The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge

NINE

Who was this woman?

Gabe couldn't take his eyes off the lovely model sitting next to him. He thought he'd known her because of what happened between her and his best friend, however this woman...the one who smelled like roses, looked like an angel, and tasted like honey when he kissed her, wasn't Valerie Olsen.

How could she be so different from the viper his friend had told him about? And yet, the woman with the soothing voice and the creamy, soft skin who sat next to him, was completely opposite.

Revenge had been in his heart from the moment he saw her at the airport, but now his mind—and heart—were changing. How could a cold-hearted woman as he'd come to know her as, be so kind as to travel with her crippled sister all the way to a foreign country? Would a woman who thought of nothing but herself and how to get ahead in her modeling career, take the time to help those people who were less fortunate?

The Valerie Olsen he knew wouldn't stoop low enough to spit on a homeless person, let alone talk to them and feed them. The Valerie he knew would worry more about her clothes, her make-up and her hair, than trying to tutor some illiterate person.

Something was certainly wrong here, and Gabe wouldn't rest until he had it figured out. Either his friend was lying to him...or Valerie was. And yet, most of the time he could tell when women were lying to him. The beauty sitting next to him wasn't lying. But his friend hadn't been lying, either. Gabe saw firsthand how his best friend sunk deep into a world of depression after Valerie had used and abused him.

Perhaps there were two models using the name of Valerie Olsen. Nah, that wasn't right. However... His mind skipped back to when he was first introduced to Valerie's sister. The crippled sister looked enough like Valerie to be her twin, even if Val hadn't said the actual word—twin.

Hmm... He scratched his chin. Could the sisters have switched places? Or was his imagination working overtime?

Chuckling to himself, he realized he might actually have stumbled onto something important here. The longer he thought about it, the more he believed his calculations were correct. Valerie Olsen must be the sister pretending to be crippled. So why would she have her innocent sister play her part?

Another mystery he felt compelled to solve.

Gabriele smiled. He took one of her hands and lifted it to his mouth so he could place a kiss on her knuckles.

"Valerie Olsen, you are the most amazing woman I have ever met."

A lovely pinkish-red color highlighted her cheeks, and her gaze dropped to her lap again. He nearly laughed. The Valerie he knew would never get embarrassed over a compliment. She thrived on people praising her.

"Thanks," she muttered.

Using his finger, he lifted her chin until her gaze met his again. "There is no need to be ashamed of that compliment, mia cara. I have known plenty of models over the years, but none of them were as selfless as you. It does my heart good to see that your heart has changed for the better."

"The better?" She tilted her head as a questionable expression covered her face.

Inwardly, he swore. He shouldn't have said it that way. "Umm, forgive me. What I meant to say was that I'm very happy to know how caring and giving you are toward people less fortunate."

She shrugged. "It's just something I enjoy doing. Going through school, I was always the one staying after class to help those who struggled."

How fascinating. The more Gabriele listened to this woman, the more he knew she wasn't Valerie Olsen. So then if she played her sister's role, what was her real name? Was she really Anna?

He touched the tip of his finger to her nose briefly. "And I bet those people have set aside a section of their hearts for you."

Her face relaxed and she smiled. "I would hope so."

"Tell me," he wondered, "will you ever return to modeling?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

"Even if I can get you a job working for my sister's design company?"

She sighed and shook her head. "Although a few years ago I would have done anything for that kind of opportunity, my life has changed, and I enjoy what I do now."

His suspicions were confirmed. This was not Valerie.

Confusion spun around in his mind. What was he going to do now? He still wanted to get back at Valerie for what she'd done to his friend, but Gabe didn't want to get the model's innocent sister involved, either. And this woman—Anna—was definitely innocent. Strange to think, but that was what attracted him to her initially.

"I admire you for being so strong willed," he told her truthfully. "I do not think I could have done that."

"Why not?"

"It takes a special kind of person who has a large heart."

She laid her hand on his arm. "But Gabriele, I think you are kind. After all, you took time out of your business schedule to give me a tour. You could have easily just given me names of tour guides to use instead of doing it yourself."

Guilt spread through him. He couldn't confess the truth. He must make her believe he was a kind man who thought of others. "I think you are making me into something I am not, mia cara."

Smiling, she shook her head. "I'm a pretty good judge of character, and I think that although you try to make women believe you can charm the pants off them—literally—I think deep down you are a man who wishes a woman would come to love the man inside this rugged, muscular body, instead of what you can do for them."

His body stilled in shock. Was she a mind reader? He'd longed to find that type of woman for years, but finally gave up when realizing it was all just a dream. Women were superficial. Especially models. All they could see was the power he held to help them out and further their careers.

Was it possible that this woman wasn't like all of the others? He'd hardened his heart so much in the past, he didn't think anyone could soften it, and yet...Anna was doing that very thing right now.

Adjusting himself in the gondola, he leaned back and rested on his elbow as he looked up at her. He was content to just stare into her lovely blue eyes. Did she know what her words and her stare did to him? Was she aware how much he wanted her right now? Unfortunately, a promise was a promise. And he wouldn't touch her for twenty-four hours. Thankfully, four of those hours had already passed.

She followed him by leaning back in the boat and resting on her elbow, facing him. His heartbeat picked up speed. Did she long for the same thing as he did? Did he dare hope?

He cupped the side of her face. "You are an exceptional woman."

She arched an eyebrow. "Why do you say that? Because you know I'm right about what I said?"

