Free An Inconvenient Love (Crimson Romance) by Alexia Adams Page B

getting closer.” She turned to the shop assistant and spoke in rapid Italian.
    As far as Sophia could tell, they weren’t getting any closer. She’d tried on at least twenty dresses, some too long, some too short, some too revealing, others not revealing enough, according to Isabella. Whatever her new friend had in mind, she wasn’t going to settle until she found it. This was the third boutique they’d visited. At each, Isabella had been treated like royalty. Shopping was so much nicer when the clothes came to you.
    “Ah, this one may work,” she declared as Sophia shimmied out of the last outfit. Another dress appeared over the door of the change room, although change palace may be a more apt word. No tiny fitting cubicles in this shop. There was even a sofa and mini fridge full of refreshments.
    Sophia hung the dress on the hook behind the door and stared at it. She didn’t dare look at the price tag, sure it would make her hyperventilate. Carefully she removed the garment and tried it on. If this didn’t tip Luca over, nothing would.
    “
Perfetto
,” Isabella declared when Sophia emerged wearing the dress. “Luca will not know what hit him.”
    • • •
    Luca shifted his weight and adjusted his tie, again. With one ear he listened to Stefano, his lawyer friend, with the other he waited for the sound of Sophia’s footsteps on the stairs. Isabella had insisted that Sophia make an entrance, but he didn’t appreciate being kept in the dark. She was his wife, damn it; he had a right to see her first.
    Isabella had called him late in the afternoon to say that their shopping trip had taken longer than expected. So Sophia was going to get ready at Isabella’s place and they’d see him there. When he’d asked to speak with his wife, she’d laughed and asked if he thought she’d kidnapped her. But after the tight-lipped silence he’d endured through dinner the previous night, he’d wanted to make sure Sophia was happy with that arrangement and hadn’t been coerced by Isabella’s forceful personality. Sophia had assured him that she’d had a great day and would see him later. As she’d handed the phone back to Isabella, Luca could have sworn he heard his wife giggle.
    He’d rushed to get ready and was the first to arrive. Instead of being able to see his bride, however, Isabella had insisted that Sophia be left alone to rest.
    Enough was enough. He wanted his wife at his side. This was, after all, why he married her. The little voice in his head laughed, but then went silent as a noise at the top of the stairs drew all eyes upward.
    Luca’s heart fibrillated for a moment before racing. His mouth went dry and he pulled at his tie again, trying to get more air into his lungs. Sophia glided down the stairs, stopping halfway. Even from a distance he could see how the green of her dress brought out the amazing emerald color of her eyes. The gown was a mix of brocade and satin, wrapped around her body like a ribbon. Her delicate shoulders and collarbone were exposed by the strapless dress. And with her long, golden hair pulled up, the graceful column of her neck called out for his kisses. He shifted again, but this time to disguise the growing pressure in his trousers. Sophia looked as though she’d been gift wrapped. The perfect present.
    “
Prego
.” You are welcome, Isabella murmured by his right shoulder before she ascended the stairs to meet Sophia halfway.
    Isabella tapped a spoon against her glass, calling the attention of those few who weren’t already staring at Sophia. “Thank you all for coming tonight. I would like to introduce you to my new friend, and Luca’s bride, Sophia Castellioni. Sophia is from London, so we all get to practice our English tonight.” Isabella’s announcement was met with clapping and a chorus of congratulations in a mix of English and Italian. Stefano grabbed his hand to shake it, but Luca couldn’t take his eyes from Sophia.
    Isabella whispered something into his