Princess Curvy: A Curvy Girl's Italian Affair Page 3

  And she was the complete opposite. Bold and brash, with no true secrets, open for all the world to see. And, normally, very sexual. Except, apparently, when it came to Adam. Natalia couldn’t believe she’d backed away from him in her showroom. She hadn’t joined in the dance he’d started and that still shocked her.

  Natalia prided herself on flirting with the best of them. Apparently not Adam Clayworth.

  And that needed to change.

  She’d made her intentions known. Yesterday, however, when he’d asked for a favor, she had simply agreed to that favor. Well if he wasn’t interested, then he wasn’t.

  She’d move on.

  It was always good to have contacts in the finance world. And Adam was a friend of Sabrina and Gideon’s; it wouldn’t hurt to be friendly with him, also.

  Not every man was attracted to her—Natalia knew and accepted that.

  Pushing all that aside, she pulled out a simple cream dress with a vivid pink and purple floral design along the right side and an asymmetrical hem. Grabbing a pair of matching cream heels, she quickly dressed and redid her makeup.

  What did Adam want with Carlo Samboti? Yes, both men were in the financial world, and it was hardly unheard of for Adam to want to make a contact with a man of Carlo’s stature. Oh, it was no doubt dry, banking business.

  That thought didn’t stop her from being curious, and Natalia wondered if they’d go into detail at the dinner table. Then again, she may not hear anything with Rosina there as well. Rosina Samboti, a perfectly lovely woman, chatted about everything and anything. Twice.

  Crossing her bedroom, Natalia hurried down the hall to her home studio. What she needed was a distraction. Once in her studio, Natalia broke one of her cardinal rules and grabbed three of her design sketchbooks.

  She’d place them strategically around the house, with one in the front parlor, one in the living room, and one…was it too obvious in the dining room? Yes, probably. Two in the living room, then, for after-dinner distractions. Though it went against her rule, Natalia was more than willing to allow Rosina a first look at her newest designs and even offer her first choice of them.

  Satisfied with her diversions, Natalia went downstairs and placed the sketchbooks in their proper locations. Nodding to herself, she returned to the parlor and poured herself a cocktail. Before she took the first sip, the doorbell rang and Carlotta instantly appeared to open the door to their guests.

  It wasn’t Adam but the Sambotis. Slightly disconcerted she wasn’t to have a chance to speak with Adam privately beforehand, Natalia nonetheless smiled and headed for the foyer to greet the couple.

  They exchanged the normal pleasantries, and Natalia poured them all a drink as she listened, with bare attention to Rosina’s story about attending the Milan fashion show several weeks’ past and how someone had taken her seat. Natalia had heard this at least three times at the fashion show itself, and probably another three since.

  Rosina really was a lovely woman, and Natalia needed to remind herself of that.

  Finally the doorbell rang again and before Carlotta answered it, Natalia excused herself. Adam stood framed in the door, his dark blue pinstripe suit with a lighter blue shirt complementing his looks almost perfectly. The instant she entered the foyer, his gaze snapped to hers.

  She felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room and wondered, in some distant still-working part of her brain, at the attraction to him. Not just attraction, this odd, mesmerizing draw she felt for him.

  Blinking, she smiled widely and nodded to Carlotta in dismissal as she took Adam’s arm and guided him into her house.

  “Good evening,” he said in that voice that felt like a caress.

  “Good evening, Mr. Clayworth,” she said in a voice that was far sultrier than she’d meant to sound. She didn’t miss the way his eyes darkened and really didn’t think it was her imagination. Clearing her throat, Natalia added, “Come, the Sambotis are already here.”

  Dropping her voice, Natalia warned him, “Rosina is a lovely woman, truly, but she chatters on.”

  Adam nodded as they entered the parlor, and Natalia turned her attention to entertaining.

  “Carlo and Rosina Samboti, please meet Adam Clayworth.” Natalia released Adam’s arm and felt the slightest shiver race through her when his fingers brushed her inner wrist. “I’m sure you have much in common as you discuss that wonderful thing called money.”

