Royally Romanced by Marie Donovan Read Free Book Online Page A

with filigree and crystals and jet beads galore. Aunt Barbara would love it.
    “Do you see anything you like here?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “I was just thinking my aunt would like some of this. She likes more…elaborate things than I do.”
    He eyed her up and down. “A woman who looks like a forties’ movie star doesn’t think that counts as elaborate?”
    “I suppose silk stockings with seams up the back can’t be considered plain.”
    “Not at all.” His voice sounded husky for a second. “But authentic, right?”
    “Absolutely.” Renata had to clear her own throat. “Maybe I’ll bring Aunt Barbara to see the exhibit. I’ve encouraged her to branch out a bit with some designs of her own.”
    “With you as her mentor, I’m sure it would be a success.”
    “That’s kind of you.”
    Giorgio shrugged. “Only the truth. You’re a self-made woman, whereas I’m the royal caretaker, making sure everything stays intact for the next generation.” He sounded a bit dejected.
    “But that’s important, too. You have thousands of families depending on you to make sure everything runs smoothly, that parents can give their children the opportunities to succeed that they might not have had themselves.”
    He grinned. “You’ve very smart, you know that?”
    “Of course. And now, if you’ll call for that slick car of yours we can tour around for a bit before you meet your sister for dinner.”
    He immediately texted his driver who showed up in an impossibly short period of time. Giorgio helped her into the limo. “Drive downtown, Paolo.”
    Paolo nodded and they slid away from the curb. Renata settled back into the luxurious seats. She didn’t know where the royal ride was going, but she was sure it would be memorable.
     
     
    “T HANK YOU FOR DINNER , Renata.” Giorgio relaxed back into the limo seat. “I have to admit I am not used to ladies paying for me.”
    “Don’t be silly, it was just a chili dog,” she chided him. She hadn’t been in a limo since one of her brothers’ weddings, and this was much nicer than being stuffed into the back with several giddy bridesmaids in poufy dresses. “I’ll add it onto the alterations bill for your sister’s dress if you insist.”
    He leaned toward her. “I do.”
    Stefania had called to cancel dinner since she had a term paper due soon and her fiancé was fogged in at Heathrow airport anyway.
    Giorgio had called his driver to come get them and they had cruised the city as best as they could with a giant limo. But it was getting late, and Renata had reluctantly told Giorgio to head for Brooklyn.
    “Tell me when you are free again.” Giorgio twined his fingers between hers.
    “Free for what?”
    “Free to see me again. I’ll take you to the Plaza for dinner.”
    She rested her head on his shoulder. “Only if they serve chili dogs.”
    “I’ll make sure they do.” He ran the back of his hand along her cheek. “I want to see you again.”
    Oh, so did she. “Would you like to see my neighborhood?”
    “What?” He looked out the window at the identical row houses stretching as far as they could see.
    “Tell your driver to cruise around in this area for a little while. I’ll give you a private tour.” She was practically crawling out of her skin with lust and finally gave in.
    He pressed an intercom button and gave instructions in Italian. “There. He will drive around until I tell him to stop. He cannot see or hear anything in the back so you can feel free to say whatever you want.” He pressed a button that turned on hidden dim lighting. “I want to see you while we talk. You are the sexiest woman I have ever met.”
    She snorted.
    “What?” He furrowed his black brows. “You do not think you are sexy?”
    “Oh, I know I am.” And that had been hard-won self-knowledge. “But I’m no six-foot, one-hundred-pound supermodel.”
    “Thank God,” he said fervently. “I’m not a man who likes women with more muscle than me.”