Hot Chocolate Read online

  ‘That’s right. But now it’s just me.’ Alessandro waited for her to elaborate. Instead she looked at him with those stormy eyes, her chin slightly raised in defiance.

  ‘Okay, fair enough.’ Alessandro rubbed his cheek, he needed more from her. Was she hiding something? ‘Look, I remember your work, it was excellent for sure but that was years ago and without your sister here … I really need someone with extensive experience as a head chef. If it’s just you it’s too great a risk.’

  Alessandro sensed the sting of his words as Annabella quickly broke eye contact, looking down into her lap for a long moment before picking up her bag.

  He immediately regretted his bluntness. He wasn’t ready for her to go just yet, the last thing he needed was for Annabella to leave upset.

  He had to make sure she’d leave quietly, on his terms, preferably all the way back to Australia away from the paparazzi. And if he was honest, away from his increasingly lascivious thoughts; he needed a clear head.

  Maybe the press was right about him. Was he capable of resisting the temptation of a beautiful woman? He’d thought so. Until the curiously attractive Annabella Beaumont walked through his door. She wasn’t even his type and still he had to keep a tight leash on his wayward mind.

  But Annabella wasn’t leaving. Instead she opened her tote and took out a tattered notebook and a small black gift box neatly tied with a red ribbon.

  Alessandro watched as she softly bit on her lower lip as if considering what to say. If only she knew the effect this had on him she’d know to stop. Thankful for the cover of his desk, he crossed he legs and vowed to ignore the growing throb that was starting to crave her attention.

  At last she looked up at him with renewed confidence, her cerulean eyes shined from within the dark frames of her glasses.

  ‘I love a challenge, Signor De Costa. With no recipes the new chocolatier would need to start from scratch. That’s a mammoth task, considering the time frame and the need to satisfy the De Costa brand,’ Annabella said assertively.

  Gone was the rambling, insecure mouse, she was in business mode now. Alessandro crossed his legs again.

  ‘I have all the recipes you need for an award-winning collection and I have the technical skills to create the most mind-blowing chocolate you’ve ever tasted. You don’t need to interview anyone else.’

  She placed the box on the desk in front of him. ‘I’m the one you want.’ Annabella’s eyes sparkled at him as though something inside her had just switched gear.

  Again a heat shot through Alessandro, making him all too aware that she was indeed the one he wanted. Right now, on his desk. To hell with the consequences.

  But the unfamiliar weight of responsibility rested heavily on his shoulders, interrupting his runaway imagination. His father would never survive a merger with Conti Creations. Alessandro had to regain the confidence of the board and prove that he was the right choice for CEO.

  This time he was the one to break eye contact, keen to distract himself from the sinful thoughts that were sure to cloud his judgement.

  ‘So, what have we here?’ Alessandro said as he looked down and carefully picked up the box.

  ***

  Adrenaline surged through Annabella’s body. Her heart was pounding so fast she imagined it bursting from her chest like in a cartoon. Had she really said that? I’m the one you want. The double entendre couldn’t be mistaken. The chutzpah! It was as though she had channelled her sister. If only Sofia was here now, she always took the lead, knowing exactly what to say and do. But it was hard enough to get Sofia out of the house these days, let alone all the way to the other side of the world.

  Annabella clutched her mother’s journal tightly, willing its contents to give her the confidence that she so desperately needed. This was it.

  ‘Please, open it.’ Annabella watched, her heart skipping a beat, as Alessandro slowly untied the red ribbon and lifted the lid off the box.

  Breathe, you are the epitome of calm. She willed herself. She couldn’t let him sense a moment of doubt. Alessandro’s ruthless approach when it came to business was notorious; one wrong step and she’d be out the door. Considering their rather shaky introduction, she felt lucky to still be here.

  ‘Ah, che bello.’ Alessandro’s smile shone with the delight of a devoted chocolate lover.

  He raised the opened box to his nose, seemingly reluctant to disturb its contents, and inhaled the sweet hazelnut scent of the artisan chocolate, its gold-leaf decoration glistening within the black tissue cocoon. He closed his eyes, oh those glorious lashes, as though fully savouring the moment, prolonging the anticipation of what was to come.

