Only for Show Read online

  ‘Let’s make it clear Roberto. All of this?’ She leant in so they wouldn’t be overheard. ‘It’s what the producers want. If it was up to me, you wouldn’t be here.’ She raised her chin defiantly to compensate for the fire that flushed her cheeks.

  ‘Is that right?’ The corners of his mouth curled up teasingly as though he had x-ray vision and could see her wildly thumping heart.

  ‘I asked to do the promo campaign alone but they demanded a love story. You’re the last man on earth I’d choose as my partner.’

  ‘Isn’t that the point?’ Roberto smiled bemusedly. ‘Wow factor I think it’s called. For some reason the public adore your sister and that pretty boy Alessandro. But we make a compelling replacement, no?’

  Enemies to chocolate lovers. The terms of their contract for the Valentine’s festival swirled in Sofia’s head like excerpts from a twisted fairytale manufactured for the tabloids. A fiery couple destined for love; their happily ever after tempered with sublime cacao and a generous hit of chilli. Decadent, spicy and complex.

  Roberto ran his eyes over Sofia’s body as he stepped closer, his intense stare capturing hers once again. She silently chastised herself for tingling with desire when her skin should be crawling with repulsion.

  ‘And here we are. Chocolate lovers, like you said. Why not enjoy ourselves?’ Roberto beamed at her, his straight white teeth infuriating her as much as his conceited words. Was just one blemish too much to ask?

  Sofia should be the one with the advantage given Roberto’s outlandish costume. But he seemed completely at ease, as comfortable as the Emperor in his new clothes. While she felt like a breathless wannabe, out of her depth. She longed to run but the thought of her pregnant sister lying helpless in a hospital bed pinned her to the spot.

  ‘Let’s just get this over with.’ She stared up at him, feigning a confidence she longed to feel. ‘And remember we only get one chance.’

  ‘Si.’ He nodded. ‘Go big... or go home, right?’

  ‘Right,’ she said uneasily.

  ‘Relax, Sofia.’ Roberto’s arrogant eyes gleamed down at her. She suppressed the need to swallow as he inched closer, electrifying warmth radiating from his shining torso. ‘I don’t think creating chemistry is going to be a problem, do you?’

  ‘Are you serious?’ Sofia scoffed; his cockiness was next level. But at least each smug word overshadowed his beauty, slowly erasing the insecurity that had threatened her composure ever since she’d stepped into this nightmare.

  ‘I’m not one of your groupies Roberto. Your bravado’s wasted on me.’ She forced herself to smile sweetly, conscious they were being watched.

  But her heart rate continued to skyrocket. Roberto’s flagrant egotism stoked a latent fire in her core. She’d learnt the hard way not to yield to a man like him and she wasn’t about to suffer a case of déjà vu. Inhibition and hesitation made her weak; she had to assert control. Roberto Conti could get the hell out from under her skin.

  ‘Andiamo ragazzi!’

  Sofia flinched at Fabrizio’s voice summoning them to the dining table.

  ‘Are you ready for this?’ Roberto’s cool demeanour didn’t falter, though his eyes flashed at her with concern. Or was it something else?

  ‘Don’t worry about me.’ Sofia ignored the nervous energy zapping through her as she stepped forward and looped her arm through Roberto’s. Drawing him close to her side she turned them towards Fabrizio. ‘I know what I have to do.’

  * * *

  Roberto silently cursed Fabrizio for putting him in such a ridiculous costume as he stood on the mahogany tabletop, cradling Sofia’s bare thigh as he lifted her supple figure against his naked torso. With his head nestled on her pillowy breasts, her sweet vanilla scent enticing his senses, Roberto was struggling to maintain composure with only a fragment of fabric shielding his growing arousal.

  He tightened his arm around Sofia’s slim waist as she arched back in his embrace, her chocolate-brown tresses cascading down, tickling his fingertips and triggering a shot of electricity straight to his crotch. Roberto longed for the protection of his bespoke suit.

  ‘Uno momento ragazzi, don’t move a muscle!’ Fabrizio strolled away from the table, studying the screen of his digital camera.

  Oh Dio! Roberto was painfully aware of every muscle that ached to be closer to Sofia. Unfortunately he couldn’t control all of them. Ever since she’d demanded in that alluringly husky voice, Turn around chocolate lover, his willpower had been swept into a whirlwind of rampant lust.

