LITMIR.BIZ

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asking much.”

      “I’m not asking, Alex. I’m telling. You’ve got six months in which to find yourself a wife and start a family or…”

      Alex’s brow winged upward in challenge. “Or?”

      “I sell the House of Valente to one of our competitors and give the money to charity. And I promise neither you nor your two brothers will see a cent.”

      Alex’s jaw clenched. “I could always declare you insane.”

      Cesare gave a small smile. “You could try but I don’t think any judge will give you power of attorney. I’m as sane as you are and I intend to do what I like with my own company.”

      Alex swore then pushed to his feet. “I don’t need your money, Dad, nor do I need to be CEO. I’ll survive without you.”

      “But will your brothers?”

      Alex’s shoulders stiffened. He took his status as eldest brother seriously. His own mother had died when he was three years old and Cesare had married again soon afterward. That marriage had lasted all of a year, just enough time for Nick to be born. Then his father had married Isabel, and had stayed married ever since. Matt at least had both his parents around.

      “If you don’t do as I ask, then I’ll sell tomorrow. You and your brothers will be out on your own.”

      Alex glared down at him. “We’re grown men. We’ll survive.”

      “Oh, I have no doubt about that. But do you think it’s fair for them to lose their inheritance like this?”

      “Don’t manipulate me,” Alex growled.

      “This isn’t manipulation. It’s a guarantee,” Cesare said with quiet emphasis. “Alex, this is too important to me. It’s my legacy to my sons. One day you’ll realize this when you have a child of your own.”

      “Go to hell.” Alex strode to the door and closed it behind him with controlled anger. He always wore his detachment like a second skin, but right now he was in danger of losing even that.

       One week later

      “And now,” a woman’s well-spoken voice said, “here is Anastasia stepping out for an evening of glamour in a beautiful gown that is sure to make a statement. The plunging neckline…”

      Alex heard the female voice through the microphone as he strode along the corridor toward the hotel ballroom. Her tone intrigued him even before he saw the woman, her accent Australian with an American twist, its slightly husky quality entrancing him beyond the beat of the music.

      “…and doesn’t this set a new style? The classic black is…”

      His steps lengthened. He had to see this woman. Had to know if she looked as good as she sounded. He pushed open the door and stepped inside the room, the muted lighting allowing him full view down the well-lit center aisle to the tall, graceful blonde at the podium.

      She’d been worth the rush.

      Definitely.

      Strikingly beautiful, with golden-blond hair pulled back in a sophisticated chignon, she carried an elegance that was as natural as breathing.

      There was a round of applause as the model on the runway walked off, and he noticed his stepmother wave to him from the front row. He realized she must have been keeping an eye out for him. He hadn’t exactly been enamored of attending a fashion show, but his father had cried off sick at the last minute and Isabel had been persuasive.

      He was never more glad he’d agreed to come, he mused, making his way around the edge of the room toward Isabel…toward this beauty on the stage who could have been one of the models herself.

      “For our next outfit, Crystal is wearing a jewel of a gown that…”

      Just as he reached his stepmother, he looked up at the podium and his eyes locked with those of the blonde. It was a moment out of time.

      “Er…” She faltered just that little bit. “…this accents her perfect figure…”

      Alex watched her recover and carry on with the commentary, vaguely aware of Isabel’s whisper chiding him for being late.

      The blonde glanced at him again and he caught a flicker of disconcertion in her eyes before she angled her chin and looked away to continue talking.

      But it was too late.

      He’d seen her reaction. She’d definitely felt something between them, and if that was panic he’d just seen on her face, then she was panicked by her own emotions.

      Good. He wanted this woman, and what he wanted he usually got. Until now he’d been a man who only slept with a woman after he’d gotten to know her, but he’d rethink that tonight. The draw of this woman was too strong.

      “And now, one of the highlights of the Cannington Collection is this delightful garment showcasing…”

      Alex frowned when he heard the Cannington name but before he could think further, Isabel leaned toward him and whispered, “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

      He pretended not to know who she was talking about. “The model?”

      Isabel tutted softly. “No, the presenter. She’s a famous fashion designer in the States and this is her fashion show. She grew up here and now she’s come back to live in Australia. Her mother’s Felicia Cannington, you know. The movie star.”

      Alex let that sink in. Most people knew Felicia Cannington was an Australian who’d made it big in Hollywood over three decades ago. She was a much-loved favorite of the big screen.

      He glanced again at the beautiful blonde. “And that’s her daughter up there?”

      Isabel nodded. “Yes, that’s Olivia Cannington.”

      His business brain kicked into gear and he knew he’d just been handed the perfect solution to his problems. For the last week he’d been thinking about nothing but his father’s ultimatum. He’d hoped by now Cesare would admit he’d been totally unreasonable because of his health scare, but the wily old bastard hadn’t backed down. When Cesare Valente wanted something he usually got it.

      Not that he’d said anything to his father about it. At first he’d been determined not to give in to Cesare’s demand and planned on ignoring it as long as he could.

      But the guilt had been getting to him. How could he let the family business be handed over to a bunch of strangers? More importantly, how could he let Nick and Matt lose their rightful inheritance?

      Now he didn’t have to, he decided. He’d grant part of his father’s wish only because he’d found a suitable woman.

      As for producing a child…Cesare could whistle in the dark over that. His father would be retiring within the next couple of months anyway and wouldn’t be able to maintain his control over the business. No, a child wouldn’t be a part of the bargain.

      It would be just him and the blonde. If she was as captivating as she looked, and if she was available, then he’d found the woman to marry.

       Olivia Cannington.

      “Good evening, Mr. Valente,” Olivia replied with as much cool politeness as she could. She’d recognized Alex Valente’s name as soon as her business partner had introduced them. The House of Valente was well-known throughout Australia for its excellence in perfume design and production.

      “Alex,” he invited, his slate-gray eyes sweeping over her with a burning intensity that made her heart bump against her ribs.

      Holding on to her composure, she inclined her head. “Alex.” She ignored the meaningful look Lianne gave her before the other woman excused herself and took off across the room to see to their other guests.

      Instead, she let a moment pass as she took a sip of her champagne and tried not to show

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