Read Online Alien Attachments by Sabine Priestley - Free Book Online

bits in his trunks were still a mystery. The more time she spent with him, the more she wondered. Especially with the crazy chemistry between them. No one had affected her so physically before.
    Gina entered from the kitchen wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “Dinner will be ready at eight o’clock, Signor Ian. Italian stew for us tonight.”
    Murmurs of appreciation spread around the room, and Ian thanked her.
    The Italian woman made her way over to Dani and fingered the ruffle of her collar. “Ah, so lovely. Is good fit, si ?”
    “Yes. Thank you.” Dani liked the portly woman. She smelled of bread and pasta. The grandmother Dani never had.
    A moment later, a large burly Italian entered from the kitchen, putting something in his mouth.
    “ Oy ,” Gina shouted. “That better not be my bread for supper.”
    The man feigned shock. “How could you ask such a thing?” he said around a mouthful, before swallowing.
    Gina wagged a finger at him. “Dani,” she said, “this is my Battista. When he’s not helping to save the world, he’s getting in the way around the villa and eating all the food before dinnertime. Please feel free to ask for anything you need.”
    Battista came around the chair and Dani stood to meet him. He took her hand and kissed the back. His eyes crinkled when he smiled, and as with his wife, she liked him immediately.
    “Ah, bellissima , you are so pretty. And so tall. Anything at all you need, you ask, si ?”
    Marco cleared his throat. “She’ll ask you, after she asks me, right darlin’?”
    Dani grinned.
    Jared came over and gave Battista a pat on the back. “You’re looking good old man.”
    “Bah, who are you calling old? You beach dog.”
    “I think you mean, beach bum,” Dani said.
    “Bum? But that is a bottom, no? Ha! Jared, you are a beach bottom!” Battista laughed his way back to the kitchen.
    Dani pondered the comfy chair, but what she really needed was a walk. So much had happened today, and the EPs were back to discussing possible solutions. “Hey Jared, want to go for a walk? Bellagio is beautiful at night.”
    “Not much I can do here,” Jared said. “What do you say, boss?”
    “Go for it,” Ian said. “Make sure you stay together. And don’t be late. Trust me, you don’t want to miss Gina’s cooking.” Ian shot her his wicked grin, sparking that odd buzz.
    “So I’ve heard.” She took a moment to enjoy the buzz before turning to go. “We’ll catch you guys in a while.”
    Jared led her across the sitting room to a large foyer. Ten-foot, double wooden doors graced the entryway. A massive Morano glass chandelier hung over the marble tiled floor. They walked out into a balmy summer night. The air smelled of the lake and greenery. A brick wall, covered in lush vines, guarded the villa. A wrought iron gate stood open at the end of the drive. They strolled through and crossed a narrow road.
    Dani inhaled deeply. “It smells so different from Cat Island. Normally you’d spend eight hours on a plane before making the transition.”
    On the far side, a narrow alley angled over a small crest then back down to the village.
    “Can you imagine if everyone in the world had the ability to get around so fast? It would change everything. Talk about a global economy.”
    “Might well destroy everything too,” Jared said. “Extremists could take terrorism to a whole new level.”
    “Yeah, always the bad with the good, huh?”
    They continued to follow the alley in companionable silence until they reached an intersection at the top. Directly ahead, the soft glow of the village radiated over the rooftops as the path led down to the port where the ferries disgorged their tourists and locals. They continued across the small clearing when a soft plucking sound came from the alley to their left. The hair on her arms stood straight up, as Jared swung out his arm to stop her.
    “You have got to be kidding me,” Dani said in a low whisper.
    Jared held his finger to his