  He stared at a gold button on Sofia’s chef’s jacket, a seemingly benign object, to temper his raging libido.

  ‘What are you doing?’ She shifted in his arms.

  ‘Thinking of cold showers and dental examinations.’ Roberto raised his eyebrows up at her before returning his focus to the button.

  ‘Very funny.’

  ‘Believe me, this is not a laughing matter.’

  ‘There’s no need to get excited. This all very clinical to me.’ Sofia sniffed.

  ‘Is that right?’

  ‘Uh-huh.’

  ‘Well I gotta say, you’re a wonderful actress Sofia.’

  ‘Isn’t that the idea?’

  ‘Hold the pose ragazzi,’ Fabrizio called out from a nearby monitor.

  ‘It’s enormous isn’t it?’ Sofia whispered.

  Roberto inhaled sharply as he digested the unexpected question. The soft warmth of Sofia’s thigh resting teasingly in his palm already had him on the edge of control. He wasn’t sure he could handle a suggestive tête-à-tête in his current state of undress. He stared hard at the button.

  ‘I’ve never seen one so big,’ she said.

  Damn it. A sudden surge of arousal rushed through Roberto; the button strategy wasn’t working. Far from benign it was an officious gatekeeper of what lay provocatively beneath. All he could think about was biting it off, ripping open Sofia’s jacket and tasting her fragrant honey-hued skin.

  He’d heard Sofia was the ‘spirited’ Beaumont sister, the feisty yin to Annabella’s demure yang but he hadn’t expected such boldness so early on.

  If that’s how she wanted to play, he’d meet her innuendo and raise her one. Roberto glanced up to catch her eye but Sofia’s attention was fixed on Fabrizio attaching a massive lens to his camera.

  Of course.

  Was she toying with him? Or had he imagined her suggestive tone? Either way, Roberto was more than happy to wrangle with fiery Sofia. Mixing business with pleasure had never been such an irresistible strategy to get what he wanted.

  ‘Okay let’s mix it up.’ Fabrizio directed from the monitor. ‘Roberto, lie down between the figs and truffles. Sofia grab the melted cioccolato, then straddle his lap, yes?’ He pointed to a small copper jug beside them and stared back at the monitor.

  Roberto raised his head from Sofia’s décolletage, holding her tight and taking a deep breath to compose himself.

  ‘Let me down,’ she hissed through a gritted smile, her body tensing in his firm hold.

  ‘Everyone’s watching Sofia, try to look like you love me, no?’ He gently lowered her feet to the tabletop, his hands skimming over her round behind, accentuating his point.

  ‘I’m not my sister Roberto, I’m not so easily intimidated.’ Her warm smile failed to reach her glaring eyes. ‘But don’t worry, I’ll play my part.’

  She weaved her fingers through his hair at his nape, a lover’s caress sparking ripples of pleasure down Roberto’s spine. He closed his eyes, trying to regulate his breathing as he ordered his body to maintain control. But his fingers twitched, longing to make the journey up Sofia’s naked thighs, under her jacket...

  ‘Now, lie down.’ His eyes shot open at Sofia’s arousing command, ready for another spirited face-off but she just spun away from him, tugging down the hem of her jacket.

  Roberto stretched out his arms, shaking off the weight of her petite frame and lowered himself onto the tabletop between a large platter of dark truffles an
d a copper bowl of ripe figs.

  His scalp tingled pleasurably from the trace of Sofia’s wanton fingertips through his hair, her challenging stare branded in his memory. It was more than an act. Though she’d tried to deny it, their sexual chemistry was mind-blowing.

  As Roberto watched Sofia reach down to pick up the jug, offering him more than a teasing view of her shapely legs, the unrelenting tension in his shoulders started to ease. This crazy plan might just work.

  Roberto’s reputation was still reeling from the disastrous publicity that followed his desperate attempt to sabotage the Beaumont sisters’ chocolate business, Bonaparte’s, last year. Now the only way to redeem his good name and save his family’s company was to unite with Sofia. If a Beaumont woman could love and forgive a Conti, so would the Italian public.

  A kernel of hope dared to unfurl in Roberto’s mind. If he could finally liberate his father’s legacy from scandal... he might spark life back into his mother’s eyes. While he’d never be free from the guilt that plagued his every decision, he’d do anything for that. Prove he was a worthy son. A worthy brother.

