His Merciless Marriage Bargain
He stared down at her, his brilliant eyes studying her intently, taking in every inch of her face before reaching out to trace one of her eyebrows and then the other. “Bella donna.”
She blinked, unable to think of anything but the stroke of his finger along the arch of her brow. It felt good to be touched. Everything inside her was warm and aching, tingling with need. She’d forgotten that she could feel need. And desire.
Maybe that’s why the desire was so strong. Maybe she’d gone too long without feeling anything, and now she was feeling, and it was intense. Her entire body trembled. Her lashes closed as he caressed her jaw, his thumb stroking along the jawbone and then over the fullness of her mouth. Waves of pleasure rippled through her and she couldn’t suppress the shudders. It was embarrassing, feeling so much, wanting to be kissed and touched and pleasured.
She swallowed hard and opened her eyes, her gaze locking with Gio’s. His eyes were hot, bright, and the intensity in the depths burned her. He wanted her, too.
It was a heady realization and it rocked her, bumping up against her confidence, or lack of. She could maybe pass as a decent kisser but she wasn’t experienced, and she didn’t have the first idea how to please a man.
Furthermore, she shouldn’t be thinking of how to please a man if that man was Michael’s uncle, billionaire Giovanni Marcello.
“We’ll both regret this tomorrow,” she said, keeping a hand on his arm because she didn’t trust her legs, or her balance. “It’ll make the discussions more difficult.”
“You were the one that said it would be better if we liked each other.”
“I didn’t mean physically.”
“You can love a child, and still be a beautiful woman.”
“I don’t have affairs and flings, Gio. I’m not looking for a relationship, either.”
“But you don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Heavens, no,” she choked, face hot. “I’d never kiss you if I did, and I haven’t had a relationship in years.” It was more than that. She hadn’t ever had a serious boyfriend or a first lover, but she wouldn’t confess the entire truth. It’d be too mortifying if he knew.
“Why not?”
“For the same reason you prefer to live here, instead of Rome. I’m a solitary creature. I like my space.”
“Even though I barely know you, I have to say I don’t believe you.” He ran a fingertip over her cheekbone and then around her ear. “You strike me as someone who very much needs people. Provided they are the right people.”
She was lost, looking into his eyes. He was right. She did need people, good people. It was hard being responsible for everyone and everything. Hard having to be the grown-up, from a very young age. But she’d rather be the grown-up and do the right thing, than be impulsive and hurt Michael and the need for stability in his future. “I agree with you,” she said, drawing away. “But I also know that you aren’t one of those people for me.”
He gave her a look she couldn’t decipher. “I’m not in the habit of arguing with women.”
“Good.”
“But I’m going to prove you wrong.”
Her heart did a funny little flutter that made her breathless and hurt all at the same time. “Please don’t. I’m only here for a few days. Let’s focus on Michael. He’s what’s important.” She climbed one step and then another until she reached the landing, and then paused to look down at Giovanni. Her heart did another painful beat. “Tomorrow let’s sort this out for his sake, please. I need to return to Seattle.”
“Is that the best thing for Michael? Or the best thing for you?”
She frowned. “It’s the best thing for both of us.”
“I’m not sure anymore that it is.”
Her heart fell. She was right. He was changing his mind. He wanted Michael to stay here. He wanted Michael in Venice. Her eyes stung and her throat ached.
Before she broke down in tears, or said something she’d regret, Rachel fled.
* * *
Gio stood on the marble stair and watched Rachel disappear down the hallway, her footsteps practically flying in her need to escape.
He exhaled shortly. Tonight had not gone as planned, and what had taken place in the library, that was wrong. He knew he was at fault, too. The entire scene weighed on him. His stomach felt like he’d been chewing on rocks and glass.
He didn’t understand how he’d lost control of the situation so fast, and so completely. One minute they were discussing the newspaper headlines, and the next they were battling about ambitious Juliet whom Giovanni loathed, and then somehow Rachel was part of the fight and at the receiving end of his frustration and fury.