Bride Fit for a Prince
Bride Fit for a Prince
Rebecca Winters
Nicco Tescotti is drop-dead gorgeous, but this eligible prince needs to marry for duty, and he still hasn't found a suitable wife. So he decides to buy a bride.Only, his wedding ultimatum unexpectedly produces two potential candidates - and they're twin sisters! Callie Lassiter has flown to Italy to meet her groom-to-be, with no intention of going through with the ceremony - until she meets Nicco himself! Now there's only one question in Callie's mind: is she a bride fit for a prince?
REBECCA WINTERS
Harlequin Romance
presents you with this emotional new duet by Rebecca Winters. She’s won many fans around the world with her wonderfully compelling, sparkling stories.
Welcome to:
TWIN BRIDES
Here come the grooms!
Callie and Ann may look the same, but when they jet off to Italy they meet two very different men—one’s a gorgeous prince, the other an enigmatic tycoon!
Bride Fit for a Prince
(#3739)
Rush to the Altar
(#3743)
Don’t miss this sensational duet brought to you by Harlequin Romance
.
Rebecca Winters, an American writer and mother of four, was excited about the new millennium because it meant another new beginning. Having said goodbye to the classroom where she taught French and Spanish, she is now free to spend more time with her family, to travel and to write the Harlequin Romance
novels she loves so dearly.
Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to email her, please visit her website at: www.rebeccawinters-author.com
If you enjoyed Callie’s story, don’t miss her twin sister’s search for her very own Mr. Right.
Look out for Ann’s story, on sale next month in Harlequin Romance
!
Bride Fit for a Prince
Rebecca Winters
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
“CALLIE? Wait up!”
Callie Lassiter had just finished strapping her satchel to the back of her motorcycle when her twin came running up to her. They hadn’t seen each other for five months at least. It was September already. Where had the time gone?
Her sister looked beautiful as always. As for Callie, she had mud all over her, even in her braided hair which no longer looked ash-blond. She smelled to high heaven.
“I better not hug you.” Callie laughed.
“Please don’t!” Ann laughed back, making no attempt to touch her.
“I thought you were in Los Angeles. Why didn’t you let me know you were coming to Prunedale? I would have made arrangements to take a couple of days off.”
“There wasn’t time. Something happened last night I have to talk to you about, so I caught a plane to San Jose today.”
“How did you know I was over here at the Oliveros’?”
“Dr. Wood said you’d ridden out this way earlier to help deliver a cow that was in trouble. I took a chance you might still be here.”
The heifer had been in trouble all right, but no longer. The cute little baby calf was doing great and so was its mother.
“What’s wrong?”
“My agent called me at midnight last night and told me I’ve been offered the big part in a new film with Cory Sievert that I auditioned for two weeks ago!”
“You’re kidding! That’s fantastic, Ann!” she cried, hugging her sister before she remembered not to.
Ann backed away, brushing herself off. “I couldn’t believe it. The actress first chosen for the part has turned out to be pregnant. Yesterday she went to the hospital with kidney stones and is out of commission. They needed to cast another actress immediately. I was the lucky one!”
After all the bit parts, she realized this was the big break Ann had been living for all these years, but Callie also knew her sister very well. She could have phoned her with this kind of news. There was something her sister wanted, otherwise she wouldn’t have flown up from L.A. without notice.
“I’m thrilled for you, Ann!”
“Me, too, but there’s just one little problem. Last night I won another contest!”
“That’s a problem? How much was the prize this time?”
Over the years her sister had entered more beauty contests than Callie could count. With those classic features and long legs, she’d won some considerable cash earnings, all part of Ann’s plan to stay afloat while she gained publicity to become a Hollywood star.
“Something really incredible, but I can’t follow through with it, not now that I have to report on the set first thing in the morning. This film is going to launch my career, Callie. That’s why you have to help me out. I’ve got a favor to ask of you.”
Uh-oh. “What did you win?”
“Let’s just say I was picked for something.”
Callie’s expressive brows furrowed. “Picked for what?”
“First I have to explain, so please hear me out. About a month ago I signed up to participate in a Hollywood charity benefit for the homeless called Who Wants To Marry A Prince? I heard about it from some girls while we were auditioning for a role—”
“Wait a minute!” Callie stopped her cold. “You signed up for a benefit like that after you were in that other ghastly, humiliating benefit last year, Who Wants To Marry A Billionaire?”
“It was for the publicity,” Ann defended. “Luckily I wasn’t chosen on that one. But even if he’d picked me, I would have pretended to faint, then refused to get married. The runner-up would have been forced to marry that overweight, over-the-hill American billionaire at his hotel in Las Vegas.
“But this benefit was different! A gorgeous, wealthy European prince was coming all the way to Hollywood to choose the right bride for him. It sounded so romantic and smacked of the days of Prince Rainier of Monaco coming to America to claim the actress Grace Kelly for his bride.”
“What it smacks of is a wolf in prince’s clothing,” Callie remarked in a scathing tone.
“How can you say that? The girls and I agreed that even if we didn’t get chosen, it was for a worthy cause and would give us great publicity because we knew there’d be a lot of talent scouts and film directors in the audience. The exposure might help land us a big movie contract.
“You should have seen this prince, Callie. He was wearing his royal outfit when he appeared onstage after I’d been chosen along with the other finalists. I have a picture of him. Here.” She whipped out a photo Callie had no choice but to look at. “Isn’t he incredible?”
Callie had to admit he resembled every little girl’s idea of Prince Charming. Dark brown hair, warm brown eyes. Dimples.
“I almost fainted when he walked past all of us, then knelt in front of me. He whispered that he’d made his decision the moment he’d seen my picture on the application.
“Before I could blink, he slipped this amazing betrothal ring on my finger. Can you believe that out of all the beautiful women there, he chose moi?”
Actually Callie wasn’t at all surprised. Ann was a raving beauty.
“So—have you informed him the wedding’s off because you’re too busy working on your next film?”
After a telling silence, “Not yet. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, when my application was accepted for the benefit, the host was smart enough to put a clause in the contract I signed that wasn’t in the Who Wants To Marry A Billionaire contract.”
Callie’s black-fringed eyes spit green sparks. “You mean you made the same mistake again and signed another contract before you paraded back and forth in front of the prince like a prize steer at a cattle auction?”
“Don’t be so earthy, Callie. I’ll have you know I was careful to read the small print. It made all the difference. That’s why I signed papers in front of the attorney for the benefit, as well as the prince’s private attorney.”
Callie felt ill. “What did the special clause say?”
“You have to marry the prince within twenty-four hours of your arrival in his country and live with him for one month. If at the end of that time either of you wants to back out of the marriage, you can get a divorce, no questions asked, and the homeless charity still get their money.
“It’s a perfect setup. If you don’t want to stay married, you’ll have won a free trip to Europe and all the publicity that goes with it.”
Her sister was taking a long time to get to the point. When Ann tossed her head back like that, it was the signal that she was really nervous about something.
“I suppose if you actually did fall in love with the prince and he fell in love with you, then you’d stay married and live happily ever after in his palace without having to worry about money again. But only if it’s the life you really want, which I don’t and never did!”
Callie groaned in horror. Her sister’s one track mind had gotten her into some awful scrapes in the past, but nothing as bad as this. The heat of anger filled her cheeks.
“What does this prince do? Go around attempting to get married every few months in the name of charity because he can’t have an intimate relationship with a woman any other way? What’s wrong with him? He could be an ax murderer for all you know.
“Have you considered you could be walking into danger? What if you got pregnant?
“Do you honestly believe the prince would let that thirty day stipulation stand in the way if you were carrying a royal heir? If you think for one minute he’d consider divorcing you and allow you to leave the country with his child, then I know you’ve lost your mind!”
Ann’s identical green eyes gleamed like a cat’s. “There’s no chance of my getting pregnant. Trust me. But that’s not the point. If you saw his pedigree, you wouldn’t have all these misgivings.”
“Misgivings—don’t you know what he’s done is without a doubt the most monstrous, awful, barbaric, ludicrous, absurd thing I’ve ever heard of? Annabelle Lassiter—how could you put so little value on yourself? Selling yourself off to the highest bidder just to get in the movies? Where’s your pride?”
“Pride doesn’t pay my rent,” her sister retorted. “Naturally if I’d known my agent was going to call me last night with news that I’d landed the most coveted Hollywood film role of the year, I would never have gotten myself involved in the benefit in the first place and wouldn’t be in this dilemma now.”
“What dilemma? Tell the benefit committee you’re going to be in a movie so they’ll have to choose one of the other contestants for the prince.”
“I already tried that, but it didn’t work. This morning, before I flew up here, I asked my attorney to look over the contract I signed. He says there’s no way I can get out of it. That’s why you’re the only person on the planet who can help me.”
“Oh, no, you don’t.”
Callie didn’t even want to think about it. She put on her helmet, then started up her motorcycle and rode down the country road toward the Pike’s farm. Their calico cat, Baxter, had gone off his food. Callie had promised to take a look at him on her way back to the clinic.
Unfortunately Ann followed in her rental car. By the time Callie started to unfasten her helmet, her sister had caught up with her and thrust something in her face.
“Take another look at his picture. His name is Prince Enzo Tescotti. He’s twenty-eight, only a year older than we are. You can see there’s absolutely nothing wrong with him.”
“I might have known he’d be an Italian,” Callie muttered. “Oh, brother.”
“Here are the first-class round trip airline tickets to Turin, Italy, where he and his royal cortege will be at the terminal to greet you after you get off the plane.
“You’ll have to fly out of Los Angeles. Luckily you went to England for that vet conference after graduation, so you already have a passport. I’ve also purchased your round trip tickets from San Jose to L.A.
“Since your overseas flight leaves day after tomorrow, you’ll have to fly to L.A. tomorrow. You can stay overnight at my apartment. I’ll drive you to the airport the next morning on my way to the studio.”
Callie shook her head. “Even if I were willing, which I’m not, I can’t leave my work.”
“That’s all been taken care of. When I told Dr. Wood you’d won a month’s vacation in Italy, all expenses paid, he was thrilled for you. He agreed you work too hard and are due a long vacation. I swear he told me he’d get along just fine until you came back. So you’re set!”
“Just like that?” Callie snapped her fingers. “You’re forgetting one thing. I’m not the one in this family who treats life like it’s one big joke.” She handed the tickets and picture back to her sister.
“Maybe that’s because you take it far too seriously,” Ann responded in a quiet voice. “I’m not like you. I hated the way Dad’s death left us in debt. Mom scrimped and still ended up having to sell the farm. You’re just like her.”
“She did what was necessary to keep you and me alive!” Callie defended.
“Mom could have married several men who asked her, but she didn’t.”
“That’s because she loved Daddy too much.”
“So much that her life was miserable after that and she ended up dying of a heart attack. You’ll probably die early, too, and I’ll be left alone.”
“Ann—”
“It’s true. You work too hard and you’ve got years of vet school loans to pay off. You don’t even have a car and are forced to ride around on a secondhand motorcycle.”
“You know I’ve always had a thing for motorcycles.” Hers happened to be a yellow and black Danelli Strada 100 Sports Bike that had won every competition for a decade before the company unexpectedly ceased to exist. “It still gets me where I need to go. Best of all, it’s mine!” she said staring pointedly at Ann’s rental car.
“But you live in a tiny two-room apartment at the back of the vet clinic where you can hear every sick animal in North Monterey county howling and meowing in your sleep.
“You have no love life and no hope of getting one working for Dr. Wood who’s old enough to be our great grandfather. Most of the time you spend your life mucking out stalls or pig pens in order to get your job done! When was the last time you did something exciting or had any fun?”
“I have fun as a vet,” Callie defended. “It’s what I wanted from the first time Jasper almost died when we were nine years old and Dr. Wood cured him. In a few years I’ll make a good enough living to be able to afford a place of my own. In the meantime, I’m not complaining and plan to live a long time. I happen to love the life I lead.”
“So do I! That’s why I can’t lose this opportunity now. This movie ensures I’ll be able to live at least five years off the money they’re going to pay me.”
“That’s a lot of money,” Callie said quietly. “I’m glad for you, and sorry you’ve gotten yourself into this mess.”
“Not as sorry as I am. I only wanted to be seen, not chosen.”
At this point Ann’s eyes were brimming with tears. They were the genuine article. Callie looked away, unable to handle it when her sister got upset like this. It didn’t happen very often.
“You should have thought of that sooner.”
“Do you know something? You’ve grown hard since veterinary school. I don’t understand it.”
Had she?
Somewhere deep inside, Ann’s comment hurt. Since their mother’s death, Callie’s emotions probably had closed off. She hadn’t realized it showed.
“Whatever happened to my sister who once played tricks on all her would-be boyfriends and then used me to bail her out? As I recall, I never turned you down when you begged me to go out with them because you’d changed your mind. And I never told them that we’d switched places either.”
Callie had forgotten about those happier days. She had to admit Ann had been a real trouper way back in high school when Callie had developed this horrendous crush on their neighbor’s son, Jerry. No other guy could compete.