  Roberto bit down on a sudden rise of emotion, exhaling loudly as he rested back on his elbows. His thoughts thankfully shifted in another direction as Sofia lowered onto his upper thighs, cradling the jug of liquid chocolate.

  ‘What are you planning to do with that?’ he murmured.

  ‘I’d like pour it all over your smug face.’

  Roberto shifted slightly under the teasing warmth of her bare skin. ‘Talking dirty isn’t helping my situation.’

  ‘Grow up.’

  ‘I’m only human.’ He grinned.

  ‘Okay my chocolate lovers.’ Fabrizio approached the table. ‘Sofia, hold the jug high above his head. And Roberto grab her close like she’s the sweetest chocolate you’ve ever tasted.’

  ‘No problemo.’ Roberto sat forward and encircled Sofia’s waist with one arm. His pulse quickened at the deep rise and fall of her breasts pressed against his chest. ‘Nervous?’ he whispered.

  Sofia’s almond eyes widened at him. ‘I’m fine.’ She grasped his neck with her free hand, drawing him closer so their mouths were almost touching. ‘You?’

  Her warm breath tempted his lips. Was she trying to prove he had no effect on her? Her flushed cheeks and heaving chest told him otherwise. Roberto fought the instinct to devour her glistening pout, smudging the scarlet gloss of her perfectly made-up lips. Such a move would only cause indecent exposure.

  ‘Hot damn ragazzi!’ Fabrizio jumped onto a stepladder beside the table. ‘Hold that pose and looking deep in the eyes.’

  Roberto cleared his throat, shaking the distraction of Sofia’s sinful mouth only to be taunted by the fire in her amber stare. Her eyes were the perfect colour combination for a chocolate lover. A deep shade of burnt umber encircled each gold-flecked iris, like dark chocolate wrapped around a heavenly caramel centre.

  As CEO of Conti Creations, Roberto had relied on his penetrating stare to assert authority in every situation. Suppressing any swell of emotion as personal desire, always succumbing to family duty. But in flagrante with Sofia in his arms, her eyes glowering at him as her fingertips teased his nape, he was at risk of losing this power play.

  Roberto eased forward and brushed his lips against hers. Sofia’s eyes didn’t flinch but her grip on his hair tightened. His mouth arched, on the verge of a smile.

  ‘Call the fireman ragazzi,’ Fabrizio trilled beside them. ‘It’s getting hot in here!’

  Sofia glared at Roberto, increasing the pressure of her nails into his neck as if to tell him she was in charge and he was at her mercy. What straight male wouldn’t be with only a scrap of cloth separating his aching need from a sexy as hell chocolate-wielding temptress?

  ‘Now Roberto, head back, eyes closed, mouth open. Sofia, get ready to pour il cioccolato. It’s like liquid ecstasy, no?’ Fabrizio turned to instruct his assistants.

  ‘We’re all about ecstasy, right amore?’ Roberto winked, gripping Sofia’s hips as he arched back. She gasped as his fingers pressed firmly through her cotton jacket, luxuriating in her succulent flesh.

  She leant forward, her parted thighs dangerously close on his lap. ‘Don’t get too excited,’ she taunted in his ear. ‘This is all make-believe.’

  ‘Si. But it’s just a matter of time, no?’ He teased, but the idea of seducing Sofia was more enticing by the minute. As the saying goes, you catch more flies with honey.

  ‘Never going to happen.’

  ‘We’ll see.’ Roberto squeezed his thighs together, subduing his natural response at the fantasy of unleashing Sofia’s fiery spirit in his bed. Or right now, on this table...

  ‘Okay belli.’ Fabrizio’s hyper voice cut through Roberto’s arousing thoughts. His eyes flicked open to a long camera lens aimed at them from beside the table. ‘Sofia, pour il cioccolato.’

  * * *

  Sofia tilted the small jug above Roberto’s head as he arched back and closed his eyes. The smooth liquid chocolate flowed lightly with laser precision into his open mouth.

  Keeping up this farce was exhausting but Sofia was determined he understood she could turn it on and off as she pleased. She’d happily bring Roberto to the brink of pleasure and leave him there.

