he said in a light, teasing tone. Ill do whatever you want.
For how long?
All night, he said.
What if I want you tomorrow, too?
He thought about his mother and Viola. He could always say no to Cara tomorrow.
That could be arranged.
And the next day, too?
He nodded even though he felt a strange, new tension building between them that he didnt understand.
And the next? Both nights, too, of course?
He was too hot for her to argue.
I can pretty much clear my calendar. I might have to make a few phone calls though, he said, thinking of his mother. Business obligations.
She blushed and grew thoughtful as her gaze raked him almost possessively. I understand. Okay. The word came out like a small sigh, as if shed been holding her breath. Its a deal. And well stay in here for the most part, so people wont see us. I could see in the bar that youre well-known locally.
Not just locally, as surely she knew. Whatever you want, he agreed.
Then Ill do it. I cant believe Im saying this! Her coffee-colored gaze was intense. Three nights. And two days. Then I fly home. So, were settled on that?