“That’s what I’m doing now, Callie. Begging you to help me. My agent told me I have to report for makeup at six in the morning. If I don’t show up, not only will I be out of the film, I’ll be blackballed and he’ll drop me as a client. Where else do I go for help except my family? Please.”
Feeling her last escape hole closing over her, Callie closed her eyes tightly. “You’re asking a lot.”
“I know. If it’s any help, I’ve worked out a contingency plan.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve written out a ten thousand dollar check to the prince. It’s all the money I have in the world until I’m paid in two weeks. When you get to Italy, be honest with the prince.
“Tell him you’re my sister, that you’re there on my behalf. Explain that the same night I was in the benefit, I was offered the most important film role of my life.
“Hand him the betrothal ring and the check. It should cover the airline tickets and any other expenses he incurred. Tell him if he wants more money because I’ve broken the contract, he’ll have to ask his attorney to contact my attorney through my agent.
“Once you’ve delivered my message and given him everything, you can turn around and come home on the next flight. I promise you he’s a sweetheart. All the other finalists thought he was a darling and wished they’d been chosen. There won’t be any problem with him.”
“You don’t know anything about his character,” Callie muttered, feeling herself crumble because Ann’s suggestion actually sounded plausible. She supposed that if she talked to the prince face-to-face, and offered him the money while she explained the situation…
“Maybe not, but I’m certain he’s not the monster you’ve made him out to be. Just remember, Callie—I didn’t sign up to be in that benefit with the intention of backing out if I’d been chosen. I would have gone through with it.
“But when my agent called with the news that I could replace that other actress, I couldn’t turn it down. Look—you’ve already established your career. Couldn’t you find it in your heart to take three days away from your routine to help me forge mine? Is it really too much to ask?”
When Ann put it like that…
“No,” Callie conceded quietly. She did owe her sister for past favors.
“Oh, Callie—thank you, thank you.” She broke down sobbing and threw her arms around her, mindless of the dirt.
“I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time,” Callie murmured. “Three days isn’t such a sacrifice. I’ll suggest to the prince that he make arrangements to marry the runner-up. She had to sign that contract, too. My guess is she’ll jump at the chance to take your place.”
“I know she will!” Ann sniffed and let her go. “She’s a beautiful brunette and is a graduate student in architecture from Carmel. They showed a film clip of her winning all these horseback riding competitions. I can’t understand why the prince didn’t pick her to begin with. She was much more suited to being a real princess.”
Thank goodness there had been a runner-up. It would make Callie’s task easier.
“Why don’t you go back to the clinic and wait for me. I’m not sure how long I’ll be at the Pike’s.”
“That’s okay. I’ll sit in the car and work on my lines for tomorrow’s shoot. When you’re through, I’ll follow you home and help you pack.”
“What’s to pack? Aside from some extra underwear, a clean pair of jeans and a top should last me for the thirty-six-hour trip over and back. It’s all the time I can spare. The Selanders’s mare will be having her foal any day now. I plan to be here for it.”
“But you can’t meet the prince dressed that casually—” Ann cried out aghast.
“I’m not his betrothed. No one’s going to care what the messenger looks like.”
Ann shook her head. “I just hope you won’t feel foolish when all these people are at the airport in full royal regalia.”
“He’ll only get what he deserves for buying you like you were the goods at a slave market. The whole thing is so disgusting I still can’t believe it.”
The prince might be attractive, but Callie would bet her life there was a strain of mental illness that ran in his royal family. As far as she was concerned, the sooner she got Ann out of this wretched situation, the better.
Two days later the commuter flight from Milan where Callie had gone through customs, taxied to a stop at the airport in Turin. Torino to the locals.
She unfastened her seat belt, anxious to meet the prince and get this over with. Though she was tired, traveling first-class had made it a pleasant enough experience. In an hour she’d be on the return flight and sleep all the way home.
Looping the strap of her tote bag over her shoulder, she followed the other passengers to the waiting area inside the terminal.
There were masses of people standing about. Callie braced herself for whatever fanfare awaited her, but to her surprise nothing happened. She walked around for a few minutes, expecting to be approached, or to hear her sister’s name being called over the public address system at least.
How odd… It appeared no royal contingent had come to the airport for her yet. Maybe something unavoidable had occurred and the prince couldn’t help being late.
Slowly the crowds thinned until everyone had gone except a dangerous-looking male in his mid-thirties with overly long black hair seated on one of the lounge chairs. He was reading an Italian newspaper. His well-worn jeans and black leather jacket emphasized a strong, powerful physique.
There was something about Italian men Callie had noticed from the moment she’d entered the Milan terminal. No matter what they wore, they had a certain style and elegance that caused them to stand out from other men.
She grudgingly admitted that’s why they had the reputation for being seductive lovers. Especially this dark, arresting stranger whose aquiline features made her heart race for no good reason.
When he looked up suddenly and she met his jet-black gaze head on, heat enveloped her like a desert storm. She turned away, embarrassed to be caught staring like that. Without hesitation she headed for the terminal desk.
If the prince didn’t come soon, she’d write a note of explanation and slip it in the envelope with the check and ring. Before she boarded the plane for her return flight home in half an hour, she would ask the airline employee to make certain it was put in the prince’s hands.
“Signorina Lassiter?”
A deep, unfamiliar male voice spoke directly behind her. She spun around to discover the striking-looking stranger standing too close to her, robbing her of breath. He was a tall man, at least six feet two. At five feet eight, she noticed things like that.
His searching black eyes seemed to consume her features and hair which she wore in one fat braid halfway down her back.
“Are you from the palace?”
There was a pregnant pause. “That’s right. My name is Nicco.” He spoke excellent English with a heavy accent she found disturbingly appealing.
“I understood Prince Enzo was going to meet the plane.”
“I’m afraid he was unavoidably detained. I was dispatched to…take care of you.”
“Who are you? One of his bodyguards?”
His lips twitched. “Would it make you feel safer if I said yes?”
Not particularly. If the truth be known, Callie had already imagined this man could handle himself in any situation. What bothered her was his mocking arrogance which had caught her on the raw. It appeared the prince’s emissary had kept her waiting on purpose.
He didn’t like her.
She’d sensed that instinctively, yet she couldn’t blame him. Any woman who would be a part of a benefit in order to sell her body to an unknown prince deserved the world’s scorn.
On the other hand, any man who would work for a prince who had no morals was equally despicable.
“Let’s just say that by answering my question with a question, you’ve come off sounding positively Machiavellian. But then I shouldn’t be surprised. You did say your name was Niccolo. The master of cunning. A throwback to your ancient ancestor perhaps?”
For a split second his eyes glittered with some unnamed emotion that sent a dart of fear coursing through her nervous system.
“The prince will be impressed with your knowledge of Italian political history, signorina. It seems there are depths to you yet to be plumbed. Shall we get your bags?”
“I didn’t bring any.”
“Of course not,” he murmured in a silky voice. “A princess-to-be must have an entirely new wardrobe from the skin out.” He slid an index finger down her cheek. “Yours feels like velvet. No wonder Prince Enzo couldn’t resist you.”
“Is that one of your jobs? To inspect the royal merchandise?” she snapped to cover the shock wave that had just passed through her body.
“Call it a lapse I couldn’t resist. It won’t happen again. Now that you’re his fiancée, the prince won’t allow another man to touch you on pain of death.”
She flashed him an icy smile. “How feudal of your master to send you ahead to discover my fatal flaw. I’ll warn you now. I have several of them.”
A sardonic gleam entered his eyes. “I hadn’t thought to enjoy my mission this much. Except for the wedding dress which I understand was purchased some time ago, the prince told me to accommodate your every desire.
“As soon as we leave the airport, it will be my pleasure to take you shopping for your royal trousseau. Along the arcade of the Via Roma you will find our country’s most fashionable couturier salons,” he whispered in a husky tone, giving her voluptuous body a slow, frank appraisal.
Considering she was in jeans and a knit top that was several years old, the look he’d just given her was meant to be insulting. The sparring had gone on long enough.
“You won’t be taking me any place because I have no need of a new wardrobe,” she blurted with as much hauteur as she could summon.
“Then you truly are a dream come true, signorina. I will let the prince know you intend to keep him happy in the marriage bed for the entire thirty days and nights.”
“Careful, Niccolo—your true colors are showing,” she bit out as white-hot heat consumed her.
“If your lack of concern about clothes is one of the fatal flaws you were referring to, then I admit I’m looking forward to ferreting out the rest of them.”
Anxious to wipe the gloating expression from his eyes she said, “Will you please give this to the prince for me?”
Callie reached in her bag that contained her toiletries along with a change of underwear, and handed him the velvet lined box. It held the betrothal ring. After opening the lid, he trapped her hand.
“Do you know this ring dates from the early sixteenth century when the House of Piemonte and the House of Monferrato formed a valuable alliance through marriage?”
To her shock he slid it on her ring finger. After studying it he said, “I wondered why you weren’t wearing it. Now I have my answer.
“Though it’s the most valuable of the collection in terms of the Tescotti family history, I can see how this heavy gold piece doesn’t suit your delicate hand. I’ll tell his highness to pick out something more modern from the family jewels.”
At the moment, her hands were covered in a rash from washing and scrubbing them so much before surgery. She’d tried every cream in existence, but they still itched and had blotchy spots he rubbed several times. Callie pulled her hand away, shaken by his touch which had arced through her body like a current of electricity.
Pulling off the ring, she put it back in the box and shoved it at him. “I have something else you can give the prince.” Once more she reached in her bag and handed him the envelope with the check inside.
He opened it. “Ten thousand dollars. To my knowledge, the prince had no expectations of a wedding present from you. However I’m aware of something he would like, and this is the exact amount to cover it.” His eyes flashed black fire. “You’re going to make him the happiest man alive.”
Putting both items in his pockets, he cupped her elbow. “It’s a beautiful fall afternoon. Since you don’t require any clothes, I thought you might like a ride around the city to relax you. It’s only fitting that you survey your kingdom before the wedding tomorrow. Shall we get started?”
Callie jerked her arm away. “I’m not going anywhere with you and that money isn’t a wedding gift.”
He stared at her through veiled eyes. “You’re trembling. But surely there is no reason to be afraid of me. This close to the ceremony, I have sworn a sacred oath to protect you with my life. In fact I am the only person in the world who has Prince Enzo’s complete trust.”
“Then you need to let him know there isn’t going to be a wedding.”
His white smile was condescending. “I thought only the groom had what you Americans call pre-wedding jitters. You are turning out to be a surprise in so many ways, I find myself utterly captivated.”
“Look, Nicco whoever-you-are—I’m going to be honest with you.”
“You mean you haven’t been up to now?”
Callie forced herself to count to ten. “I’ve been trying to tell you something. Before you jump to any more wrong conclusions, you need to hear me out. I’m not the woman his highness picked to marry.”
The amusement in his eyes maddened her. He pulled a photograph out of his back pocket. “Then who is this?”
The picture he held up was obviously the photograph Ann had sent in with the application.
Smothering a groan she said, “I know it looks like me. That’s because I’m Ann’s twin sister, Callie.”
“Callie.” He mouthed her name. In the next breath he’d relieved her of her shoulder bag and pulled out her passport. He opened it and placed the picture next to the passport photo. “According to this, your name is Callie Ann Lassiter.”
“Yes, I know. My sister is named Annabelle, but she goes by Ann. Our father wanted both of us to have our mother’s name.”
His lips twitched. “That’s quite a lie you’ve dreamed up. Obviously you’re frightened of this step you’re about to take. For an aspiring Hollywood actress, who would have guessed it?”
She’d had enough of his barely veiled mockery. Taking a deep breath she said, “You mistake my fright for frustration. It’s because you won’t listen to me. I’m going to try this one more time. I’m not the prince’s intended!”
As if it were his divine right, he unsnapped the strap of her wallet and looked at her driver’s license.
“Callie Ann Lassiter,” he read her name aloud again.
She gritted her teeth. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. I flew over to explain to the prince that she can’t marry him because she’s starring in a new movie. The ten thousand dollars is to pay for the airline tickets and other expenses the prince incurred by choosing to be the celebrity for the benefit.”
When he didn’t say anything, she went on with her explanation.
“She’s very sorry about breaking the contract. I assure you she would have followed through with the marriage. But on the night of the benefit, her agent called with the opportunity of a lifetime. She couldn’t pass it up.”
His continued silence infuriated her.
“They started filming in Hollywood yesterday and she had to be on the set at six in the morning. So she came to see me the day before yesterday and asked me if I would return the ring to the prince in person and give him the money.”
Callie wondered if he was even listening to her.
“If it’s not enough, tell him to contact her agent who will confer with her attorney. She wrote his name and number on a piece of paper in the envelope. I think that’s everything, and now I have to go. They’re calling for my flight to Milan.”
Crowds had gathered once more, filling the terminal with noisy chatter.
“If I could have my wallet and passport please.”