  But she wasn’t immune to the thrill of his proud groin captured between her naked thighs. One small thrust of her hips and she’d feel the buzz of Roberto’s obvious girth pressed against her most intimate place that pulsed wildly with anticipation. It’d been too long since her last lover and her body was completely overreacting. And Fabrizio’s music playlist blaring in full stereo wasn’t helping. Elvis’ sultry rendition of ‘Fever’ fanned Sofia’s awakened senses, loosening her inhibitions as the sensual lyrics mirrored her rogue libido.

  Go big or go home. Roberto’s challenging words rang in her ears.

  Going home wasn’t an option. But going big would get the publicity Sofia needed to catapult Bonaparte’s into the international chocolate superleague where it belonged. Everything Sofia and Annabella had worked for in restoring their mother’s reputation and continuing her legacy would finally get the recognition it deserved.

  Go big. Sofia angled the jug so the chocolate stream caught the edge of Roberto’s lower lip and trickled across his cheek. She leant down and slowly licked the oozing trail, ignoring the pleasurable brush of his rough stubble against her sensitive skin, along his jaw finding his mouth. She lingered there a moment then bit his lip and she stared seductively at Fabrizio’s camera.

  Roberto’s eyes shot open as he lifted his head, his cool expression underscored with surprise and excitement. He clasped his fingers into Sofia’s behind, sending a shocked spray of pleasure and pain dancing across her skin.

  ‘Loving it!’ Fabrizio balanced excitedly on the stepladder beside them. ‘Don’t stop!’

  Sofia pushed Roberto back onto his elbows, rising to her knees as she poured the chocolate over his chest. She ran one finger through the smooth ganache, smudging the gold leaf as she traced his toned abs, then raised it to her lips. She looked at him provocatively as she licked the confection. His eyes flared at her with undeniable desire.

  She coated another fingertip this time offering it to Roberto.

  ‘Suck,’ she teased softly. She’d hit her stride now, a rush of power eclipsing her erratic nerves.

  Roberto welcomed her finger into his mouth and closed his eyes, his thick lashes fanning his sculptured cheeks, as he pulled back to savour the chocolate.

  ‘Phworr! Someone get me a cold shower,’ Fabrizio chortled from his perch on the ladder.

  Sofia stifled a laugh as Roberto’s eyes flicked open and locked with hers, his mouth also tightening in concealed amusement at the flamboyant photographer. She sniffed away her smile, refusing to share the joke.

  ‘Brava my darlings!’ Fabrizio clapped joyfully. ‘Take five, lovebirds.’ He climbed down from the ladder.

  Sofia jumped up from Roberto’s lap, trying not to to
pple in her heels as she stood and pulled down her jacket.

  ‘Clinical hey?’ Roberto slumped back on his elbows raising his eyebrows at her.

  ‘The producers wanted chemistry.’ Sofia strained to keep the tremor from her voice, ignoring her pumping heartbeat that refused to subside. ‘I think they got the shot, don’t you?’

  ‘More than one, for sure.’

  ‘Then mission accomplished.’ Sofia wriggled her tender feet out of her heels and carefully tiptoed through the scattered detritus of the shoot. ‘That’s the worst of it over.’

  She eased down off the edge of the table, eager to create distance between them. She stretched her tingling fingers, trying to free herself from the thrilling sensation of Roberto’s ripped body under her touch.

  ‘No, Sofia.’ Roberto’s emphatic voice jerked her attention back to him. He pushed himself up, the gold leaf on his taut abs glistened through smeared chocolate like a half-devoured treat. ‘That was just the beginning.’

  Chapter 2

  Struggling to calm her rising heart rate, Sofia straightened the neat lines of praline truffles and hazelnut noisettes for the millionth time. He was almost late. The day had only just begun and Roberto was already annoying her. She was annoying herself for goodness sake. Anxiously waiting for a man to show up was pathetic.

  At least in the reassuring comfort of Bonaparte’s new boutique she could just be herself. Without the distraction of aching stilettos and chocolate-smeared abs. No costumes or cameras, it was time to talk business without the innuendo.

  She closed the cabinet drawer and rested her hands on the glass countertop. Deep breaths, her therapist had advised soothingly whenever Sofia thought she might lose it. Take a moment and breathe, recalibrate. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes. A golden flash through the blackness. Her body pulsed remembering Roberto’s naked torso thrust against hers, his fingers squeezing her bare thigh, the electrifying brush of his stubbled jaw on her neck...

  Her eyes flicked open at the shrill tingle of the bell on the shop door as it opened. Deep breath.