‘In that case, he shouldn’t be marrying Bella, should he?’
Alex laughed. ‘You could be right there. Okay, I’ll reassure Sergio that any photos you take are for your personal use only. They won’t be gracing the glossies, or anywhere else.’
Harriet smiled. ‘Good. Because I really want to take some photos. Not just of the bride. I especially want one of you and your two friends together.’
Alex bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. ‘I’d like that. Have to go now, Harry. Sorry I wasn’t able to take you out to dinner tonight.’
‘No worries. I’ll have room service, then read one of the books I downloaded onto my tablet back home before I left.’
‘What kind of books?’
‘Mostly thrillers, with a few romances thrown in. What do you suggest I try?’
‘Not a romance. Romancing you is my job.’
‘And you’re very good at it, too. Lord knows what I’m going to do when you grow bored and don’t want to have sex with me any more. I’m already seriously addicted to your unique brand of lovemaking.’
‘I wouldn’t worry about that, if I were you,’ he said ruefully. ‘There’s no danger of my growing bored with you for a long time yet.’ And wasn’t that the truth!
It was actually a relief to hear that Harriet didn’t envisage ending their affair any time soon. Alex couldn’t bear the thought of her telling him one day that it was over between them. It would happen, of course. She didn’t love him. Basically, she was just in it for the sex. Same as him.
Are you sure that’s still true, Alex? questioned that inner voice that had been plaguing him ever since Jeremy had brought up the subject of love. Are you sure that your feelings for her haven’t already changed to something far deeper than a combination of liking and lust?
Alex clenched his jaw down hard, refusing to listen to such rubbish. It was all Jeremy’s fault, which was ironic, considering his attitude to love and marriage. Alex decided that it was the romantic setting that was making him feel things he didn’t normally feel. Paris might be called the city of love, but Italy was the country of love. He would have to watch himself tomorrow at the wedding, and then in Venice. If he wasn’t careful, before he knew it he’d be asking Harriet to marry him. Which was pretty stupid, considering he was the last man on earth she would marry. So just put all these thoughts of love back into Pandora’s box, Alex, and get yourself out of here. Pronto!
‘Must fly,’ he told her, and with one last peck on the cheek he was gone.
Chapter Twenty-two
HARRIET COULD NOT imagine a more perfect wedding. The lack of a church filled to the brim with guests didn’t seem to matter, despite her own dream to have that kind of traditional wedding. Or it had been, till she witnessed this one. Admittedly, the setting for the ceremony was idyllic, on the wide stone terrace of a magnificent villa overlooking Lake Como. Plus the weather was beautiful, the skies blue overhead and the summer sun not too hot.
But it was the unique bridal party that dazzled Harriet the most. It wasn’t often that there were no bridesmaids, just the bride, groom and two best men. She didn’t know whose photograph to take first, they were all so good-looking. The bride, of course, was more than dazzling. Harriet had already known Bella was beautiful. She’d seen her on television and in the gossip magazines. Dressed as a bride, however, she was breathtaking. Yet her gown was simple, a sleek floor-length sheath in pearl satin which skimmed her figure rather than clung. She wore no veil. With that gorgeous mane of white-blonde hair, she didn’t need a veil. Her jewellery was just as simple. A fine gold chain with a single pearl pendant, along with pearl-drop earrings.
She and Sergio looked brilliant standing together, his darkly handsome looks the perfect foil for Bella’s exquisite blonde beauty. Harriet took heaps of photos, including several of the three friends together. She didn’t have an opportunity to meet Bella before the actual ceremony, but Sergio had spoken to her at length as she’d walked with the men from Sergio’s villa to the countess’s. Such a nice man; a real gentleman. He’d made her feel so welcome, which was good of him, considering she was a wedding crasher.
The countess had been very sweet as well. Her name was Claudia and she was a widow. But a very merry one, Harriet deduced by her flashy clothes and flirtatious manner, especially towards Jeremy. Not that he seemed to mind. Alex had eventually confirmed her suspicions that the two of them might have been lovers at some stage, despite their age difference.