To her great relief, he put everything in her bag and handed it to her with an enigmatic expression on his face. “I will convey your message to the prince.”
Finally a reaction!
“Thank you. Please tell him I’m very sorry my sister didn’t know about the movie offer in time to pull out of the benefit. But if he’s as wonderful as my sister says he is, then I’m sure he’ll have no problem finding another fiancée.
“Ann told me the first runner-up in the competition was dying to be picked. Remind the prince that she was the ravishing brunette who’s also an expert equestrian. Oh, yes, and a graduate student in architecture. She’ll make the right bride for his highness.
“If he acts right away, a private jet could be sent for her in time to arrive for tomorrow’s ceremony. Now I really have to go. Goodbye.”
CHAPTER TWO
RELIEVED to get away from him, Callie handed her boarding pass to the airline person at the gate and hurried through the door to the plane. Once she’d found her seat and strapped herself in, she could finally relax.
The whole thing had gone much better than she’d hoped. In a way she was glad she hadn’t been forced to deal with the prince. No matter how repulsed she was by his evil method to get himself a bride, it still would have been hard to look him in the eye and tell him her sister didn’t want to marry him after all.
As for Niccolo Machiavelli, she needed to put him out of her mind and forget such a man existed. He’d excited her in a frightening kind of way, probably because he was foreign and an unknown quantity. Her body still tingled from the caress of his fingers on her cheek and hands.
She’d never reacted to a man’s touch like that before. Worse, she felt a sense of loss she couldn’t account for to realize she wouldn’t be seeing him again.
It was very strange considering that lately Callie had decided maybe she and Ann had been born without a woman’s normal feelings. All of their friends had found a husband by now. Many of them already had children.
Growing up, Callie and Ann had never suffered from a lack of dates. If anything, it had been the other way around. Yet neither of them had ever had a serious boyfriend.
At college and vet school there’d been quite a few students interested in her, but she’d been too absorbed in her studies to get involved. It was the same way for Ann who’d had dates with some well known actors. Yet her hope of being an actress was stronger than her desire to settle down.
Now, suddenly, a dark stranger had made Callie aware of herself as a flesh and blood woman with needs that must have been lying dormant all these years. How ironic to think it took an Italian male to wake her up to her own sensuality.
Not just any Italian man, Callie.
Her instincts about animals and people were usually right on. The man who worked for Prince Enzo was a breed apart from other men. She’d sensed it from the first moment she’d seen him sitting there in all his splendid indifference to the world around him.
Deep inside she had the disquieting feeling he was going to be unforgettable. The thought was so alarming, she reached for her novel in a desperate attempt to get her mind on anything else besides him.
Little by little the seats filled. She tried to concentrate on the story, but it was impossible. The plane couldn’t take off fast enough to suit her.
A new flight attendant came on board. She smiled and chatted with each passenger. When she came to Callie she said, “Signorina Lassiter? If you would come with me, please.”
Callie blinked. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. There are two policemen waiting inside the terminal to talk to you.”
Oh, no. Nicco must have already reported to the prince and now she was about to be detained. She should have known this was too easy.
“As a matter of courtesy to you, I told them I would find you. I’m sure you don’t want to be embarrassed by having them come on board for an interrogation.”
“No, of course not—but the plane’s about ready to take off.”
“They said this shouldn’t take long.”
“I see. Thank you.”
With growing trepidation she got up from the seat, grabbed her bag and followed the flight attendant into the terminal. Sure enough two Italian policemen in uniform were waiting for her at the exit.
“Signorina Lassiter?” The one with the moustache spoke first.
“Yes?”
“Signorina Ann Lassiter?” the other one questioned.
“No,” she answered honestly. “My name is Callie. Ann is my sister.”
“Your passport, please.”
Once again she found herself opening her shoulder bag to get it out. The policeman took it from her and studied the picture.
“Thank you very much.” He put it in his pocket. “If you’ll come with us please.”
“What do you mean? I have a plane to catch!”
The two officers smiled at each other before the one with the moustache said, “His royal highness learned that his beautiful American fiancée has prewedding nerves, a problem he finds extremely charming. He hopes that by now you have gotten over them enough to let us take you to him.”
“No—” she cried out. “I mean, you don’t understand—I’m not his fiancée! I can prove it if you’ll just let me make one phone call!”
They broke into laughter. “He warned us you would put up a struggle. Come, signorina. No one keeps the prince waiting. However for his bride-to-be, he has made an exception this one time. We will take you to him.”
Callie sensed that if she continued to fight them, it would no longer be a joking matter. So much for her sister’s belief that ten thousand dollars would settle everything.
I promise he’s a sweetheart. All the other finalists thought he was a darling and wished they’d been chosen. There won’t be any problem with him.
She’d known there’d been a catch somewhere. Now she thought she’d figured out what it was. Prince Enzo held a title and nothing else! That’s why no royal contingent had been sent to greet her when she got off the plane and that’s why he needed to buy a bride.
It was probably the reason he’d used his celebrity status to be the focus of a huge Hollywood benefit. No doubt he needed a wife to support him! Where else in the world but America would people pay big money for charity to rub shoulders with a European prince?
What better woman for him to pick than a shallow Hollywood actress with stars in her eyes for a brain, and a bank account that could feed all the homeless at once?
His choice of bride-to-be was beginning to make a lot of sense. Everyone knew a film idol was worth millions. Enough to keep him in the manner to which he’d been accustomed before his fortune had run out or he’d squandered it.
Apparently the prince’s mouthpiece Nicco had wasted no time informing him that Signorina Lassiter had tried to back out of that damnable contract by insisting she was the wrong woman. He’d probably advised the prince to extort as much money from her as he could.
It looked as if Callie had no choice now but to meet his royal wretchedness himself, and set him straight about the farcical situation he’d brought on due to his own greed.
Once she could prove he was a has-been with nothing to show for it but an empty title, no court of law on either side of the Atlantic would require Callie’s sister to hold up her end of that absurd contract. Talk about flawed…
In order not to make a scene, Callie allowed herself to be escorted by the two policemen. They entered a nearby elevator and descended to the next floor.
To her chagrin, thoughts of the prince’s black-haired, slick-tongued envoy prevented her from concentrating fully over the impending confrontation. Undoubtedly Nicco had orchestrated the entire plot for the prince with the latter’s promise of a healthy cut of Ann’s film profits down the road.
Callie had been right all along. Nicco had Machiavellian blood running through his veins. Little did he know she had the fierce blood of her Norse ancestry running through hers…
When the elevator reached ground level, Callie’s clover-green eyes narrowed as she prepared to do battle.
The police directed her to a door down the corridor which they unlocked. It opened onto the tarmac where their police van awaited. They helped her into the back where she sat on a bench. There were no windows to see out.
After being shut in, she had to endure a twenty-minute drive without knowing where on earth they were taking her. Finally she felt the van slow down and come to a stop.
When they opened the doors to let her out, she discovered they’d driven to the rear of a medium-size apartment building somewhere in the heart of Torino.
In one of the nearby covered parking stalls she caught sight of a helmeted man getting off a motorcycle. Her eyes widened to discover it was a brand-new Danelli! That wasn’t possible unless…
But when had the company started manufacturing them again?
To her shock, one of the police officers walked over to the driver of the fire-engine-red racing bike and handed him her passport. After a short conversation, he returned to the van. It backed out of the alley, leaving her standing there in a daze.
So this was the prince.
It appeared he had a little more money than she’d thought. Unless he was in debt up to his eyeballs and hoping his benefit bride would bail him out. To own such a fabulous machine would have set him back at least a hundred thousand dollars, maybe much more.
The man removed his helmet without bothering to smooth his black hair which had become disheveled.
“Buongiorno, signorina.”
At the sound of the deep, seductive male voice she’d heard before, she let out a shocked gasp.
Nicco!
She hated it that he looked even more attractive than ever.
“Don’t tell me—” she spoke first, anxious to quell the frantic beating of her heart. “I presume this is where the prince lives because he lost all his land and properties a long time ago.”
“How very astute of you.”
Callie ignored his sarcasm. “I thought so. Thank you for being honest with me about that anyway. It’s too bad my sister’s not a famous, fabulously wealthy Hollywood actress yet. This whole thing might have had a different ending if she’d been ready to turn her back on the limelight and devote herself to a down-and-out prince.”
He gave a careless, elegant shrug of his broad shoulders. “You can’t blame a man for trying.”
“I suppose not. Unfortunately he risked everything on the wrong woman. But as she’s my sister, I can vouch for her. Ann may be a little foolish at times, but she’s a totally nice person who wants to make up to the prince for what has happened.
“After having met him, it’s her belief he’s a charming, civilized man who will understand the circumstances and be willing to work out any further financial arrangements with her attorney. I hope that’s true so this thing can be cleared up right away. I have to fly home to the States tonight.”
“Let’s go inside and find out, shall we?”
He led her through a back entrance and up a half flight of stairs to the second floor. Two doors down on the left he stopped and put a key in the lock. She heard barking.
“Basta, Valentino!”
The second the door opened, a gorgeous fawn-colored male boxer dog greeted him with such joy, it warmed Callie’s heart. The first real smile she’d seen lit Nicco’s eyes as he put his helmet on the foyer table and played around with the dog.
He spoke to it in Italian. She could just make out the words Signorina Lassiter before he turned his head toward Callie. “The dog will give you five if you’ll put out your hand.”
“Give you five” was slang for two people slapping their palms together. Nicco’s command of English was excellent. Obviously the prince had hired a modern-day Renaissance man to act for him at times like this.
She lifted her palm in the air. Valentino raised his paw and slapped hers with the right degree of strength so he didn’t knock her down. Enchanted, she bent over and hugged him around the neck, scratching the sensitive spot behind his pointed ears.
“Oh, you’re beautiful!” she cried softly.
For a reward he licked her mouth.
Callie burst into laughter. “I love you, too.” She kissed his face. “Yes I do, you magnificent creature.” Unable to help herself, she got down on her knees to inspect his white stocking feet. He had perfect coloring.
“You have the markings and bearing of a true champion.” She kissed the top of his head one more time before standing up.
“For a dog and a human who don’t understand each other’s language, the two of you have managed to cross that boundary without problem,” her host muttered in a dry tone.
The boxer walked around her, sniffing and licking her legs and hands. He could detect the scent of the vet hospital where she lived and worked.
“That’s because I’m crazy about animals. How long has the prince had him?”
“Eight years now.”
“The lucky man. Does he let you take Valentino for walks?”
“All the time.”
“If I worked for him, that would be my favorite perk.”
He flashed her a glance she couldn’t decipher. “Come into the other room.”
Anxious to meet the prince and get this over with, she followed Nicco’s tall, rock-hard physique through a doorway to the living room of the apartment.
It was modestly furnished in what appeared to be secondhand furniture, exactly like the decor of her one bedroom apartment behind the clinic.
“Prince Enzo really has fallen on hard times. I feel right at home.”
“He’ll be glad to hear it,” Nicco replied with a hint of mockery. “Please make yourself comfortable.”
She sat down on one of the chairs. Valentino curled up at her feet. A few minutes of silence passed before she was prompted to ask, “What’s taking the prince so long?”
“He’s out for the moment.”
When the meaning of his words sank in, her head reared. “What’s going on here?”
Nicco sat down on the couch opposite her. “With his wedding day tomorrow, the prince is a busy man. He’ll be along shortly.”
“The prince better hurry if he expects the runner-up to arrive here in time.”
He lounged back against the cushion, extending his long, powerful legs in front of him. “Come now, signorina. Surely you’re not still maintaining that fictitious nonsense about a twin?”
Callie was on her feet in an instant. Her action disturbed the dog who instinctively tried to herd her so she wouldn’t move from the room. Under normal circumstances she would have laughed at the endearing trait, but this situation was not amusing.
“Where’s the phone? I’ll get Ann on the line and she’ll explain everything.”
“I’m afraid the prince only uses a cell phone.”
She took a struggling breath. “Then I assume you have one, too. May I use yours, please?”
“I would offer mine, but it needs to be recharged.”
“How convenient.”
As if proclaiming his innocence, he lifted those broad masculine shoulders still covered by his black Italian leather jacket. Her sarcasm had been utterly wasted on him.
“Before Prince Enzo arrives, we might as well begin a discussion of tomorrow’s schedule. It’s my job to prepare you for your nuptials. Why don’t you sit down again and relax. Too much anxiety before the wedding ceremony will carry over into the bridal chamber.
“Ever since he saw your photograph last month, the prince has been anticipating your wedding night. He expects to find his new consort as eager as he is to begin your life together as husband and wife. It’s up to me to make certain he isn’t disappointed.”
By now Callie’s face was on fire. “And of course I don’t have any say in the situation.”
“None. Of your own freewill—in front of the attorney for the benefit as well Prince Enzo’s personal attorney—you signed a contract I drew up for the prince myself. It is airtight, signorina. No power on earth, not even the Pope himself, can break it.”
