The Billionaire Who Saw Her Beauty Read online

  He saw her eyes widen in appreciation when they entered the bedroom off the hallway. “It’s a lovely room. Those blue hydrangeas on the coffee table take my breath.”

  “I’m glad you like them. Go ahead and freshen up. I’ll be back in a minute.” He put her cases down and left to get her a bottle of water from the kitchen. Rini had given Bianca the next three days off so he could be alone with Alessandra and wait on her himself.

  When he returned, he found her sitting on the side of the bed still dressed in white culottes with a sharp front crease. She’d layered them with a multicolored blue silk top and looked so sensational, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  “I thought I’d find you under the covers. This is for you.” He put the water on the bedside table before opening the shutters to let in the early evening light from the pool area.

  She smiled up at him, but it lacked the joie de vivre he’d seen while they’d been out diving. “I’ll sleep tonight. Now that I’m in your world again—but only because you invited me this time—I want to talk to you. Please sit down.”

  He sat in one of the upholstered chairs by the coffee table.

  “Where’s Bianca?”

  “On a short holiday.”

  “So it’s just you and me?” He heard a slight tremor in her voice.

  He frowned. “Are you worried about being here alone with me?”

  “Of course not.” She got up from the bed and walked over to smell the flowers. “Can we have a frank talk? You said you wanted to start over again. I want that, too, but I need to understand you better.”

  Rini sat forward with his hands clasped between his legs. “Would I have brought you here if I didn’t want the same thing? We’ve got all the time in the world. Go ahead. Ask me anything.”

  She darted him a curious glance. “You say that, but I wonder if you really mean it.”

  “Where’s this doubt coming from?”

  “I don’t know exactly. Tell me about what happened when you first met Dea. Being twins, she and I have shared a unique past. Sometimes it has been eerie.”

  “In what way?”

  “It’s hard to explain, but there are times when even though we’re two people, we think as one.”

  Rini got to his feet. “I’ve heard that happens to twins. But what does that have to do with me?”

  “I’m not sure and am only feeling my way,” she cried softly before turning away from him.

  He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her against him. “You sound frightened,” he whispered into her fragrant hair.

  “I am.”

  “Of what? Of me? Tell me.” He shook her gently.

  “I’ve been going over the conversation that my aunt had with you about me and Dea. You told her that you felt no connection with Dea, but it was different with me.” Alessandra turned around in his arms. “But it doesn’t provide all the answers.”

  “What more do you want?”

  Her eyes searched his. “Will you bear with me a little longer and tell me your feelings when you realized I wasn’t Dea?”

  His hands slid to her face. “After I left your father’s office and went back to my hotel in Metaponto that first night, I couldn’t get you off my mind. Make no mistake. It was you I was thinking about. From a distance you had Dea’s superficial features, the same features that had drawn me on the yacht. But the second you said you weren’t Dea, I realized my mistake.

  “You looked so adorable standing there in your shorter hair and man’s shirt that didn’t cover up your bikini. Tanned, no makeup, bare-legged, full of energy, duffel bag in hand. I thought, I’ve got to get to know this exciting woman! I told your aunt I felt a connection so powerful with you, I couldn’t wait to get back to the castle the next morning to see you again.”

  He felt Alessandra’s anxiety before she eased out of his arms. “Thank you for being so honest with me.” She was shivering.

  “Now that I have, do you want to tell me what’s going on in your mind?”

  “After I entered the castle, I heard a voice call out signorina. You’ll think I’m out of my mind, but when I saw you walk toward me, it was like seeing the prince who’d haunted my dreams come to life before my very eyes. I felt your imprint on me before you said a word.

  “But the second you started talking, I realized you thought I was Dea and my dream was crushed to grist. She’d had a history with you. She’d been there first. I’d never experienced such envy in my life. I’ve heard of love at first sight, but I never imagined it would happen to me. My pain that she’d met you first was too excruciating to bear.”

  Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Until I learned the truth of your relationship with Dea during our drive, I’d been forced to keep my feelings bottled up and pretend nothing was wrong in front of my father.”

  Her words shook Rini. “Adorata.” He reached for her, but she took another step back. “I haven’t finished. There’s something else you need to hear.”

  Rini couldn’t take much more and attempted to get his emotions under control. “What is it?”

  “When Dea and I were little girls, we had many of the same likes and dislikes that in some cases baffled everyone. One of the things we had in common was to talk about the princes we would marry one day. We played our own form of house with a miniature castle and all the characters Papà had made for us.

  “Our mother and aunt gave us beautiful clothes to dress our dolls. Dea always had the most glamorous and stupendous outfits because they knew how much she loved fashion. I was given a fabulous boat that would sail me and my prince around the castle and the world.”

  The lump was growing in Rini’s throat.

  “We played for hours about living in the castle all our lives and being happy forever with our princely husbands and children. In our case it wasn’t pure fiction considering the lives of our titled parents and heritage.”

