Andrea surveyed the huge crowded room with concealed dissatisfaction. He wondered why it was that when fate gave him what he believed he had always wanted he should find it so irritating. Clingy women who remained welded to him like superglue in company had always exasperated him.In the course of a month, he had learned that Elena did not cling, shadow him round the room or continually seek ways to attract his attention. In fact, he sometimes felt like handcuffing her to his wrist or tagging her with a satellite-navigation system he could use to locate her when he wanted her back by his side. When she got talking to his guests, she lost track of time. She was wildly popular with the garden enthusiasts and had to be regularly rescued from those who took advantage of her horticultural knowledge to request free advice and even personal visits.‘Where is she?’ Andrea was finally forced to ask Francis. A few minutes later, his chief of security at his heels, he strode out to the rear
Madly conscious of the warmth of his skin against hers and of the electric sparks of awareness in the atmosphere, Elena glanced up at him. The dark pupils of her blue eyes were dilated. Sensual tension sizzled through her, holding her still. She was on a high and although she tried she could not pull back from that intoxicating sense of energy and power while his smouldering tawny eyes burned over her with masculine appreciation.Andrea bent his arrogant dark head to murmur thickly, ‘How do you do this to me?’Taunting heat pulsed at the heart of her. She felt so wicked she closed her eyes tight, fighting his electrifyingly sexual magnetism. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about—’‘Di niente. Let me show you.’ Snapping both hands over her wrists, Andrea backed into the room behind him and drew her with him.The instant she registered his intention, Elena went rigid. She knew that hot, intent look on his lean, darkly handsome face. It filled her with an excitement she loathed. All
He loosened the knot of his tie with an air of purpose and shed it along with his jacket. Not once did he remove his striking gaze from her perplexed face. He released the buttons on his shirt with taunting slowness.Elena was paralysed by surprise and the dulled heavy sensation of warmth low in her belly. ‘What are you doing? Your meeting-’Andrea came down on the bed beside her and reached for her with confident hands. ‘Make missing it worth my while,’ he invited in erotic challenge, letting his tongue delve deep between her parted lips and ravish the sweetness from her soft mouth.Around noon, he shook her awake. She blinked up at him like a rabbit caught in headlights, still so exhausted that her body literally felt weighted to the mattress. Andrea on the other hand looked re-energised. His black hair was still wet and spiky from the shower, his beautiful eyes brilliant as diamonds above his superb bronzed cheekbones. ‘You’ve missed your train. A driver is standing by to take you
‘I can’t do anything,’ Elena said again. ‘I don’t have any money either.’Kelsey spoke up for the first time. ‘If you don’t find the means to sort this out discreetly, I assure you that I will divorce your father and then he won’t even have anywhere to live. I’ve had enough. I won’t tolerate any more.’Elena sighed heavily. ‘I can understand how you feel—’‘I don’t think you do. While our lives have been crashing and burning as we struggled to pay our bills, you’ve been swanning down red carpets to film premières!’ Silvia condemned furiously. ‘I see your picture in all the top magazines and your name in the gossip columns. You’re shacked up with a Category-A billionaire!’‘It would have been crude to present Andrea with a shopping list of demands in your very first week,’ Rose opined, ‘but it’s time you stopped being selfish and shared your amazing good fortune with your family.’‘That’s enough, girls,’ their mother, Kelsey, murmured. ‘I’m quite sure that Elena has got the message.’I
‘It was none of Andrea’s business,’ Elena declared, refusing to look at either man.Andrea strode forward and immediately extended a hand down to Michael to help the younger man up. ‘I’m sorry. I owe you a sincere apology.’ He sent Elena a shimmering glance of challenge. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? How wasn’t it my business?’Her cheeks flushed a discomfited pink, Elena folded her lips on a stinging retort. A slanging match in front of Michael in which Andrea was certain to give as good as he got would only embarrass her more. She already felt foolish, angry and guilty that Michael had got hurt. She did not want to recall that, when she first realised that Andrea had followed her down to Somerset, she had been pleased.‘Are you coming back to my hotel with me?’ Andrea drawled softly.Elena jerked her chin in grudging affirmation. ‘How could you do that?’ she snapped the minute she was alone with Andrea.‘You’re responsible for that stupid farce,’ Andrea drawled with cutting cool, thrusti
The money had been taken from the garden fund around the same time as the money from Andrea's company. In many ways it could be seen as another strand of the same offence, she told herself bracingly.When she appeared for breakfast, Andrea acknowledged her with an inclination of his handsome dark head. He was poised by a desk across the room and talking in rapid Italian, and it was clear to her that he was fully engaged in business. She watched him covertly while she chased some cereal round a bowl, her appetite steadily dwindling at the prospect of the dialogue that lay ahead.Andrea tossed the phone aside and strolled fluidly towards her. In a well-cut suit the colour of rich caramel, a silk shirt and a narrow trendy tie, he was drop-dead beautiful, she acknowledged helplessly.‘Sleep well?’ he enquired casually.‘Yes … thanks.’‘I didn’t.’ Lean, powerful face intent, Andrea lounged back against the table edge. He watched her with a smouldering intensity that spoke louder than any
