The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge

EIGHT

Gabriele studied the sexy woman standing next to him as they rode in the motorboat heading toward Valerie's hotel. If he didn't know she was the same person who'd destroyed his friend, he would have thought she was someone else entirely. Everything he knew about Valerie Olsen made him want to hate her, but since meeting this very alluring woman, she had shown him a different side to her personality.

Valerie was the type of model who slept her way to the top and stomped on those who stood in front of her. She was not an innocent woman by any stretch of the word. Yet, within the short amount of time they had talked...and kissed...he felt as if he was teaching a woman about passion. From her deep breaths to her sighs of delight, he would have thought she was pure as a nun.

But there was an unexpected twist to his plans. Valerie had brought her wheelchair-bound sister. Another surprise he wasn't prepared for—that Valerie actually cared about someone besides herself. She called her sister Anna. The two looked remarkably alike, except Anna didn't smile, and wore her sunglasses a lot of the time. Anna also dressed as if she lived in poverty. And yet, Valerie adorned her perfect body in the latest fashions.

He tapped his finger on the rail, leaning his side against the structure. Would he still be able to accomplish his goal with Anna around? Gabe understood they were sisters and that Valerie would naturally want to help the crippled sibling, but he hoped Anna would stay in their hotel room while he took Valerie sight-seeing...and turned on his seductive charm.

As he studied her lovely profile, he once again wondered what kind of game she was playing with him. She acted as though she didn't know him, which he knew to be false. Valerie Olsen had been a model for a few years now. Undoubtedly, she would have heard about him, and especially about his sister.

Something wasn't right, and he planned on discovering why she acted so differently.

"Oh, I never knew Venice would be so beautiful," Valerie muttered in awe. "Everything is so old, and yet, so breathtaking."

He couldn't remove his gaze from her pretty face even if he wanted to. "Yes, I love coming to Venice. Touring the canal streets while riding in the gondolas is very romantic and relaxing." He stroked a finger down the side of her face. "I would like to take you on that tour."

She turned her head and nodded. "I would love that."

He glanced momentarily at her sister, before resting his attention on Valerie again. "Would Anna like to join us?"

The excitement left Valerie's face. She frowned and shook her head. "No. My sister's condition is very exhausting. She becomes tired very easily."

"I see." He drew his finger across her bottom lip. "Then it will just be the two of us."

"When?"

"Although I would love to take you now, you must get settled in your hotel, and I need to return to my estate to settle some business. Is tomorrow morning soon enough?"

"Yes. I'll be ready."

He slipped his hand into hers and squeezed gently. "I cannot wait to show you...everything about Venice."

She smirked. "Yes, I'm sure you can't wait. But keep in mind I only want to see Venice."

He chuckled. "As I promised before, I will do nothing for twenty-four hours."

Her gaze moved over his face as though she was trying to read his thoughts. Thankfully, she couldn't or this would be over before it started. Gabe didn't want to spring the truth on her just yet. He'd wait until she was practically begging for his kiss, and begging for him to take her to his room. Then, and only then, would he drop her flat...just as she'd done to his best friend.

* * * *

Adrianna was in Heaven. She absolutely loved Venice. She'd read books and watched movies about Italy, but seeing it firsthand was so much better. She couldn't tear her attention away from the beauty of the city. The buildings, the statues...and even the people mesmerized her completely.

They left the airport, only to drive a few miles to climb in a boat. Most of the streets were canals in this section of the city, but she didn't mind at all. She loved the experience of being in Venice.

Gabriele's sexy voice told her about the history of Venice. He gave her a history of some of the older buildings, and he pointed out the statues, as well. Apparently, there were more statues in the middle of town. She couldn't wait to see them. As promised, Gabriele hadn't tried to kiss her, and the only time he touched her was to rub her shoulder or her arm, or to place the palm of his hand against her lower back.

Last night when Adrianna and Val had reached their hotel room, they were both so exhausted—but for different reasons. Adrianna wasn't used to jet lag, but it was more than that. She'd spent so much time trying not to let Gabriele touch or kiss her inappropriately, that it physically wore her out. When she awoke this morning, she was rested, and the knowledge that he promised not to seduce her for twenty-four hours gave her the courage to meet him for breakfast as they began their day of touring.

