Hot Chocolate Read online

  ‘Now, this way.’ Alessandro motioned towards the living area.

  The space looked like a picture from Italian Vogue Living. Everything was perfectly placed. Three large white leather sofas formed a U-shape around a low marble coffee table. A pile of glossy art books, a small vase of fresh white roses and a trio of votive candles were arranged neatly on the table. A thick-pile cream rug extended out from under the sofas to a majestic fireplace, flanked by the large arched windows.

  Annabella imagined Alessandro stretched out in front of a fire. In the evening, the glow of the flames dancing across his bare chest. The taste of fine dark cacao on his lips.

  ‘It’s romantic, no? The fireplace,’ Alessandro said, noticing her interest. Thankfully he couldn’t read her thoughts. ‘I had it restored before I moved in but still haven’t had a chance to enjoy it.’

  ‘That’s a shame. It’s beautiful.’ For some reason Annabella was pleased that her vision had yet to become a reality. She’d stupidly felt a little jealous of Alessandro’s imaginary fireside companion.

  ‘Now over here …’ Alessandro called out as he strode over to the opposite wall and pushed a wooden panel revealing a large hidden walk-in wardrobe. ‘Ah, yes, they’ve arrived. I had Mariela send over some dresses and accessories for you. As my fiancée, there’s a certain look that’s expected.’

  ‘Mariela?’

  ‘She’s a stylist. She does all my girls.’

  ‘You’ve done this before?’ Annabella asked, surprised.

  ‘No. Not like this. Just when I have to attend a red carpet event she’ll help my date with an outfit. The girls love it and she’ll do the same for you. Hair and make-up also, of course.’

  He seemed so matter-of-fact. Annabella wondered if he’d ever had a real relationship, or did he always just audition women to play the part?

  ‘That’s okay, I can do my own hair and make-up,’ Annabella said.

  ‘Forgive me, bella, you’re a great natural beauty for sure. But we must get the right look, no? For the next six weeks, you’re not Annabella Beaumont, you’re the future Mrs De Costa. So we’ll use Mariela, okay? Enjoy it.’

  Enjoy it? Just the idea of someone deciding what she should wear, how she should look and virtually waiting on her made Annabella uncomfortable. She longed to protest but she knew she had no choice. She just had to remember why she was here. Her sister’s wellbeing depended on her, how she looked during this charade was completely insignificant compared with Sofia’s problems.

  ‘And here is where you’ll be sleeping,’ Alessandro said as he strode over to the mammoth bed that had first caught Annabella’s attention.

  ‘Right. Is there, ah … Is there another bedroom?’ Surely he didn’t expect them to sleep in the same bed. Or worse.

  ‘No, bella. I rarely have a need for a guest bedroom here.’ Those hypnotic eyes, like glowing turquoise jewels, held her gaze. Her heartbeat raced and she prayed for him to speak and break the spell. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll sleep on the sofa.’ He smiled. Relieved, Annabella looked back at the bed.

  ‘And if you’re concerned about privacy …’ In one great sweep, Alessandro drew a sheer charcoal curtain from one side of the vast room to the other, dividing the raised platform from the rest of the space. ‘Voilá.’

  Annabella couldn’t help but giggle at him. Alessandro seemed so pleased with himself. But the curtain was virtually transparent.

  ‘What? It’s for your modesty.’ He didn’t seem to get it. Obviously they had very different ideas about modesty. ‘Don’t worry. Your virtue is safe with me, bella, that’s why I chose you. The last thing I need is sexual distraction.’

  ‘Oh, right.’ Annabella’s stomach dropped and she wished she could just melt away. How absurd to think Alessandro would even think about sleeping with her. Men didn’t look at her that way anymore. Not unless they were after something. And Alessandro had been perfectly clear what he wanted: a star chocolatier and a pretend fiancée. Someone he had no chance of being tempted by.

  ‘I’m sorry, bella.’ He must have read her expression. ‘Like I said before, you are very beautiful. But this is business, yes? I chose you because you’re not my type.’

  Could this get any more humiliating? Annabella felt like shrivelling up and slipping through the cracks in the floorboards, but she wouldn’t let Alessandro pity her like she was just some loved-up groupie.

