LITMIR.BIZ

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      “It’s all right, Nicco. I understand. Really I do,” she said in the way she might speak to a small child.

      After a suspicious pause, “What is it you think you understand?”

      Good. She’d piqued his curiosity, just as she’d hoped.

      “That your responsibility is to protect me until tomorrow.”

      “And?” he bit out impatiently. When she looked at him again, his eyes glittered with an unfathomable light.

      “I should have realized you don’t feel confident enough to show me the sights on your bike without having an accident. You could have just told me the truth, but I forgot your pride. I understand the Italian male’s is more inflated than that of the other men of the world.”

      He had no idea how much satisfaction it gave her to say that to him.

      A sardonic smile broke out on his lips. “If anything, I was trying to protect your female sensibilities. You would have to cling to me like you were my second skin,” he said in a husky tone, leaving her in no doubt what he was thinking.

      “However if that’s your heart’s desire, far be it from me to deny Prince Enzo’s lovely fiancée her final request.”

      Again she looked away, thrilled to realize she’d accomplished her first objective. But she wasn’t going to fool herself that obtaining her second goal would be as easy to achieve.

      “The bathroom is down that hallway on the right. Feel free to freshen up while I find his helmet for you to wear.”

      She made a show of frowning. “But in the movie, the woman didn’t wea—”

      “Forget the film.” He broke in without hesitation. “If, God forbid, something unforeseen should happen while we’re out riding, I would never forgive myself if you suffered an injury. Prince or no prince.”

      He stood there with his hands on his hips, his appeal so virile and potent, her body trembled when she thought of being plastered against him.

      “If you’ve changed your mind, signorina…”

      Now he was baiting her, expecting her to back down.

      “No. I’ll be ready in a moment.”

      “That’s good. We have very little daylight left.”

      She headed for the hallway on unsteady legs. That was the effect he had on her.

      Valentino followed. She knew he was standing guard outside the bathroom door because she could hear him snoring. He sounded just like her own dog, reminding her how much she missed Chloe.

      When she was ready and reached the foyer, Nicco was waiting for her with a helmet under his arm, another black one in his hand.

      He rapped out something in Italian to the boxer who immediately took a sitting position. Then he opened the door.

      “After you,” he said to Callie, indicating she should exit first. She retraced their steps to the outside of the apartment building. By the time she approached his cycle, he’d already put on his helmet.

      Up close she could read the name of the model. It was called a Danelli NT-1 super bike.

      “How much does something like this cost?”

      “In lira or dollars?” he drawled.

      “Dollars.”

      “Upward of $150,000 or more.”

      Even more than she’d thought. “For a down-and-out prince, he must pay you a hefty salary to afford this.”

      Ignoring her comment, he lowered the other helmet over her head and fastened the chin strap. His piercing black eyes trapped hers briefly before he moved to drop the rear foot pegs.

      While she stood there in a daze, he threw his leg over the seat and straddled his bike. Once he’d started the powerful engine, he turned toward her.

      “When you get on, place your feet on the pegs and wrap your arms around my waist, interlocking your fingers. That’s all you have to do.” He lowered his shield and waited.

      From the second she’d laid eyes on Nicco, she’d known he was a dangerous man. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she’d get anywhere near a motorcycle like his, let alone ride on one. She bet it could reach over a hundred miles per hour in less than ten seconds. To feel that kind of lightning acceleration was going to be thrilling.

      Heavens—if it weren’t for the ghastly trouble Ann had gotten herself into, Callie would be having the time of her life.

      Her heart pounded outrageously as she watched him pull in the clutch and put the bike in gear. He was impatient to go, letting her know it was now or never.

      With an eagerness she couldn’t suppress, she jumped on behind him and adjusted her shoulder bag.

      “I’m ready,” she said, placing her sneaker-clad feet on the pegs. With a tug on her face shield, she lay against him and slid her arms around his hard-muscled body. No sooner had she intertwined her fingers than the bike sprang to life as if it had a will of its own.

      He maneuvered them down the alley to the street. Then there was an initial leap and everything became a blur. They literally flew along the parkway to join the freeway.

      CHAPTER THREE

      THIS was ecstasy.

      Nicco had incredible control as he wove so smoothly between cars. The daring way he took corners with breathtaking accuracy, every practiced move as she leaned with him, conveyed the expertise of a racing pro.

      When he wasn’t working for the prince, did he race? Was that how he could afford the bike? Or was this a special model paid for by sponsors?

      A rush of adrenaline surged through her veins at the possibility she could be riding with one of the very best in the world. Yet she sensed he was still being careful to make certain nothing happened to her.

      Callie wondered where he was taking them. The freeway seemed to be leading away from Torino’s core to the outskirts. They whizzed past centuries-old residences and fairy-tale palaces of Baroque design.

      By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Torino with its four rivers and miles of gardens had been left behind. They’d reached an alpine valley that looked like a patchwork quilt of vineyards. A marvelous fruity essence seemed to envelop them.

      Though the air had grown cooler, Nicco’s warmth had invaded her body from her shoulders down. They were melded like two hot metals in a refiner’s fire. The feeling of oneness was indescribable.

      Never wanting their magical ride to end, she moaned in disappointment when he pulled off the road to follow a path through the vegetation. It was evident he knew about this spot. She assumed he wanted to rest for a minute before returning to the city.

      Soon they arrived at a charming three-story farmhouse with a portico. Closed green shutters stood out against the pale orange exterior.

      He geared down and came to a stop in the empty courtyard. The place appeared deserted to her. Remembering her plan, now would be the best time to make her getaway. Otherwise she might never have another opportunity.

      Callie quickly got down from the bike and lifted the shield of her helmet. While she waited for him to climb off, she looked all around. Tall cypress trees were silhouetted against the sky, heralding the approach of night. She would need the motorcycle’s headlights to help her find the way out of the mountains.

      The second he swung his leg over she said, “That was an exhilarating ride. Before we go back to town, can I sit on it by myself for a minute?”

      Nicco was still wearing his helmet which made it impossible to read his expression. He raised his shield.

      “Go ahead.”

      “Do you

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