Master of Bella Terra by Christina Hollis

you?’ Kira said archly, inspired by a sugar rush. ‘I hope you also told him we’re out on business.’
    Stefano didn’t answer. His expression was telling Kira everything she didn’t want to know, but her conscience was clear. For the moment, at least.
    â€˜As it happens, I think visiting the site is a very good idea,’ she added coolly. ‘I never accept a job until I have made a thorough study beforehand.’
    â€˜Good. I’m all for close scrutiny,’ he said. With a nod of his head he summoned the head waiter, who brought a bottle of chilled champagne to their table. When it had been poured out, Stefano lifted his glass to her in another toast.
    Kira remembered the last time he looked at her like that. It was in the split second before he kissed her. His eyes had a way of stripping away everything from her soul. She tried telling herself that he must size up every one of his female conquests like this, but a viper’s nest of conflicting responses writhed within her body. His smile held out all sorts of possibilities. That was what made him so dangerous. At least she had no illusions, and could be on her guard.
    â€˜To our new partnership,’ he said, his voice a sensual growl of anticipation which immediately created answering ripples in the pit of her stomach. Determined to quell them, she snapped
    â€˜Are you always so openly provocative?’
    He broke the tension with a sudden laugh. ‘I’ve never met another woman quite so woundingly honest! I can’t help it, I’m afraid. Some men are born to it, while others need to be coaxed out of their shell by a loving, sensitive hand.’
    Kira felt colour riot in her cheeks. Before she could explode, Stefano turned his statement into a warning.
    â€˜I am most definitely not one of those men.’
    Â 
    Stefano’s town house was such a short distance from the restaurant he didn’t bother calling up his driver. They walked. Kira had difficulty in keeping up with his long strides as he led her through the narrow streets. Without a word he fell back in step with her. Crossing asunlit square, he directed her into a narrow canyon between two impossibly high and ancient stone walls. Kira looked around nervously as they left the sun-drenched crowds and plunged into shady solitude. Suddenly she realised he was no longer at her side. With a start, she swung around. He stood beside a pair of large wooden gates, let into the anonymous wall. With one hand he turned the wrought-iron handle in a small pass door and pushed it open.
    â€˜We’re here. Go ahead.’
    Kira cast one last apprehensive look up and down the narrow alley.
    â€˜Why are you so nervous? This is the best part of town.’ He chuckled. ‘Anyone would think I was trying to abduct you.’
    A crazy vision of Stefano sweeping her away into the desert on a spirited Arab stallion flashed into Kira’s mind. That threw her into confusion, but her mind cleared the instant she stepped into his courtyard. It was like standing at the bottom of a dry well. High walls irregularly perforated by small barred windows closed in on every side. This was a place the sun only reached when it was directly overhead. The building was ancient and beautiful, but putting a garden here would require imagination and skill. When he first mentioned a town house, Kira’s mind had started playing with the idea of a private sun terrace. This place offered all the privacy anyone could want, but none of the rays.
    â€˜Good grief,’ she whispered to herself, before adding aloud, ‘This is going to be a challenge.’
    He looked concerned. ‘If you think it’s going to be too much for you, tell me. I’ll get someone to steam clean the whole place and leave it at that.’
    â€˜No!’ Kira left his side and began pacing out the stark, stony area. ‘There’s nothing I enjoy more than a challenge. I’m not a