Elena laced her fingers through each other and threw back her slight shoulders as she steeled herself. ‘I desperately want my father to have the chance to turn his life around—’Andrea threw up his hands in a gesture of total derision and walked over to the window to turn his back on her. ‘Oh … please,’ he said acidly.‘He’ll never do it if nobody believes in him. He’ll go to prison if the garden committee has to press charges and what choice do they have? Some very influential people donated money to the fund. Please consider replacing the money,’ she whispered shakily. ‘Even as a loan.’‘Dio mio … A loan with what security?’ Andrea swung back and rested sardonic dark-as-night eyes on her. ‘You almost had me convinced that you were different and I liked that idea. A lady with principles. Until now you had the unique distinction of being the only woman who has never asked me for money … Or jewels to the value of.’The blood drained from below her fine creamy skin. She wanted to sink t
Rocco Mario leafed frantically through the file Elena had presented him with. Finally he thrust it down on the table. His complexion had taken on an unhealthy grey hue, his shock palpable. ‘Did Andrea Santino put all that stuff together for you?’‘Yes,’ Elena breathed. ‘Please don’t tell me any lies. I need to hear the truth.’‘It looks a lot worse than it is,’ Rocco declared defensively. ‘Let me explain how it happened—’‘It wasn’t something that just happened. Don’t talk as though it was something that you had no control over,’ Elena broke in tautly. ‘You forged my mother’s will so that I was left penniless. That’s what it comes down to!’‘You’re making too much of this,’ the older man argued vehemently. ‘It all started out quite innocently. When you were a baby, I tried to persuade your mother, Isabel, into a business partnership. I hoped that together we could build houses on the estate.’‘Build?’ Elena parroted. ‘But it’s against the law to develop a site that’s been listed as be
It was a beautiful afternoon, and Elena and Syria were sitting in their favorite corner of the local coffee shop, sipping on their lattes. The atmosphere was cozy, with soft music playing in the background and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. As they chatted about life, love, and dreams, Elena hesitated for a moment before gathering her courage to share her big news."Syria," Elena began with a smile, her eyes shining with excitement, "I have something important to ask you." She paused, taking a deep breath, and then continued, "Will you be my maid of honor at my wedding?"Syria's eyes widened in surprise, and then a wide grin spread across her face. "Oh my goodness, Elena! Are you serious? Of course, I will!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her joy. She leaned forward and hugged her best friend tightly. "I'm so honored and thrilled to be a part of your special day!"Elena felt a wave of relief and happiness wash over her as Syria's response was exactly what she ha
On a sunny afternoon, Elena picked up her phone with excitement bubbling in her heart. She dialed Syria's number, eager to share the incredible news. As the phone rang, Elena's nerves mixed with happiness, and she couldn't wait to hear her friend's voice on the other end."Hello?" Syria's voice came through the line, filled with warmth and familiarity."Hey, girl, it's me, Elena!" she said, trying to contain her enthusiasm."Elena! Oh my goodness, it's been too long since we last spoke. How have you been?" Syria replied, equally delighted to hear from her.With the announcement of her babies, Elena had been too busy and she hadn't called Syria in a long time."I've been doing great, but I have some amazing news to share with you!" Elena said, her voice trembling with joy. "I'm expecting a set of twins!"There was a moment of silence on the other end, and then Syria's voice erupted with excitement. "Oh my goodness, Elena, that's incredible! I'm so happy for you! Twins, wow! You're goin
Finally, Elena and Andrea, arrived at the prestigious medical center for the eagerly awaited scan to determine the sex of their baby. The anticipation had been building for weeks, and they couldn't contain their excitement."What do you think it's going to be?" Elena asked as Andrea helped her out of the car."Hmm… I don't really care about the sex of the child because no matter the outcome, I'll love the child with all my heart." he smiled.Elena gave his hands a gentle squeeze, silently telling him that she loved what he said. He had always been a mature person and she loved that he saw things that even her couldn't see."But in your deepest hearts… what do you want?" she asked."Baby, I see what you are doing and it's not going to work," he laughed."But I'm not doing anything," Elena said pretentiously."You know what… let's just wait for the doctor," Andrea laughed.As they sat together in the beautifully decorated waiting room, Elena couldn't help but feel a mixture of nerves an
