The back of Luca’s neck started to tingle and he turned to see Artie standing in the portal. He suppressed a gasp, his eyes drinking in the vision of her dressed in a stunning cream ballgown and off-white heirloom veil. The bright golden sunlight backlit her slim frame, making her look like an angel. As she walked towards him carrying a small bouquet of flowers he had to remind himself to breathe. The closer she got, the more his heart pounded, the more his blood thundered. And a strange sensation flowed into his chest. Warmth spreading over something hard and frozen, melting, reshaping, softening.
He gave himself a mental slap. No emotions allowed. This was a business deal. Nothing else. So what if she looked as beautiful as an angel? So what if his body roared with lust at the thought of touching her? This wasn’t about him—it was about his grandfather. Giving him the will to live long enough to have treatment that could cure him or at least give him a few more precious years of life.
Artie came to stand beside him, her face behind the veil composed, and yet twin circles of pink glowed in her cheeks. Her make-up highlighted the flawless, creamy texture of her skin, the deep brown of her eyes and the thick ink-black lashes that surrounded them. Her lips shone with a hint of lip gloss, making him ache to press his mouth to hers to see if it tasted as sweet and luscious as it looked. He could smell her perfume, an intoxicating blend of fresh flowers that reminded him of the sweet hope of spring after a long, bleak winter.
‘You look breathtaking,’ Luca said, taking her hands in his. Her small fingers moved within the embrace of his and a lightning rod of lust almost knocked him off his feet. Maybe he shouldn’t have suggested a paper marriage. Maybe he should have insisted on the real deal. The thought of consummating their marriage sent a wave of heat through his body. But his conscience slammed on the brakes. No. No. No. It wouldn’t be fair. He wasn’t the settling-down type and she had fairy-tale romance written all over her. Which, ironically, was why she was perfect for the role of his temporary bride. No one else would satisfy his grandfather. It had to be her.
‘I—I’m nervous…’ Her voice trembled and her teeth sank into the plush softness of her bottom lip.
Luca gently squeezed her fingers. ‘Don’t be.’ His voice was so deep and rough it sounded like it had come from the centre of the earth. He didn’t like admitting it, but he was nervous too. Not about repeating the vows and signing the register—those were formalities he could easily compartmentalise in his brain. He was worried his promise to keep their relationship on paper was going to be the real kicker. He gave her hand another light squeeze and smiled. ‘Let’s do this.’
And they turned to face the priest and the service began…
* * *
‘I, Artemisia Elisabetta, take you, Luca Benedetto, to be my husband…’ Artie repeated her vows with a slight quaver in her voice. ‘I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, in sickness and in health.’ She swallowed and continued, conscious of Luca’s dark gaze holding hers, ‘I will love and honour you all the days of my life.’
She wasn’t a particularly religious person but saying words she didn’t mean made her wonder if she was in danger of a lightning strike. The only lightning strike she had suffered so far had been the tingling zap coursing through her body when Luca first took her hand. Every cell of her body was aware of him. Dressed in a mid-blue morning suit, he looked like he had just stepped off a billboard advertisement for designer menswear. She could smell the lemon and lime of his aftershave—it teased her nostrils, sending her senses into a tailspin. How could a man smell so damn delicious?
Eek! How could a man look so damn attractive?
Double eek! How could she be marrying him?
Luca’s hand took her left one and slipped on the wedding ring as he repeated his vows. ‘I, Luca Benedetto, take you, Artemisia Elisabetta, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, in sickness and in health.’ He paused for a beat and continued with a rough edge to his voice, ‘I will love and honour you all the days of my life.’
Artie blinked back moisture gathering in her eyes. He sounded so convincing. He even looked convincing with his gaze so focused on her, his mouth smiling at her as if she was the most amazing woman who had ever walked upon the face of the earth.
It’s an act. Don’t be fooled by it. None of this means anything to him and neither should it mean anything to you.
‘You may kiss the bride.’
The priest’s words startled Artie out of her reverie and she only had time to snatch in a breath before Luca’s hands settled on her hips and drew her closer, his mouth descending inexorably towards hers. The first warm, firm press of his lips sent a jolt of electricity through her body. A jolt that travelled all the way down her spine and fizzed like a sparkler deep in her core. He lifted his lips off hers for an infinitesimal moment as if time had suddenly paused. Then he brought his mouth back to hers and sensations rippled through her as his lips moved against hers with increasing pressure, his hands on her hips bringing her even closer to the hard heat of his stirring body.
One of his hands left her hip