"Are my emotions that obvious?"

She chuckled and placed her hand on his chest. "Not many men try so hard to get a woman as you have with me. I understand that you love to love women, but you are also normal. I believe most men want the same things as most women do...to be loved for themselves and not who they appear to be."

He cherished the feel of her hand on his chest, mainly because she made the move to touch him. Perhaps she was warming up to him faster than he'd expected. That was a good thing. Unfortunately, he didn't know if he wanted to seduce her.

Of course I do! And yet, the seduction would be for pleasure, for sharing, and perhaps even for love. He would not allow his revenge for her sister to get in between them.

* * * *

The humidity in this country must be ten times worse than it was where she lived. Why else would she be so hot right now, and unable to breathe regularly? Unless, it had something to do with the very intoxicating man lying beside her.

He'd kept to his word about not trying to seduce her, and yet, the way he looked at her, hesitantly touched her, and the things he said were seducing her right now. Gabe looked at her differently now. She didn't know what it was, but she felt it had something to do with her confession. It must, because she saw a difference in his eyes, and she felt it in his touch.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't try to seduce her until tomorrow, which means...she must make the first move to kiss him. Because right now, her quick heartbeat was telling her how much she enjoyed his presence. They were connecting much better than before.

Silence grew between them, but she didn't mind. She was content with staring into his gorgeous face and dreaming of what might happen. Although her head warned her to take things slow, her heart was overreacting and was the very thing controlling her mouth and her body.

He stroked her cheek gently, and she cuddled her face against his large hand. How could she stop herself from falling for this man? He was everything she'd dreamed about. And right now, she was in paradise. This was once in a lifetime. So she might as well make the best of it.

She licked her dry lips and his gaze dropped to her mouth. Her heartbeat accelerated. "So Gabriele, what part of the tour is this?"

He grinned. "This, mia cara, is when we take a small break from the tour."

"Oh, so that's what you call it."

He nodded. "You do not mind, correct?"

"Not at all."

She moved her palm slowly over his chest. She wished he wore a button-down shirt now. It would be easier to undo to slip her fingers against his skin.

"Tell me about your twin sister," he said.

Her heartbeat stilled for a few seconds. Why did he want to know about Valerie? "Umm, didn't I tell you about her already?"

"All you said was that she has a disease and the doctor is here in Venice."

"Oh, well...what else do you want me to tell you about her?"

"How did she get a disease?"

Adrianna really had to word this carefully. The truth was, Valerie was doing a shoot in the woods, and a deer tick bit her. She'd gone undiagnosed for a few years before the doctors finally figured out what it was.

"Anna loves camping, and one day a deer tick bit her. She didn't notice it right away, and for the longest time, the doctors didn't know what it was. She's on medication, but for some reason, her body isn't responding to it. That's why we decided to come here to see Doctor Cassano. We've heard he's the best."

"Yes, I have heard of this doctor. I hope he can help her."

"Me, too. Her appointment was for tomorrow, but yesterday while we were waiting to board the plane, she received a phone call from the doctor's office, and they are postponing her a whole month." She frowned. "It's hard to see my sister this way. Usually, she's an energetic woman who is always on the go. Knowing this disease is making her weak and she doesn't have enough strength to walk some days, really breaks my heart."

"Let me know if you need my help in anything. Nobody should have to live like that. Not even...Anna. That's her name, correct?"

"Yes. Well, it's really Adrianna, but most people call her Anna."

He moved his hand down the length of her hair falling over her shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat.

"What do you like to call her?" he asked.

"Adrianna," she whispered. Although people always shortened her name, she actually preferred them using her full name.

"That is a beautiful name."

Her cheeks grew warm, even though she tried to stop it. She couldn't let him know about the switch. He would certainly become suspicious. "I think you have a beautiful name, too."

His brown eyes darkened, and he leaned closer. She held her breath, hoping...praying he'd kiss her. Dryness invaded her mouth and throat, but she didn't dare move for fear she'd give him the wrong signal and he'd back away.

His gaze locked to her mouth, and yet the seconds ticked by without him making another move. This was so frustrating. Was he waiting for her? Apparently, so.

Clearing his throat, he pulled back and lay on his back, gazing up into the clear blue sky. Disappointment crashed over her. Or...was he teasing her?

"So this Doctor Cassano," he said in a strained voice. "He wouldn't happen to be Vincent Cassano, would he?"

She leaned closer to him. "Yes, I believe it is. Why? Do you know him?"

"I have two uncles who are doctors—both with the last name Cassano. If your sister's doctor is Vincent Cassano, he is my uncle...and as luck would have it," he grinned, "I'm his favorite nephew. I could call my uncle to see if he could squeeze your sister into his busy schedule."

Surprise shook her, and her heart flipped with excitement. She loomed over him, resting her upper body against his chest as she stared into his amazing, seductive eyes. "Gabriele Marcelli, if you are teasing me..."

Laughing, he shook his head. "I assure you, that man is my uncle."

"Would you call him...for my sister?"

"No." Gabe cupped the side of her face again. "I will do it for you, mia cara."

Happiness burst inside her heart. She squealed and threw her arms around his neck. Immediately, his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. "Really?"

"Sí, amore."

Being in this position sent shock waves of desire through her. But at the moment, it didn't stop her from covering his mouth with hers. He met her kiss hungrily, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth as if he couldn't get enough.

She released a blissful moan as her body relaxed. Against her will, she was his and he could have his wicked way with her right here. Right now.