  That’s what I would have done. Despite the gravity of the situation, Annabella found herself admiring the visual delight before her once more. Alessandro’s smile had softened, his broad shoulders relaxed and with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in the moment, he looked at peace. An incredibly sexy Italian god, at peace. Quiet and still, without the bravado, he was irresistible. She wondered what he’d taste like.

  Alessandro slowly opened his eyes, his dreamy aquamarine gaze haunting her increasingly sensual thoughts.

  ‘It looks like a jewel, too beautiful to eat.’ Alessandro marvelled.

  With that one sentence the tightening of Annabella’s chest relented. She’d spent the last three weeks perfecting the recipe, design and final presentation of this one chocolate. With Sofia by her side, it was the first time since the accident she’d seen her sister really smile, like her old self again, albeit all too briefly.

  Annabella had so much vested in this moment. The prospect of failing terrified her; it wasn’t an option.

  ‘Thank you,’ Annabella said. ‘But please, I made it to be eaten. It’s my vision for De Costa’s new signature tendre praline.’

  ‘The craftsmanship is faultless,’ Alessandro said as he gently lifted the dark, gold-flecked chocolate from its black nest. He carefully removed the decorative disc that balanced on top, admiring the finely etched intertwined ‘D’ and ‘C’ of the De Costa logo. He studied the edges, intricately cut to resemble fine lace.

  ‘You can eat that bit if you like, it’s just tempered white chocolate,’ Annabella said anxiously, her nerves getting the better of her.

  ‘Of course.’ Looking directly at Annabella, as though fully aware of her vulnerability in this moment, Alessandro slowly placed the disc on his tongue. She heard a soft crunch and as she’d hoped he closed his eyes again, at once offering her reprieve from that penetrating stare while delighting in the experience that she had created for him.

  ‘Not just white chocolate, I’m getting hints of … hazelnut, cognac and … fig? It’s exquisite.’ Alessandro’s eyes flicked open and fixed on her once more. Was that admiration she saw? The now familiar butterflies roused again.

  ‘Yes, that’s right.’ Annabella smiled. She’d only used a touch of each flavour and was surprised Alessandro could identify them. He must have been through countless tastings over the years but even so, the complexity of his palate impressed her. He was more than just a pretty face.

  ‘And now, as they say, the moment of truth,’ Alessandro said as he raised the chocolate to his mouth and bit through its firm dark coating.

  Again he closed his eyes, Annabella knew, to heighten the experience, intensifying smell, texture and taste; often with chocolate it was an involuntary reaction but to a connoisseur it was a necessity.

  Annabella was captivated by the soft movement of Alessandro’s sculptured cheeks as he slowly consumed the chocolate. She imagined him identifying the individual flavours, critiquing the part each played in the overall experience. Finally, he slowly bit on his lower lip before releasing it with a soft sigh.

  ‘Bravissimo,’ he whispered, then opened his eyes.

  ***

  Alessandro’s mouth zinged with the intense flavours of Annabella’s skilful creation. Breaking through the tendre’s dark chocolate exterior, three key layers were revealed: hazelnut pralin
e, sublime gianduja and white chocolate.

  Then his taste buds had danced with unexpected delight as subtle hints of candied fig, butterscotch and amaretto slowly emerged, only to fade again, further enhancing the intensity of the main flavours. Annabella was right; this complex little dolce was truly mind-blowing.

  Alessandro looked across at its beautiful creator. Sitting on the edge of her chair, her hands clutching that old notebook as though fearful of its escape. Annabella’s desire was unmistakable. He could tell that she wanted this. Desperately. He knew the feeling.

  ‘You made this, yes?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘Are there are more like this?’ Alessandro asked.

  ‘I have the recipes for an entire collection. I also have designs for the competition entry for the festival. It’s all here.’ Annabella tapped the notebook.

  ‘May I?’

  ‘Yes, please.’ Annabella carefully passed Alessandro the book, its binding barely containing its contents.