  “It makes everything easier,” Carlo agreed with a wide grin and shook Adam’s hand. Though they didn’t linger long over drinks, Natalia noticed Adam. It was impossible not to. More importantly, she noticed how his entire attention seemed focused on Carlo, but his gaze wandered to her. How he, in the words of Gina, checked her out.

  Checked her out. Yes, Natalia decided as she sipped her drink. She liked that phrase. She also liked the way Adam’s gaze lingered on her. Listening to Rosina with half an ear, she eyed Adam and wondered how fast she could remove that suit. And what he’d look like underneath.

  His trousers hugged his ass very nicely, and Natalia knew he’d be all muscles beneath the clothes. He caught her staring and raised that one eyebrow at her. Unrepentant, Natalia grinned impertinently back at him and deliberately turned to Rosina.

  Carlotta called them to dinner just then, and Natalia gestured for Rosina to join her. She purposely put an extra sway in her hips as she walked in front of Adam. Natalia knew he watched her, and a delicious thrill of desire rushed through her.

  Her body would be soft against his harder one. Natalia knew he’d enjoy every soft curve of hers just as much as she’d enjoy exploring his hard lines.

  Dinner was fine, even if she’d been a bit distracted. Natalia didn’t have a chance to speak with Adam—Rosina monopolized the conversation. It didn’t stop her from watching him as they ate. The pheasant fettuccine in lemon cream sauce tasted delicious and as Rosina prattled on about Paris, Natalia once more debated hiring Piero full time.

  Then again, if she did that, she’d never fit into even her own designs.

  Pouring another glass of red wine, Natalia kept half her attention on the men and let her mind wander as Rosina talked. It took her a moment before she realized the normal buzz of conversation suddenly died. No longer did she hear the dry talk of currency and trade and whatever other monotonous things bankers talked of.

  Intrigued, she looked across the table at the men. Adam’s dark head was bent low next to Carlo’s as if the pair exchanged state secrets. Humph. How boring, she thought as she absently sipped her wine. And a pity Adam was more interested in what Carlo had to say than in having her separate him—one item at a time—from his suit.

  What was she doing wrong?

  Shaking her head, Natalia stood and gestured to the back doors. Maybe a change in scenery would do them all good. It was a warmer than normal night, and as Rosina continued chatting about her latest trip to Paris, Natalia directed the small party to the terrace.

  First, however, she stopped to grab one of her sketchbooks for Rosina, as a desperately needed distraction. Adam and Carlo trailed behind them, still talking in low, harsh voices. Had she ever been tossed over for financial talk? No, definitely not, and Natalia didn’t like it.

  It grated against her feminine wiles.

  Carlotta set dessert on the small round table and disappeared inside. When Carlo joined Rosina along the stone terrace, Natalia turned to Adam. She angled just enough to see him in what little light there was by the tables.

  Reluctantly dismissing her earlier thoughts of seducing him, Natalia spoke quickly, not wanting either Samboti to overhear them. “You and Carlo had a very serious conversation. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  Adam looked down at her, rejection clear on his face. She gazed steadily back at him and waited. He started to speak then stopped. For the first time in their short acquaintance, she watched emotions peek through his normally impassive façade. He looked at her considering, as if debating whether or not to trust her.
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  “There might be,” he said just as quickly and quietly. “Tell me a bit about Carlo?” Adam glanced at the other couple. “Do you find him to be a secretive man?”

  “Not that I recall,” she admitted, confused. “But I’ve never tried to pry secrets from him. What is this about, Adam?”

  “It’s a sensitive manner,” he said, back to that impassiveness she found so frustrating.

  Natalia looked at Carlo, only now seeing the other man’s scowl. Confused, she was about to ask Adam what had really happened, when the Sambotis crossed the terrace.

  Carlo looked downright unhappy now, though he made the effort to conceal his anger from his wife. What the hell had Adam said to Carlo to garner such a reaction?

  “It’s such a pity, Natalia,” Carlo spat. “I thought you had better taste in companions.”

