Italian millionaire Gabriel Danti was renowned for his prowess in the bedroom—and Bella Scott was unable to resist the temptation of the night he was offering…Five years on, Bella is living alone, carving out a life for herself and her little boy. She never thought she'd see Gabriel again!Gabriel has changed. His dark, dangerous looks are marred by scars. But his desire for Bella hasn't waned—he wants her more than ever now that he knows he has a son…
Dear Reader
It’s incredible to realise this is my 150th book!
I’m sure that when I began writing for Mills & Boon over thirty years ago I never imagined I would ever attain such a wonderful achievement.
Writing romances, becoming totally engrossed in the love story of my hero and heroine, has always been, and continues to be, a joy for me. I fully intend to continue sharing the love and happiness with you, the reader, for many years to come.
I sincerely hope you enjoy my 150th book!
Carole Mortimer
Carole Mortimer was born in England, the youngest of three children. She began writing in 1978, and has now written over one hundred and forty books for Mills & Boon®. Carole has four sons—Matthew, Joshua, Timothy and Peter—and a bearded collie called Merlyn. She says, ‘I’m happily married to Peter senior; we’re best friends as well as lovers, which is probably the best recipe for a successful relationship.’
Carole now writes for Historical Romance.
Look out for her new book in the new year.
THE INFAMOUS ITALIAN’S SECRET BABY
BY
CAROLE MORTIMER
www.millsandboon.co.uk
Table of Contents
PROLOGUE
‘THE party is outside by the pool.’
Bella froze in the doorway, searching the shadows of the unlit room she had entered by mistake, a study or den if the book-lined walls and desk were any indication. Her hand tightened about the door-handle as she finally saw the outline of the large, imposing figure seated behind that desk.
The man was totally unmoving, and yet his very stillness was an implied danger, an echo of the challenge in his tone. By the light from the hallway behind her, Bella was just able to make out the fall of long dark hair that grew onto a pair of wide shoulders, those shoulders and a powerful chest encased in a dark top of some kind.
She swallowed hard before speaking. ‘I was looking for the bathroom…’
‘As you can see, this is not it,’ he responded, his amused voice slightly accented. As he spoke some of the tension left his upper torso and he relaxed back in the high-backed chair, head tilted slightly sideways as the glitter of his gaze moved slowly over Bella standing silhouetted in the doorway. ‘Or perhaps you cannot see…’
Bella barely had time to realise that the husky voice sounded vaguely familiar before there was the click of a switch and a light illuminated the desk in a soft warm glow. And the man seated behind it. Bella recognised him instantly.
Gabriel Danti!
Bella felt her heart plummet in her chest as she looked at the wickedly handsome man in front of her. His thick dark hair and chocolate-brown eyes were almost black in their intensity. His olive-skinned face boasted a perfectly straight aristocratic nose, high cheekbones, a mouth that was full and sensual, and a square, arrogant chin, softened only by the slight cleft in its centre.
It was the face that thousands, no, millions of women all over the world sighed over. Daydreamed over. Drooled over!