Venetian Masquerade Read Online Free PDF Page B

disappeared, but his side of the bed was still warm, and she laid her cheek on his pillow, breathing in the scent of him. Her body felt languid and achy after such a night of love, and she sighed, a contented smile on her face. The memory of his hands, touching, exploring, and delighting her body made her tremble anew…and his mouth… Oh, how he knew how to use that. Lying there naked in the silk sheets, she blushed and giggled, knowing she’d been led to do things she could barely have imagined, for Alessandro was an inventive and generous lover. But there had been no embarrassment—just a soaring need to give herself to him as he had given himself to her.
    “Good morning, my sweet. Breakfast.” He came into the room dressed only in white shorts, carrying a tray bearing scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and a steaming pot of coffee.
    She propped herself on one elbow and smiled at him, admiring his slim, athletic physique as he sat on the bed, placing the tray between them. His eyes darkened as he looked at her, and she knew that one touch of his hand would ignite the flame all over again. Seeing it in her eyes, he laughed softly.
    “I must let you eat or you won’t have the energy you are going to need.”
    That amazing week, she had needed a lot of energy; it had been an unforgettable experience as they’d visited Corsica, Nice, and Barcelona. Alessandro had delighted her mind during the day and her body every night. By the time they got back to Rome, Amy had known she had changed. She’d glowed with a new confidence, a new joy in life, a new love, and hope for a future which could only be spent with Alessandro. But it hadn’t worked out that way.

Chapter Three
    A my crept out of Maria’s room, taking with her the envelope she had been given. She went to find Gabriel, whom she discovered fussing over his boat.
    “We met a little girl and her rather gorgeous mother in the park. They live down the road, and James has gone to play. Sonya will bring him home in time for lunch.”
    “Sonya?”
    “We got chatting while the children were playing. She’s lovely—short dark hair, enormous grey eyes, and a cute figure.”
    “I see.” Amy gave him a questioning smile.
    “Don’t worry, James is quite safe. She only lives a hundred yards away. Do you want to come for a boat ride? You look as if you could do with some fresh air.”
    “Yes, can we go somewhere quiet where we can talk?” Amy climbed in, taking his hand, and sat facing him.
    He started the outboard motor and steered the boat back along the little canal and into the lagoon before turning towards Arsenale, ten minutes away. Amy sat quietly, trying to absorb the turn her life had taken and the fact that she was, effectively, rather a rich woman. Gabriel didn’t interrupt her thoughts until he had moored the boat and helped her onto the quayside.
    “Coffee?”
    “Please.” They strolled to a restaurant and sat outside under a parasol.
    “What am I going to do, Gabriel? I had absolutely no idea, you must believe me. I presumed you would inherit everything, or that she might have left me a small legacy…but this…” She laid the envelope on the table.
    “Maria gave me my legacy early to start my business ten years ago. She put me firmly on my feet, and I can never thank her enough. As she had no children of her own, she is right to give back to you what your father helped her to accrue. I hold no grudges.”
    “Thank you. I understand now what you meant by difficult days ahead, and I am certainly going to need a friend.” Her faced crumpled, and he took her hand.
    “Don’t worry, sweetheart, you have one. I shall treat you as my sister unless you ever give me the signals you want it otherwise.”
    In that moment, Amy thought it would be very easy to give Gabriel those signals. He was good-looking, thoughtful, and kind, and she was sure he would never hurt her or let her down. But a dark shadow lurked in the background, and she knew Alessandro,