The Italian's Ruthless Seduction

‘That’s hardly news, Jeremy. Isn’t that how you spend most of your summers?’ Up till now, besides giving him a hand with the financial side of the WOW franchise, Jeremy had worked as an investment consultant in the London branch of his family’s highly successful merchant bank. His consultancy, however, was mostly done by phone or email. He spent winters on the ski-fields of Europe and summers at the family’s country home down in Cornwall, with his latest blonde girlfriend by his side. Jeremy had a preference for blondes.

‘True,’ he said. ‘But I don’t always spend them on Lake Como.’

Shock—and something else—had Sergio snapping forward on the chair. If Jeremy meant what he thought he meant, then the beautiful blonde by his side was Bella.

Play it cool, Sergio, he warned himself before panic—and a surge of jealousy—took hold.

‘You sneaky devil,’ he said in what he hoped was a casual tone. ‘You tried to surprise me on my birthday, didn’t you?’

‘Guilty as charged. But I didn’t expect you to be absent without leave. I thought you were going to have some time off before you tried to rescue the family firm. Or so you said the day we sold the franchise.’

‘I was. Initially. But that was before I invited Bella to stay.’

‘Yes, she told me about that. And about her going to your father’s funeral. In disguise, no less.’

Sergio sucked in sharply. Clearly, Jeremy had wormed out quite a few details from Bella already. He was good at that. Hopefully, she hadn’t told him that they were sleeping together. Though if she hadn’t, then Maria undoubtedly would. Maybe not directly, but she’d drop enough hints for someone as intelligent as Jeremy to get the gist of things. Sergio didn’t mind Jeremy knowing they were having an intimate relationship, or even that he was in love with Bella. What worried him was his saying things to her before he had a chance to, things like his thirty-fifth birthday bringing an end to his bachelor status, not to mention his confessed intentions to marry and have a family. He probably wouldn’t—Jeremy was no blabbermouth—but Sergio couldn’t take the chance.

‘Yes, that’s right,’ he said. ‘She came to the funeral to apologise for the way her mother had treated my father. That’s how we came to be in touch again. And yes, you’re right, I didn’t tell you or Alex for reasons which will become obvious in due time. Anyway, Jeremy, enough about that for now. I have a favour to ask you. Don’t say anything, just listen. This is important.’

‘Okay...’

‘As soon as you can, I want you to say you’d like to go up to your room and freshen up. Then, when you’re safely alone in the bathroom, ring me again. There are some things I need to tell you. Now be careful what you say right now, since Bella’s listening. Just say something like get away as quickly as you can, Sergio. Then hang up and go upstairs. Okay? Fire away.’

‘You know what they say about all work and no play, Sergio. Still, I suppose we can manage without your company for another couple of hours, can’t we, Bella? Just get away as quickly as you can, okay? Ciao.’ And he hung up.

* * *

The relief which came with Jeremy’s hanging up almost overwhelmed Bella. Thank God she was sitting down.

‘That man needs to get himself a life,’ Jeremy muttered, then swallowed the rest of his coffee. ‘It’s just as well I flew over or he probably wouldn’t even celebrate his birthday.’

‘You could be right,’ Bella said. ‘I didn’t even know it was his birthday, till Maria told me this morning. But Sergio had already left for work.’

‘Then it’s up to us to see that he has a good time tonight. Meanwhile, I think I’ll go up to my room and freshen up. I might even have a little siesta. Hell, but it’s hot here today.’

‘Yes, it certainly is.’ She might have a lie-down herself, feeling quite exhausted now that the tension of that phone call had drained away.

Jeremy picked up his holdall and went in search of Maria whilst Bella stayed where she was for a while, getting her thoughts together. She decided that once she reached the privacy of her room, she would give Sergio a call so that they could match whatever story they would tell Jeremy about their relationship. Hopefully, Maria wouldn’t say anything telling in the meantime. Standing up, she made her way into the kitchen, which was empty, Maria obviously showing Jeremy up to his room, no doubt the guest room on the other side of the master suite.