Master of Bella Terra by Christina Hollis Read Free Book Online

offering you a valuable, long-term contract working for me. Where’s the problem?’
    The problem, Kira thought desperately, is you.
    â€˜I’m not sure I want to work for you, Signor Albani,’ she said a little stiffly. ‘We’re so different. We might not get on.’
    He trapped her gaze for a long time. ‘What you mean is, you’re afraid we might get on too well. And remember—my name is Stefano…’ he added with a tempting smile.
    Kira stared at him. His self-confidence was astonishing, and yet somehow she could not bring herself to resent it. He could read her mind—how could she criticise him for that?
    â€˜I appreciate your concerns, but you don’t have to worry,’ he went on. ‘I have so many properties and projects, my contractors are dealt with mainly by email and text. I wouldn’t be there in person to tempt you.’ With that, his smile came dangerously close to laughter.
    Kira had to look away. His body wasn’t the only thing tempting her. She tried not to think of the begging letter, waiting for her on the table at home. There were so many calls on her slender finances. She needed money. The fabric of her house was so old there was always something that required repair. The security of a long-term contract appealed to her cautious nature. Her problem was, whenever she earned more than she actually needed she always felt bound to send any extra money back to England.
    Her natural generosity might feel right, but she knew in her heart it was wrong. She would soon live to regret it, as she had done every single time in the past. Whatshe earned ought to be hers to keep. She tried to harden her heart. It was difficult, and that was why she was such an easy target. Emotional blackmail was an ugly thing. Kira knew a steady contract to work for a billionaire like Stefano Albani would be a perfect new start. With that security behind her, maybe she could manage to make a stand. It would give her some badly needed confidence, and she could make sure that anything she did for Stefano would be strictly on her own terms. Yes, of that she was certain.
    Well…almost certain…
    â€˜Your projects sound pretty interesting,’ she told him carefully. ‘When I get back home I’ll check my diary, and see if I can fit you in somewhere.’
    He gave her a calculating look. Then he dug a hand into his pocket and drew something out. ‘Of course, I appreciate you can’t give me an answer straight away. Here—take my card. I’ll have my office draw up all the documents, and you can give them a call when you’ve come to a decision.’
    His wallet was immaculate dark brown leather. The blue silk lining was no match for the intensity of his eyes as he pulled out a business card and handed it to her. Trying not to stare at it like a souvenir, Kira slid it into the pocket of her jeans.
    â€˜Thank you. I’ll give it some serious thought.’
    Lightning crackled. Kira braced herself, but the explosion of thunder still made her jump.
    â€˜It’s getting closer.’ She looked up at the sky, and then across at the horizon. It was as dark as an overripe plum. ‘Are you sure you want to risk a tour of the estate in this weather, Stefano?’
    â€˜It will be fine.’ He smiled. ‘Trust me.’
    That was the last thing Kira ever did. People always used that phrase as casually as they said ‘to be honest.’
    From that moment, she knew in her heart things would go wrong. She tensed, retreating into the role of observer as Stefano roamed around the formal gardens. Not content with admiring her work from the upper storeys of the house, he wanted information from ground level, too. He asked intelligent questions and paid her compliments about her work, but Kira could only let herself believe a fraction of his kind words. She moved uneasily under the shadow of his praise and flinched as the thunder