  ‘That’s great. This may surprise you, but you’re not my type either, Alessandro. Generally I don’t require a contract to go out with someone.’

  ‘Good.’ Alessandro offered a forced smile. ‘So we’re both happy.’

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘Great,’ he said. ‘Look, it’s been a long day, you must be exhausted. So rest now, yes? I’ll go organise that contract and we’ll get to work first thing tomorrow.’

  ‘Fine. Just one question though: why me? I mean, other than the fact you’ve no desire to seduce me?’

  ‘Trust, bella. In you I get an amazing chocolatier and a fiancée, and the fewer people I have to trust the better.’ He took a step closer to Annabella, one more and they’d be in each other’s arms.

  He looked down at her, holding her gaze a long moment. A chill ran through her; his silent, penetrating stare was far more powerful than his words.

  ‘And I do trust you,’ he continued, maintaining eye contact. ‘Trust that you’ll do whatever it takes to keep your job. I know you won’t let me down.’

  He offered a tight smile but his eyes remained as fierce as ever. ‘See you tomorrow.’ He turned and strode towards the door with the air of a man who always got what he wanted. ‘And get some rest,’ he called over his shoulder before closing the door behind him.

  Trust. Thank goodness she didn’t tell him who she really was or he’d never have let her through the door. Let alone into his precious kitchen.

  ***

  Annabella yawned as she stirred the silky ganache. She’d hardly slept last night despite having gone to bed early to avoid contact with Alessandro. She’d been painfully aware of his presence on the other side of that ridiculous curtain.

  He hadn’t been sleeping either. She’d guessed he was working from the sound of the tapping of computer keys and various muffled telephone conversations. Eventually she’d dozed off into a restless slumber.

  She’d been thankful Alessandro had gone out when she’d awoken early this morning. Did he ever rest? He’d left her the access card for the De Costa test kitchen and a brief note: Let yourself in, bella, Ale x. Like a pathetic teenager, Annabella’s heart had swelled a little at the sight of the kiss symbol. She’d have to try harder to shield herself from the empty charms of this infamous playboy.

  The De Costa kitchen offered her the perfect sanctuary. Alessandro had told her he’d ordered all staff to keep out for the next few days so they’d be able to concentrate on the new range without distraction. For now, the kitchen was hers.

  She’d soon found all the equipment and ingredients she needed to get started. Incredibly, for the briefest moment she’d almost forgotten about Alessandro, the faux fiancée agreement and her sister. She’d immersed herself in a familiar world where she knew exactly who she was and what she was doing with no complications.

  It was the first time she’d worked alone in a commercial kitchen. But with her mother’s journal laid out on the counter and her sister’s voice in her head, she imagined them both beside her, inspiring and challenging her so she didn’t feel quite so alone.

  Annabella closed her eyes as she tasted the rich ganache. A blissful marriage of velvety dark chocolate and raspberries. A classic combination. A hint of hazelnut liqueur accentuated the sensuality of the subtle flavours and smooth texture. She let out a soft involuntary moan of satisfaction.

  ‘That sounds promising.’ Annabella’s eyes shot open at the sound of the familiar voice behind her.

  What was Alessandro doing here? She’d hoped he’d gone to the office for the day. She couldn’t imagine sharing her kit
chen with anyone other than her sister.

  ‘Checking up on me already?’ Annabella tried for a casual tone, hoping to hide her irritation at his presence. She just wanted to get on with the job and she had little chance of that happening with him looking over her shoulder.

  ‘We need to get to know each other, yes?’ Alessandro smiled at her, his cool eyes locking her gaze. ‘So, here I am, at your service.’

  ‘What?’ Annabella stammered.

  It was hard enough sharing such close living quarters, but working together as well? Such proximity to this man would challenge any woman. Even though she knew he’d never be interested in her; he’d made it perfectly clear last night that she wasn’t his type.

  Not that she wanted anything more than a business relationship. One-night stands were hardly her thing and she was incapable of anything more meaningful. Her heart was beyond repair; she couldn’t give it to him even if she wanted to. There was nothing left to give.