  “Alessandra—”

  “Let me finish,” she interrupted. “You were there when she first laid eyes on you. You saw what I can’t see. Rini, I’m convinced that when Dea met you on the yacht, she had the same experience I did. She saw you sitting there and knew you were the prince of her dreams. It was one of those times we were both the same person. By the expression on your face, I can tell I’m right.”

  He closed his eyes tightly for a minute. Incredibile! This talk with Alessandra answered the questions that had lingered in his mind about Dea. In view of what he’d just learned, the way she’d linked her arms behind his head and the ardent kiss she’d given him when they’d stopped dancing as if she’d been claiming him for her own made a strange kind of sense. Her actions had borne out Alessandra’s theory.

  Guido had acted nonchalant about it, but Rini had seen the glint of envy in his friend’s eyes. That was the only time he’d ever known him to show a side of emotion that surprised him. But Rini couldn’t be that cruel to Dea or Alessandra by telling her what Dea had done that night to show her attraction to him. It had to be a secret he would take to the grave.

  His head reared. “What you’re saying is, Dea is now the one devastated.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Then we’re back to where we were before. If your guilt is going to keep you from enjoying this vacation with me, then I’ll fly you back home in the morning.”

  “No, Rini—that isn’t what I want. I just needed to have this conversation with you.”

  “But it doesn’t solve anything, does it?”

  “I guess I want you to tell me what we should do.”

  “If you mean that, then I suggest we table our concerns and enjoy our vacation. We’ll just have to hope that time and work will help Dea get over whatever disappointment she’s feeling.” But that wasn’t going to be easy since he still hadn’t forgotten the conversation with her aunt. He�
��d been burdened by it. “As for you and me, I’d hoped to take us on an overnight hike tomorrow.”

  “You know I’d love that.”

  “Then we’ll pick you up a lightweight backpack and sleeping bag in the morning.” She nodded with a smile. “How are you feeling now?”

  “Much better. I’m getting hungry and know you are. Why don’t we go out to dinner someplace in Positano.”

  “I’ve been anxious to show it to you. If you’re ready, we can go now.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  AS RINI HELPED Alessandra into the black BMW parked in front, he squeezed her waist and kissed the side of her neck. When he reached for her hand and held on, her heart pounded with anticipation of the night to come. He started the car and they wound through the lush greenery toward the town center. She could see the twinkle of lights from the fabulous villas half hidden behind cypress trees and palms.

  The interior of the car smelled of the soap he used in the shower. She was so in love with him it was impossible to hide it from him. If she didn’t put Dea out of her mind, she could ruin this incredible time for them.

  “Whoa. We’re right on the edge of the cliff.”

  Rini flashed her a smile and parked the car along the side of the narrow road. “We’ve arrived at my favorite place. You’ll love the view from here.” She could hear soft rock music as he helped her out. They walked up the rock steps lined with flowers growing out of the vegetation to the little restaurant perched high up. The view from the terrace, where a band was playing, opened to the sea below between two mountain sides.

  She gasped and clung to him. “That’s a steep drop.”

  “Kind of like dropping eighty feet with you in our own private world.” Trust him to remind her. “Come on, bellissima.”

  He put his arm around her shoulders and guided her to an empty, candlelit table. The romantic ambience made her feel feverish. Rini seated her and asked for wine from the waiter who recognized him. “Will you trust me to order for you?”

  “If you’ll trust my cooking when we eat along the trail tomorrow evening.”

  “I can hardly wait.” After the waiter walked away, Rini reached for her hand and pulled her onto the small dance floor, where another couple was dancing.

  “There’s no room for anyone else.”

  “That’s the whole idea,” he whispered before biting her earlobe gently. They danced in place, sending her body temperature skyrocketing. “If you knew the dreams I’ve had about holding you like this. Tonight there’s no wet suit to separate us.”

  She chuckled. “I noticed.”

  “I never want to be separated from you,” he admitted in a husky voice and crushed her to him. Alessandra closed her eyes and rocked in place with him. Never sounded like forever. Was it really possible? But that question led to the troubling question about Dea still hanging over her head, shooting more pain to her heart. So it was better not to think, just relish this night under the stars with Rini.

  “I could stay this way indefinitely,” she murmured, “but I can see our food has arrived. Let’s get you fed.”

  “How lucky am I to be with a woman who understands me.” He walked her back to their table and they plunged into an exquisite meal of octopus on creamed potatoes and prawns, followed by vegetables and carpaccio of swordfish with a dessert of salame de chocolat.

  “If we keep eating like this, I’ll have to buy me a larger wet suit,” she quipped.

  His dark eyes glinted with amusement. “We’ll hike it off tomorrow. For now you need to get home to bed. It’s been a long day for you.”

  “I have to admit bed will feel good tonight.”

  “I knew it.” He paid the bill and ushered her out of the restaurant. “Careful as we go down the stairs. Hold on to me.”

  She didn’t need his urging as she clung to him. He walked her to the car, keeping her hugged against his side. Before he opened the door, he lowered his head to kiss her. She’d been dying for it. The passion he aroused in her was so powerful, she almost fainted. Someone in a car driving by let out a wolf whistle, causing her to blush in embarrassment. Rini only chuckled and opened the door so she could hide inside.

