The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge

FOURTEEN

Adrianna's head whirled crazily with everything going on at the party. So many people. She wouldn't remember any names. Photographers were there, hounding Count Marcelli about his date. Gabe introduced her as Adrianna, which relieved her. But when a few of them asked her if Valerie was her sister, she panicked. Of course she told them yes, but the whole time, she worried that Val would be upset at her for not pretending to be the model.

Gabe introduced her to other members of the royal family. The higher titled men wore medals on their jackets, or had colored sashes across their chests. Time passed by as if she floated on a cloud. She loved the special feeling, but she also worried that she shouldn't get used to it. This wasn't real - just a fairy tale romance for her. It would eventually end, and she'd return home to her job in the library while she finished college. Romances like that never came true.

The question he'd asked her while they were in the limo didn't come as a surprise. However, she felt hesitant to answer. While she'd been getting herself ready for the party inside her hotel room, she couldn't stop thinking about Gabe and what he wanted. And what she thought she wanted.

Unlike her twin sister, Adrianna wasn't used to jumping into bed with men she barely met. No matter how charming and sexy they were. And truly, she'd only known Gabriele for a little over twenty-four hours, and that included the airplane trip.

She'd finally given him an answer after several awkward moments in the limo, and she told him that she would wait to see how their evening progressed. But deep down inside, she was thinking yes. After all, he'd treated her as if she was the Queen of Italy tonight. How could she not have feelings for him?

So many people wanted Gabriele's attention. She studied him while he was in deep conversation with other men, and it wasn't hard to read his expression. Several times she could tell how bored he was. Then again, he had warned her how he hated to talk about politics.

From the corner of her eyes, a very beautiful, dark-haired woman strutted toward Adrianna. The woman seemed somewhat familiar, but Adrianna had never met her. The silk, blue gown she wore fit snug around her perfect body, and although the dress was long, the sheer material from the knees to her feet showed off her very shapely legs. The woman's expression seemed pleasant, which eased Adrianna's worries.

"Ciao," the woman said as she stopped in front of Adrianna. "You must be Gabriele's date this evening."

Adrianna smiled politely. "Yes. I'm Adrianna Olsen."

"So I have heard. You have a sister who is a model, no?"

"Yes. Valerie Olsen. She's my twin."

"Sí, you are practically identical."

Adrianna nodded. 

"So tell me," the woman continued, "what are your intentions with my brother?"

Brother? Adrianna gulped. This was the well-known designer that Valerie wanted to work with all of those years? "Uh, well...it depends on who your brother is?"

The woman's perfectly shaped lips lifted in a grin. "Gabriele. I'm Elena."

Adrianna didn't know whether to curtsy, shake hands...or what, so she just nodded. "What a pleasure to meet you. Gabe speaks very highly of you."

"He is a good brother. He is my only brother, so naturally, I want to know your intentions."

Although Adrianna thought it was cute that the sister was asking such an old-fashioned question, she decided not to laugh or let the other woman think she thought it was funny. "Actually, I don't know what my intentions are. I met him yesterday on the flight here, and we've been together ever since."

"Do you plan on living in Italy?"

"No." Adrianna's heart sank, knowing that she would eventually leave this paradise and return home where she belonged. "I have a job, and I'm taking college classes back in the states. I'm just here on vacation with my sister."

The woman's waxed eyebrows lifted. "Valerie is here?"

"Not at the party, no. She's at the hotel."

"That is sad. I would have liked to meet her."

Happiness rose in Adrianna's chest. Val would be ecstatic to know this. If only she didn't have that disease. "I will let her know. She has mentioned you a few times over the years. I think she would be in Heaven if she could meet you."

The woman glanced at her brother and then returned her gaze. "Then we shall have you and your sister over for supper sometime this week, no?"

Adrianna's heart flipped. "Yes. I'm sure she'll love it."

The woman placed her smooth, expertly manicured hand on Adrianna's arm.

"And I would be happy to get to know the woman who has captured my brother's attention. Usually, he does not dote on the woman he brings to parties like this. He must find you very special."

Joy jumped around in Adrianna's heart and she became emotional. But she mustn't show any tears. Elena might not understand. "Thank you for saying that. I think your brother," she glanced at Gabe who had his attention toward her, "is one very special man. I've never met anyone like him."

