Italian Honeymoon: Escape in Love, #3

By Reina M. Williams

Julia Ross can't believe her sister is married. They'd promised each other they'd stay single, but now it's just Julia, facing another change in her well-ordered life. And then there's the groom's brother, Romeo, who wants to change even more--he and his family want to compete with her family's restaurants, and entice her to work for them. But nothing about Romeo Bianchi is enticing...until he proposes.

Romeo Bianchi likes to shake things up--on his terms--and a fake wedding to Julia Ross seems like the perfect opportunity to rattle both of their families. But when their pretend marriage causes real problems, the two decide to face them together, until love strikes and Julia runs scared. Then they both have to decide if change is a price they're willing to pay for their happily ever after.

Heat level: Low heat (steamy kisses, heated thoughts, and long embraces)
Length: 120 pages

Content advisory: family drama, betrayal, teasing name-calling

Escape in Love:
Greek Getaway
Paris Interlude
Italian Honeymoon

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rickrack Books
• Release date: Oct 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393523710

Book preview

Chapter One

Julia knocked back another cosmo. The drink was unlike her—usually she went for straight, high-quality whiskey, but what the heck. It was a cosmo kind of night, in honor of her older sister getting married. Elissa was a cosmo kind of gal.

She watched Mom twirl with Danton, Elissa’s new husband, while Dad danced with Elissa. So much for their pact. They’d vowed at eight and twelve to never get married. Elissa would travel, doing her artist thing, while Julia would become a chef. And, until now, they’d both followed their plans.

Some boyfriends had wondered why she didn’t want to marry, what with her parents’ picture-perfect marriage. And their marriage was great—loving, solid, lasting. But there were the issues of Mom’s peacemaking and Dad’s sexism. And there was the issue of independence. She and Elissa both wanted to be independent women, proving that they could be successful and happy without the husband and two kids routine. Not that there was anything wrong with that. They’d just wanted a different life. Or so she’d thought. But love had taken Elissa, and she seemed happy.

Julia scanned the room, her gaze once again landing on Romeo Bianchi. Romeo, Danton’s younger half-brother, looked happy too. His smile made him look almost boyish, but he was Julia’s age, twenty-four. They’d met last night at the rehearsal dinner, and while he was handsome, he was too cheery for her taste, especially since that easy-going front hid his ruthless businessman core. He was a thoughtless jerk, acting all nice to them when it was his family that was behind the takeover attempts of Dad’s historic restaurants, where she worked at the flagship, Ross. And it had taken her a long time to get Dad to hire her. Never mind that she’d been top in her class, won award after award, and been featured in national magazines. Only after she’d worked at a rival restaurant here in Chicago did Dad wise up and invite her to work as head chef. Apparently, Dad’s business bottom line outweighed his ideas about what his daughters should be doing with their lives.

Her gaze went back to Romeo, waltzing with his youngest sister, Marni. The two looked the most similar of the siblings, both tall and thin with brown hair that caught the light, showing goldenish strands. They did a few swing-style steps, which Romeo fumbled, laughing loudly. He’d been downing drinks all night too. Not that she’d been looking at him.

He and Marni laughed together, almost collapsing into each other. Then Danton’s head of security, who seemed to be a friend—or maybe a protector—of Marni’s, cut in and took over the waltz.

Romeo kept smiling then met her gaze as he wove away from the dance floor. He winked and pointed to the bar, mouthing, Want another?

She shook her head. No way would she spend more time with Romeo Bianchi. The dance partners changed, Elissa moving into her husband’s arms. Julia was happy for them, really, but her throat tightened. Elissa had left their pact behind, so where did that leave her?

Rubbing her forehead, she took her drink and wended outside. She leaned against the railing of the terrace and looked inside through the French doors. Elissa and Danton kissed. Yes, they were happy, and they’d have a new life together. Danton was French, a successful Paris restaurateur, and they’d be back there soon—Elissa moving, leaving her alone.

Julia’s body, her life, weighed on her, like she was stuck in mud. People laughed, chatted, and danced inside the large ballroom at Dad’s best friend’s historic hotel. The familiar noises of downtown Chicago washed over her, adding to the weight, as much as another drink had the fog in her brain.

She set her glass on a nearby table and brushed her hands, as if to rid herself of this stuck feeling. She needed to do something. She needed a change.

