O'S P

ir share of wom

them. They all wanted the same thing, love, affecti

idence or fate, but what hap

ta Vi

And worse, she was the bride of Matteo Orsi

el she is. Pale skin, silky mahogany hair that cascaded over her shoulders and stunning blu

ol. It wasn't my nature to pry into the lives of strangers, no matter how breathtakingly beautif

her, but there was something about Calista t

nchanting, d

there was beautiful, and there was her, I couldn't resi

to focus on the road rather than the woman sitting be

ked her, made her mine and mine alone. Starting with exploring the lush

be thinking about her like this, I shouldn't be thinking about her at al

ried her t

ncerned voice plucked me awa

y personality. I was standoffish and blunt. Romano Capp

ve a

ars, begging-demanding that I get married soon, and while I loved my g

ride of my long-time enemy and daughter of Chic

cus was on the road, but I could f

er and my breath caught in my throat. What is it about this woma

She let out a soft gasp, and I swear it took all my self-control, and then

re, and I've known Callie for less than twenty-four hours. I prided myself o

would ch

was anything but. That small sound from Calista made me

or sweet nothings. I do not indulge in useless romantic activit

d I forget when you made it very clear, Romano" she th

d I shouldn't have like

pplied. "Cal

t she said nothing

e would have no romantic relationship, but if you're ever

d from shock to astonishmen

blue-gray eyes came ablaze with anger. "Be rest assure

ers till she laid bare before me. An image popped into my mind

I was pushing us both, there was no way this would end well. The rational thing would be

her palm in suppressed annoyance. "You woul

She said it with such self-assuredness I was

osed as I took another tu

t a pulled her hair out of her face. My eyes zeroed in on it

she sat up, gettin

he first person to lose their cool and make a move loses the bet." it was a stupid idea, something th

a time frame

ep to myself for a mo

for a moment. "And i

ou again." I glanced at her, letting my next words drip

defiance "And if I win, you'

ea, but I found my sel

ont of my Villa and Calista's st

hot through me. Her pulse thrummed ag

t time in years,

mo

or her to fail. I could ke

" I mu

in the faintes

ped from mine, my bo

but few hours meeting Calista,