Alessandro's Prize by Helen Bianchin

Alessandro?’
    Lily didn’t so much as blink. ‘Naturally.’
    There was a brief ‘ohmygod, what have I done?’ moment as Lily watched Sophia leave with Carlo at the wheel.
    When it came to entertaining, two guests or three made little difference.
    Except when it included a man who sent her emotions into a panic whenever she was in his presence.
    So deal with it.
    With determination she turned from the window and began unpacking.
    It didn’t take long, and afterwards she made a few changes, aligning a sofa to a more comfortable angle, sorting through kitchen cupboards and, importantly, making a list of food she needed to purchase.
    It was late when she finally slid into bed.
    Tomorrow she intended shopping for personal touches to make the apartment more her , and she fell asleep halfway through picturing various images in her mind…an ornament she’d sighted in a shop window, an alarm clock, and a large colourful cushion that would be perfect.
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    The next few days passed in a blur of shopping and exploring at will, adding touches to the apartment, changing a few things to her taste.
    The Charity Gala meant dress-up time, and Lily viewed her gown’s sheer style in pale shades of pink, blue and lavender silk chiffon with a pleased eye, for it flattered her slender curves and fell in a soft swirl at her ankles. A delicate wrap in matching silk chiffon added a finishing touch, and lavender stilettos completed the outfit.
    A timeless design she’d fallen in love with at first sight,and, as Sophia had assured, perfect to wear to the fund-raising gala scheduled for this evening.
    In five minutes the in-house phone would ring heralding Sophia and Carlo’s arrival, and Lily used the time to run a last-minute check of her hair and make-up… She was good to go.
    Right on cue, the phone pealed, she caught up her purse and took the lift down to the lobby. The doors slid apart to reveal Alessandro standing a few feet distant looking, she saw at a glance, far too ruggedly attractive for any woman’s peace of mind.
    Especially her own.
    Attired in a black evening suit that had to be tailored specifically to mould his breadth of shoulder and hard-muscled frame, white linen and black bow tie, he resembled a photographic male model.
    Yet no photograph could reveal the element of arresting power he exuded, or the primitive sensuality that was his alone.
    Dangerous…a hungry lover capable of driving a woman beyond reason.
    Dear Lord in heaven…where had that come from?
    Smile , Lily bade as she sought to control her wayward imagination. Step forward…speak!
    â€˜Hi,’ she managed with measured politeness. ‘I expected to see Sophia and Carlo.’
    Did she glimpse a faint gleam of humour in his dark eyes before it was quickly masked?
    â€˜Carlo is delivering Sophia directly to the venue.’
    â€˜And sent you in his stead. It’s very kind of you.’
    One eyebrow lifted a little. ‘So polite, Lily?’
    â€˜I was aiming for gracious .’
    His husky laugh sent the blood coursing through her veins, and she deliberately widened her eyes.
    â€˜I guess I failed.’
    â€˜Miserably,’ Alessandro agreed as he indicated his car parked immediately adjacent the entrance. ‘Shall we leave?’
    It was, Lily accorded with a masked degree of awe, an incredible gathering of guests as she entered the large historic venue at Alessandro’s side.
    Beautifully restored splendour lent a timeless aura to a modern event. Genuine artworks graced the expansive foyer, while the huge ballroom bore exquisite sconces, suspended chandeliers gave the illusion of light, enhanced by cleverly concealed electric bulbs to provide added illumination.
    There had been several occasions when she’d attended charity fund-raiser events with her parents, but nothing on the scale of this evening’s affair.
    Refined elegance seemed a perfect description, and