Chapter 21: Chapter 21

The cool air, the rush of early morning traffic around her, helped Allie slip into a relaxed mode as Ross drove out of the city. The past hour and a half seemed all a dream. Of course, she had the starring role, actually playing multiple scenes as the double agent, the vamp, and the deceiver.

Count Cassini made sure she had a nightgown at her disposal, actually an expensive peach-hued, peignoir set, the gown sheer enough to make out her figure beneath. Before Luca became too overly friendly, Allie insisted they share a midnight drink of champagne. He had made her comfortable in the sitting room attached to his bedroom. The quintessential Italian lover, he came to her in a maroon silk dressing gown, a white silk scarf around the lapels, and his hair slicked back to create a shiny dome. All he needed was the rose in his mouth.