Free Dante's Wedding Deception by Day Leclaire Page A

she’d read about or seen pictures of the city at some point.
    And with every stop, she glanced toward Nicolò, hoping against hope to gain some clue as to that first time. Despite her promise to him, she wanted to ask if this occasion matched the one from the past. Had they said the same things? Had they laughed or talked or shared confidences then, all the important tidbits they weren’t sharing this time around because she was too empty to have anything worth contributing?
    Eventually, he became aware of her growing silence and sideways looks. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
    She collapsed on a park bench with a weary sigh. “This isn’t working quite the way I’d thought it would.”
    He joined her on the bench. “You don’t remember anything? Not necessarily our time together, but I hoped you might remember one of the places we’ve been. That it might spark some vague memory.”
    She shook her head, frustrated beyond belief. “I don’t remember a blessed thing,” she confessed. “Not any of the tourist spots…” She spared him a swift, reluctant glance. “Not being with you. Ever.”
    He lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Kiley.”
    She covered his hand with hers. “None of this is your fault.” He opened his mouth to argue and she cut him off. “I know you want to take responsibility for my accident. But you have to admit that if I’d been less impulsive, I wouldn’t have been in the middle of a busy intersection where I could be hit by a cab.”
    She watched him struggle with that for a moment. “Why don’t we agree to disagree on that particular subject?” he suggested.
    She smiled. “I can live with that.” His hand tightened on hers, tugging her close. She slid into his hold with the ease of familiarity and tilted her head to one side in consideration. “So…do we continue with our tour? Or can you think of something else that might help me remember?”
    He hesitated, before nodding. “There’s one more place that might prompt a memory.”
    “And where’s that?”
    He gave her the sort of smile that threatened to melt her bones. No doubt it was the same smile he’d used during those earlier dates, if only she could recall. All he had to do was turn it on her and she could feel everything soft and feminine surrendering to him, softening, urging her to agree to anything he might ask of her.
    “Come on. I’d rather it be a surprise.”
    He drove them from the park into the heart of the city toward the financial district and Embarcadero. Beneath one of the towering skyscrapers, he pulled into an underground parking lot and escorted her to a private elevator that shot them straight to a penthouse suite. When the doors parted, they stepped out into a massive room, which at first glance appeared to be someone’s private residence.
    Kiley entered ahead of Nicolò, sinking into the thick, plush carpet, the soft dove-gray color giving the area an opulent, yet intimate feel. There were several divans decorated in a subtle pinstripe of gray and white, accented with a narrow band of black, and silk chairs in a rich ruby red. The pieces were simple, yet exquisite. Glass tables were arranged in front of the divans and chairs, sitting slightly higher than conventional coffee tables. The lighting also struck her as different, overhead spots creating blazing puddles of brilliance that struck the various tables, while the seats remained in soft shadow. Plants and elaborate fresh flower arrangements gave the area an added warmth.
    “What is this place?” she whispered.
    “Dantes Exclusive.” Was it her imagination or did his gaze grow as intense as the spotlights?
    “Dantes? I don’t…” She shook her head in confusion. “Is this your family business?”
    “You haven’t heard of Dantes?”
    She blinked. “Are you talking about the jewelry firm?” He simply continued to watch her and her breath escaped in a soft gasp. “You’re one of those Dantes?”
    “You remember us?”
    She regarded