Hired: The Italian's Bride. DONNA ALWARD

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       Dear Reader

      For nearly twelve years I lived in Alberta, Canada, with my husband and children. My mum would come to visit us annually, and her visit always included a trip to the Rocky Mountains and, more often than not, lunch at the fabulously decadent Banff Springs Hotel. I always thought there was something magical about it. It’s perched at the pinnacle of town, a great stone castle looking up at Cascade Mountain and down the Bow River Valley. At Christmas there’s a replica of it made of gingerbread on display inside. The food is excellent, the atmosphere even better. When I thought of putting a heroine somewhere to reclaim her life, the townsite of Banff simply fitted the bill.

      Of course I needed a hotel, and a to-die-for handsome hero. I found him in Italian Luca Fiori. Luca is heir to the Fiori hotel empire, and is sent to Banff to oversee the newest company acquisition, the Fiori Cascade. The Cascade is a place for relaxation, and rejuvenation, for a bit of decadence and specialness. Luca says it is to ‘remember the romance’.

      As I write this letter, I’ve just returned home from a wedding…my mum’s wedding, after many years on her own. I couldn’t be happier that she has ‘remembered the romance’, and that she and her new husband ‘found’ each other. It just goes to show that there is always, always, room for love.

      I’d love to hear from you… You can e-mail me at [email protected], or write to me in care of my publisher.

      With my very best wishes

       Donna

      HIRED: THE

       ITALIAN’S BRIDE

      BY

      DONNA ALWARD

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For Mum and Harold

      CHAPTER ONE

      “MS. ROSS? Mr. Fiori has arrived.

      He was here.

      “Thank you, Becky. Show him in.”

      Mari ran a hand over her already smooth hair, trying hard not to resent a man she’d never met. Luca Fiori, golden son of the Fiori Resort empire. Rich, powerful, and according to her online research, a bit of a playboy.

      Just what she—and the hotel—needed. Not.

      She could just make out the sound of his voice, smooth and warm, coming from the reception area. The sound sent a flutter through her tummy. Becky would be bringing him back any moment. Perhaps she should go out to meet him. Yes, that would probably be the genial, professional thing to do. But her feet wouldn’t move. Instead she turned her head to both sides, assessing the office as if through a stranger’s eyes. Her new office, though she couldn’t help feeling a bit of an interloper. What Fiori needed to see was a woman confident in her new position. Even if she wasn’t, she had to give that appearance. She made sure everything was in its place. Not a speck of dust or scrap of paper. Everything had to be perfect. The only thing that revealed she’d even been there that morning was her mug, half-full of cold tea, a faint half-moon of lipstick marring the cream-colored ceramic.

      Mari inhaled, then let it out slowly, trying to relax her shoulders. She carried all her tension there and right now they were sitting close to her ears, she was so nervous. She pushed them down and attempted a smile. She had to show him she was up to the job…the job she’d had for exactly two weeks and three days.

      Seconds later Becky returned, extending a hand and showing Luca into the office.

      All Mari’s practiced greetings flew out of her head.

      “Mr. Fiori.”

      The pictures didn’t do him justice, she realized, as her heart gave a definitive thud. He was taller than he seemed from the online pictures. He was wearing a suit, but with such a casual flair she wasn’t sure it actually could be called a suit at all. Black trousers and shoes and a white shirt, open at the collar, with a black jacket worn carelessly over top. The unbuttoned collar revealed a slice of tanned skin and she saw his hand tuck into his trouser pocket just before she lifted her eyes to his face.

      She’d been caught assessing. His twinkling eyes told her so and the crooked, cocky smile confirmed it. Her cheeks flushed as her gaze skittered away.

      “Ms. Ross, the acting manager, I presume?”

      She wet her lips and pasted on a smile, trying hard to ignore the heat that blossomed anew in her face at the sound of his smooth, rich voice. She extended her hand. “Yes. Welcome to the Bow Valley Inn.”

      “You СКАЧАТЬ