The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge

ELEVEN

Adrianna tried not to moan aloud as she sank her teeth into the tender, and very tasty, salmon. Never in her life had she been to an expensive restaurant. Valerie had probably gone to many, but not Adrianna.

Her heart filled with happiness. She still couldn't believe she was actually living this fairy tale dream. Thankfully, Val had insisted she come with her on this trip. If not, Adrianna wouldn't have known such joy.

Whoever Gabe was talking to on the phone, must not know how to speak English. She really needed to learn this beautiful language. She always felt that they were talking about her behind her back. One thing was for sure, Gabe looked upset...and worried.

He covered his finger over the mouthpiece. "I'll be right back."

She watched him walk away, loving the way his pants hugged his muscular thighs and buttocks. Chuckling to herself, she shook her head. At first, she was attracted to him because of his appearance, but now she admired the man underneath all of that sinew. He really had a kind heart. Of course, she realized he still wanted to seduce her, and yet, since their kiss on the gondola, he'd been treating her differently. Their conversations didn't have to be alluring or s****l anymore. She liked that.

She focused back on her meal as she tried not to look like a half-starved woman. But this food was delicious, and she couldn't help but want to gobble it down.

Within minutes, Gabe returned and sat. "Forgive me for leaving, but that was an important call."

"I understand."

He motioned to her half-eaten salmon. "It is good, yes?"

"Oh, yes! It's more than good, in fact."

"Excellent. I'm happy to know we share the same tastes in food."

"Even the salad tastes so much better than in the United States." She laughed.

"It's like I told you before, mia cara, things in Venice are on a higher scale than anywhere else. Literally, it's Paradise here."

"I can see that now."

"Let us eat. We have some shopping to do, and I cannot wait to find the most gorgeous dress for you to wear."

The fluttering in her heart continued as she finished her meal. Men in the U.S. didn't treat her this special, and she had resembled Valerie all of their lives, even before Val became a model. So why were they put off with Adrianna?

But it didn't matter now. She was with her own royal prince...Count Gabriele Marcelli.

Part of her wanted to release the guilt she'd been hiding inside of her. After all, she was playing her sister's role. And yet, Gabe seemed to like her more when she opened up about her true self—not the model. However, her conscience reminded her that she needed to tell him the truth. If he found out that she'd been lying to him, her wonderful, magical trip would end at the stroke of midnight...and everything would turn back into a pumpkin, so-to-speak.

As she chewed on her food, she moved her attention around the room. So many fancy-dressed people came to establishments like this. It surprised her that they allowed Gabe in because he was wearing jeans. Then again, he was royalty. They would do anything to make him happy.

She briefly glanced at a table that sat two men and a woman, and immediately noticed one of the men looking at her. Actually, he wasn't just looking, he was glaring.

Stopping her gaze from going any farther, she studied the man. Olive skin like most of those born in Italy...dark brown hair that hung nearly to his shoulders. Slightly handsome. Why did he look familiar? She'd never been to Italy before, so why would she think she knew him?

Her mind opened up, and she recalled seeing him with Valerie. Her sister kept a photo album of her career, and there were several pictures with this man in her album...with his arm around her sister, gazing upon Valerie as though he'd never seen anything so beautiful in his life.

Adrianna's heart dropped. She couldn't put a name to this man, but he had dated Val. And...she was pretending to be her twin. She remembered that when Val broke up with this man, it had devastated her for months. Had the man felt the same effect?

Her heart sank as she focused back on her nearly empty plate. Suddenly, she didn't have an appetite to finish the rest. She needed to get out of this restaurant quickly, before the man came over and tried to talk to her.

She peeked Gabe's way. He wasn't finished eating, either. She couldn't rush him. But, she could excuse herself to go to the ladies room.

Quickly, she pushed that stupid idea out of her head. That was the coward's way out. The only thing she could do in a situation like this would be to hold her head up high, smile, and pour on the sweetness.

Taking a deep breath for courage, she straightened, and smiled...and secretly willed the man to stay away. She wouldn't be able to answer questions, and how silly would it look if she couldn't remember his name?

She took a sip of her wine before released a heavy sigh. "Oh, I'm so full. My taste buds will never be the same again."

Gabe laughed as he sipped his wine. "You will never want to leave Italy."

"I know. I'm feeling that way already." Even if she wanted to leave this particular restaurant...

Gabe motioned to the waiter for the check as he wiped the linen cloth across his lips. It was hard to keep her gaze from wandering to the other table, but there was no way she could look at that man again. Unfortunately, she felt his hatred. She knew he was still scowling at her. She'd never been so uncomfortable in her life—even when Gabe was trying to seduce her on the airplane. This situation couldn't compare at all.

Finally, the check was paid and Gabe was helping her out of her chair. He placed his hand on the small of her back as he guided her out of the restaurant. The urge was strong to turn and look to see if that man still threw invisible daggers at her, but she refrained. Gabe would definitely want to know why that man was looking at her with hatred on his face.