Maybe it was time to plan starting her own restaurant. But not at this moment. Since she’d already said her congrats and all to the happy couple, she headed upstairs to the bridesmaids’ room, where she and Elissa and Zoe had gotten ready before the ceremony earlier.

When she got to the elevator and pressed the button, Danton’s younger brother, Romeo, sauntered up to her, a drink in hand.

Jules, leaving the party? He downed the rest of his drink and set the glass on the floor.

No consideration. And only her sister and Elissa’s best friend, Zoe, called her Jules. Where did this guy get off? He and his ruthless family could all rot. She crossed her arms and clenched her jaw. She had to be polite, for Elissa’s sake. At least he wasn’t bad to look at, all lean and athletic looking, but deceptively boyish, with that stupid cute smile and dimple in his left cheek.

So she’d eyed him during the ceremony. Checking out the enemy was all. Romeo’s family seemed to have it in for Dad, and she had no idea why. As usual, Dad was closed-mouth about the situation. She tightened her arms against her chest.

Supposedly, Danton had stopped the takeover attempts. That didn’t excuse Romeo and his family, especially since now there were rumors that they were planning to scoop up some properties in the area to open rival restaurants.

They boarded the elevator. Romeo gave her that stupid smile and asked her what floor. She pushed the button herself. He shrugged, but didn’t push a button. Oh, great. He was either on the same floor or planning on following her. Well, she knew the head of security here, so he’d better watch himself. The doors closed and they glided up.

Romeo looked at her again. Shoot, he had fine eyes, all bluish-grey, like her favorite storm clouds over the city...and fine pecs, and broad shoulders, and, yes, he was fine. But she wasn’t minding that, not one bit.

Ugh. She better watch herself—more like check her eyesight if she couldn’t see right through Romeo Bianchi.

What’s with your family? she asked. She’d be the only one to ask. She loved her family, but their polite repressions set her teeth on edge.

He shrugged again and swayed as he stood. What’s with any family? That grin broke out on his face again, a sly sun poking his head out of rainclouds. He reminded her of those old paintings of Helios Dad had somewhere...she couldn’t remember where just now. Want to really piss them all off?

I want to piss yours off, for sure.

Ha! Yeah. Okay, then let’s get married.

You’re really drunk.

Yeah. He stepped closer to her, his lightly tanned face studded with that one-day stubble that melted her bones. And his slight accent...she was a sucker for romance language accents. Fortunately, his wasn’t pronounced. He’d gone to college here, she’d learned last night.

She leaned back into the flat metal bar. He reached over and stopped the elevator. It bounced to a halt.

What the heck!

Come on, it’ll be fun. It’ll really jolt our families. Won’t that be fun?

You keep saying that. I guess it would be fun to stick it to your family. And she could get an insider’s view, too, figure out what their problem was, at least where Dad was concerned. Or was Romeo trying to do the same thing—pull something on Dad.

But no, no way. She wasn’t ever getting married, not even pretend. And not to a Bianchi. Her lips twisted into a grimace.

Aww, what’s that? Smile for me.

Ugh. You’re one arrogant jerk. Don’t tell people how to be.

Then I won’t tell you not to be a shrew. His smile widened. He was so drunk.

I should pop you one for that, but you might throw up on me, in your state.

And you’re sober as the proverbial judge?

She stood tall. Uh... Her head spun slightly. How do you get this thing back on? She studied the elevator buttons.

Here, he said, pushing a couple. The elevator lurched up, throwing her into him. Oh, his chest was hard, his strong, firm arms wrapped around her, holding her up. But it was more like they held each other up. His touch sizzled through her and she leaned into him, his scent—like strong Earl Grey tea—making her head lighten more.

Uhh. She shook her head, as much as she could with it pressed to his chest. What were you saying?

Let’s get married. Splash it all over the press. Greatest joke since... I have no idea. He kissed the top of her head. Come on, Jules. It’ll be one for the ages: Romeo and Jules, star-crossed lovers whose families hate each other. Only no tragic ending. Just an eventual divorce after we’ve stuck it to our families, made them see how stupid they’re being.

She pushed away from him and stepped back. I didn’t know you had so many sentences in you, and ones that make some sense, too. But no.

The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Come on. Vegas, yeah? We can take my jet. He ushered her out.

You have a jet? She glanced at him as they walked down the hall.

Sure. He made it sound like