  He gently leafed through the pages, each covered with scrawled handwriting and impressive line drawings. It was just like his father’s work journal: ideas bursting from each page, hurriedly recorded before they evaporated, then more clearly drawn out.

  The thought of his father’s work in the hands of his competitor stoked the fire in Alessandro’s core. Victory at the festival was not optional.

  At just a cursory glance, Alessandro could see De Costa’s line for the next season leaping from the pages of Annabella’s notebook. He could almost taste it. No, not almost, the memory of Annabella’s little tendre praline still lingered on his tongue. Dare he imagine that this intriguing woman could save his company? Save his father?

  ‘These recipes, designs, they’re yours?’ He had to be certain. Unlike his competitor, he wasn’t willing to steal someone else’s creations.

  Annabella nodded. ‘Yes.’

  She didn’t flinch; she looked at him directly. He didn’t doubt her conviction. He could see his own determination reflected in her gaze.

  Her glasses couldn’t hide her beautiful almond-shaped eyes that drew him in, but only so far. He sensed there was much more to Annabella than a pretty exterior and extraordinary talent for making chocolate. But it was these two assets, an unexpected combination, that had his mind in overdrive.

  He imagined Annabella’s long hair falling loosely on bare shoulders, soft strands brushing against those high cheekbones. Her full lips didn’t need any accentuating, just a touch of make-up for the camera. And her figure? That just needed to be released from its conservative confines.

  In a sudden moment of clarity, Alessandro could see the answer to all his problems sitting expectantly opposite him, in one convenient, increasingly attractive package. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

  ‘Brava.’ Alessandro carefully handed the notebook back to Annabella. ‘Your work, the recipes, the designs are definitely in line with De Costa’s vision. And your tendre praline was, for sure, amazing.’ He noticed Annabella blush as her eyes widened at his praise. He liked the effect his words had on her.

  ‘But.’ He continued. ‘Without your sister, you are a risk. And despite what you may’ve heard, I’m no longer a risk taker.’

  Alessandro leant back in his chair, he had to maintain an air of control. He couldn’t let her sense his excitement at the prospect of her working for him or she’d never agree to his proposal.

  ‘I made that chocolate on my own and I can make a thousand more just as good.’ Again, Annabella’s hint of defiance ignited his desire to have her. She was at once demure and brazen, an intoxicating contradiction that awakened desires he sadly must ignore.

  ‘You’re determined, I admire that.’ He paused. Though he was sure she tried to hide it, he could see the anticipation in those enigmatic eyes. An unmistakable spark of joy that her hopes were within reach. Yes, she would agree to his terms. He’d give her no choice.

  ‘But you are inexperienced as a head chef,’ he said. ‘So, where does that leave us?’

  Alessandro stood and slowly walked to the other side of his desk, keeping his eyes on her. He stopped in front of Annabella then rested against the desk’s edge, no longer towering over her but still in the power position. Their feet almost touched. Annabella quickly drew her crossed ankles beneath her chair. He made her nervous.

  Her subtle vanilla scent drew him down, closer. How far would she let him go? If this crazy idea was going to work, he needed to test the boundaries.

  ‘May I?’ He asked, motioning to her glasses. She hesitated before nodding uncertainly. He removed the frames and noticed a small scar cut through her eyebrow, an intriguing imperfection.

  ‘And, also …’ He reached behind her head to release her hair from its clasp. He softly inhaled the light scent of sweet coconut as her thick tresses cascaded around her shoulders. ‘There,’ he said.

  ‘Do I look the part?’ Annabella asked sardonically. Her dark violet eyes looked at him directly, her chin slightly raised, her lips pursed. He sensed she wanted to say so much more but dared not to; she didn’t want to risk losing this opportunity. She would probably be willing to do anything. Perfect.

  ‘I can see potential.’ He grinned.

  ‘Great,’ she said. ‘So … do I have the job?’

  Not so fast. ‘You’ve surprised me, bella. Your little dolce impressed me. You’ve impressed me.’ Alessandro leant forward, levelling their eye line. ‘I do have a proposal for you.’

  ‘Okay, I’m listening,’ Annabella said, straightening her posture and leaning in slightly as though meeting an opponent head-on.