“I didn’t sign it,” she said calmly. “My sister did.”
His gaze captured hers. She fought not to look away.
“Supposing that’s true…” His voice trailed. “And you really do have an identical twin named Ann…it still won’t stop the wedding from taking place tomorrow.”
Something menacing in his tone sent a spiral of fear snaking through her body.
“If your sister had looked carefully at the profile given her on Prince Enzo by the benefit committee, she would have seen that the blood of the Borgia’s as well as the Tescotti’s runs through his veins.
“It’s an historical fact that it was Cesare Borgia whom Machiavelli used as the model for his book about the prince who ruled without moral consideration for his terrified subjects.”
He leaned forward. “If I were you, I’d start thinking very hard how you’re going to influence your new husband not to have your sister arrested for sending you in her place. Prison is no place for the fiancée of Prince Enzo.”
Callie refused to be intimidated. “Ann’s not here to arrest.”
“That’s true. But you are…” His eyes had narrowed to black slits, like the kind you saw hollowed out in a castle turret where the bowmen shot their arrows.
“I thought Prince Enzo wanted me for his bride.”
“Naturalmente you’ll become his princess. When you’ve served your purpose, then you’ll be placed under house arrest.”
She felt her escape route closing fast, but she wasn’t about to let him know that.
“So now we get down to the real reason for this absurd farce. My sister has already written him a check for ten thousand dollars which is all of her savings.
“With this next film, I’m sure she’ll be able to give him five times that amount. What’s his price? If she can’t meet it all the way, I’ll go to my bank and see how much of a loan I can take out.” At this rate Callie would be in debt for the rest of her life.
“Your loyalty to your sister is nothing short of astounding, signorina. That is if you have a sister,” he drawled unnervingly. “It’s a pity money is not the consideration here.”
He reached in his pocket and threw the check down on the coffee table for her to take back.
“Then what is?” she blurted in exasperation. “Why has he gone to all the trouble of choosing an American bride? Unless—”
She darted him a wicked smile. “Unless, of course, he has some genetic defect handed down from the Borgias that every Italian woman of royal blood already knows about and has avoided like the bubonic plague.”
With the stealth of a panther, Nicco rose to his full height, bigger than life. “You’re not as empty-headed as I had supposed, so I’m not going to ruin the surprise. Tomorrow morning you’ll find out for yourself just exactly what you, or your sister, agreed to marry.”
“That’s barbaric!”
The moment she shouted the words, the boxer growled deep in his throat and went into his guard dog stance.
A taunting smile broke the corner of Nicco’s hard mouth. “Valentino likes you very much, which is surprising when you consider his passionate devotion to the prince. Keep your voice well modulated and he won’t treat you as an intruder. It’s the last thing he wants to do. As you can see, his short tail is wagging.”
Valentino she could handle. The dog was wonderful. As for Nicco, he’d backed her into a corner.
Letting go of the breath she’d been holding she said, “You had me brought to this apartment under false pretenses. I won’t be seeing the prince until the wedding, will I.”
“Now you’re catching on, as you Americans are fond of saying.”
He must have spent a lot of time around someone from the States. How she’d love to wipe that triumphant expression from his good-looking face.
There was no way she would be a victim if she could help it. An idea for escape had just come to her. If it didn’t work, then she’d try something else.
“Since you leave me with no choice but to surrender, how about granting this condemned prisoner one last favor before her execution tomorrow?”
His white smile was so unexpected and electrifying, her heart almost jumped out of her body. “Short of asking for a reprieve, your wish is my command, signorina.”
“You mean that?” She infused a little trembling into her question to reveal a deceptive combination of fear and humility.
“Try me and find out.”
“Could we go on that ride around the city you promised me earlier?”
“Of course. I’ll arrange for the limousine.”
“No—I mean on your motorcycle.”
A strange quiet filled the room. It pleased her that her request was the last thing he’d expected to be asked.
“In a movie I once rented, this American woman rode on the back of this guy’s motorcycle while they toured Naples. It looked so fun the way he maneuvered them through the narrow streets and alleys. They were able to go exciting places a car wouldn’t fit.”
He rubbed his jaw absently. “Torino’s a northern city of long parkways, gardens, promenades and right angles, signorina.”
Before she averted her eyes, she purposely let out a deep sigh he couldn’t help hearing.
“It’s all right, Nicco. I understand. Really I do,” she said in the way she might speak to a small child.
After a suspicious pause, “What is it you think you understand?”
Good. She’d piqued his curiosity, just as she’d hoped.
“That your responsibility is to protect me until tomorrow.”
“And?” he bit out impatiently. When she looked at him again, his eyes glittered with an unfathomable light.
“I should have realized you don’t feel confident enough to show me the sights on your bike without having an accident. You could have just told me the truth, but I forgot your pride. I understand the Italian male’s is more inflated than that of the other men of the world.”
He had no idea how much satisfaction it gave her to say that to him.
A sardonic smile broke out on his lips. “If anything, I was trying to protect your female sensibilities. You would have to cling to me like you were my second skin,” he said in a husky tone, leaving her in no doubt what he was thinking.
“However if that’s your heart’s desire, far be it from me to deny Prince Enzo’s lovely fiancée her final request.”
Again she looked away, thrilled to realize she’d accomplished her first objective. But she wasn’t going to fool herself that obtaining her second goal would be as easy to achieve.
“The bathroom is down that hallway on the right. Feel free to freshen up while I find his helmet for you to wear.”
She made a show of frowning. “But in the movie, the woman didn’t wea—”
“Forget the film.” He broke in without hesitation. “If, God forbid, something unforeseen should happen while we’re out riding, I would never forgive myself if you suffered an injury. Prince or no prince.”
He stood there with his hands on his hips, his appeal so virile and potent, her body trembled when she thought of being plastered against him.
“If you’ve changed your mind, signorina…”
Now he was baiting her, expecting her to back down.
“No. I’ll be ready in a moment.”
“That’s good. We have very little daylight left.”
She headed for the hallway on unsteady legs. That was the effect he had on her.
Valentino followed. She knew he was standing guard outside the bathroom door because she could hear him snoring. He sounded just like her own dog, reminding her how much she missed Chloe.
When she was ready and reached the foyer, Nicco was waiting for her with a helmet under his arm, another black one in his hand.
He rapped out something in Italian to the boxer who immediately took a sitting position. Then he opened the door.
“After you,” he said to Callie, indicating she should exit first. She retraced their steps to the outside of the apartment building. By the time she approached his cycle, he’d already put on his helmet.
Up close she could read the name of the model. It was called a Danelli NT-1 super bike.
“How much does something like this cost?”
“In lira or dollars?” he drawled.
“Dollars.”
“Upward of $150,000 or more.”
Even more than she’d thought. “For a down-and-out prince, he must pay you a hefty salary to afford this.”
Ignoring her comment, he lowered the other helmet over her head and fastened the chin strap. His piercing black eyes trapped hers briefly before he moved to drop the rear foot pegs.
While she stood there in a daze, he threw his leg over the seat and straddled his bike. Once he’d started the powerful engine, he turned toward her.
“When you get on, place your feet on the pegs and wrap your arms around my waist, interlocking your fingers. That’s all you have to do.” He lowered his shield and waited.
From the second she’d laid eyes on Nicco, she’d known he was a dangerous man. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d get anywhere near a motorcycle like his, let alone ride on one. She bet it could reach over a hundred miles per hour in less than ten seconds. To feel that kind of lightning acceleration was going to be thrilling.
Heavens—if it weren’t for the ghastly trouble Ann had gotten herself into, Callie would be having the time of her life.
Her heart pounded outrageously as she watched him pull in the clutch and put the bike in gear. He was impatient to go, letting her know it was now or never.
With an eagerness she couldn’t suppress, she jumped on behind him and adjusted her shoulder bag.
“I’m ready,” she said, placing her sneaker-clad feet on the pegs. With a tug on her face shield, she lay against him and slid her arms around his hard-muscled body. No sooner had she intertwined her fingers than the bike sprang to life as if it had a will of its own.
He maneuvered them down the alley to the street. Then there was an initial leap and everything became a blur. They literally flew along the parkway to join the freeway.
CHAPTER THREE
THIS was ecstasy.
Nicco had incredible control as he wove so smoothly between cars. The daring way he took corners with breathtaking accuracy, every practiced move as she leaned with him, conveyed the expertise of a racing pro.
When he wasn’t working for the prince, did he race? Was that how he could afford the bike? Or was this a special model paid for by sponsors?
A rush of adrenaline surged through her veins at the possibility she could be riding with one of the very best in the world. Yet she sensed he was still being careful to make certain nothing happened to her.
Callie wondered where he was taking them. The freeway seemed to be leading away from Torino’s core to the outskirts. They whizzed past centuries-old residences and fairy-tale palaces of Baroque design.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Torino with its four rivers and miles of gardens had been left behind. They’d reached an alpine valley that looked like a patchwork quilt of vineyards. A marvelous fruity essence seemed to envelop them.
Though the air had grown cooler, Nicco’s warmth had invaded her body from her shoulders down. They were melded like two hot metals in a refiner’s fire. The feeling of oneness was indescribable.
Never wanting their magical ride to end, she moaned in disappointment when he pulled off the road to follow a path through the vegetation. It was evident he knew about this spot. She assumed he wanted to rest for a minute before returning to the city.
Soon they arrived at a charming three-story farmhouse with a portico. Closed green shutters stood out against the pale orange exterior.
He geared down and came to a stop in the empty courtyard. The place appeared deserted to her. Remembering her plan, now would be the best time to make her getaway. Otherwise she might never have another opportunity.
Callie quickly got down from the bike and lifted the shield of her helmet. While she waited for him to climb off, she looked all around. Tall cypress trees were silhouetted against the sky, heralding the approach of night. She would need the motorcycle’s headlights to help her find the way out of the mountains.
The second he swung his leg over she said, “That was an exhilarating ride. Before we go back to town, can I sit on it by myself for a minute?”
Nicco was still wearing his helmet which made it impossible to read his expression. He raised his shield.
“Go ahead.”
“Do you think you could help me up?”
He made a little sound which could have been exasperation. She wasn’t sure, but he did as she asked. With effortless masculine economy he lifted her on to the seat which she straddled.
“This is more exciting than opening my favorite present on Christmas morning! How do you make the dials light up like an airplane cockpit?”
With a swift movement he reached in front of her to turn on the key which was still in the ignition. The motion caused his arm to brush against her chest. Such intimate contact, even if it was accidental, sent her pulse zinging off the charts.
“I-it’s a beautiful work of art isn’t it?” her voice almost squeaked because she was shaking so hard in reaction.
“Are we still talking about the bike?” he asked in a sensuous tone.
The darkness hid the red staining her cheeks.
To her surprise his hands went to his chin strap. He was about to remove his helmet. She couldn’t understand why, not when she assumed they’d be going right back to the city. Still, it was the exact kind of distraction Callie could take advantage of to carry out her next move.
She waited till he started to lift it over his head. Wasting no more time, she kicked the stand back, then pushed the start button. As she pulled in the clutch at the same time, the bike took off like a missile shot from a silo.
Callie heard an immediate explosion of Italian invective behind her, but it quickly faded because of the engine’s whine. Praying to gain as much time as possible, she opened up on the dirt road.
Good heavens—there was so much power between her legs, she almost lost control as it ate up the kilometers leading down the main road to Torino.
If she could reach the American Embassy, she would ask for help getting home. At that point Nicco could claim his motorcycle while Callie’s sister arranged for an attorney to deal with Prince Enzo.
Five miles later she whipped through the tiny town of Monferrato. About a mile beyond it, the bike seemed to lose steam. She downshifted and gave it more throttle. Nothing happened.
To her horror, the fuel gauge registered empty!
No-o-o-o-o-o.
She had no choice but to coast to the side of the road and pull to a stop.
Much as she wanted to thumb a ride from a passing car, she didn’t dare leave a $150,000 bike sitting out in the open. It was too heavy to push anywhere, so the only thing she could do was wait until a motorist came along and she could pay for them to buy her a can of gas back in Monferrato.
Someone must have been watching out for her because she saw an old blue truck coming along the road in her direction. The driver slowed down and pulled over to the shoulder. Leaving the headlights on, he got out of the cab.
As she watched, she saw a tall, well-honed male walk toward her carrying a gas can in one hand, a helmet in the other. When she realized who it was, her legs began to tremble and wouldn’t stop.
Looking at him or touching him, she couldn’t deny Nicco was an exceptionally beautiful man.
In the animal kingdom there were gradations of beauty. Valentino took top honors for a boxer dog. If there were such a contest for the human male, Nicco would be hailed as grand champion. To find herself this attracted to him made it particularly hard to remember he was her enemy.
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Rebecca Winters
Nicco Tescotti is drop-dead gorgeous, but this eligible prince needs to marry for duty, and he still hasn't found a suitable wife. So he decides to buy a bride.Only, his wedding ultimatum unexpectedly produces two potential candidates - and they're twin sisters! Callie Lassiter has flown to Italy to meet her groom-to-be, with no intention of going through with the ceremony - until she meets Nicco himself! Now there's only one question in Callie's mind: is she a bride fit for a prince?