  “Sorry about that,” he murmured as they drove back to his villa.

  “No, you’re not.”

  “Would you believe me if I told you I couldn’t help myself?”

  Yes, if his desire for her was half as great as hers for him. She rested her head against the back of the seat. “This has been a wonderful night. I rarely drink wine and am afraid I drank too much.”

  His hand reached out to give her thigh a squeeze, sending rivulets of desire through her body. “One glass?”

  “Already you’re a corrupting influence on me.”

  Male laughter rang inside the confines of the car. “Didn’t you know you’ve become my addiction? You’d better lock your door tonight.”

  She rolled her head in his direction. “I trust you, Rini.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t.”

  “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be going camping with you. Where are you going to take me?”

  “Along the footpath of the gods.”

  “Did you just make that up?”

  “No. It’s the name of a trail formed by man years ago along the Amalfi Coast. In my opinion it’s one of the most striking panoramas of this world. You’ll know what I mean when we get going. We’ll follow it part of the way through gorges and precipices, then veer inland into the mountains.”

  “You’ve given me goose bumps.”

  “When you uncovered the mouth on that head, it raised the hairs on the back of my neck.”

  She eyed him with longing. “I can’t believe how you just happened to know where to dive.”

  “Pure selfishness. I wanted you to myself.” He pulled into the courtyard and escorted her inside the villa to her bedroom. Putting his hands on her shoulders he said, “Tonight was the perfect way to start our vacation. I’ll see you in the morning and we’ll get going whenever you’re ready. Sleep well.”

  He gave her a brief kiss before exiting the room. It was a good thing. If he’d lingered, she wouldn’t have let him leave.

  Before she went to bed, she hung up a few things in the closet, then checked her phone. Her mother had texted her to find out how she was feeling since her hospital stay. There was no mention of Dea, who was probably still there. Alessandra texted her back, telling her she felt fine and that they were going hiking tomorrow. She sent her love to her parents. But when she climbed under the covers, her heart ached for Dea, whom she knew was in deep pain.

  The ringing of the house phone at the side of the bed awakened Alessandra the next morning. She checked her watch. Seven thirty a.m. He was a morning man who loved fish. Little by little she was learning those precious things about him. With a smile she reached for the phone. “Buongiorno, Rini.”

  “Hot coffee is waiting for you in the kitchen when you’re ready, but there’s no hurry.”

  The excitement in his voice was contagious. She swung her legs over the side of the bed. “If I told you I couldn’t make it until noon, you know you’d have a heart attack.”

  “Please don’t tell me that.”

  “You’ll have to be patient with me,” she teased. “Ciao.”

  She hung up the receiver and raced around the room getting ready, once she’d taken a shower. After diving into her suitcases, she pulled on jeans, a T-shirt and hiking boots. She packed a cloth bag she’d brought in her suitcase. Quickly she filled it with extra clothes, socks, a hoodie, a flashlight, matches, cosmetics and a brush—all the little things needed for their hike. She’d attach it to the backpack they were going to buy her.

  When she hurried through his elegant home to the kitchen, she discovered she’d only taken eight minutes to get ready.
Not bad considering the gorgeous male drinking coffee had assumed she would keep him waiting for hours.

  The look of surprise on his handsome face was so comical, she thought he would drop his mug. Alessandra grinned. “Got ya.”

  His eyes blazed with intensity. In the next breath he wrapped her in his arms and whirled her around. “I figured five more minutes and I was charging in to get you.”

  “Now I wish I’d waited.”

  A bark of laughter escaped his throat before he kissed her fiercely. He didn’t let her go until she struggled for breath. “I’ve made breakfast. Go ahead and eat while I take your bag out to the car with the food I’ve packed.”

  “You made food for our hike? I could have helped.”

  “Bianca always has my favorite meat and cheese pies on hand. We’ll pack some to take with us.”

  “I’m salivating already.”

  She reached for a ham roll and grapes. After swallowing coffee, she hurried out to the car. Rini locked up the house and they left for the town to pick her up a backpacking frame. He knew exactly what he wanted for her and soon they were on their way to the outskirts of Positano, where he parked the car in an area reserved for hikers.

  Rini was a master at assembling all the gear, which included a tent, fishing gear plus all the other things they’d brought. “How does that feel?” he asked after helping her adjust the straps. “Is it lopsided?”

  “It’s perfect and the day is absolutely glorious.”

  Through her sunglasses she stared at the striking male specimen standing before her wearing his own pack. He carried the bulk of their equipment as if it was nothing and smiled back at her through his sunglasses. “Get ready to be astounded by the sights.”

  “After you, Captain.”

  They were off. She followed him along a well-worn path for about a mile. Before she knew it they’d come to a section with a thousand-foot dropoff and no railing. “Rini,” she squealed in awe.

  “We’re at the top of the cliff. You’ll notice that people live up here and use this path coming and going.”