Italian Nights to Claim the Virgin; Cinderella and the Outback Billionaire; Desert King's Forbidden Temptation; The Baby Behind Their Marriage Merger

About the Authors SHARON KENDRICK once won a national writing competition by describing her ideal date: being flown to an exotic island by a gorgeous and powerful man. Little did she realize that she’d just wandered into her dream job! Today she writes for Harlequin, and her books feature often stubborn but always to-die-for heroes and the women who bring them to their knees. She believes that the best books are those you never want to end. Just like life... KELLY HUNTER has always had a weakness for fairy tales, fantasy worlds and losing herself in a good book. She has two children, avoids cooking and cleaning and, despite the best efforts of her family, is no sports fan. Kelly is, however, a keen gardener and has a fondness for roses. Kelly was born in Australia and has traveled extensively. Although she enjoys living and working in different parts of the world, she still calls Australia home. CLARE CONNELLY was raised in small-town Australia among a family of avid readers. She spent much of her childhood up a tree, Harlequin book in hand. Clare is married to her own real-life hero, and they live in a bungalow near the sea with their two children. She is frequently found staring into space—a surefire sign she is in the world of her characters. She has a penchant for French food and ice-cold champagne, and Harlequin novels continue to be her favorite-ever books. Writing for Harlequin Presents is a long-held dream. Clare can be contacted via clareconnelly.com or on her Facebook page. JOSS WOOD loves books and traveling—especially to the wild places of southern Africa and, well, anywhere. She’s a wife, a mom to two teenagers and a slave to two cats. After a career in local economic development, she now writes full-time. Joss is a member of Romance Writers of America and Romance Writers of South Africa. Books by Sharon Kendrick Cinderella’s Christmas Secret One Night Before the Royal Wedding Secrets of Cinderella’s Awakening Confessions of His Christmas Housekeeper Her Christmas Baby Confession Innocent Maid for the Greek Jet-Set Billionaires Penniless and Pregnant in Paradise Passionately Ever After... Stolen Nights with the King Books by Kelly Hunter Billionaires of the Outback Return of the Outback Billionaire Claimed by a King Shock Heir for the Crown Prince Convenient Bride for the King Untouched Queen by Royal Command Pregnant in the King’s Palace Books by Clare Connelly Crowned for His Desert Twins Emergency Marriage to the Greek Pregnant Princess in Manhattan Passionately Ever After... Cinderella in the Billionaire’s Castle The Cinderella Sisters Vows on the Virgin’s Terms Forbidden Nights in Barcelona The Long-Lost Cortéz Brothers The Secret She Must Tell the Spaniard Books by Joss Wood The Rules of Their Red-Hot Reunion Cape Town Tycoons The Nights She Spent with the CEO Scandals of the Le Roux Wedding The Billionaire’s One-Night Baby The Powerful Boss She Craves The Twin Secret She Must Reveal The Secret Heir Returns Crossing Two Little Lines Just a Little Jilted Their Temporary Arrangement Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk. Italian Nights to Claim the Virgin Sharon Kendrick “Isn’t that why I’m here?” But it still took a lot of nerve for her to actually come out and say it. “Because you can teach me.” Alessio frowned. “Teach you what?” “Everything you know.” She shrugged. “About sex. Think about it, Alessio,” she challenged softly. “You’re experienced and I’m not—but I’ve always been an excellent student.” His face was a picture. There was desire—yes, but it was the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes that made him seem more human. More accessible. And that was dangerous. She couldn’t possibly make such a cold-blooded demand if she was then going to commit the cardinal crime of falling in love with him. There was no point in being bold and ambitious if she then came over as vulnerable. But he had recovered his equilibrium and his faint consternation had been replaced by a slow smile of anticipation which was making her tummy tighten. “You want me to teach you everything I know about sex, do you, cara?” he murmured. “It’s certainly the most unconventional request I’ve ever received from a woman but rest assured, Nicola—it will be my pleasure.” This story was inspired by Il Giardinello, the Umbrian home of my dearest friends, Guy Black and Mark Bolland. In this exquisite setting I have enjoyed countless laughs and good times—delicious food, lively debate and stunning sunsets. Grazie, cari! xxx PROLOGUE ALESSIO DI BARI COULD cope with the fact that Nicola Bennett disliked him. He was used to women disliking him—usually when they finally realised he had no intention of budging from his negative position on matrimony, or indeed any form of long-term commitment. And he was used to anger. Hot-blooded passion, which often ended up in the bedroom in a riot of hastily discarded clothing and warm, pulsating flesh. It made a welcome change from his infamously cold and scientific demeanour. What he wasn’t used to was indifference. He frowned, because such a lukewarm sentiment was insulting—and it was definitely indifference which was filtering through the air towards him as he stood within the airy confines of the exclusive London art gallery. ‘Would you like some coffee, Signor di Bari?’ Her eyes were glacial, he thought. Cool as ice. But then, everything about Nicola Bennett was cool. Her clothes. Her demeanour. Even her voice—every syllable carefully chipped out, as if she’d thought about each and every word she was uttering. Alessio met the shuttered grey gaze which gleamed from her unmoving features, puzzled by his fascination for her. Because she certainly wasn’t beautiful and neither was she particularly well-dressed—although he recognised that he had fairly exacting standards. Her plain white shirt and plain black skirt were undeniably smart but surely a little dull. Her shoes were sensible, sì, as were her neatly filed fingernails—but again, they were dull. Her only adornment was the thinnest gold chain he had ever seen—a modest piece of jewellery which