Gabe gave her a smile, and then he turned to his associates and excused himself. As he headed toward Adrianna, his smile widened. When he stood next to her, his hand slid around her waist, pulling her close against him. He gazed down into her eyes.

"I see you have met my sister."

"I did," Adrianna said in a whisper.

"Well, don't believe a word she says about me. It's all lies." He turned a teasing grin toward Elena.

His sister giggled. "Oh, dear brother, you had better recant that statement. If Adrianna believes that, she might leave the party with someone else." Elena winked at Adrianna. "It is nice to meet you." She nodded, turned, and walked away.

When Gabe looked at her again, confusion was etched in his expression. "What is she talking about? Have you met another man who treats you better than I?"

Adrianna chuckled. "Actually, your sister was just telling me that you have never treated your dates as sweet as you're treating me." She shrugged. "And then you went on to say it was all a lie."

He tilted back his head and laughed heartily as he gathered her fully in his arms. "Then I take that back. I want you to believe everything she said about me."

When his gaze lowered to her mouth, her throat grew dry. All evening long she had wanted to kiss him, but apparently, he was quite a popular person at the party tonight. If she quickly gave him a kiss now, would he mind? But if she didn't do it now, she might not get the chance until the end of the party.

Confessing her feelings was on the tip of her tongue, but her mind convinced her that this wasn't the right moment for that. Once again, she reminded herself that they'd only known each other two days. Who falls in love that quickly? Apparently, only women do...

Suddenly, he swept his head down and captured her mouth with his. Gasping because of the surprise, she clutched his shoulders, but within a few seconds, she released a heady moan and answered him back. The kiss couldn't be passionate, not here among all of these important people, but her heart still soared with happiness.

His lips were so gentle, and the simple kiss was so expressive. The way he held her in his embrace as though he didn't want to let her go... She sighed, relaxing against him more. He was the only man who could make her toes curl during a kiss.

From out of nowhere, the clicking of cameras and flashing lights disrupted her while she was momentarily in a dream world. Gabe was the first to break the kiss, and he turned to look at the many photographers who'd rushed over to take their picture.

His body stiffened, but that was the only indication of how upset he was. He still smiled at the crowd as he grasped her hand and pulled her away from the onlookers. Darn paparazzi, anyway!

Their steps quickened the closer they came to the side door, leading into the patio. By the time they were passing through the door, she was laughing, and Gabe's chuckles overrode hers. He wrapped his strong arms around her and lifted her, swinging her around once as she gazed dreamily into his eyes.

When they stopped, he set her feet on the ground, but kept her in his arms. Shadows enclosed around them, making the moment that much more personal. Adrianna's heartbeat picked up rhythm, and she knew the words I love you would tumble off her tongue sometime tonight.

He cupped her face and kissed her again, but it was brief, and definitely not as passionate.

"Mí amore, do you know how happy I am right now?"

She relaxed against him. "Are you as happy as I am?"

"Today has been magical. I do not want it to end."

"Neither do I. You've made me feel like Cinderella. How many women get to feel that elation in their lifetime?"

"But you are Cenerentola...you are my Cinderella. And I'm your Prince Charming."

"That title suits you completely."

"I know this might sound like a pick-up line, but I am most serious. I have never felt this way with any other woman." He stroked his thumbs across her cheeks. "I do not know how you have done it, but you have captured my—"

"There you are!"

The man's snippy voice made Adrianna jump. Seconds later, she wanted to throttle the man who interrupted Gabe who was about ready to confess his feelings to her.

She glanced over her shoulder as the man's face became clearer. Dante!

"Did you see?" he asked Gabe, sounding as though he'd consumed one too many glasses of champagne tonight. He pointed to Adrianna. "Did you see her neck?"

She gasped and threw him a glare. "What's wrong with my neck?"

The rude man moved behind her and flipped up the wisps of hair off her neck.

"See, it's right there. Her birthmark."

She waited for Gabe to shove his friend away, but for some odd reason, he didn't. She glanced at Gabe. His eyes were wide, and he wasn't smiling. And...he peered at her accusingly.

"I told you," Dante continued. "You are about to pour your heart out to Valerie Olsen—not her sister."