  Her confidence surprised him, and with only inches between them Alessandro fought his natural instinct to pull her closer and devour those velvety lips. But now was not the time to lose control. He had her right where he needed her.

  ‘The position of master chocolatier is yours—’

  ‘I promise you won’t regret this,’ Annabella blurted. Her smile was broad, genuine and seemingly fuelled by sheer elation and relief. He couldn’t help but smile back at her; her joy was contagious.

  ‘Good. I think you will make a fine chocolatier for the company,’ he said. ‘And a suitable fiancée for me.’

  Annabella’s smile faded as confusion set in. ‘A what?’ she stammered.

  ‘A fiancée, bella. Those are my terms. The position is yours if you agree to pose as my fiancée for the next six weeks.’

  ‘Are you serious?’ she asked in disbelief.

  ‘Absolutely. I don’t need any unnecessary complications in my life at the moment. I do, however, need to promote the family values of the company and distract the public from the Frederica Pucci scandal.

  ‘Given my reputation, people don’t exactly think of me as a family man. That’s where you come in. The secret love of my life made public. Think of it as a business deal. That’s all it is. And you’ll be paid very handsomely.’

  Annabella slumped back in her chair. She looked down at her journal as she softly bit on her lip. She closed her eyes. She looked so vulnerable in that moment that Alessandro had the sudden urge to reassure her, to let her know that everything would work out fine.

  But the problem was he didn’t know that. He was scared as hell. He had to convince the shareholders and the public that he was a stable, committed, family-focused leader. And not just for the sake of the company, his father was depending on him more than ever.

  He needed the perfect fiancée, someone to play the part with no drama, someone who had just as much at stake as him.

  ‘So,’ he said. Annabella’s eyes flicked open. ‘Do we have a deal?’

  Chapter 2

  Annabella stared at the king-size bed. Raised on a platform, it dominated the far end of Alessandro’s loft and virtually screamed Lots of sex here! She tried to distract herself and admire the grandeur of the rest of the space. High ceilings, expensive furnishings. Large vaulted windows that spanned the length of the apartment overlooking the bustling a
ctivity of Via Roma below. But she couldn’t ignore it; Alessandro’s loft was pretty much all bed.

  ‘Okay, here we are,’ Alessandro said, closing the front door behind them. ‘Let me show you around.’

  ‘Okay.’ Annabella didn’t know what else to say. She was still in state of shock. What had she agreed to exactly? She was so relieved to have been offered the job that she probably would have accepted any terms. However, Alessandro’s proposal was completely unexpected.

  ‘Here we have the kitchen.’ Alessandro’s voice interrupted her thoughts, drawing her attention away from the imposing bed to an immaculate, industrial kitchen. Stainless steel benches and sophisticated appliances offered a modern edge to the otherwise classical interior of the apartment.

  ‘Do you actually ever cook in here?’ Annabella asked, noting the pristine surfaces and lack of clutter.

  ‘Ah, actually no,’ Alessandro laughed. ‘Not really.’

  ‘You just like to have the best, right?’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘And I guess you’re probably out every night anyway.’ Annabella imagined Alessandro wining and dining every woman in the city.

  ‘No. Actually, these days I usually eat with my father at the family villa, just outside of town.’

  ‘Oh.’ Annabella felt her cheeks flush at her assumption. No doubt Alessandro was tired of people thinking they knew him just because they’d read about him in magazines.

  ‘Surprised, bella?’ He smiled at her, seemingly amused by her embarrassment. ‘Don’t worry, we have plenty of time to get to know each other. Living here and working together downstairs.’

  ‘Downstairs?’

  ‘Our test kitchen is in the basement.’

  Of course, Alessandro’s penthouse apartment was in the same building as the famous De Costa Cioccolato flagship store.

  ‘After all, that’s why we’re staying here rather than at the villa,’ said Alessandro.

  Annabella relaxed slightly. Had she underestimated him? She’d questioned his motives for bringing her to his bachelor pad rather than the family estate. Now it made sense for them to stay here. Eliminate travel time. Very practical.