Once outside, he linked his fingers with hers and signaled for his limo. She held back a laugh, still not believing that this was happening to her. She'd never been in a limo, and to think that she was with such an important man made her giddy all over.

As soon as they were comfortably seated, and he nodded for the driver to roll up the dark window that separated them, Gabe slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

He sighed. "Ahh...alone at last."

Tilting her head back against the seat, she stared into his handsome face. "You took the words right out of my mouth."

"I take it that you are not fond of crowds?"

"Not really." Immediately, she realized her mistake. She was supposed to be Val. "Well, I used to love being around a lot of people, but I don't anymore."

"That's a good thing." He stroked his thumb along her bottom lip. "Because lately, I've not wanted all the attention I have been receiving. In fact, I have been thinking about changing my life."

"Like how?"

He shrugged. "I just realized how quickly my life has passed before my eyes. I rarely take time to relax or show a beautiful woman a tour of the canals." He grinned. "Actually, I do not take time to relax at all. I have a vineyard in Gaeta. Did I tell you that?"

"No."

"I'm rarely there, even though I know my vineyard is very productive."

"What takes up your time?"

"I own a large stock in my sister's fashion business. About ten years ago, I took it upon myself to help her find the right models." Frowning, he sighed as his gaze moved out the window. "The playboy in me wanted all women to love me, I guess."

"That's understandable." She moved her hand to his chest, and slowly moved her hand over his muscles, loving how they flexed beneath her palm.

"But lately I have realized this is not what I want anymore." His attention moved back to her. "Perhaps it is because of the astounding woman who has made me enjoy myself without being in large crowds."

* * * *

"Oh, Gabe," she said with a laugh, "I don't think I'm the reason you want to change. I think everyone comes to a point in their life and they wonder where they are going. Just as I did a year ago. It is normal to feel this way."

Gabe wanted to argue with her because she was the reason he had a change of heart. And yet, it was ridiculous to think that way after only knowing someone a short time. He still felt odd that he would have some emotions for someone he'd wanted to hurt only twenty-four hours ago.

Shifting closer to her, he wrapped both arms around her as he lowered his face to hers. "Whether it is true or not, being with you makes me feel differently. I think differently." He focused on her lips. "And yes, it is because of you. I don't know what you have done to me, Miss Olsen, but I personally like the changes."

He hovered his mouth above hers, still hesitant of breaking his promise of not trying to seduce her for twenty-four hours. What hour where they on now? It didn't matter. All he had to do was give her a nudge, and she took the bait.

"I don't know what you would have been like before," she whispered, "but all I know is that the man I've been with today has opened my eyes to a lot of things. Thank you for showing me the fairy tale I've only dreamed about." She slid her hands up his chest to hook around his neck. "And thank you for being my Prince Charming."

Her lips touched his first, but that was all the encouragement he needed to take over. He captured her mouth, hungrily, and yet passionately as he pushed her back against the corner of the seat.

The way she kissed him now was so very different from that first time. No longer was she timid. No longer was she innocent. However, she was still curious, and he liked that. Adrianna's kiss was as demanding as he'd hoped for.

She moved her hands back down his chest in slow exploration. The urge to feel her palms on his bare chest—just like he'd felt when she touched him on the airplane—returned in great force. Quickly, without breaking the kiss, he lifted his shirt, guiding her hands underneath. The moment her soft skin rubbed against his chest, he nearly lost it.

Taking slow breaths, he tried to control his heartrate as she moved her hands all over his chest. Never had he felt this weak while with a woman. But Adrianna wasn't just any woman. She was a Goddess—both in body and in heart.

The little moans she made were also crippling him. Had he ever heard a sweeter sound?

He broke the kiss and trailed his lips down her neck. Her perfume smelled divine, and he could rest his face against her neck and stay like that all night long. Her pulse beat against his lips, thumping the same quick rhythm as his heartbeat.

Gabe dragged his tongue along her collarbone, and she shivered as another heavy sigh escaped her throat. He pulled a hand back around to the front, resting his fingers on her stomach. Gradually, inch by incredibly slow inch, he moved up the row of buttons that held her bodice together.

Her breathing changed to sharp little intakes of air. When his fingers reached the top button, he lingered, drawing the tip of his fingers along the edge of the bodice, tenderly stroking her skin.

He moved his mouth down, close to his fingers, sweeping his lips across the curves of her breasts. His heartbeat accelerated, and his body shook with anticipation. He felt as nervous as a schoolboy, kissing his first girl. He loved how he felt young again with Adrianna. He felt like a brand new man.

"Oh, Adrianna," he sighed, kissing her skin as he unhooked the first button. "You make me feel so anxious." He slid a finger inside and stroked the skin. Her body stiffened, but he figured it was because she waited impatiently for what he was going to do next. "I feel like my heart is going to jump right out of my chest."

He raised his head enough to look into her face. What he saw set off alarms in his head. Although she still took ragged breaths, her eyes were wide, and her face had lost color.

What had he done this time?