15

Francesca

I STAYED away from the castle for the rest of the day.

Instead, I spent the hours with Vincenzo, learning about grapes and wine. I asked about the property lines, but he said it wasn't walkable, that I would need a car to reach them. Apparently Ravazzani owned a lot of land, damn him.

I told myself I stayed outside to find a way to escape, but that was a lie. My encounter with the elder Ravazzani in the ballroom left me shaken... and excited. He was so angry but so incredibly hot as he cornered me, his big body trapping me as he tried to intimidate me. Except his touch had been gentle, while his gaze burned with an intensity that flipped a switch inside me, making me ache and soaking my panties. There was a moment when I could have sworn the attraction was mutual, but this was insane. Was not?

It had to be. I was here to marry his son. And I wasn't sweet at all around Fausto. He hated me.

But I was woman enough to admit I was attracted to him. It was the way he moved, the wa