Read Online The Sicilian's Proposition by Lynette Rees - Free Book Online Page A

Joanne, who was already sitting in the passenger seat, arms folded. “What’s the matter?” he asked, sliding into the driver seat beside her and closing the door.
    She threw her hands in midair. “I’m sorry, Dante, but that man really is insufferable. He’s a married man and he gets up to all sorts of mischief, chasing women behind his wife’s back.”
    Dante shook his head. “Yes, I know the type, but really, you mustn’t let him get to you like that. You must not let him spoil your stay on this beautiful island.”
    She turned to face him. “Do you know you are absolutely right? Stuff Jackson Byrne!”
    Dante quirked a smile. “That’s the spirit. Now, I’m not taking you back to the hotel just yet. I want you to come somewhere with me.” He started the engine and drove off down the dirt track road, a cloud of dust thrown up in the air, surrounding the vehicle.
    “Oh please tell me where we’re going?”
    “No, Joanne, it is a surprise. You like surprises, don’t you?”
    “I suppose so, as long as they’re nice ones.”
    “Oh believe me, this one is nice, very nice.”
    So in other words, expect the unexpected.
    ***
    He drove down into the valley and near the coastline. The sun was just beginning to set and crimson, cerise, and apricot fingers melded into the skyline, and buildings and trees became silhouetted against the twilight sky. He pulled the car up outside a small restaurant near the sea.
    “Come on,” he said, his eyes locking with hers.
    For a moment, they just looked at one another, unable to break the spell, until Joanne spoke. “But where are we going, Dante?”
    “Inside of course, or we can sit outside if you prefer. You are hungry, aren’t you?” He ran his hand through his tousled hair. It was always well-styled, but she had to admit she liked this wild look of his. Yes, she was hungry; it had been several hours since she’d last eaten at the hotel.
    “Yes, I’d like that, thank you.”
    He got out of the car and opened the door for her. When had a man last done that for her? He closed the car door and took her hand as they walked into the restaurant. She trembled from his touch. Did he know how much she wanted him?
    “This is the seafood restaurant I mentioned earlier.” He gesticulated as if it had appeared from nowhere by magic.
    She smiled. “Don’t tell me—the one where the fish is so fresh you can see the fisherman handing over his catch.”
    He nodded. “Well, not all the time of course, but every now and again.”
    “And don’t tell me, your brother or maybe a sister owns it?”
    He laughed. “No, neither. It’s owned by a friend of my father’s, Luigi.”
    She found it unusual that everyone seemed to know everyone else around here. In London it could be most impersonal, where people ignored one another. Where people sometimes looked at you as if you were a demented fool if you dared smile at them. It was so refreshing, reminding her of life back in Wales in the small village where she’d been born. Everyone knew everyone and she missed that kind of thing. It wasn’t until now she realized it.
    “Ah, Dante!” A short wizened man stepped forward to greet them as they entered the restaurant. “Your usual table?”
    “ Buena sera, Luigi!” Dante hugged the old man. “Er no, I was thinking of sitting outside on the balcony. This is Miss Joanne Smith from England.”
    “ Buena sera , signorina ,” He greeted her.
    “Hello, Luigi.” She smiled at him.
    “So, you know my name? What has Dante been telling you about me? All good I hope.”
    She laughed. “Yes, all good so far. He told me you are a friend of Vito’s.”
    “Ah yes.” The old man’s eyes lit up. “Vito and I have been friends since school days. There’s always a table here for him or a member of his family. Please come this way.” He led them out onto a small balcony overlooking the sea where a few diners were eating and settled them down on a small table with the most fantastic