The American Contessa Read Online Free PDF Page A

slightest. It was best to keep her waiting in
the wings in case things didn’t work out with the American.   Either way, he would not be ending the night
alone!  
    Odio . The thought of her under him in
his bed was getting him worked up in ways that would be altogether too obvious,
if he didn’t get himself under control.   He breathed deeply to calm his body.   He hadn’t had this kind of instant reaction to a woman for a long
time.  
    Damnation!   Where was she?
    *****
    “Luca.”
Carmina tapped him on the shoulder.  
    He
turned and came face to face with the woman who’d occupied his mind for most of
the evening.
    What
was it he’d said?   Pretty enough?   What an understatement.   She was stunning.   He wondered at her relationship with
Whittaker.   Could it be serious?   No.   From the looks of it, she was more than happy to leave him to the blonde
barracuda that had approached them earlier.   Here was his chance to charm like he’d never charmed before.   Americans were such suckers for an accent!
    “Carmina,
how are you?” he asked, his eyes not leaving Gaby’s face for a second. “And who
is your lovely friend?”
    Gaby
instantly recognised her hosts’ identity.   That voice!   So it was the
infamous Count Manetti who’d insulted her earlier.   Gaby inwardly groaned.   Of all the luck!   The one person she needed to get back into
the Villa thought her an unattractive, social climbing parasite.  
    “Luca,
this is Gabriella,” Carmina politely introduced.
    The
Count gave Gaby a dazzling smile.   “It’s
a pleasure to meet you.”  
    Yeah, right .   Gaby’s eyes glittered with anger, but she had to control it.   Under normal circumstances, a man as
charismatic and gorgeous as Count Manetti would have her stomach in knots and
completely tongue-tied.   It was amazing
how she could find her voice when dealing with someone who totally repelled
her.   She should say something.   “The pleasure’s all mine Count Manetti,” she
sweetly replied.   Good.   She was getting quite expert at controlling
her gag reflex.
    “Please,
my friends call me Luca.”
    “Of
which you have many I’m sure, Count
Manetti ,” she smiled sarcastically.   Necklace or not, she was not going ingratiate herself to this rude and
arrogant man.
    Luca
narrowed his eyes at her.   Her antagonism
was clearly evident. But why?   For some
reason, she was not instantly enamoured, as most were, but angry with him.   Mentally dismissing the reason, he decided
that anger was preferable to indifference.   Anger had a way of flaring to passion in a moment.   He just needed more time to work on the
lovely Gabriella.
    Carmina
looked from one to the other and tried to diffuse the unknown tension that
seemed to be swirling around. “Luca, Gaby and I were thinking of calling it a night.”
    “Nonsense!”
he waved away her statement.   “The night
is young.   You must stay.”
    Gaby
couldn’t help thinking that Luca Manetti must often demand and have everyone
acquiesce to his wishes. Well, not this girl!   “I really must be going.   Thank
you for inviting me,” she replied.   Of
course, she hadn’t been invited directly, but that was neither here nor there.
    “What
about your companion?” he asked, his head nodding in David’s direction.
    “Oh,”
Gaby wrinkled her nose.   “I’m sure he’ll
be fine.   Well, it was, um … nice meeting
you Count Manetti.   Perhaps we’ll meet
again sometime.”
    Turning
to leave, Gaby felt a strong, warm hand grab her elbow.   The Count linked his arm with hers. “I’ll see
you to the door.”
    She
looked at Carmina, who shrugged at her and tried to hide a smile. “That’s
really not necessary,” Gaby replied shakily.   Must be making sure she wasn’t taking off with the silver!
    Winding
through the crowd of guests, Luca held her arm firmly, stopping to greet
friends and charm acquaintances along the way. Glancing to the side, he noticed
her