  Shocked, she looked from her friend to Adam. Rosina, too, looked stunned. Adam gave nothing away, simply giving the other man a cool, even stare.

  “Carlo!” she said. “What are you talking about? What has happened? Do not speak about my guest this way.”

  “You should be careful who you invite into your home,” Carlo sneered, and it was the first time she’d seen such a look of disdain on his face. “Snakes like him can be very dangerous.”

  Carlo tugged Rosina’s hand. “Come, Rosina. We must leave.”

  Handing the sketchbook to Natalia with a small, apologetic smile and shrug, Rosina walked away with her husband. Natalia didn’t follow, didn’t try to talk sense into Carlo when she had no idea what had happened.

  Narrowing her gaze at Adam she demanded, “What did you say to him?”

  “I gave him an option,” Adam said in a hard, flat tone that was at odds with her incredulity. “Apparently, he’s reluctant to take it.”

  “Adam.” Her voice was low and harsh. “The Sambotis have been friends for a long time. I deserve an explanation for why they stormed out of here.” Natalia looked from him to the empty doorway. “I’ve never seen Carlo that way!”

  He took a deep breath and stepped away from her. Adam put just the barest distance between them, but it didn’t break the brewing tension. “This has to do with my work. I can’t go into details, Natalia, I’m sorry.”

  He turned that dark gaze on her and she heard the honesty and, yes, the apology, in his tone. “If you have the opportunity to speak with him again, you need to tell him to do the right thing. It’s for his own welfare.”

  Chapter Four

  “His own welfare?” Natalia demanded, her voice too loud in the open courtyard despite the privacy she knew it afforded. But she was not letting him out of her sight until he answered her questions. All her questions.

  She’d invited him into her home, had gone to the trouble, not that it was much trouble, to set up a dinner with him and Carlo simply because he’d asked.

  Natalia seriously regretted not asking him his reasons now.

  “What do you mean?” she hissed in a lower voice. “What does that mean?”

  He didn’t immediately answer and once more she thought of him standing on the side, watching everyone with those careful eyes. Adam had a way of discerning secrets, she realized, and then keeping them close by.

  “Did you threaten him in any way?” she asked, still in that quiet, angry voice.

  “I’m not at liberty to discuss this with you.”

  Furious now, she blocked his exit. He looked down at her in the dim light, the cool wind blowing between them. Natalia wasn’t certain if she wanted to throw Adam out of her house and never see him again or pin him down until he told her everything.

  She may be fiery, but she was never one for physical confrontation.

  “Not at liberty?” she repeated. “You asked me for this favor.” She tapped his chest. “You came into my home”—now she gestured to herself— “and insulted a good friend of mine. I suggest you tell me something that isn’t completely a lie.”

  Hands on hips, Natalia tossed her head and glared up at him. He watched her calmly and she hated that. What would it take to break that perfect calm? Even if she wasn’t one to rouse his passions, surely he felt passion for his work, given he’d specifically asked her to introduce him to Carlo.

  Adam stepped back. Natalia didn’t expect that, and for half a beat thought he was trying to run. Which made no sense, but then none of what happened since this afternoon’s meeting in her office did.

  He released a breath and ran a hand over his face, the first sign of losing control she’d seen from him. “I don’t want to lie to you,” he admitted in a harsher tone than he’d used when he was talking to her about Carlo.

  That tone, too, took her aback.

  “Then don’t,” she said with considerably less anger than she felt just a moment ago.

  He took a deep breath, released his, and watched her for a moment. “Carlo has information I require,” he said quietly, but Natalia heard the complete honesty in his voice. “That’s all I’m willing to share with you right now.”

  “He’s a banker and you know that as well as anyone.” Her fingers tapped her hips as she tried to reconcile Carlo with this British banker before her. Her stomach suddenly knotted and Natalia wondered what Adam searched for that involved Carlo. “He can’t come out and share information on his clients. Even with someone with the European Union’s Central Bank.”

