of the river, sipping a glass of Scotch on the rock

to say they would be even later. The caller ID was blocked. Which meant it was Bella, calling him back. Thank God. Sergio suspected he would not have been able to sleep tonig

that? Truly, Se

hone as he lifted it to his ear. But his voice-when he spoke-

w did you kn

lained. 'No one else who uses

I s

d earlier? Why d

ly came to my door and I didn't w

ken aback. 'Your mo

holiday. More fool me,' she added drily. 'Look, have I called you at a bad time? Are y

n had just passed

of mine to arrive. But they're running late. Lo

bad. So you're sti

to see that his earlier concern for her welfare had been ridiculous. But that was typical of his r

d, knowing full well that her problem w

t villa on Lake Como? You didn't sell it

illa. It's been in the Morell

ate and peaceful. I was hoping to rent it from

on the market. Why ask for his? One part of him wanted to tell her to go to hell. But that other part-the one that still wanted

he asked, casually. 'Straight away,' she said.

n Sydney at

e one his father had generously given to that

ing with you to the villa, then?' '

d never pursued Bella over the years, despite his obsessive desire for her. And he could have, once he was older, especially after their wine bars had

He was Italian, after all. He would not have rea

ltimate betrayal, plus the height of stupidity. After all, the apple never fell far from the tree, did it? If Bella had responded

debt made it different. 'I'm sorry, Bella,' he sa

time soon. I'm going to be stay

wealth of disappointment a

e of charge,' he offered. 'If you d

ghtly hesitant. 'I mean...you won'

nd Maria, durin

o do the cooking and clean

husband, Carlo. He does the garden, when it needs to be done, and the pool, during the summer. Maria co

le about your father.' Sergio gritted his

evening and we'll make concrete plans.' A quick mental calculation reassured him that it would still be morning in Australia, even at midnight in London. 'Meanwhile, book a flight to Milan and get yourself packed. And for pity's sak

sions, don't they? Especially about me. I promise I won't tell a single

he interrupted brusquel

and Jeremy reached the table, Sergio turning his p

the habit of showing his emotions, which was just as well, given the thoughts that were g

less man. Or a vengeful one. It seemed h

a chair and sat down. Alex, Sergio finally note

Not the navy pinstripe he'd worn earlier today but a su

. 'Sergio doesn't go on dates,' Alex said drily. 'He has sleepovers.' '

you take her to bed. So who are

tell either of them about Bella's call. He didn't want either of his friends swaying him from

drinks and meals were delivered. In no time a bottle of champagne was opened and pour

how he was going to seduce Bella, which of course was what he had every intention of doing.

He supposed he could tell her he was now a billionaire-women like Bella could never have enough money-but that wouldn't be nearly as

ame to the conclusion during his main course that her relationship history suggeste

ce. Once would not be nearly enough to obliterate the heat that was already gathering in his tortured loins. He would need a whole month of sex before he'd grow tired of her. And not just

would send her on her merry masochistic way, after whic

ed his last mouthful of crème caramel. T

know Alex and I are the major talkers in our trio but you usually contribute

But he did feel somewhat calmer now that he had a definite plan in mind to deal with his ongoing and obsessi

p before Bella had rung. After all, the three of them might not get to

they had a right to know wh

y. 'The opposite sex certainly does

s ominous,'

. Yes. I've decided that

Jeremy just smiled. 'That doesn

ng at Sergio. 'I thought after your father

we've sold the franchise, I feel the urge for a more settled life.' Or he would

'So who's the lucky lady?' Jeremy asked.

was thinking of an Italian girl. Someone whose family lives in

thinking, Sergio. Italian girls are passionate creatures and excellent breede

'll ask the Countess to throw a few parties at her villa. She knows everyone in the district who is anyone.' The Countess was his closest neighbour at Lake Co

unding unexpectedly horrified. 'You can't m

g madly in love is the worst reason to get mar

sweet little thing who adores you and wants nothing more than to be a wife and mother and you'll be ha

you sa

teous disapproval you exhibited

You're still pl

or. Both of you have been critical at times of my callously breaking hearts but I can honestly say that not one of my ex-girl

at shall we do with this cockcrowing devil, Serg

mean, say there's a girl you meet whom you fancy like mad but who doesn't fancy you back. How do you go about getting her into bed? Wh

call that

hat would you do?

ffee as he gave the

ve to show the girl the size of his bank bala

offee cup. 'Such cynicism. I have never had to reso

silver spoon in his mouth,' A

me serious research here. I want to know what tactics Jeremy would use to

't just fall into your lap. Come on, both of you. I

ical about being complimented on their beauty. Better to concentrate on their other qualities. Then if that didn't work, I would place myself in he

ose tactics,' Alex said. 'So what wo

ve to go, somewhere seriously special, somewhere which cost a bomb. Best seats at a concert, for instance. Or the red carpet premiere of a movie which starred an actor sh

. 'And has that ever worked?' Jeremy asked. 'The monk business?' 'Do

uch effort on my part.' Sergio didn't doubt it.

Very tall and very handsome, with blond hair, blue ey

ex directed at Sergio. 'But don't go rushing into marriage

tic,' Sergio said, suddenly anxious to

see that our bachelors' club might be losi

le down any time soon. If ever. I'm much too busy. I have

hat I do,'

upt?' Jeremy asked. 'Yep. Got a bargain, I did

a few blocks of units going up in Western Sydney. With interest rates so low, the real-estate market there is booming. Truth is if I ha

ulative. 'Is she attractive, th

ive people. But I'm not an idiot, dear friend. Harry's very much

added, knowing Alex's penchant for nicknames. He'd actually tried to cal

Sergio asked. 'Anyone specia

Trust me when I say I will be a member of the Bachelors' Club till

,' Alex said. 'You could always li

y. 'I also don't want to live with anyone. I

ish. You're a very warm, gener

e to blushing as Se

ased, 'are the biggest bull-dust artist in the world. You could sell ice

red. 'I have a lot of poor people

aid. 'I suppose you'll be hitting

out you two, but I'm bushed. It's been a long day. On top of that, I have a twenty-three-hour flight ba

said, and reache