REBECCA WINTERS
Harlequin Romance
presents you with this emotional new duet by Rebecca Winters. She’s won many fans around the world with her wonderfully compelling, sparkling stories.
Welcome to:
TWIN BRIDES
Here come the grooms!
Callie and Ann may look the same, but when they jet off to Italy they meet two very different men—one’s a gorgeous prince, the other an enigmatic tycoon!
Bride Fit for a Prince
(#3739)
Rush to the Altar
(#3743)
Don’t miss this sensational duet brought to you by Harlequin Romance
.
Rebecca Winters, an American writer and mother of four, was excited about the new millennium because it meant another new beginning. Having said goodbye to the classroom where she taught French and Spanish, she is now free to spend more time with her family, to travel and to write the Harlequin Romance
novels she loves so dearly.
Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to email her, please visit her website at: www.rebeccawinters-author.com
If you enjoyed Callie’s story, don’t miss her twin sister’s search for her very own Mr. Right.
Look out for Ann’s story, on sale next month in Harlequin Romance
!
Bride Fit for a Prince
Rebecca Winters
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
“CALLIE? Wait up!”
Callie Lassiter had just finished strapping her satchel to the back of her motorcycle when her twin came running up to her. They hadn’t seen each other for five months at least. It was September already. Where had the time gone?
Her sister looked beautiful as always. As for Callie, she had mud all over her, even in her braided hair which no longer looked ash-blond. She smelled to high heaven.
“I better not hug you.” Callie laughed.
“Please don’t!” Ann laughed back, making no attempt to touch her.
“I thought you were in Los Angeles. Why didn’t you let me know you were coming to Prunedale? I would have made arrangements to take a couple of days off.”
“There wasn’t time. Something happened last night I have to talk to you about, so I caught a plane to San Jose today.”
“How did you know I was over here at the Oliveros’?”
“Dr. Wood said you’d ridden out this way earlier to help deliver a cow that was in trouble. I took a chance you might still be here.”
The heifer had been in trouble all right, but no longer. The cute little baby calf was doing great and so was its mother.
“What’s wrong?”
“My agent called me at midnight last night and told me I’ve been offered the big part in a new film with Cory Sievert that I auditioned for two weeks ago!”
“You’re kidding! That’s fantastic, Ann!” she cried, hugging her sister before she remembered not to.
Ann backed away, brushing herself off. “I couldn’t believe it. The actress first chosen for the part has turned out to be pregnant. Yesterday she went to the hospital with kidney stones and is out of commission. They needed to cast another actress immediately. I was the lucky one!”
After all the bit parts, she realized this was the big break Ann had been living for all these years, but Callie also knew her sister very well. She could have phoned her with this kind of news. There was something her sister wanted, otherwise she wouldn’t have flown up from L.A. without notice.
“I’m thrilled for you, Ann!”
“Me, too, but there’s just one little problem. Last night I won another contest!”
“That’s a problem? How much was the prize this time?”
Over the years her sister had entered more beauty contests than Callie could count. With those classic features and long legs, she’d won some considerable cash earnings, all part of Ann’s plan to stay afloat while she gained publicity to become a Hollywood star.
“Something really incredible, but I can’t follow through with it, not now that I have to report on the set first thing in the morning. This film is going to launch my career, Callie. That’s why you have to help me out. I’ve got a favor to ask of you.”
Uh-oh. “What did you win?”
“Let’s just say I was picked for something.”
Callie’s expressive brows furrowed. “Picked for what?”
“First I have to explain, so please hear me out. About a month ago I signed up to participate in a Hollywood charity benefit for the homeless called Who Wants To Marry A Prince? I heard about it from some girls while we were auditioning for a role—”
“Wait a minute!” Callie stopped her cold. “You signed up for a benefit like that after you were in that other ghastly, humiliating benefit last year, Who Wants To Marry A Billionaire?”
“It was for the publicity,” Ann defended. “Luckily I wasn’t chosen on that one. But even if he’d picked me, I would have pretended to faint, then refused to get married. The runner-up would have been forced to marry that overweight, over-the-hill American billionaire at his hotel in Las Vegas.
“But this benefit was different! A gorgeous, wealthy European prince was coming all the way to Hollywood to choose the right bride for him. It sounded so romantic and smacked of the days of Prince Rainier of Monaco coming to America to claim the actress Grace Kelly for his bride.”
“What it smacks of is a wolf in prince’s clothing,” Callie remarked in a scathing tone.
“How can you say that? The girls and I agreed that even if we didn’t get chosen, it was for a worthy cause and would give us great publicity because we knew there’d be a lot of talent scouts and film directors in the audience. The exposure might help land us a big movie contract.
“You should have seen this prince, Callie. He was wearing his royal outfit when he appeared onstage after I’d been chosen along with the other finalists. I have a picture of him. Here.” She whipped out a photo Callie had no choice but to look at. “Isn’t he incredible?”
Callie had to admit he resembled every little girl’s idea of Prince Charming. Dark brown hair, warm brown eyes. Dimples.
“I almost fainted when he walked past all of us, then knelt in front of me. He whispered that he’d made his decision the moment he’d seen my picture on the application.
“Before I could blink, he slipped this amazing betrothal ring on my finger. Can you believe that out of all the beautiful women there, he chose moi?”
Actually Callie wasn’t at all surprised. Ann was a raving beauty.
“So—have you informed him the wedding’s off because you’re too busy working on your next film?”
After a telling silence, “Not yet. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, when my application was accepted for the benefit, the host was smart enough to put a clause in the contract I signed that wasn’t in the Who Wants To Marry A Billionaire contract.”
Callie’s black-fringed eyes spit green sparks. “You mean you made the same mistake again and signed another contract before you paraded back and forth in front of the prince like a prize steer at a cattle auction?”
“Don’t be so earthy, Callie. I’ll have you know I was careful to read the small print. It made all the difference. That’s why I signed papers in front of the attorney for the benefit, as well as the prince’s private attorney.”
Callie felt ill. “What did the special clause say?”
“You have to marry the prince within twenty-four hours of your arrival in his country and live with him for one month. If at the end of that time either of you wants to back out of the marriage, you can get a divorce, no questions asked, and the homeless charity still get their money.
“It’s a perfect setup. If you don’t want to stay married, you’ll have won a free trip to Europe and all the publicity that goes with it.”
Her sister was taking a long time to get to the point. When Ann tossed her head back like that, it was the signal that she was really nervous about something.
“I suppose if you actually did fall in love with the prince and he fell in love with you, then you’d stay married and live happily ever after in his palace without having to worry about money again. But only if it’s the life you really want, which I don’t and never did!”
Callie groaned in horror. Her sister’s one track mind had gotten her into some awful scrapes in the past, but nothing as bad as this. The heat of anger filled her cheeks.
“What does this prince do? Go around attempting to get married every few months in the name of charity because he can’t have an intimate relationship with a woman any other way? What’s wrong with him? He could be an ax murderer for all you know.
“Have you considered you could be walking into danger? What if you got pregnant?
“Do you honestly believe the prince would let that thirty day stipulation stand in the way if you were carrying a royal heir? If you think for one minute he’d consider divorcing you and allow you to leave the country with his child, then I know you’ve lost your mind!”
Ann’s identical green eyes gleamed like a cat’s. “There’s no chance of my getting pregnant. Trust me. But that’s not the point. If you saw his pedigree, you wouldn’t have all these misgivings.”
“Misgivings—don’t you know what he’s done is without a doubt the most monstrous, awful, barbaric, ludicrous, absurd thing I’ve ever heard of? Annabelle Lassiter—how could you put so little value on yourself? Selling yourself off to the highest bidder just to get in the movies? Where’s your pride?”
“Pride doesn’t pay my rent,” her sister retorted. “Naturally if I’d known my agent was going to call me last night with news that I’d landed the most coveted Hollywood film role of the year, I would never have gotten myself involved in the benefit in the first place and wouldn’t be in this dilemma now.”
“What dilemma? Tell the benefit committee you’re going to be in a movie so they’ll have to choose one of the other contestants for the prince.”
“I already tried that, but it didn’t work. This morning, before I flew up here, I asked my attorney to look over the contract I signed. He says there’s no way I can get out of it. That’s why you’re the only person on the planet who can help me.”
“Oh, no, you don’t.”
Callie didn’t even want to think about it. She put on her helmet, then started up her motorcycle and rode down the country road toward the Pike’s farm. Their calico cat, Baxter, had gone off his food. Callie had promised to take a look at him on her way back to the clinic.
Unfortunately Ann followed in her rental car. By the time Callie started to unfasten her helmet, her sister had caught up with her and thrust something in her face.
“Take another look at his picture. His name is Prince Enzo Tescotti. He’s twenty-eight, only a year older than we are. You can see there’s absolutely nothing wrong with him.”
“I might have known he’d be an Italian,” Callie muttered. “Oh, brother.”
“Here are the first-class round trip airline tickets to Turin, Italy, where he and his royal cortege will be at the terminal to greet you after you get off the plane.
“You’ll have to fly out of Los Angeles. Luckily you went to England for that vet conference after graduation, so you already have a passport. I’ve also purchased your round trip tickets from San Jose to L.A.
“Since your overseas flight leaves day after tomorrow, you’ll have to fly to L.A. tomorrow. You can stay overnight at my apartment. I’ll drive you to the airport the next morning on my way to the studio.”
Callie shook her head. “Even if I were willing, which I’m not, I can’t leave my work.”
“That’s all been taken care of. When I told Dr. Wood you’d won a month’s vacation in Italy, all expenses paid, he was thrilled for you. He agreed you work too hard and are due a long vacation. I swear he told me he’d get along just fine until you came back. So you’re set!”
“Just like that?” Callie snapped her fingers. “You’re forgetting one thing. I’m not the one in this family who treats life like it’s one big joke.” She handed the tickets and picture back to her sister.
“Maybe that’s because you take it far too seriously,” Ann responded in a quiet voice. “I’m not like you. I hated the way Dad’s death left us in debt. Mom scrimped and still ended up having to sell the farm. You’re just like her.”
“She did what was necessary to keep you and me alive!” Callie defended.
“Mom could have married several men who asked her, but she didn’t.”
“That’s because she loved Daddy too much.”
“So much that her life was miserable after that and she ended up dying of a heart attack. You’ll probably die early, too, and I’ll be left alone.”
“Ann—”
“It’s true. You work too hard and you’ve got years of vet school loans to pay off. You don’t even have a car and are forced to ride around on a secondhand motorcycle.”
“You know I’ve always had a thing for motorcycles.” Hers happened to be a yellow and black Danelli Strada 100 Sports Bike that had won every competition for a decade before the company unexpectedly ceased to exist. “It still gets me where I need to go. Best of all, it’s mine!” she said staring pointedly at Ann’s rental car.
“But you live in a tiny two-room apartment at the back of the vet clinic where you can hear every sick animal in North Monterey county howling and meowing in your sleep.
“You have no love life and no hope of getting one working for Dr. Wood who’s old enough to be our great grandfather. Most of the time you spend your life mucking out stalls or pig pens in order to get your job done! When was the last time you did something exciting or had any fun?”
“I have fun as a vet,” Callie defended. “It’s what I wanted from the first time Jasper almost died when we were nine years old and Dr. Wood cured him. In a few years I’ll make a good enough living to be able to afford a place of my own. In the meantime, I’m not complaining and plan to live a long time. I happen to love the life I lead.”
“So do I! That’s why I can’t lose this opportunity now. This movie ensures I’ll be able to live at least five years off the money they’re going to pay me.”
“That’s a lot of money,” Callie said quietly. “I’m glad for you, and sorry you’ve gotten yourself into this mess.”
“Not as sorry as I am. I only wanted to be seen, not chosen.”
At this point Ann’s eyes were brimming with tears. They were the genuine article. Callie looked away, unable to handle it when her sister got upset like this. It didn’t happen very often.
“You should have thought of that sooner.”
“Do you know something? You’ve grown hard since veterinary school. I don’t understand it.”
Had she?
Somewhere deep inside, Ann’s comment hurt. Since their mother’s death, Callie’s emotions probably had closed off. She hadn’t realized it showed.
“Whatever happened to my sister who once played tricks on all her would-be boyfriends and then used me to bail her out? As I recall, I never turned you down when you begged me to go out with them because you’d changed your mind. And I never told them that we’d switched places either.”
Callie had forgotten about those happier days. She had to admit Ann had been a real trouper way back in high school when Callie had developed this horrendous crush on their neighbor’s son, Jerry. No other guy could compete.
“That’s what I’m doing now, Callie. Begging you to help me. My agent told me I have to report for makeup at six in the morning. If I don’t show up, not only will I be out of the film, I’ll be blackballed and he’ll drop me as a client. Where else do I go for help except my family? Please.”
