Read Online Reunited with Her Italian Ex by Lucy Gordon - Free Book Online

father’s voice, in her childhood, before he’d abandoned her without a backward glance.
    But this was no time to be brooding over the past. She thrust the memory aside, returning Laura’s greeting with the appearance of warmth.
    Then Laura turned her attention to Mario, saying, ‘And how do you do?’
    â€˜There’s no need for such formality,’ Mario said, shaking her hand. ‘We already know each other.’
    â€˜Indeed we do,’ Laura said, glancing at Natasha as she spoke.
    Natasha returned her look with interest. She had the feeling that Laura was sizing her up as possible competition.
    Then Amadore appeared beside them. ‘Do I get another dance?’ he asked.
    â€˜Of course.’ Natasha let the charming hotel owner enfold her in his arms and twirl her gently across the floor.
    Out of the corner of her eye she could just see Mario gliding past with Laura, who seemed to be trying to dance as close to him as possible.
    â€˜There the women go again,’ Amadore said, ‘parading themselves to get his attention.’
    â€˜Do you mean Signor Ferrone?’ Natasha asked.
    â€˜Oh, yes. He’s a lucky man. Every female makes eyes at him, and the rumour is that he can have any woman he wants.’
    So nothing had changed, she thought, remembering how women’s eyes had followed Mario during their time together. How they had envied her, being with him. How little they had known how he could make a woman suffer.
    â€˜Look at that,’ Amadore said, still regarding Mario with envy. ‘The way she’s pressed up against him is almost indecent.’
    Natasha managed to chuckle. ‘Oh, come on. A man’s entitled to enjoy himself if he can.’
    â€˜That’s very generous of you. Most women don’t take such a relaxed view.’
    â€˜I can afford to be relaxed. My life is arranged just the way I want it.’
    â€˜You’re luckier than most of us then.’
    * * *
    Mario, just a few feet away, glanced at them only briefly before swinging Laura away to the far side of the ballroom. There, he found more female attention to distract him from sights he didn’t want to see and thoughts he didn’t want to think.
    But it lasted only a short time. When he next looked at Natasha she was sitting down scribbling in her notebook. Two men were sitting beside her, while another two looked over her shoulders. As the music came to an end he began to approach her, but Amadore detained him.
    â€˜Lovely lady,’ he said. ‘Every man is interested. Luckily she’s not interested in them.’
    â€˜She told you that?’
    â€˜We were watching Laura making a play for you. I disapproved but she said you were entitled to enjoy yourself. I complimented her on her relaxed attitude and she said she could afford to be relaxed as her life was arranged the way she wanted it.’
    â€˜She probably just said that to shut you up.’
    â€˜Maybe. But it wouldn’t surprise me if back home she has a trail of eager pursuers.’
    â€˜You could be right,’ Mario growled.
    He could see that Natasha had finished making notes, and was rising to move away. He got to her quickly.
    â€˜Still working?’ he said.
    â€˜I’ve had an idea. I need to talk to everyone again.’
    â€˜Then let’s return to the dining room.’ He offered her his arm, saying, ‘You’ve done well tonight. The contract will be ready soon.’
    â€˜Contract?’
    â€˜For you to sign. The whole
Comunità
is determined to secure your professional services. Are you willing to stay with us?’
    â€˜Yes,’ she said softly. ‘I’m willing.’
    When they were gathered in the dining room again she addressed everyone. ‘I think we should take some photographs of Romeo and Juliet. They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, and we can send ours all over the world. We’ll need to hire actors, then