Alessandro's Prize Read Free

accompaniment.
    A redolent aroma that begged a sample taste as it teased the nose with the promise of ambrosia.
    â€˜Yet you returned to Australia,’ a fellow guest noted, and Lily returned her attention to the present.
    â€˜My family was there,’ she relayed simply. ‘Friends. It was where I wanted to be.’
    And Parisi, the upmarket Italian-style restaurant her parents had worked so hard to achieve the stellar success it rightly deserved.
    Hers now, with subtle additions to the menu, extra touches to the table settings, and slight changes to the decor.
    There was pride in maintaining the high standard of quality food, excellent service, while ensuring a relaxed and happy atmosphere, where regular guests were welcomed by name with every effort made to secure their preferred table.
    She’d imagined her life was mapped out…a brilliant business in a field for which she had a genuine love; a man she believed loved her; a wedding to plan.
    Only for James to prove himself unfaithful, untrustworthy, and not the man she’d thought him to be.
    There had been times over the past weeks when she’d shuddered at how close she’d come to committing to a marriage that held the portent of heartbreak and disaster.
    A lucky escape, yet while it still hurt to think her trust had been betrayed, most of her anger was directed against herself for failing to recognize the real James beneath his practiced façade.
    â€˜And now you are here,’ a light feminine voice concluded, bringing Lily back to the present. ‘Sophia will adore having you join her on shopping excursions and ensure you enjoy the history that is Milan.’
    â€˜I’m looking forward to it.’ She offered a smile that encompassed the guests seated opposite, and felt a start of surprise as she met Alessandro’s steady gaze.
    It was crazy, but she had the distinct feeling he’d discerned the passage of her thoughts and it rankled, stirring something deep inside she refused to acknowledge.
    To be so conscious of him was unsettling, for it made her feel uncomfortable, almost vulnerable, and she dismissed it, him , as she conversed with the guests.
    Following the debacle with James, she wanted peace in her life, and a man of Alessandro del Marco’s calibre was the antithesis of calm .
    Sophia regarded Alessandro with immense affection, the son she and Giuseppe had made their own in all but name.
    It was likely any invitation Alessandro extended to Sophia would include Lily while she remained a guest in Sophia’s home.
    So how difficult could it be?
    The answer presented itself as the evening drew to a close, the guests departed, with Alessandro the last to leave.
    â€˜ Grazie , Sophia,’ he bade gently as he lowered his head and brushed his lips to each of her cheeks in turn before shifting to accord Lily a similar salutation.
    Except in a bid for formality, she moved fractionally and to her utter embarrassment his lips touched her own…briefly, but it was enough to quicken her pulse.
    Worse, she felt the insane desire to linger, to experience more …
    For a moment her skin heated, and she took a hasty step backwards, misjudged the angle of her killer heels and clutched at his arm in an effort to maintain her balance.
    Oh, hell . ‘I’m sorry.’ Had she said the words out loud? Hopefully not.
    â€˜My dear,’ Sophia voiced with concern. ‘Are you all right?’
    â€˜I’m fine,’ Lily reassured, and knew it to be a lie.
    Fine didn’t cover it, when her pulse raced to a quickened beat, and sensation quivered deep within.
    What was with that?
    She didn’t want to react emotionally to any man.
    Especially not Alessandro del Marco.
    Why, she didn’t even like him.
    Wrong , a silent voice accorded with impish intent. You’re afraid of how he might make you feel.
    Only a fool would travel that road.
    Isn’t going to happen, she assured with