Feeling her last escape hole closing over her, Callie closed her eyes tightly. “You’re asking a lot.”
“I know. If it’s any help, I’ve worked out a contingency plan.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve written out a ten thousand dollar check to the prince. It’s all the money I have in the world until I’m paid in two weeks. When you get to Italy, be honest with the prince.
“Tell him you’re my sister, that you’re there on my behalf. Explain that the same night I was in the benefit, I was offered the most important film role of my life.
“Hand him the betrothal ring and the check. It should cover the airline tickets and any other expenses he incurred. Tell him if he wants more money because I’ve broken the contract, he’ll have to ask his attorney to contact my attorney through my agent.
“Once you’ve delivered my message and given him everything, you can turn around and come home on the next flight. I promise you he’s a sweetheart. All the other finalists thought he was a darling and wished they’d been chosen. There won’t be any problem with him.”
“You don’t know anything about his character,” Callie muttered, feeling herself crumble because Ann’s suggestion actually sounded plausible. She supposed that if she talked to the prince face-to-face, and offered him the money while she explained the situation…
“Maybe not, but I’m certain he’s not the monster you’ve made him out to be. Just remember, Callie—I didn’t sign up to be in that benefit with the intention of backing out if I’d been chosen. I would have gone through with it.
“But when my agent called with the news that I could replace that other actress, I couldn’t turn it down. Look—you’ve already established your career. Couldn’t you find it in your heart to take three days away from your routine to help me forge mine? Is it really too much to ask?”
When Ann put it like that…
“No,” Callie conceded quietly. She did owe her sister for past favors.
“Oh, Callie—thank you, thank you.” She broke down sobbing and threw her arms around her, mindless of the dirt.
“I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time,” Callie murmured. “Three days isn’t such a sacrifice. I’ll suggest to the prince that he make arrangements to marry the runner-up. She had to sign that contract, too. My guess is she’ll jump at the chance to take your place.”
“I know she will!” Ann sniffed and let her go. “She’s a beautiful brunette and is a graduate student in architecture from Carmel. They showed a film clip of her winning all these horseback riding competitions. I can’t understand why the prince didn’t pick her to begin with. She was much more suited to being a real princess.”
Thank goodness there had been a runner-up. It would make Callie’s task easier.
“Why don’t you go back to the clinic and wait for me. I’m not sure how long I’ll be at the Pike’s.”
“That’s okay. I’ll sit in the car and work on my lines for tomorrow’s shoot. When you’re through, I’ll follow you home and help you pack.”
“What’s to pack? Aside from some extra underwear, a clean pair of jeans and a top should last me for the thirty-six-hour trip over and back. It’s all the time I can spare. The Selanders’s mare will be having her foal any day now. I plan to be here for it.”
“But you can’t meet the prince dressed that casually—” Ann cried out aghast.
“I’m not his betrothed. No one’s going to care what the messenger looks like.”
Ann shook her head. “I just hope you won’t feel foolish when all these people are at the airport in full royal regalia.”
“He’ll only get what he deserves for buying you like you were the goods at a slave market. The whole thing is so disgusting I still can’t believe it.”
The prince might be attractive, but Callie would bet her life there was a strain of mental illness that ran in his royal family. As far as she was concerned, the sooner she got Ann out of this wretched situation, the better.
Two days later the commuter flight from Milan where Callie had gone through customs, taxied to a stop at the airport in Turin. Torino to the locals.
She unfastened her seat belt, anxious to meet the prince and get this over with. Though she was tired, traveling first-class had made it a pleasant enough experience. In an hour she’d be on the return flight and sleep all the way home.
Looping the strap of her tote bag over her shoulder, she followed the other passengers to the waiting area inside the terminal.
There were masses of people standing about. Callie braced herself for whatever fanfare awaited her, but to her surprise nothing happened. She walked around for a few minutes, expecting to be approached, or to hear her sister’s name being called over the public address system at least.
How odd… It appeared no royal contingent had come to the airport for her yet. Maybe something unavoidable had occurred and the prince couldn’t help being late.
Slowly the crowds thinned until everyone had gone except a dangerous-looking male in his mid-thirties with overly long black hair seated on one of the lounge chairs. He was reading an Italian newspaper. His well-worn jeans and black leather jacket emphasized a strong, powerful physique.
There was something about Italian men Callie had noticed from the moment she’d entered the Milan terminal. No matter what they wore, they had a certain style and elegance that caused them to stand out from other men.
She grudgingly admitted that’s why they had the reputation for being seductive lovers. Especially this dark, arresting stranger whose aquiline features made her heart race for no good reason.
When he looked up suddenly and she met his jet-black gaze head on, heat enveloped her like a desert storm. She turned away, embarrassed to be caught staring like that. Without hesitation she headed for the terminal desk.
If the prince didn’t come soon, she’d write a note of explanation and slip it in the envelope with the check and ring. Before she boarded the plane for her return flight home in half an hour, she would ask the airline employee to make certain it was put in the prince’s hands.
“Signorina Lassiter?”
A deep, unfamiliar male voice spoke directly behind her. She spun around to discover the striking-looking stranger standing too close to her, robbing her of breath. He was a tall man, at least six feet two. At five feet eight, she noticed things like that.
His searching black eyes seemed to consume her features and hair which she wore in one fat braid halfway down her back.
“Are you from the palace?”
There was a pregnant pause. “That’s right. My name is Nicco.” He spoke excellent English with a heavy accent she found disturbingly appealing.
“I understood Prince Enzo was going to meet the plane.”
“I’m afraid he was unavoidably detained. I was dispatched to…take care of you.”
“Who are you? One of his bodyguards?”
His lips twitched. “Would it make you feel safer if I said yes?”
Not particularly. If the truth be known, Callie had already imagined this man could handle himself in any situation. What bothered her was his mocking arrogance which had caught her on the raw. It appeared the prince’s emissary had kept her waiting on purpose.
He didn’t like her.
She’d sensed that instinctively, yet she couldn’t blame him. Any woman who would be a part of a benefit in order to sell her body to an unknown prince deserved the world’s scorn.
On the other hand, any man who would work for a prince who had no morals was equally despicable.
“Let’s just say that by answering my question with a question, you’ve come off sounding positively Machiavellian. But then I shouldn’t be surprised. You did say your name was Niccolo. The master of cunning. A throwback to your ancient ancestor perhaps?”
For a split second his eyes glittered with some unnamed emotion that sent a dart of fear coursing through her nervous system.
“The prince will be impressed with your knowledge of Italian political history, signorina. It seems there are depths to you yet to be plumbed. Shall we get your bags?”
“I didn’t bring any.”
“Of course not,” he murmured in a silky voice. “A princess-to-be must have an entirely new wardrobe from the skin out.” He slid an index finger down her cheek. “Yours feels like velvet. No wonder Prince Enzo couldn’t resist you.”
“Is that one of your jobs? To inspect the royal merchandise?” she snapped to cover the shock wave that had just passed through her body.
“Call it a lapse I couldn’t resist. It won’t happen again. Now that you’re his fiancée, the prince won’t allow another man to touch you on pain of death.”
She flashed him an icy smile. “How feudal of your master to send you ahead to discover my fatal flaw. I’ll warn you now. I have several of them.”
A sardonic gleam entered his eyes. “I hadn’t thought to enjoy my mission this much. Except for the wedding dress which I understand was purchased some time ago, the prince told me to accommodate your every desire.
“As soon as we leave the airport, it will be my pleasure to take you shopping for your royal trousseau. Along the arcade of the Via Roma you will find our country’s most fashionable couturier salons,” he whispered in a husky tone, giving her voluptuous body a slow, frank appraisal.
Considering she was in jeans and a knit top that was several years old, the look he’d just given her was meant to be insulting. The sparring had gone on long enough.
“You won’t be taking me any place because I have no need of a new wardrobe,” she blurted with as much hauteur as she could summon.
“Then you truly are a dream come true, signorina. I will let the prince know you intend to keep him happy in the marriage bed for the entire thirty days and nights.”
“Careful, Niccolo—your true colors are showing,” she bit out as white-hot heat consumed her.
“If your lack of concern about clothes is one of the fatal flaws you were referring to, then I admit I’m looking forward to ferreting out the rest of them.”
Anxious to wipe the gloating expression from his eyes she said, “Will you please give this to the prince for me?”
Callie reached in her bag that contained her toiletries along with a change of underwear, and handed him the velvet lined box. It held the betrothal ring. After opening the lid, he trapped her hand.
“Do you know this ring dates from the early sixteenth century when the House of Piemonte and the House of Monferrato formed a valuable alliance through marriage?”
To her shock he slid it on her ring finger. After studying it he said, “I wondered why you weren’t wearing it. Now I have my answer.
“Though it’s the most valuable of the collection in terms of the Tescotti family history, I can see how this heavy gold piece doesn’t suit your delicate hand. I’ll tell his highness to pick out something more modern from the family jewels.”
At the moment, her hands were covered in a rash from washing and scrubbing them so much before surgery. She’d tried every cream in existence, but they still itched and had blotchy spots he rubbed several times. Callie pulled her hand away, shaken by his touch which had arced through her body like a current of electricity.
Pulling off the ring, she put it back in the box and shoved it at him. “I have something else you can give the prince.” Once more she reached in her bag and handed him the envelope with the check inside.
He opened it. “Ten thousand dollars. To my knowledge, the prince had no expectations of a wedding present from you. However I’m aware of something he would like, and this is the exact amount to cover it.” His eyes flashed black fire. “You’re going to make him the happiest man alive.”
Putting both items in his pockets, he cupped her elbow. “It’s a beautiful fall afternoon. Since you don’t require any clothes, I thought you might like a ride around the city to relax you. It’s only fitting that you survey your kingdom before the wedding tomorrow. Shall we get started?”
Callie jerked her arm away. “I’m not going anywhere with you and that money isn’t a wedding gift.”
He stared at her through veiled eyes. “You’re trembling. But surely there is no reason to be afraid of me. This close to the ceremony, I have sworn a sacred oath to protect you with my life. In fact I am the only person in the world who has Prince Enzo’s complete trust.”
“Then you need to let him know there isn’t going to be a wedding.”
His white smile was condescending. “I thought only the groom had what you Americans call pre-wedding jitters. You are turning out to be a surprise in so many ways, I find myself utterly captivated.”
“Look, Nicco whoever-you-are—I’m going to be honest with you.”
“You mean you haven’t been up to now?”
Callie forced herself to count to ten. “I’ve been trying to tell you something. Before you jump to any more wrong conclusions, you need to hear me out. I’m not the woman his highness picked to marry.”
The amusement in his eyes maddened her. He pulled a photograph out of his back pocket. “Then who is this?”
The picture he held up was obviously the photograph Ann had sent in with the application.
Smothering a groan she said, “I know it looks like me. That’s because I’m Ann’s twin sister, Callie.”
“Callie.” He mouthed her name. In the next breath he’d relieved her of her shoulder bag and pulled out her passport. He opened it and placed the picture next to the passport photo. “According to this, your name is Callie Ann Lassiter.”
“Yes, I know. My sister is named Annabelle, but she goes by Ann. Our father wanted both of us to have our mother’s name.”
His lips twitched. “That’s quite a lie you’ve dreamed up. Obviously you’re frightened of this step you’re about to take. For an aspiring Hollywood actress, who would have guessed it?”
She’d had enough of his barely veiled mockery. Taking a deep breath she said, “You mistake my fright for frustration. It’s because you won’t listen to me. I’m going to try this one more time. I’m not the prince’s intended!”
As if it were his divine right, he unsnapped the strap of her wallet and looked at her driver’s license.
“Callie Ann Lassiter,” he read her name aloud again.
She gritted her teeth. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. I flew over to explain to the prince that she can’t marry him because she’s starring in a new movie. The ten thousand dollars is to pay for the airline tickets and other expenses the prince incurred by choosing to be the celebrity for the benefit.”
When he didn’t say anything, she went on with her explanation.
“She’s very sorry about breaking the contract. I assure you she would have followed through with the marriage. But on the night of the benefit, her agent called with the opportunity of a lifetime. She couldn’t pass it up.”
His continued silence infuriated her.
“They started filming in Hollywood yesterday and she had to be on the set at six in the morning. So she came to see me the day before yesterday and asked me if I would return the ring to the prince in person and give him the money.”
Callie wondered if he was even listening to her.
“If it’s not enough, tell him to contact her agent who will confer with her attorney. She wrote his name and number on a piece of paper in the envelope. I think that’s everything, and now I have to go. They’re calling for my flight to Milan.”
Crowds had gathered once more, filling the terminal with noisy chatter.
“If I could have my wallet and passport please.”
To her great relief, he put everything in her bag and handed it to her with an enigmatic expression on his face. “I will convey your message to the prince.”
Finally a reaction!
“Thank you. Please tell him I’m very sorry my sister didn’t know about the movie offer in time to pull out of the benefit. But if he’s as wonderful as my sister says he is, then I’m sure he’ll have no problem finding another fiancée.