  Natalia took a deep breath and admitted, “I’m not naïve. Clearly this wasn’t a casual request.” She narrowed her eyes again and asked, “Are you truly with the EU? Or are you some sort of investigator?”

  The faintest hint of a smile curved his lips. “Both.”

  Throwing her hands up in a typical move of exasperation, Natalia shook her head. “What have Sabrina and Gideon got me into with you?”

  “Don’t blame them,” Adam insisted with that same force behind his words. He almost looked as if he wanted to reach out and touch her. “They don’t know what I’m doing.”

  She wanted to ask what the hell he was doing. And why it involved Carlo. But Natalia remained silent. Adam wasn’t the only one with a talent for reading people.

  “I didn’t mean to involve you in such a delicate situation,” he admitted.

  “Or to use me without warning?” she interrupted though she’d promised herself she’d let him talk.

  Adam grimaced and nodded. Once more his hand rubbed over his face, the only outward sign of his discomfort.

  “Yes.” He took her hand and squeezed briefly before releasing her. Natalia felt that touch straight through her and cursed her body for reacting to such a simple touch when there were more important things going on at the moment.

  “I certainly didn’t intend for it to turn out this way,” he admitted. “This is the last thing I wanted. But I needed to talk with him.” His shoulders moved in a restless half-shrug. “And tonight was the most expedient manner.”

  “Perhaps,” she began, making certain to say each syllable of each word clearly, “we should make something else expedient.” Natalia stepped back and gestured grandly. “Your departure.”

  Adam simply nodded, though his gaze didn’t leave hers. He turned, however, without a word of protest, and walked to the terrace doors. There he stopped and turned back. Natalia couldn’t see him in the night; his face was cast in shadows from the soft lights she’d had installed.

  “Again, I’m sorry it had to come to this.” He took a breath as if about to admit one of those dark secrets she’d thought he had. Instead he shook his head. “Very sorry. I wish things could’ve been different in many ways tonight.”

  Natalia stood there, watching him with anger and, yes, betrayal as he once more turned and walked out of her townhouse.

  She wanted to scream. It was a very good release of the frustrated anger and energy currently throbbing through her. And not in a pleasant throbbing sort of way like she wanted between them earlier. What she wanted to do was scream at Adam until he told her everything—why he’d used her, why the ruse tonight
that only served to twist their just-blossoming friendship. And to seemingly sever her friendship with Carlo.

  Shoving her fingers through her hair, Natalia stalked into the house, dessert forgotten. The chocolate decadence had sounded so tempting earlier, too.

  Her heels tapped against the marbled floor and only served to highlight the utter disaster of the evening. And the hot anger still surging through her veins. She didn’t like being used. Especially as Adam seemed disinclined to tell her anything.

  He was with the Central Bank. Was it something to do with them? Was he a super banking spy or with their oversight committee?

  Cursing, she turned around again and snagged the sketchbook from where Rosina dropped it. She didn’t want to leave it outside, though at the moment she cared little for its contents.

  Tossing it in the living room with the others, Natalia spun back around, ready to stalk from the room and…she didn’t know what. Scream again maybe. But a slip of paper fell from the pages.

  Had Rosina tried to take one of her drawings? Had someone else? Carlotta wouldn’t, never, and Natalia didn’t leave them lying about. Damn! But she knew she shouldn’t have let Rosina look through them, no matter how kind she was being.

  Renewed anger spread through her like a volcano, and Natalia snatched the loose paper. It wasn’t one of her sketches. It was a note.

  Please ring me on my private line.

  —Carlo

  Her eyebrow raised in confusion and disbelief, she reread the note. She blinked in disbelief at the private number Carlo had printed at the bottom of the short note. All her anger drained, replaced by curiosity and an uneasy sense of disbelief.

  Natalia glanced at the thin watch on her wrist, but it was too early to call him. He hadn’t time to make it home yet. She pinched the bridge of her nose and slowly turned for the stairs. Carlotta stood at the base, arms folded over her ample chest with a scowl that was caught between annoyance and concern.