  ‘Don’t look so worried, bella,’ he said. ‘I have no intention of interfering with your process but I’ve learnt the hard way the importance of supervising the kitchen. Besides, I make an excellent taste tester.’ He grinned. ‘And this way while you make fantastic cioccolato we can work on our “relationship”. We’ll, how do you say? Multitask.’

  Annabella was dumbstruck. How could this possibly work? She needed space in her kitchen and in her head. And now Alessandro was encroaching on both. He was so self-assured that he had everything figured out. Had her figured out.

  But it was in the contract. He was entitled to be a presence in the kitchen at his discretion. She hadn’t realised that meant they’d be together day and night.

  Alessandro ignored her silence. ‘So, what have we here?’ He peered into the bowl that had had Annabella moaning with satisfaction.

  He dipped his finger into the shiny ganache. Looking at Annabella, he raised it to his mouth, his full lips slowly enveloping the chocolate tip.

  Annabella prayed that he’d close his eyes to fully appreciate the flavours and give her respite from his intense stare. But he continued looking at her, seemingly savouring both her and the chocolate.

  A wave of sexual anticipation awakened her treacherous body. Suddenly she imagined Alessandro standing stripped before her: tall and svelte, beckoning her, like a golden god.

  Snap out of it. She’d protected herself for so long, why was she allowing this notorious womaniser to get under her skin? She knew better than anyone not to mix business with pleasure.

  ‘It’s just a simple ganache to get my creative juices flowing,’ Annabella blurted. She immediately regretted her choice of words. Her cheeks flamed; she was all too aware that it wasn’t the chocolate having that effect on her.

  ‘Mmmmm,’ Alessandro moaned, softly licking his lips as he enjoyed the last taste, his piercing eyes still on her.

  Why was he taunting her like this? He wasn’t interested in anything more than a charade. After all, that’s why she was the perfect ‘candidate’. And that suited her just fine.

  The last thing she needed was to get distracted by meaningless innuendo. There was too much at stake to falter now. Suggestive flirtation was no doubt Alessandro’s default setting with any woman. She wasn’t special. And this was a business arrangement.

  ‘It’s sublime.’ Alessandro said simply. For the first time, he seemed at a loss for words. At last, he closed his eyes, his thick lashes shadowing his cheeks. Leaning back, he raked his hands through his thick hair.

  Annabella noticed the soft rise and fall of his firm chest, as though he was, what was it? Relieved? She sensed a vulnerability in him, a softness at odds with his alpha bravado. Then, as though suddenly remembering her presence, his eyes shot open, his posture stiffened. He was back.

  ‘Bravissimo,’ Alessandro whispered. ‘We are going to make amazing love together.’

  ‘Excuse me?’ Annabella laughed in disbelief that he would be so forward, but at the same time she was disturbingly aroused by his suggestive tone.

  ‘Ah, mi perdoni. For me cioccolato is love,’ Alessandro said. ‘I meant, we will make amazing chocolate together.’ Sure, that’s what he meant. His widened pupils and knowing smile suggested otherwise.

  Alessandro’s sudden interest ignited an uneasy swell of desire within Annabella. She was painfully aware of an unmistakable yearning to be touched by him. Just the thought of his fingertips on her bare skin sent a shot of heat to her core. Her head was slowly starting to lose the battle against her traitorous body. She had to get back to the task at hand.

  ‘Right,’ she began, adjusting her glasses. ‘I have some ideas for our competition piece for the festival. I stopped over in Paris on the way to Turin so I visited some gourmet chocolate boutiques.

  ‘The window displays there are so inspiring, like works of art. Some of the detail is incredible. There was one place that featured Philippe Merchant’s work of a life-sized chocolate statue of a naked football player—’ Annabella stopped herself.

  Why on earth had she made reference to the naked male form? Again she found herself imagining Alessandro, unclothed, tempting her into his embrace. Focus.

  She cleared her throat. ‘And Saint-Germain has some exciting innovations, really interesting flavour combinations: dill-infused ganache, Earl Grey with orange blossom truffles, lemon-basil with quince fondant …’

  Annabella became lost in the delicious memory. ‘And I had the most heavenly spice-infused hot chocolate, apparently the best in Paris. It’s actually said to be an aphrodisiac—’ Annabella stopped herself again. The word lingered.

