Sweet Seduction (13 page)

The old man’s eyes flashed wide. ‘I —’

Sienna held out her hand. ‘The bride usually dances with her father at some point. Would you do me the honour instead?’

Sergio bobbed his head. ‘Certainly,’ he said formally, taking her arm and leading her to the dance floor.

They danced in silence for a few minutes.

‘You seem very different from Antonio’s other . . . women friends,’ Sergio stated.

Sienna laughed. ‘Yes, I’m not a model, an actress or an heiress.’

Sergio stopped dancing and looked into her face. ‘Why this sudden wedding? It is out of character for Antonio. I can’t help but be suspicious.’

‘I think we were both two lonely people looking for . . . understanding.’
Where did that come from?
Antonio lonely? What a laugh. She looked around the room over Sergio’s shoulder as they took up the dance once again. Antonio seemed to be friends with every rich and famous person in the world. He’d been linked with a string of high-profile women. And yet . . .

‘Be careful,’ the old man muttered.

Sienna looked into his face. ‘What do you mean?’

‘He’s caused us a lot of pain,’ he said. ‘You seem like a nice girl . . .’

The music ended.

‘Thank you,’ Sergio said, giving her a little bow.

‘What do you mean, “pain”?’ Sienna asked, placing her hand on his arm. Sergio looked at her with pity in his eyes, took her elbow and walked her to where Rosa and Antonio stood talking.

‘I’ve invited them to come and spend their honeymoon with us,’ Rosa said.

Sergio frowned. ‘I don’t think —’

‘And Antonio has accepted,’ Rosa said, taking her husband’s hand in hers. ‘Isn’t that wonderful!’ She turned to Sienna. ‘I hope that is all right with the bride.’

Sienna looked at Antonio. The veiled looked of satisfaction on his face confirmed what she already knew. His plan was working just as he’d predicted. It made her feel sick.

‘That would be lovely,’ she said.

The band struck some grandiose arpeggios.

‘Time to cut the cake,’ Antonio said. He kissed his relatives. ‘See you tomorrow.’

Sienna followed suit, feeling like a criminal. She allowed Antonio to lead her to the enormous three-tiered cake. The crowd gathered around as they held the knife together and cut the first piece. Cameras flashed. The rich aroma of chocolate and cream fed the turmoil in her stomach. The noise, the crowd, the cameras threatened to close in on her.

‘I need some air,’ she said, rushing from Antonio’s side to the nearest door. She stumbled into the long hall that led to the foyer. People turned to stare. Where could she go? She had to get away from the continuous scrutiny and the innocent faces of Antonio’s aunt and uncle.

Antonio pushed through the door behind her. He came up close. ‘What are you doing?’

‘How can you deceive your own family?’

‘Quiet.’ He ground out the word. ‘Someone will hear you.’

‘You didn’t tell me your aunt and uncle owned the hotel.’

‘What does it matter? The facts are still the same,’ he whispered harshly, fixing her with stony eyes. ‘They read everything that’s written about me and believe every word. They won’t sell me Villa Paradiso because of those lies.’

‘Lies?’ She knew she should keep her voice down, but she couldn’t help it. ‘What is written about you is all true from what I’ve seen.’

His icy stare matched her own. ‘What? That I’m a womanising, hedonistic playboy?’ he bit out.

After seeing Antonio interact with his staff, she knew there was more to him than his shallow tabloid reputation, but anger consumed her. ‘If the shoe fits,’ she threw back at him.

A camera flashed nearby. Sienna jerked in the direction of the light.

‘Then let’s give them what they want,’ he said through clenched teeth before his lips claimed hers. Sienna felt her mouth explode with sizzling heat. His tongue forced her lips apart. His teeth grazed her bottom lip as he deepened the kiss.

She willed herself to pull away but her mind didn’t seem to control her body.

His hands slid down her back pulling her close. Her breasts crushed against his chest and desire pooled deep inside her. She’d never been possessed with such fiery passion. She knew she should protest, push away, but his mouth ground against her, bringing her body to life as never before.

When she felt his hardness grow against her pelvis, she pulled away, breathless.

‘Antonio,’ she breathed. ‘Not here.’