He didn't look like a billionaire today. In fact, he looked more like a body-builder. His light gray cotton shirt stretched across his muscular chest, and his blue jeans were worn and faded. He wore white athletic shoes. But regardless of what he wore, he was gorgeous.

Side-by-side they sat in the gondola, as a man stood at the helm and pushed the long canoe along the canal with a pole. The man wore a red and white striped short-sleeve shirt, and white pants. Around his neck was a red scarf-looking tie. On his head he wore a white cap.

Adrianna wanted to giggle with pure delight after seeing so many things that made her believe she'd gone back in time. But then, Venice was an old city, which was why the people here kept up with traditions.

After a few minutes without Gabe's voice soothing her fears, she tore her gaze off the scenery to look at him. His stare was on her as he smiled. Her heart tripped and she inhaled deeply and slowly.

"What are you staring at?" she asked.

"You."

"Why?"

"Because I happen to think you are much more attractive than these old buildings." He slid the back side of his fingers along her bare arm.

Tingles shot through her and she shivered with pleasure. Valerie had talked Adrianna into wearing another sun dress. This one was blue, but the shoulder straps were thinner than the dress she had on yesterday. She wore matching—fashionable—sandals.

"You are too sweet, Gabriele, but I have the feeling you are feeding me a line of crap."

He pulled back slightly and blinked wide eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

Sighing, she turned to face him, keeping her hands folded together in her lap. "First, I'm wondering why you singled me out on the flight."

"Your beauty captured me," he said in a sultry voice.

"And I'm sure I was the only single woman on that flight who would talk to you?" She shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Mia cara, did you not see everyone who was in first class? You were the only woman I wanted to be with."

Okay, so he had a point there. "But now that we are here in Venice, why are you still pursuing me? I'm sure you know several women in this town. So why are you still trying to charm me? Am I just a game for you—a prize to be won?"

For a moment, she thought she'd read the truth on his expression, but in a blink of an eye, his face changed and the seducer had returned.

"Although I enjoy playing games, this is not one of them. I would really like to get to know you." He stroked the back of his fingers along her arm, once again. "Will you not let me know you?"

Adrianna was almost sorry she'd said that to him. And yet, because this had never happened to her before, it was hard to believe the man was sincere. She sighed and nodded. What did she have to lose? She would be in Venice until after her sister's doctor's appointment, so Adrianna might as well enjoy herself the best she could.

"Fine," she sighed.

His smile widened. "Will you now tell me about your life? What do you do?"

Part of her really didn't want him to think she was Valerie, even though deep down she wondered if he knew that Valerie Olsen was a model. But Adrianna wanted to tell him things about her life. True, she'd bore him to death with the information, but at least she'd be honest. Perhaps she could mix the two lives together somehow. Then, she would stay with the original plan of playing her sister's part.

"I'm...a model."

His eyes sparkled. "I thought you were. I have worked with enough models to spot one."

"However," she quickly interrupted, "I haven't done any modeling for over a year."

"Why not?"

"Because I was tired of that life. It was too fast, too hectic. I couldn't focus on those things that I really wanted."

His gaze narrowed as he leaned closer. "And what is that?"

Shyly, she glanced down at her hands in her lap. Dare she tell him? Confessing this part of her life would either scare him away...or if he was really sincere, he'd like her better for it. She breathed in deeply, hoping to gain the courage for what she desperately wanted to say. When she met his gaze again, his tender expression told her that she could tell him.

"I have always wanted to work with people."

He lifted an eyebrow. "But models work with people."

"That's not the kind of people I'm talking about." She might as well just blurt it out. "I enjoy working with those who struggle with our language. I work at the Community Center, and at the library. I help people from all walks of life. Some may need tutoring, some just might need a free meal once in a while. Some are even homeless, and although I don't give them money, I make sure they have clean clothes or food in their bellies."

She waited for his response, wondering what he'd think of her now. Adrianna's life and Val's life were completely opposite. Would a man like Gabriele who had always been part of Valerie's world even understand Adrianna at all and learn to accept her?

She highly doubted it.