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shareholders. “Where I come from, most people are married by thirty.”
    “Advantageous for farm life, I assume.”
    Her brow furrowed. “I don’t exactly come from a—”
    “In my world,” he interrupted, “a man marries to ensure his line, to make sure he has a son to inherit his title and estate when he’s dead.”
    She flashed him a grin. “Gee, you make it all sound so romantic.”
    “It’s not about romance, Lilley,” he said sharply. “Marriage is an alliance. My wife will be a leader in society. An heiress with proper lineage, the future mother to my heir.”
    Her grin faded. “Like Olivia Bianchi.”
    Even hearing her name irritated him. “Yes.”
    Lilley’s eyes were huge beneath the glittering light of the chandeliers. “So if she’s the perfect bride for you, why am I here?”
    “She threatened to leave if I didn’t propose, so I told her to go.”
    Lilley blinked. “I feel sorry for her.”
    He barked a laugh. “Do not waste your sympathy on Olivia. She can take care of herself.”
    “She’s in love with you!” She swallowed. “It was wrong of me to agree to this—this charade. When you’re just trying to control her.”
    “I have no desire ever to see Olivia again,” he bit out.
    She frowned, clearly unconvinced. “When did you decide that?”
    His eyes met hers. “I knew it from the moment I saw you in that dress.”
    Her lips parted in shock. It took her several moments to speak. “Um. Would you get me a drink?” she croaked. “And maybe some food? I haven’t eaten all day.”
    “Certamente,” he murmured. “What would you like? A martini? A merlot?”
    “You choose.”
    “We’ll start with champagne.” Reaching out a hand, he cupped her cheek. “Wait here, if you please, cara. ”
    He felt her shiver beneath his touch, saw her lick her lips as she said with a trembling voice, “I’ll wait.”
    He turned away, but after a few steps could not resist looking back at her. Lilley stood frozen on the edge of the dance floor, gloriously alluring in her red dress, watching him. She was surrounded by men who were already darting her greedy sideways glances.
    Damned vultures. Alessandro scowled. He would hurry.
    As he strode across the ballroom, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such need to possess any woman.
    And he could have her. She was free and ripe for the taking. Yes, she was his employee, but he was the one who’d made that rule. He was the boss. He could break his own rules at will.
    Alessandro thought again of the ten bedrooms at his villa. An image floated through his mind of Lilley spread naked on his bed, her full, generous mouth curved into a sensual smile, her deep-brown eyes looking up at him with a haze of longing and need. He nearly stumbled over his own feet.
    And just like that, his decision was made. His body tightened as exhilaration raced through him. Employee or not, Lilley would be his.
    Tonight. He would have her in his bed tonight.

CHAPTER THREE
    L ILLEY felt men in tuxedos jostle her on the edge of the dance floor, felt the annoyed glare of chic, half-starved women in black designer gowns around her. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her shaking hands. Alessandro’s dark head towered above the crowds as he strode towards the bar, trailed by wide-eyed, adoring groupies.
    And she was rapidly becoming one of them. Lilley exhaled. What in heaven’s name was she doing? He’d told her outright that their date would only be an illusion. And yet, all night, Alessandro’s eyes, his touch, had told her differently. Her body felt hot, her skin flushed and pink at the memory of his fingertips stroking her bare back. Of his fingers running lightly along her arm, his lips brushing her cheek.
    Just being around him made her feel like a different woman. A bolder, braver one.
    She didn’t know why or how. Maybe it was the way he looked at her. The way his hard, muscular body felt against her own. Maybe it was his scent, like exotic