Without a word, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bank of lifts. She wanted to object but found she couldn’t. Or was it that she didn’t want to? Her emotions swirled in a wickedly seductive combination of raging desire and apprehension. She gazed into his dark eyes but looked away quickly. Determination mixed with lust shone in equal parts. What she felt and what she saw in his eyes scared her.

The lift arrived quickly and he pushed through the doors before they’d opened completely. Cameras covered their every move. He swung her round to reach the button for the penthouse.

‘Antonio, you can put me down now.’ She needed to escape his strong, hard body. It made her want what she didn’t want. Not with this man.

‘No.’ His voice was heavy with lust.

She tried to wriggle from his grasp, but he held her in an iron grip. ‘Put me down.’

‘No, you wanted me back there. Don’t deny it.’

‘No,’ she said, hoping her voice wouldn’t betray her lie. She couldn’t want this man. The man who forced her into marriage, forced her into deceit. ‘It was just for the cameras,’ she said, stiffening in his arms. ‘A fight on our wedding night wasn’t going to convince anyone this marriage is real.’

He placed her feet on the floor and held her steady until she found her balance on the ten-centimetre heels. ‘Just an act?’ he asked, his black eyes searching hers as the lift doors opened.

She looked at him squarely. ‘Of course.’ If he touched her now, she’d agree to anything. She walked to the penthouse door.

He unlocked it and pulled her in behind him.

‘Antonio. Stop,’ she said, holding up her hand in defence.

A darkness marred his perfect features. He turned away and walked to the bar.

‘You had me fooled,’ he said, pouring himself a scotch. He swept the glass to his lips and drained the amber fluid in one motion. ‘And here I was thinking I wasn’t dating an actress for once.’ He banged the glass down hard and turned to stare out at the twinkling lights of Venice. The rapid rise and fall of his chest betrayed a man trying to tame his emotions.

She didn’t know what to do, what to say. She’d lost herself in that kiss and it had been a mistake. A huge mistake.

‘We’d better get down there and finish the charade,’ he said finally, walking to the penthouse door and holding it open.

But she hadn’t been pretending. Whatever he was, Antonio had opened her eyes to a world of passion.

She wanted the world.

She wanted him.

Sienna struggled through the final minutes of the reception. Antonio gave a short speech of thanks and the guests cheered and clapped as they left the ballroom.

Photographers grappled for every possible shot before Sienna and Antonio slipped once again into the protection of the lift. Antonio dropped her hand the moment the door closed. The passion that had fired the small space a short time earlier had vanished. Sienna felt as though she were suffocating.

‘You did well,’ Antonio said in a formal voice. ‘I think Sergio and Rosa liked you. The invitation to stay at the Villa Paradiso is more than I expected.’

‘Good,’ Sienna said, staring at the numbers illuminating one by one as they ascended.

The lift opened and they walked into the penthouse in silence. Sienna couldn’t imagine a worse start to a marriage, even a fake one.

Once back in the suite, Antonio fired up his laptop. ‘You’re probably tired,’ he said, pouring himself another scotch and taking a seat in front of the screen. ‘Why don’t you sleep? We’ll head to Lake Como in the morning.’

‘I can’t sleep when . . .’

‘When?’ His eyes didn’t leave the screen.

‘When things are like this.’

‘Like what?’ he said, typing while he spoke.

‘Antonio,’ she said desperately. ‘Look at me.’

He took his time, but slowly his eyes settled on hers.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said.

‘For what?’

She shook her head. ‘I don’t really know.’

‘Then don’t apologise.’

‘It’s just that I feel we’d crossed a line and now things are —’

‘Don’t worry, Sienna. I won’t touch you again except for show,’ he said and turned to his computer and began typing again.

Waves of confusion swept over her. That’s not what she wanted to hear. She shook her head. What was she thinking? She’d been the one to insist on all the no-intimacy clauses. He was only doing what he thought she wanted. But what if she’d changed her mind?

She walked into the bedroom. The beaded dress weighed her down and she wanted it off. Now.

Reaching over her shoulder, she attempted to unhook the first pearl of the line that stretched down her back from her neck to her bottom. She could touch it but just couldn’t unhook it. She tried from another angle. Still the hook eluded her. She took a shot from the other side, struggling with the fabric to haul the pearl within easier reach. But nothing she did would persuade the hook to free the little white pearl.

