The Italian's Virgin Acquisition. Michelle Conder

      The Italian’s convenient deal!

      Sebastiano Castiglione has a problem. His lifestyle of decadent hedonism has convinced his grandfather to retain control of the family dynasty. To take what’s owed him, Bastian must prove he’s a changed man. The sight of his stunning intern sparks an idea—and the flames of a burning desire!

      Innocent Poppy Connolly will not become another Castiglione acquisition—but she cannot refuse Bastian’s offer of three chances to change her family’s life. Her response to his smoldering physicality is shocking, and it won’t be long before the molten heat of Bastian’s gaze melts away all her resistance...

      Sebastiano drew her even closer, releasing the lapels of his jacket to slide his hands into the wisps of hair either side of her face. She stopped laughing instantly, her eyes suddenly wide as saucers. Her hair felt like silk against his fingers, her skin even softer. His eyes drifted from her mouth to the tiny pulse-point flickering at the base of her throat, a sense of victory he couldn’t explain coursing through him.

      ‘Kind of funny, you think?’

      ‘Sebastiano...?’ Her voice was soft and her hands came up to grip his thick wrists. ‘What are you doing?’

      ‘I’m going to give you a lesson in what I would do if this relationship was real.’

      Only it’s one hundred per cent fake, he reminded himself—right before he bent to her and covered her mouth with his.

      Her petal-soft lips parted on a gasp of surprise, her body stiffening beneath the onslaught. Sebastiano gathered her closer, feeling her rigidity give way to a trembling need as old as time.

      He groaned, pressing his lips harder over hers, seeking access to the warm recesses of her mouth. ‘Open for me, Poppy,’ he growled. ‘Kiss me as I’ve imagined you doing this past week. Let me taste you, bella. Let me—’

      Another groan escaped his lips as she did as he requested, willingly parting her mouth for him, a tiny whimper escaping her lips as his tongue swept inside.

      With two university degrees and a variety of false career starts under her belt, MICHELLE CONDER decided to satisfy her lifelong desire to write and finally found her dream job. She currently lives in Melbourne, Australia, with one super-indulgent husband, three self-indulgent but exquisite children, a menagerie of over-indulged pets, and the intention of doing some form of exercise daily. She loves to hear from her readers at michelleconder.com.

      Books by Michelle Conder

      Mills & Boon Modern Romance

      Defying the Billionaire’s Command

      Hidden in the Sheikh’s Harem The Most Expensive Lie of All Duty at What Cost? Living the Charade His Last Chance at Redemption

      One Night With Consequences

      Prince Nadir’s Secret Heir

      Scandal in the Spotlight

      Girl Behind the Scandalous Reputation

      Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk for more titles.

      The Italian’s Virgin Acquisition

      Michelle Conder

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Thank you to Laura, my beautiful editor,

      who deserves amazing things to happen in her life.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Dedication

       CHAPTER ONE

       CHAPTER TWO

       CHAPTER THREE

       CHAPTER FOUR

       CHAPTER FIVE

       CHAPTER SIX

       CHAPTER SEVEN

       CHAPTER EIGHT

       CHAPTER NINE

       CHAPTER TEN

       CHAPTER ELEVEN

       CHAPTER TWELVE

       CHAPTER THIRTEEN

       CHAPTER FOURTEEN

       Extract

       Copyright

       CHAPTER ONE

      SEBASTIANO CHECKED HIS Rolex as he strode into SJC Towers, his London office building, completely oblivious to the wintry rain landing like icy pellets on his face. From the moment he’d woken up he’d known it was going to be an interesting day. Interesting as in the Chinese curse ‘interesting’—not ‘it’s going to be great’ interesting. Not that he held much with curses or proverbs.

      But he wasn’t going to let noisy workmen, an unexpected early-morning visit from his now ex-mistress or a flat tyre derail him. He had been waiting for over two years for this day and finally his crusty old grandfather was going to give up on his stubbornness and hand over the reins of the family dynasty. And not before time!

      Bert, his weekend security chief, gave him a nod as he approached the reception desk, not at all perplexed to see his boss arriving for work on a Sunday morning.

      ‘Catch