“Ann told me the first runner-up in the competition was dying to be picked. Remind the prince that she was the ravishing brunette who’s also an expert equestrian. Oh, yes, and a graduate student in architecture. She’ll make the right bride for his highness.
“If he acts right away, a private jet could be sent for her in time to arrive for tomorrow’s ceremony. Now I really have to go. Goodbye.”
CHAPTER TWO
RELIEVED to get away from him, Callie handed her boarding pass to the airline person at the gate and hurried through the door to the plane. Once she’d found her seat and strapped herself in, she could finally relax.
The whole thing had gone much better than she’d hoped. In a way she was glad she hadn’t been forced to deal with the prince. No matter how repulsed she was by his evil method to get himself a bride, it still would have been hard to look him in the eye and tell him her sister didn’t want to marry him after all.
As for Niccolo Machiavelli, she needed to put him out of her mind and forget such a man existed. He’d excited her in a frightening kind of way, probably because he was foreign and an unknown quantity. Her body still tingled from the caress of his fingers on her cheek and hands.
She’d never reacted to a man’s touch like that before. Worse, she felt a sense of loss she couldn’t account for to realize she wouldn’t be seeing him again.
It was very strange considering that lately Callie had decided maybe she and Ann had been born without a woman’s normal feelings. All of their friends had found a husband by now. Many of them already had children.
Growing up, Callie and Ann had never suffered from a lack of dates. If anything, it had been the other way around. Yet neither of them had ever had a serious boyfriend.
At college and vet school there’d been quite a few students interested in her, but she’d been too absorbed in her studies to get involved. It was the same way for Ann who’d had dates with some well known actors. Yet her hope of being an actress was stronger than her desire to settle down.
Now, suddenly, a dark stranger had made Callie aware of herself as a flesh and blood woman with needs that must have been lying dormant all these years. How ironic to think it took an Italian male to wake her up to her own sensuality.
Not just any Italian man, Callie.
Her instincts about animals and people were usually right on. The man who worked for Prince Enzo was a breed apart from other men. She’d sensed it from the first moment she’d seen him sitting there in all his splendid indifference to the world around him.
Deep inside she had the disquieting feeling he was going to be unforgettable. The thought was so alarming, she reached for her novel in a desperate attempt to get her mind on anything else besides him.
Little by little the seats filled. She tried to concentrate on the story, but it was impossible. The plane couldn’t take off fast enough to suit her.
A new flight attendant came on board. She smiled and chatted with each passenger. When she came to Callie she said, “Signorina Lassiter? If you would come with me, please.”
Callie blinked. “Why? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. There are two policemen waiting inside the terminal to talk to you.”
Oh, no. Nicco must have already reported to the prince and now she was about to be detained. She should have known this was too easy.
“As a matter of courtesy to you, I told them I would find you. I’m sure you don’t want to be embarrassed by having them come on board for an interrogation.”
“No, of course not—but the plane’s about ready to take off.”
“They said this shouldn’t take long.”
“I see. Thank you.”
With growing trepidation she got up from the seat, grabbed her bag and followed the flight attendant into the terminal. Sure enough two Italian policemen in uniform were waiting for her at the exit.
“Signorina Lassiter?” The one with the moustache spoke first.
“Yes?”
“Signorina Ann Lassiter?” the other one questioned.
“No,” she answered honestly. “My name is Callie. Ann is my sister.”
“Your passport, please.”
Once again she found herself opening her shoulder bag to get it out. The policeman took it from her and studied the picture.
“Thank you very much.” He put it in his pocket. “If you’ll come with us please.”
“What do you mean? I have a plane to catch!”
The two officers smiled at each other before the one with the moustache said, “His royal highness learned that his beautiful American fiancée has prewedding nerves, a problem he finds extremely charming. He hopes that by now you have gotten over them enough to let us take you to him.”
“No—” she cried out. “I mean, you don’t understand—I’m not his fiancée! I can prove it if you’ll just let me make one phone call!”
They broke into laughter. “He warned us you would put up a struggle. Come, signorina. No one keeps the prince waiting. However for his bride-to-be, he has made an exception this one time. We will take you to him.”
Callie sensed that if she continued to fight them, it would no longer be a joking matter. So much for her sister’s belief that ten thousand dollars would settle everything.
I promise he’s a sweetheart. All the other finalists thought he was a darling and wished they’d been chosen. There won’t be any problem with him.
She’d known there’d been a catch somewhere. Now she thought she’d figured out what it was. Prince Enzo held a title and nothing else! That’s why no royal contingent had been sent to greet her when she got off the plane and that’s why he needed to buy a bride.
It was probably the reason he’d used his celebrity status to be the focus of a huge Hollywood benefit. No doubt he needed a wife to support him! Where else in the world but America would people pay big money for charity to rub shoulders with a European prince?
What better woman for him to pick than a shallow Hollywood actress with stars in her eyes for a brain, and a bank account that could feed all the homeless at once?
His choice of bride-to-be was beginning to make a lot of sense. Everyone knew a film idol was worth millions. Enough to keep him in the manner to which he’d been accustomed before his fortune had run out or he’d squandered it.
Apparently the prince’s mouthpiece Nicco had wasted no time informing him that Signorina Lassiter had tried to back out of that damnable contract by insisting she was the wrong woman. He’d probably advised the prince to extort as much money from her as he could.
It looked as if Callie had no choice now but to meet his royal wretchedness himself, and set him straight about the farcical situation he’d brought on due to his own greed.
Once she could prove he was a has-been with nothing to show for it but an empty title, no court of law on either side of the Atlantic would require Callie’s sister to hold up her end of that absurd contract. Talk about flawed…
In order not to make a scene, Callie allowed herself to be escorted by the two policemen. They entered a nearby elevator and descended to the next floor.
To her chagrin, thoughts of the prince’s black-haired, slick-tongued envoy prevented her from concentrating fully over the impending confrontation. Undoubtedly Nicco had orchestrated the entire plot for the prince with the latter’s promise of a healthy cut of Ann’s film profits down the road.
Callie had been right all along. Nicco had Machiavellian blood running through his veins. Little did he know she had the fierce blood of her Norse ancestry running through hers…
When the elevator reached ground level, Callie’s clover-green eyes narrowed as she prepared to do battle.
The police directed her to a door down the corridor which they unlocked. It opened onto the tarmac where their police van awaited. They helped her into the back where she sat on a bench. There were no windows to see out.
After being shut in, she had to endure a twenty-minute drive without knowing where on earth they were taking her. Finally she felt the van slow down and come to a stop.
When they opened the doors to let her out, she discovered they’d driven to the rear of a medium-size apartment building somewhere in the heart of Torino.
In one of the nearby covered parking stalls she caught sight of a helmeted man getting off a motorcycle. Her eyes widened to discover it was a brand-new Danelli! That wasn’t possible unless…
But when had the company started manufacturing them again?
To her shock, one of the police officers walked over to the driver of the fire-engine-red racing bike and handed him her passport. After a short conversation, he returned to the van. It backed out of the alley, leaving her standing there in a daze.
So this was the prince.
It appeared he had a little more money than she’d thought. Unless he was in debt up to his eyeballs and hoping his benefit bride would bail him out. To own such a fabulous machine would have set him back at least a hundred thousand dollars, maybe much more.
The man removed his helmet without bothering to smooth his black hair which had become disheveled.
“Buongiorno, signorina.”
At the sound of the deep, seductive male voice she’d heard before, she let out a shocked gasp.
Nicco!
She hated it that he looked even more attractive than ever.
“Don’t tell me—” she spoke first, anxious to quell the frantic beating of her heart. “I presume this is where the prince lives because he lost all his land and properties a long time ago.”
“How very astute of you.”
Callie ignored his sarcasm. “I thought so. Thank you for being honest with me about that anyway. It’s too bad my sister’s not a famous, fabulously wealthy Hollywood actress yet. This whole thing might have had a different ending if she’d been ready to turn her back on the limelight and devote herself to a down-and-out prince.”
He gave a careless, elegant shrug of his broad shoulders. “You can’t blame a man for trying.”
“I suppose not. Unfortunately he risked everything on the wrong woman. But as she’s my sister, I can vouch for her. Ann may be a little foolish at times, but she’s a totally nice person who wants to make up to the prince for what has happened.
“After having met him, it’s her belief he’s a charming, civilized man who will understand the circumstances and be willing to work out any further financial arrangements with her attorney. I hope that’s true so this thing can be cleared up right away. I have to fly home to the States tonight.”
“Let’s go inside and find out, shall we?”
He led her through a back entrance and up a half flight of stairs to the second floor. Two doors down on the left he stopped and put a key in the lock. She heard barking.
“Basta, Valentino!”
The second the door opened, a gorgeous fawn-colored male boxer dog greeted him with such joy, it warmed Callie’s heart. The first real smile she’d seen lit Nicco’s eyes as he put his helmet on the foyer table and played around with the dog.
He spoke to it in Italian. She could just make out the words Signorina Lassiter before he turned his head toward Callie. “The dog will give you five if you’ll put out your hand.”
“Give you five” was slang for two people slapping their palms together. Nicco’s command of English was excellent. Obviously the prince had hired a modern-day Renaissance man to act for him at times like this.
She lifted her palm in the air. Valentino raised his paw and slapped hers with the right degree of strength so he didn’t knock her down. Enchanted, she bent over and hugged him around the neck, scratching the sensitive spot behind his pointed ears.
“Oh, you’re beautiful!” she cried softly.
For a reward he licked her mouth.
Callie burst into laughter. “I love you, too.” She kissed his face. “Yes I do, you magnificent creature.” Unable to help herself, she got down on her knees to inspect his white stocking feet. He had perfect coloring.
“You have the markings and bearing of a true champion.” She kissed the top of his head one more time before standing up.
“For a dog and a human who don’t understand each other’s language, the two of you have managed to cross that boundary without problem,” her host muttered in a dry tone.
The boxer walked around her, sniffing and licking her legs and hands. He could detect the scent of the vet hospital where she lived and worked.
“That’s because I’m crazy about animals. How long has the prince had him?”
“Eight years now.”
“The lucky man. Does he let you take Valentino for walks?”
“All the time.”
“If I worked for him, that would be my favorite perk.”
He flashed her a glance she couldn’t decipher. “Come into the other room.”
Anxious to meet the prince and get this over with, she followed Nicco’s tall, rock-hard physique through a doorway to the living room of the apartment.
It was modestly furnished in what appeared to be secondhand furniture, exactly like the decor of her one bedroom apartment behind the clinic.
“Prince Enzo really has fallen on hard times. I feel right at home.”
“He’ll be glad to hear it,” Nicco replied with a hint of mockery. “Please make yourself comfortable.”
She sat down on one of the chairs. Valentino curled up at her feet. A few minutes of silence passed before she was prompted to ask, “What’s taking the prince so long?”
“He’s out for the moment.”
When the meaning of his words sank in, her head reared. “What’s going on here?”
Nicco sat down on the couch opposite her. “With his wedding day tomorrow, the prince is a busy man. He’ll be along shortly.”
“The prince better hurry if he expects the runner-up to arrive here in time.”
He lounged back against the cushion, extending his long, powerful legs in front of him. “Come now, signorina. Surely you’re not still maintaining that fictitious nonsense about a twin?”
Callie was on her feet in an instant. Her action disturbed the dog who instinctively tried to herd her so she wouldn’t move from the room. Under normal circumstances she would have laughed at the endearing trait, but this situation was not amusing.
“Where’s the phone? I’ll get Ann on the line and she’ll explain everything.”
“I’m afraid the prince only uses a cell phone.”
She took a struggling breath. “Then I assume you have one, too. May I use yours, please?”
“I would offer mine, but it needs to be recharged.”
“How convenient.”
As if proclaiming his innocence, he lifted those broad masculine shoulders still covered by his black Italian leather jacket. Her sarcasm had been utterly wasted on him.
“Before Prince Enzo arrives, we might as well begin a discussion of tomorrow’s schedule. It’s my job to prepare you for your nuptials. Why don’t you sit down again and relax. Too much anxiety before the wedding ceremony will carry over into the bridal chamber.
“Ever since he saw your photograph last month, the prince has been anticipating your wedding night. He expects to find his new consort as eager as he is to begin your life together as husband and wife. It’s up to me to make certain he isn’t disappointed.”
By now Callie’s face was on fire. “And of course I don’t have any say in the situation.”
“None. Of your own freewill—in front of the attorney for the benefit as well Prince Enzo’s personal attorney—you signed a contract I drew up for the prince myself. It is airtight, signorina. No power on earth, not even the Pope himself, can break it.”
“I didn’t sign it,” she said calmly. “My sister did.”
His gaze captured hers. She fought not to look away.
“Supposing that’s true…” His voice trailed. “And you really do have an identical twin named Ann…it still won’t stop the wedding from taking place tomorrow.”
Something menacing in his tone sent a spiral of fear snaking through her body.
