An Aria in Venice: A Musical Interlude Novel by Kasonndra Leigh Read Free Book Online Page B

care of here,” I confirm and
head toward Luca and his friend.
    “On
one condition,” she says, grabbing hold of my arm and smiling. Raising my
eyebrows, I hold back a grin. “You tell me every delicious detail of what
happened.”
    “Deal.
Now go,” I whisper, shooing her away.
    “And
you better tell me what the rest of that ink on his six pack looks like,” she
requests, smiling. I’m surprised she saw it, but then, not really. Lis notices
everything. I always tease her, saying if she hadn’t decided to pursue a career
in dance, detective work would most definitely be her calling.
    “I
promise. Now go,” I urge, anxious to stake my claim before skyscraper legs
beats me to it. I wait until Lis disappears through the exit before I turn back
to my goal. Everyone else has also cleared out, leaving only the three of us
hanging out around the pool. Inhaling deeply, I gather my courage and trudge
over to Luca. If I had to guess, I’d say he stands around 6’2”, towering over
my 5’4”.
    I
catch the tail end of his sentence; he just called the blonde girl Juliette.
What’s even more interesting is that she’s genuinely flattered by it. This guy
is good. Even better than Alek and Nikolai … well, not really, but he’s close
enough. I stand back and enjoy the show a while longer. Neither one of them has
even noticed me standing behind them. This is even better than watching I
Love Lucy reruns with my other roomie, Jojo.
    “The
sun does set inside a sky where the color reminds me of your eyes,” Luca says
in a voice that would melt even the coldest heart, and his Italian accent flows
like a song. Skyscraper makes one of those coy laughs just before her fluttery
gaze drifts toward me standing behind Luca. He turns around and starts a bit.
    “What
the hell? Are you trying to give me a heart attack, woman?”
    I
shrug and give him an innocent face, trying to hold back my laugh. “I’m sorry
to interrupt your … um, whatever you were doing, but Mother wanted me to give
you a message.”
    “Katerina
Dostovsky, you mean?” he asks, sounding a bit annoyed.
    I
nod.
    “Interesting.
I left her only moments before I came in here. I would think she would’ve said
something then.”
    Oh
crud. I didn’t expect that little wrench. Frowning, he covers his mouth with
his hand, giving me a narrow-eyed, amused look that works just as well on him
as his poetry, which would be completely lame and borderline repulsive on
anyone other than Luca Martuccio.
    Suddenly,
I get a grin that’s filled with mischief. He’s no fool, and I know he’s figured
out what I’m trying to do. Turning back to the blonde, he says, “Juliette, I’m
afraid our time will have to be cut short.” The girl’s glare could cut through
a steel door with the iciness I’m feeling from her gaze. Lifting her towel up
from the chair, she makes a point to smile at me just before she plants a
lingering kiss on Luca’s lips, taking him by surprise and leaving me wondering
what the lip ring he’s wearing feels like. Eventually, he pulls back, passes a
sheepish grin at me, and waves Miss Hot and Horny away toward the exit.
    “All
done?” I ask, grinning.
    “I
must apologize for Juliette. I don’t think she could help herself. I’m
irresistible,” he says with a boyish grin. I shake my head. He has the
cockiness of a rock star and the body of a god. I am so going to enjoy beating
him at this game. “Now. On to this er … this proposition you wanted to
discuss.”
    I
shrug and head back toward the pool. Luca follows, just as I figured he’d do. I
might be destined for a nunnery, but my two best friends have taught me all
kinds of things in the art of luring a man like Luca.
    I
cry out as the water covers me. “The chill gets me every time. Come in with
me.” I get a half smile as he glances around.
    “Nonsense.
This water’s perfect. I don’t ever recall a time when it was too cold,” he
says, wading toward me and closing the distance