In the dimly lit underground headquarters where they had camped, Andrea who was the mastermind of the operation, stood before his loyal team of highly skilled mercenaries. The room echoed with hushed murmurs and tense anticipation as he prepared to reveal the breakthrough they had all been waiting for."Listen up, everyone," Andrea 's voice boomed with authority, cutting through the silence. "After days of pursuit, I can finally say that we have discovered the location of those bastards we've been after. They're holed up in an abandoned industrial complex on the outskirts of the city."Excitement and determination filled the room as Andrea 's men exchanged glances, ready to embark on their final mission to bring their enemies down but little did they know that the forces they were up against had not given up the fight just yet.As Andrea continued to detail their plan of attack, a sudden loud crack echoed through the room. A gunshot! Time seemed to slow as everyone's eyes darted tow
In the dimly lit room, Andrea stood tall, his face grim and determined. He looked into the eyes of each of his men, a mix of trust and intensity reflected in his gaze. Elena stood at a distance, her hands trembling, and fear etched across her face as she stared at each of the die-hard men."My brothers," Andrea began, his voice low yet commanding. "Today, we stand united against those who have committed the gravest of sins. They thought they could take away the ones we love and go unpunished but we will show them the consequences of their actions."His words carried weight, and a solemn silence enveloped the room. The flickering candlelight danced upon the walls as Andrea continued, "We're going in with a total clampdown. Every move calculated, every step precise. Our enemies won't see us coming, and they won't know what hit them but know this, my brothers, we are not just seeking vengeance; we are seeking justice."Elena's heart pounded in her chest as she listened to Andrea's plan u
In the opulent penthouse office of Andrea's skyscraper, high above the bustling city, the billionaire sat at a grand mahogany desk, waiting with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Today was the day he would finally have a meeting with Ethan, to settle their long-standing fight and mend the rift that had torn their family apart."I hope this turns out well." he murmured.As the clock struck the appointed hour, the door to the office swung open, and in walked Ethan, an air of intensity surrounding him. His stern expression softened a little as he took in the luxurious surroundings, but the tension between the two was still palpable."Andrea," Ethan began, his voice guarded, "I must admit I didn't expect this meeting to happen. After all the fights and disagreements, what's the real reason you called for this?"Andrea, looking peaceful, stood up and walked around the desk to face Ethan directly. "Ethan, you're right. We've had our differences, and I'll take my share of the blame for
In his lavish penthouse apartment overlooking the city, Andrea sat across from Elena, nervously fidgeting with his tie. He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, finding comfort in her warm gaze."Elena," Andrea began, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and apprehension, "I need to tell you something your mother shared with me earlier today."Elena reached out and gently held his hand, encouraging him to continue. "What is it, Andrea? You can tell me anything."Andrea smiled at her support and continued, "Well, your mother called me this morning, and she mentioned that she thinks we should organize a small wedding ceremony. Especially now that... now that a baby is on the way."Elena's eyes widened with surprise and delight. "A wedding Andrea? Are you serious, right now?" she exclaimed, feeling a rush of emotions at the unexpected news.He nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Yes, I'm absolutely serious and honestly, I couldn't be happier about it but about the wedd
The following day, Elena woke up feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. The thought of being pregnant both thrilled and scared her. Wanting to confirm her suspicions, she secretly bought a pregnancy test and went to the privacy of her bathroom. Her heart pounded as she followed the instructions, and as she waited for the results to appear, her mind raced with thoughts about how this could change her life.When the results finally appeared, Elena stared at the small window with disbelief. Two lines confirmed what she suspected - she was pregnant. Emotions flooded through her - joy, fear, uncertainty, and love for the tiny life growing inside her. She wasn't sure how to process it all, but one thing was certain: she wanted to share this news with Andrea."I'm pregnant, i'm really pregnant." she mummured.As she thought about what had just happebed, she thought about Andrea too and she knew that he had been nothing but supportive and caring throughout their relationship. She knew he wo
Early one morning, Elena found Vanessa watching t.v from the large screen in the living room. It had been a while since she saw her and seeing her now just put a smile on her face. She couldn't believe that a girl as young as she was was very strong which was one of the things she loved about her.Her wide eyes were fixed on the television screen, captivated by a vibrant animated world. Elena couldn't help but smile at the sight of the adorable little girl, her heart warming at the innocence and happiness radiating from her.Vanessa turned her head and noticed Elena standing in the doorway. A bright smile spread across her face as she patted the empty spot beside her on the beanbag chair. "Come sit with me, Elena!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement.Elena's surprise melted away, replaced by a sense of warmth and affection for this precious child. She made her way towards where Vanessa was and settled down next to her on the beanbag chair. Together, they watched the col