“If your sister had looked carefully at the profile given her on Prince Enzo by the benefit committee, she would have seen that the blood of the Borgia’s as well as the Tescotti’s runs through his veins.
“It’s an historical fact that it was Cesare Borgia whom Machiavelli used as the model for his book about the prince who ruled without moral consideration for his terrified subjects.”
He leaned forward. “If I were you, I’d start thinking very hard how you’re going to influence your new husband not to have your sister arrested for sending you in her place. Prison is no place for the fiancée of Prince Enzo.”
Callie refused to be intimidated. “Ann’s not here to arrest.”
“That’s true. But you are…” His eyes had narrowed to black slits, like the kind you saw hollowed out in a castle turret where the bowmen shot their arrows.
“I thought Prince Enzo wanted me for his bride.”
“Naturalmente you’ll become his princess. When you’ve served your purpose, then you’ll be placed under house arrest.”
She felt her escape route closing fast, but she wasn’t about to let him know that.
“So now we get down to the real reason for this absurd farce. My sister has already written him a check for ten thousand dollars which is all of her savings.
“With this next film, I’m sure she’ll be able to give him five times that amount. What’s his price? If she can’t meet it all the way, I’ll go to my bank and see how much of a loan I can take out.” At this rate Callie would be in debt for the rest of her life.
“Your loyalty to your sister is nothing short of astounding, signorina. That is if you have a sister,” he drawled unnervingly. “It’s a pity money is not the consideration here.”
He reached in his pocket and threw the check down on the coffee table for her to take back.
“Then what is?” she blurted in exasperation. “Why has he gone to all the trouble of choosing an American bride? Unless—”
She darted him a wicked smile. “Unless, of course, he has some genetic defect handed down from the Borgias that every Italian woman of royal blood already knows about and has avoided like the bubonic plague.”
With the stealth of a panther, Nicco rose to his full height, bigger than life. “You’re not as empty-headed as I had supposed, so I’m not going to ruin the surprise. Tomorrow morning you’ll find out for yourself just exactly what you, or your sister, agreed to marry.”
“That’s barbaric!”
The moment she shouted the words, the boxer growled deep in his throat and went into his guard dog stance.
A taunting smile broke the corner of Nicco’s hard mouth. “Valentino likes you very much, which is surprising when you consider his passionate devotion to the prince. Keep your voice well modulated and he won’t treat you as an intruder. It’s the last thing he wants to do. As you can see, his short tail is wagging.”
Valentino she could handle. The dog was wonderful. As for Nicco, he’d backed her into a corner.
Letting go of the breath she’d been holding she said, “You had me brought to this apartment under false pretenses. I won’t be seeing the prince until the wedding, will I.”
“Now you’re catching on, as you Americans are fond of saying.”
He must have spent a lot of time around someone from the States. How she’d love to wipe that triumphant expression from his good-looking face.
There was no way she would be a victim if she could help it. An idea for escape had just come to her. If it didn’t work, then she’d try something else.
“Since you leave me with no choice but to surrender, how about granting this condemned prisoner one last favor before her execution tomorrow?”
His white smile was so unexpected and electrifying, her heart almost jumped out of her body. “Short of asking for a reprieve, your wish is my command, signorina.”
“You mean that?” She infused a little trembling into her question to reveal a deceptive combination of fear and humility.
“Try me and find out.”
“Could we go on that ride around the city you promised me earlier?”
“Of course. I’ll arrange for the limousine.”
“No—I mean on your motorcycle.”
A strange quiet filled the room. It pleased her that her request was the last thing he’d expected to be asked.
“In a movie I once rented, this American woman rode on the back of this guy’s motorcycle while they toured Naples. It looked so fun the way he maneuvered them through the narrow streets and alleys. They were able to go exciting places a car wouldn’t fit.”
He rubbed his jaw absently. “Torino’s a northern city of long parkways, gardens, promenades and right angles, signorina.”
Before she averted her eyes, she purposely let out a deep sigh he couldn’t help hearing.
“It’s all right, Nicco. I understand. Really I do,” she said in the way she might speak to a small child.
After a suspicious pause, “What is it you think you understand?”
Good. She’d piqued his curiosity, just as she’d hoped.
“That your responsibility is to protect me until tomorrow.”
“And?” he bit out impatiently. When she looked at him again, his eyes glittered with an unfathomable light.
“I should have realized you don’t feel confident enough to show me the sights on your bike without having an accident. You could have just told me the truth, but I forgot your pride. I understand the Italian male’s is more inflated than that of the other men of the world.”
He had no idea how much satisfaction it gave her to say that to him.
A sardonic smile broke out on his lips. “If anything, I was trying to protect your female sensibilities. You would have to cling to me like you were my second skin,” he said in a husky tone, leaving her in no doubt what he was thinking.
“However if that’s your heart’s desire, far be it from me to deny Prince Enzo’s lovely fiancée her final request.”
Again she looked away, thrilled to realize she’d accomplished her first objective. But she wasn’t going to fool herself that obtaining her second goal would be as easy to achieve.
“The bathroom is down that hallway on the right. Feel free to freshen up while I find his helmet for you to wear.”
She made a show of frowning. “But in the movie, the woman didn’t wea—”
“Forget the film.” He broke in without hesitation. “If, God forbid, something unforeseen should happen while we’re out riding, I would never forgive myself if you suffered an injury. Prince or no prince.”
He stood there with his hands on his hips, his appeal so virile and potent, her body trembled when she thought of being plastered against him.
“If you’ve changed your mind, signorina…”
Now he was baiting her, expecting her to back down.
“No. I’ll be ready in a moment.”
“That’s good. We have very little daylight left.”
She headed for the hallway on unsteady legs. That was the effect he had on her.
Valentino followed. She knew he was standing guard outside the bathroom door because she could hear him snoring. He sounded just like her own dog, reminding her how much she missed Chloe.
When she was ready and reached the foyer, Nicco was waiting for her with a helmet under his arm, another black one in his hand.
He rapped out something in Italian to the boxer who immediately took a sitting position. Then he opened the door.
“After you,” he said to Callie, indicating she should exit first. She retraced their steps to the outside of the apartment building. By the time she approached his cycle, he’d already put on his helmet.
Up close she could read the name of the model. It was called a Danelli NT-1 super bike.
“How much does something like this cost?”
“In lira or dollars?” he drawled.
“Dollars.”
“Upward of $150,000 or more.”
Even more than she’d thought. “For a down-and-out prince, he must pay you a hefty salary to afford this.”
Ignoring her comment, he lowered the other helmet over her head and fastened the chin strap. His piercing black eyes trapped hers briefly before he moved to drop the rear foot pegs.
While she stood there in a daze, he threw his leg over the seat and straddled his bike. Once he’d started the powerful engine, he turned toward her.
“When you get on, place your feet on the pegs and wrap your arms around my waist, interlocking your fingers. That’s all you have to do.” He lowered his shield and waited.
From the second she’d laid eyes on Nicco, she’d known he was a dangerous man. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d get anywhere near a motorcycle like his, let alone ride on one. She bet it could reach over a hundred miles per hour in less than ten seconds. To feel that kind of lightning acceleration was going to be thrilling.
Heavens—if it weren’t for the ghastly trouble Ann had gotten herself into, Callie would be having the time of her life.
Her heart pounded outrageously as she watched him pull in the clutch and put the bike in gear. He was impatient to go, letting her know it was now or never.
With an eagerness she couldn’t suppress, she jumped on behind him and adjusted her shoulder bag.
“I’m ready,” she said, placing her sneaker-clad feet on the pegs. With a tug on her face shield, she lay against him and slid her arms around his hard-muscled body. No sooner had she intertwined her fingers than the bike sprang to life as if it had a will of its own.
He maneuvered them down the alley to the street. Then there was an initial leap and everything became a blur. They literally flew along the parkway to join the freeway.
CHAPTER THREE
THIS was ecstasy.
Nicco had incredible control as he wove so smoothly between cars. The daring way he took corners with breathtaking accuracy, every practiced move as she leaned with him, conveyed the expertise of a racing pro.
When he wasn’t working for the prince, did he race? Was that how he could afford the bike? Or was this a special model paid for by sponsors?
A rush of adrenaline surged through her veins at the possibility she could be riding with one of the very best in the world. Yet she sensed he was still being careful to make certain nothing happened to her.
Callie wondered where he was taking them. The freeway seemed to be leading away from Torino’s core to the outskirts. They whizzed past centuries-old residences and fairy-tale palaces of Baroque design.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Torino with its four rivers and miles of gardens had been left behind. They’d reached an alpine valley that looked like a patchwork quilt of vineyards. A marvelous fruity essence seemed to envelop them.
Though the air had grown cooler, Nicco’s warmth had invaded her body from her shoulders down. They were melded like two hot metals in a refiner’s fire. The feeling of oneness was indescribable.
Never wanting their magical ride to end, she moaned in disappointment when he pulled off the road to follow a path through the vegetation. It was evident he knew about this spot. She assumed he wanted to rest for a minute before returning to the city.
Soon they arrived at a charming three-story farmhouse with a portico. Closed green shutters stood out against the pale orange exterior.
He geared down and came to a stop in the empty courtyard. The place appeared deserted to her. Remembering her plan, now would be the best time to make her getaway. Otherwise she might never have another opportunity.
Callie quickly got down from the bike and lifted the shield of her helmet. While she waited for him to climb off, she looked all around. Tall cypress trees were silhouetted against the sky, heralding the approach of night. She would need the motorcycle’s headlights to help her find the way out of the mountains.
The second he swung his leg over she said, “That was an exhilarating ride. Before we go back to town, can I sit on it by myself for a minute?”
Nicco was still wearing his helmet which made it impossible to read his expression. He raised his shield.
“Go ahead.”
“Do you think you could help me up?”
He made a little sound which could have been exasperation. She wasn’t sure, but he did as she asked. With effortless masculine economy he lifted her on to the seat which she straddled.
“This is more exciting than opening my favorite present on Christmas morning! How do you make the dials light up like an airplane cockpit?”
With a swift movement he reached in front of her to turn on the key which was still in the ignition. The motion caused his arm to brush against her chest. Such intimate contact, even if it was accidental, sent her pulse zinging off the charts.
“I-it’s a beautiful work of art isn’t it?” her voice almost squeaked because she was shaking so hard in reaction.
“Are we still talking about the bike?” he asked in a sensuous tone.
The darkness hid the red staining her cheeks.
To her surprise his hands went to his chin strap. He was about to remove his helmet. She couldn’t understand why, not when she assumed they’d be going right back to the city. Still, it was the exact kind of distraction Callie could take advantage of to carry out her next move.
She waited till he started to lift it over his head. Wasting no more time, she kicked the stand back, then pushed the start button. As she pulled in the clutch at the same time, the bike took off like a missile shot from a silo.
Callie heard an immediate explosion of Italian invective behind her, but it quickly faded because of the engine’s whine. Praying to gain as much time as possible, she opened up on the dirt road.
Good heavens—there was so much power between her legs, she almost lost control as it ate up the kilometers leading down the main road to Torino.
If she could reach the American Embassy, she would ask for help getting home. At that point Nicco could claim his motorcycle while Callie’s sister arranged for an attorney to deal with Prince Enzo.
Five miles later she whipped through the tiny town of Monferrato. About a mile beyond it, the bike seemed to lose steam. She downshifted and gave it more throttle. Nothing happened.
To her horror, the fuel gauge registered empty!
No-o-o-o-o-o.
She had no choice but to coast to the side of the road and pull to a stop.
Much as she wanted to thumb a ride from a passing car, she didn’t dare leave a $150,000 bike sitting out in the open. It was too heavy to push anywhere, so the only thing she could do was wait until a motorist came along and she could pay for them to buy her a can of gas back in Monferrato.
Someone must have been watching out for her because she saw an old blue truck coming along the road in her direction. The driver slowed down and pulled over to the shoulder. Leaving the headlights on, he got out of the cab.
As she watched, she saw a tall, well-honed male walk toward her carrying a gas can in one hand, a helmet in the other. When she realized who it was, her legs began to tremble and wouldn’t stop.
Looking at him or touching him, she couldn’t deny Nicco was an exceptionally beautiful man.
In the animal kingdom there were gradations of beauty. Valentino took top honors for a boxer dog. If there were such a contest for the human male, Nicco would be hailed as grand champion. To find herself this attracted to him made it particularly hard to remember he was her enemy.
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Rebecca Winters
Тип: электронная книга
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
Язык: на английском языке
Издательство: HarperCollins
Дата публикации: 16.04.2024
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О книге: Nicco Tescotti is drop-dead gorgeous, but this eligible prince needs to marry for duty, and he still hasn′t found a suitable wife. So he decides to buy a bride.Only, his wedding ultimatum unexpectedly produces two potential candidates – and they′re twin sisters! Callie Lassiter has flown to Italy to meet her groom-to-be, with no intention of going through with the ceremony – until she meets Nicco himself! Now there′s only one question in Callie′s mind: is she a bride fit for a prince?