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Category: Romance
Description: Set in Rome, Bella Signorina is a sweet, romantic story of two people who meet in a trendy caff�, and through the magic of dance and music discover they have many things in common. Bianca comes to Caff� Rosati every week, and for many weeks she's been watching a special man, a handsome, charming stranger who dances, flirts, and leaves alone each week. Bianca is a woman who enjoys her freedom, and has been hurt before, so she's not anxious to fall in love again. Something about the enigmatic Stefano has captivated her heart, though, and she is drawn to him in spite of herself. When she finally gathers her courage to approach him, and ask him to dance, little does she know that her entire world is about to change. Stefano Esposito is a man who's past relationships have not left him much in the way of ideals about women. Many have claimed to love him, none have understood him. Stefano is a rare breed in today's world of fast-paced life and love. He is a gentleman, a man who many consider a little out of step with the times. For Stefano, falling in love is the completion of a soul, not the consummation of a sexual itch. He wants the woman in his life to respect, understand, and adore him, as he will her. When he meets Bianca, he wonders if he's finally found the one he's waited a lifetime for? She understands his internal conflicts, his desires, and his dreams, after only hours together. When their attraction to each other flares too quickly and too intently, Stefano pulls back. Confused and uncertain, Bianca flees his beautiful home and business, and goes back to her busy life. But, once the dance has begun, is there a way to go back to what you knew before, or is it just a matter of time before the music lures you back to your dreams and, perhaps, makes them reality?
eBook Publisher: Solstice Publishing/Solstice Publishing,
eBookwise Release Date: January 2012

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [54 KB]
Words: 10860
Reading time: 31-43 min.

Caffe Rosati was crowded again, as it was most summer nights. Bianca Marino closed her eyes and sighed in silence, absorbing the cacophony of sounds and emotions that pulsed all around her. It was late, only an hour before closing, but the energy that permeated the caffe was the kind that made you feel like a lifetime could be packed into a single hour. Or a single dance, with the right partner. It was unique, even in Rome. People from all walks of life socialized with no discrimination. Glittering diamonds adorned graceful bodies, the cars outside were worth a king's ransom, and every designer in the country was well represented by the fashions on display.

But it wasn't the wealth or the fashion that had kept Bianca coming back to this particular caffe night after night. It was the beautiful young man who turned up toward closing time. She'd been watching him for weeks, and each night she saw him she grew more enchanted with him. He danced, he flirted, he laughed with friends, but he seldom left with the women who invariably tried to capture his interest. Only once did she recall him leaving with someone else, and she'd truly wished it had been her on his arm. They watched each other often, but a word had never passed between them. Bianca felt closer to him though than she did many of the people in her life every day, and felt utterly foolish for the romantic whimsy of it. No amount of debate in her mind could make logic overtake the emotional bond she felt, though.

A tingle woke at the back of her neck, and for just a moment, she savored the sensation and let it fan outward, washing over her senses like a caressing whisper until it became a tremor of excitement. Then she opened her eyes and turned, instinct bringing her to the precise spot where he now stood at the bar.

Her look drifted slowly, brushing over him with the adoring sensuality of a lover's touch. He was almost six feet tall. His short, dark hair was perfectly coiffed and combed, but there was one stubborn lock that refused to stay in place, perpetually falling onto his forehead. His smooth, lightly tanned skin was flawless, his dark blue eyes sharp and observant. He had long fingers, artistic hands that moved with casual grace as he spoke. His physical presence wasn't imposing, yet there was an energy around him that made it impossible to not notice him--as though music pulsed through his veins, an integral part of his life's blood that touched everyone he looked at.

Tonight he was dressed in the mix of easy elegance and style that she'd come to expect. Dark, tailored pants, snow-white shirt, polished shoes, his jacket was on the bar. Around his neck was the glitter of gold, a simple cross that seemed to fit him as naturally as everything else. Gold watch on the left wrist, ring on the right hand, gold rope bracelet on that wrist. He laughed at something that was said and turned to order a drink.

Bianca hugged herself for a moment, and wondered if this would be the night she stopped looking and actually spoke to him at last. Her speculation was cut short when a voice spoke into her right ear and she was forced to turn around to see who had just asked her to dance. She danced a lot at this caffe, it was often the only time she was totally happy, lost in the music and the precise rhythms it inspired.

"Gianni." He kissed her hand and she rose, allowing him to lead her to the small area reserved for dancing, all the while discreetly keeping one eye on the man she'd been observing. Her heart actually fluttered when she saw him looking directly at her, his smile polite and dazzling.