Free The Mediterranean Billionaire's Blackmail Bargain by Abby Green

what does a man have to do to be offered coffee around here?’
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    Alicia cupped her mug of steaming coffee in her hands and looked at Dante warily over the rim. She perversely hoped that he was sitting on the bit of sofa with the exposed spring. But, looking completely at ease, unconcerned, Dante sipped his own coffee, taking his time before setting the cup down on the low table. He leant forward and rested his arms on his knees.
    â€˜I’m here to offer you a proposal.’
    Alicia could feel the blood drain from her face and then rush back guiltily as she realized what she’d taken his words to mean for a split second. He’d seen it too and that mocking look made his mouth quirk at the corner again.
    â€˜Not that kind of proposal. Never that kind of proposal; I’m not a marrying man.’
    Words were strangled in her throat. She was mortified that he would think that she had thought he’d meant marriage. And she had. For a second.
    She put her cup down with a shaky hand. ‘Look, just tell me why you’re here, I have things to do.’ She sat back and folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. He settled back into the couch and crossed one leg over the other. The bottom of his impeccably shod foot seemed to mock her too. She could see how in some cultures it was taken as a high insult to be faced with the soles of someone’s feet.
    â€˜What I’ve come here to propose is a little mutual arrangement.’
    Alicia all but snorted. She doubted very much that this man did anything mutually.
    â€˜I’m listening.’
    Only so you’ll be gone more quickly and I can get back to normal and forget we ever met.
    Alicia conveniently blocked out the voice that said, What about if Melanie and Paolo get married? What about when they have the baby? Won’t Uncle Dante come to visit? Won’t Uncle Dante be there for the rest of your life?
    His voice cut through her tortured thoughts. ‘I am hosting a series of final negotiations in a very high profile merger over the next three weeks. The first week of the conference will be at my villa in Lake Como—a week in which the very select participants will be shielded from the media’s prying eyes, to be exclusively wined and dined in between meetings.’
    Alicia looked at him blankly, desperately trying to hide the effect his force field had on her body. She just hoped he’d hurry up and say whatever he had to say, not knowing why he felt he had to tell her anything…
    â€˜Together with a close colleague from Ireland, we’re merging forces with one of the biggest construction giants in America. As I am the biggest investor, effectively it is a merger that will see me as CEO of the largest construction conglomerate in the world.’
    Alicia recalled Melanie’s glowing comments when she had first got the job at Dante’s company some years previously. ‘I thought you already were the biggest company in the world…’ She couldn’t keep the caustic tone from her voice, or the look in her eye that told him exactly what she thought of his obvious bid for world domination.
    He ignored her effortlessly and said without any emotion, just as a hard fact, ‘I am; however, there’s always room for improvement.’
    â€˜You mean greed,’ Alicia muttered, and felt pettish as she did so. What did she care, even if he wanted to conquer outer space?
    Again he ignored her barbed comments. ‘The construction company from America is run by a man called Buchanen. He’s taken a lot of persuading to come on board. Years of smaller negotiations have led us to this point, and now we are poised to sign on the dotted line. All it’s going to take is this three weeks and then it’s going to be signed, sealed and delivered.’
    Satisfaction rushed through Dante. This would be the pinnacle of everything he’d ever set out to achieve, to prove…having