Carpathian 00 - The Scarletti Curse

Nicoletta's. Where before there was fiery hunger, he was now gentle, lingering for a moment, kissing her thoroughly until her legs threatened to give way and she was clinging to him. Only then did he slowly lift his head, his black gaze hypnotic, making her stare up at him helplessly, caught in his dark sorcerer's spell. His fingertips traced the delicate curves of her face as if committing them to memory for all time.
    "Don Scarletti, I must protest this behavior!" Maria Pia was insistent, tugging at Nicoletta's arm to free her from between the don's hard body and the palazzo wall.
    Giovanni didn't relinquish possession immediately, but continued to stare intently into Nicoletta's upturned face as if he were the one under a spell of enchantment, totally bemused by her. "Then it is good that we marry immediately," he said, completely unrepentant, his voice as steady and soft as ever. He was speaking to Maria Pia, but his mouth was close to Nicoletta's ear, his warm breath stirring the tendrils of hair there and pouring heat into her bloodstream. He bent his head still lower, so that his lips moved against her ear. "I cannot wait." He whispered the words against her bare skin, and she felt them all the way down to her toes.
    Maria Pia let out an outraged squawk. The don straightened slowly, bowed slightly to the women, and sauntered back into the palazzo. Nicoletta stared after him, unable to move, unable to think, one hand pressed to her mouth in shock. He looked so calm and unruffled, his body moving with the same casual ripple of power, while Nicoletta wanted to slide down the wall into a little heap.
    Sophie broke the spell, wrapping her arms around Nicoletta's legs and hugging her tightly. "Is Zio Gino really going to marry you?"
    Nicoletta glanced at the two guards, who were doing their best to hide their smiles. Color flooded her face, and she hastily walked past them into the huge courtyard. It was a riot of color, the plants well tended by several groundsmen. A huge fountain dominated the area, a marble structure nearly a story high. A chariot with six racing horses sending up sprays of white-foamed water from their flying hooves Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    loomed in its center. It was enormous, an ornate, incredibly beautiful sculpture.
    "Nicoletta." Sophie tugged at her skirt. "Are you really going to marry Zio Gino?" Her young voice was insistent, containing none of the hesitation she frequently seemed to exhibit.
    Nicoletta took her hand. "Well, your Zio Gino has said I will, so I suppose I must. What do you think?"
    Sophie immediately looked impressed at being asked her opinion. "I think if Zio Gino marries you, then you can stay here always." She smiled up at Nicoletta.
    Nicoletta picked up the child and swung her in a circle until the little girl squealed with delight. They raced across the courtyard together, their laughter floating back to bring smiles to the faces of the guards and even Maria Pia.
    Nicoletta stopped on the far side of the courtyard, kneeling to examine a rare flower that opened only in the early hours of morning. The petals were covered in dew, and she exclaimed over it, beckoning to Sophie. In truth, she was trembling inside, shocked at the wild, wanton side of her nature she hadn't known existed. She couldn't deny to herself that she was just as much to blame for that scandalous kiss as was Don Giovanni Scarletti. He could have seduced her right there and then, and she would have let him, so mesmerized by him was she that she couldn't see straight.
    She didn't want to think about being alone with him in the bedchamber. He was a dark sorcerer weaving a black-magic spell, and Nicoletta was flitting closer and closer to disaster, drawn inexorably toward his hot flame. She couldn't seem to resist him, the intensity in his black gaze, a dark hunger she couldn't ignore. Nicoletta pushed at her hair with a trembling hand, grateful Maria Pia was across the courtyard and not lecturing her on being a "good" girl.
    "So, you are the chosen bride." Vincente appeared out of the maze of hedges, his tall, handsome frame immaculate in his fashionable attire. His dark eyes were laughing as they took in Nicoletta's peasant skirt and blouse and her small, bare feet.
    Nicoletta scrambled to stand. Sophie stared up at her father in a kind of painful, hopeful silence, her hand catching at Nicoletta's skirt for support. Nicoletta reached down and stroked