  ‘That I have to try.’ Alessandro grinned, clearly enjoying her nervous rambling.

  Annabella had to compose herself; there was no time for this suggestive subtext. Yet for her, the very essence of chocolate was imbued with sensuality and seduction. And now accompanied by the male form of physical perfection? Potential bliss. All she could do was try to remain professional. One of them had to.

  ‘I think we should try to incorporate some of these unconventional flavour combinations with the more traditional products that De Costa’s famous for,’ she said. ‘Truffles, bonbons, noisettes, gianduja, mousse, ganache, every heavenly chocolate creation in one show-stopping sculpture. A tribute to De Costa’s proud past and innovative future.’

  Alessandro nodded approvingly. ‘Brava. I can see the job is in safe hands. Now you just need to convince me that you can handle the other role I’ve hired you for. Before we go public at the gala tonight.’

  ‘I don’t think it’ll be a problem.’ Of course, it was going to be a problem. The spotlight, the deception, the ‘makeover’. But she was under contract, she couldn’t let Alessandro sense she wasn’t up to task.

  ‘What do you want me to do?’ Annabella tilted her chin, trying for the confidence she certainly didn’t feel.

  Alessandro dipped his finger into the bowl of ganache. ‘Your turn,’ he said raising the luscious confection to her lips. ‘Imagine … the love, the passion, you feel when you taste this chocolate is the same that you feel for me.’

  Annabella couldn’t let him sense her trepidation. She had to be convincing if she was going to get what she wanted. What she needed. Against every sensible fibre of her being, she opened her lips and welcomed Alessandro’s sweetened finger into her mouth.

  Teasingly he withdrew the tip before offering it fully, and Annabella found herself an all-too willing recipient. She was overcome by the sensuality of the act, the naughtiness of it. Goodbye professionalism.

  She didn’t close her eyes; instead she looked at him directly, as he had done, as she slowly withdrew from his contact. She sighed softly as she licked her lips. Surely that was the sort of seductive behaviour he would expect from his ‘fiancée’.

  ‘How was that?’ Annabella asked, feigning sultry self-assurance. Just playing the part. So why was her treacherous heart thumping like the beat of a thousand drums?

  Alessandro’s eyes darkened to a stormy M
editerranean blue as he looked down at her with desirous intent. The silence pulsed between them. She refused to break eye contact but in doing so she was stripped of pretence. It was as though he could see her, laid bare, a part of her she’d tried so hard to protect.

  Her stomach turned as the butterflies began their sultry dance, a feeling she had long forgotten until she’d met Alessandro. She couldn’t move away from him. She didn’t want to.

  ‘At the risk of sounding clichéd,’ Alessandro said huskily, ‘you missed a bit.’ He leant down and slowly licked the remaining chocolate from her lips. One soft, luscious taste. Then another.

  All common sense evaporated. Like a drug, a cloud of ecstasy enveloped Annabella as his tongue gently parted her lips and kissed her tenderly.

  He drew her closer into his firm embrace, lifting her onto her tiptoes, his clear arousal now pushing against her most intimate place.

  He deepened his kiss and she responded in turn, lacing her fingers through his hair pulling him closer still, urging him to continue. Annabella cursed her wanton body but she couldn’t let go.

  She knew better than to get involved with a man like Alessandro De Costa. A man who prioritises public opinion over truth and doing what’s right. A man like her father who treated her mother so dreadfully for his own success then abandoned them both. A man like Nic who took all of her and left her, empty and broken.

  But the voice of reason was silenced by a wild desire she’d never experienced before. She’d been crazy to think she could play the role of Alessandro’s fiancée without risking a part of herself. All of herself?

  It was just a kiss. But what an irresistible, intoxicating blend: raspberries, dark chocolate, hazelnut, Alessandro. As though sensing her abandon, he moved from her mouth and slowly trailed sweet kisses to the sensitive spot at the base of her neck. How did he know to kiss her there? Waves of exquisite sensation rippled through her body. She was over the edge and didn’t know how to get back.

  ***

  Oh Dio! What was he doing? Alessandro knew he should break away but try telling that to his libido. The addictive taste of Annabella was too great to resist.