She walked into the bathroom, turned her back to the mirror and tried again. Her fingers couldn’t lever the pearl from its tight satin hold. She banged her foot on the hard tile floor and used a word her mother had always hated.

Leaning on the vanity, she stared at herself in the mirror. What were her options? Sleep in a heavy shroud of silk, pearls and satin. The thought made the dress feel even tighter. Call Carmela for help? Good idea, but Carmela would be a little more than curious as to why she’d been called to help a bride when surely her husband could fix the problem.

She searched desperately for another solution, but she knew she there was only one possibility.

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Just get it over with. ‘Antonio,’ she called, opening her eyes.

When he didn’t respond, she walked to the bedroom door. ‘Antonio,’ she said with an edge of annoyance in her voice.

He looked up. Dark eyes swept her body and settled deliberately on her mouth before meeting her eyes. ‘Hmm?’

She swallowed. ‘Ah . . . I need a little help.’ She turned and pointed to the buttons holding her prisoner.

He leant back in his chair. ‘I knew that kiss wasn’t an act,’ he said, running a finger over his bottom lip. ‘If you want to sleep with me, you only have to ask. There’s no need for these little games.’

Heat burst from her cheeks. Fury and indignation mingled in her blood, the toxic mix making her shake. Only her good upbringing prevented her from marching across the room and slapping his face.

‘Forget it,’ she said, storming back into the bedroom. She shut the door, only just managing not to slam it.
Arrogant, self-absorbed pig . . .

Marching to the phone, she dialled.

‘Housekeeping,’ a bright voice answered.

The bedroom door opened. Damn, why hadn’t she locked it? Antonio strode into the room. She turned her back on him.

‘It’s Sienna De —’

‘Moretti,’ his smooth voice whispered in her ear.

Sienna Moretti.

‘I’d like —’ She couldn’t quite remember why she’d called.

Antonio took the phone from her hand and dropped it back in its cradle.

‘What do you think —’ she demanded, her harsh words and icy glare having no effect.

Without a word, he took her by the shoulders and spun her around. His fingers quickly flicked free four pearls of her gown.

She opened her mouth to give Antonio a serve, but instead, a sigh of relief escaped her lips. She hadn’t realised how constricting the dress had been. She breathed deeply for what seemed the first time that day.

‘Thanks,’ she said quietly over her shoulder. She reached around, hoping now to be able to finish the job herself, but fate was not on her side.

‘Let me.’ Antonio languidly undid another couple of pearls, his fingers gentle as he slowly released the pressure of her cream confinement.

‘Antonio —’

‘Ssh,’ he whispered in her ear. His lips brushed her bare shoulder.

The air rushed from her lungs and she made to pull away. She couldn’t control her body’s response to his touch. His arms wound about her, preventing her escape, and drew her back against his chest. Her bottom settled against his hard thighs. He kissed the nape of her neck.

‘This is our wedding night,’ he murmured in her ear. ‘Let’s not fight.’ He freed another couple of pearls.

‘I wasn’t the one —’

He kissed the skin between her shoulder blades and her body shuddered in response.

‘D-don’t . . .’ She closed her eyes as he trailed kisses down her spine as he exposed her body inch by inch. She forced herself not to gasp each time he touched her. Breathing proved more and more difficult as desire pumped through every cell in her body. Rationally she knew she mustn’t want this. But a deep longing possessed her. She’d been fighting alone for so long.

No love.

No passion.

No life.

Making love with her husband – that would be the most natural thing in the world.

The few remaining pearls came free quickly under his deft hands. He ran his hands up her back to her shoulders and turned her. All her defences collapsed as she yearned for his lips on hers. His body crushing hers.

Now. Now. Now.

She wanted him to take her before reason drove sense into her lust-filled body.

He cupped her face in both hands.

‘I want you to say it,’ he rasped, his dark eyes flashing with molten heat.

‘What?’ she breathed, almost blind with longing.

‘You want me,’ he ground out. ‘Say it.’

She hesitated for a heartbeat. ‘I want you.’

His lips crushed hers and her world exploded as desire and aching escaped the tight control she’d imposed. He tasted of chocolate and whisky. She wound her arms about him and ran her hands over his muscular back. His tongue probed and thrust, exploring deeply. The kiss became frantic as need drove her to want more and more. She tangled her fingers in his hair and drew him closer.